Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday, June 25, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 8 No. 66

Monday, June 25, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Shaaban 5, 1433 AH

N150

Gunmen attack Damaturu prison, free 40 inmates From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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ome gunmen suspected to be members of Jamaátu Ahlis-Sunna lid Daáwati wal Jihad, commonly referred

to as Boko Haram stormed a prison in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital yesterday, freeing 40 inmates.

During the prison raid, the attackers allegedly threw

explosives on the detention facility and shot at prison guards before making their way into the jail.

The Yobe state Police Commissioner, Patrick

Egbuniwe confirmed that 40 inmates were freed during the jailbreak.

According to the state Police Commissioner, “There was an attack on the Yobe prison this

morning. The Boko Haram sect attacked the prison through the Emir’s Palace, 40 inmates escaped.

“They attacked with rifles; Contd on Page 2

I won’t make my assets public – Jonathan

Says FG still open to dialogue with Boko Haram

By Lawrence Olaoye & Josephine Ella

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday insisted that he was not under any obligation to publicly declare his assets as doing so would amount to playing to the gallery.

The President who fielded questions during his third Presidential Media Chat since he became leader of the country in May, 2010, said: “The issue of assets declaration is a matter of principle.” While maintaining that he had nothing to hide by refusing to make his assets public, Jonathan said he felt it was not particularly right to do so as that would make it compulsory for all public office holders to do same.

He said insisting on public declaration of assets may scare some people, especially women, away from taking public offices as they may have to compel their husbands to equally declare their assets.

The President stressed: “I could be investigated when I leave office; If I must declare my Contd on Page 2

Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in jubilant mood after he was declared President of Egypt with 51.7 percent of run-off votes yesterday, defeating a former Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafik.

Bomb scare in ABU as Jigawa withdraws students >> PAGE 2

Okada ban: Jos residents seek reversal >> PAGE 2

Subsidy probe: Firm sues House of Reps, Farouk Lawan >> PAGE 5

Yakowa vows to restore peace in Kaduna >> PAGE 6

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

CONTENTS

Bomb scare in ABU as Jigawa withdraws students

News

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Newsxtra

26

Education

27

Health

30

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igawa and Rivers state governments during the weekend withdrew over 80 indigenes of their respective states, who are studying in the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, over a bomb scare in the Kongo Campus of the university.

The withdrawal was apparently due to the worsening security of lives and properties in the state, which left over 70 people dead in the preceding weekend, following attacks and reprisal attacks between Muslim and Christian youths in the state.

In reaction to this development, the Vice Chancellor, Abdullahi Mustapha, has alerted the federal government over the development, saying that the suspicious manner with which the state governments whisked away their students in luxury buses created anxiety and confusion in the entire university community, adding that some students have started fleeing the university.

A statement signed by his media consultant, Waziri Isa Gwantu, said “four buses belonging to the Jigawa State Government with armed mobile police escort forced their way into the Kongo campus of

the university where the state’s students numbering 50, were whisked away.”

It added that the Rivers state government, also escorted by armed mobile policemen, illegal evacuated students from their state in a 40 seater bus, regretting that neither of the state governments consulted the Kaduna state governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state or the

authorities of the University before evacuating the students.

While calling on the federal government to urgently investigate the motives behind such action, the Vice Chancellor stated that ABU is peaceful and stable, while the students wait for lectures to commence fully due to the curfew imposed on the state.

He assured parents of the

safety of their children both within and outside the institution, saying security operatives had been detailed to man both campuses.

Meanwhile, he dismissed the reported bomb scare in the Kongo campus of the University, describing it as baseless cook-up by mischief makers to raise false alarm to scare students.

Okada ban: Jos residents appeal for reversal

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ome residents of suburbs of Jos have appealed to the Plateau State Government to reverse its decision on the ban on all motorcycles from ply some major roads in the state.

The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Saturday that they now faced transportation difficulties because of the decision.

A resident, Mr Yusuf Kieku, said that taxis and tricycle operators avoided some neighbourhoods even where the roads were motorable, adding that the newlyintroduced state-sponsored transport vehicles were inadequate.

Mr Jeremiah John, a commuter, told NAN that he

had just walked a kilometre from his residence to connect the only taxi route in the area.

“This has become my normal routine since the ban, as taxis do not go beyond this only tarred road,” he said.

John described the routine as cumbersome.

“My wife also goes through this routine daily to take our only daughter to school as we can no longer secure the services of an Okada rider. ’’ He said that he also owned a motorcycle which has now become useless to him since the ban.

Mr Ezekiel Longs, a resident of Rantya, said that he had been assisting some of the residents with his car to nearby taxi routes, especially when it rained.

the real insurgents were yet to be identified.

He however assured that they would be rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society once they come forward for negotiation.

The President however disclosed that the activities of the Boko Haram would not stop governance in the country.

Responding to questions on why he chose to travel to Brazil to attend the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro when the Boko Haram sect attacked churches in Zaria, Kaduna, as well as other areas in Damaturu, with the accompanying reprisals, killing scores of Nigerians in the process, the President said he had no regrets travelling to the South American country.

While explaining that he was aware of the situation on ground in both Kaduna and Yobe states before he embarked on the trip, Jonathan argued that it would have been an error in international politics for him to halt the trip because of the activities of some terrorists.

The President said one of the tactics of terrorists was to strangulate government insisting that Boko Haram would have celebrated victory if he had suspended his trip because of their activities.

He said halting his trip to Brazil as at the time Kaduna and Yobe states were on fire could have sent a negative signal to

people especially in the rest of the world.

Such signal, he insisted, could damage the image of the country as it would mean that the nation was no longer safe.

“The day the international community gets to know that Nigerian President couldn’t travel because of Boko Haram, then the nation is finished. So Boko Haram and their sponsors cannot stop Nigeria from moving forward; they cannot bring us to our knees. We sympathize with the level of damage they have done, but Nigeria must move forward”, he said.

Commenting on the recent removal of the Minister for Defence, Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed and the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Andrew Owoeye Azazi, Jonathan said they were sacked because new hands with different tactics were needed to combat the nation’s insecurity even as he acknowledged that the Boko Haram insurgents were daily modifying their tactics.

On his political ambition for 2015, the President repeated his earlier position that it was improper for him to make a declaration on that now.

He said his priority at the moment was to tackle the security challenges on ground and move the economy ahead.

He also cautioned Nigerians against making speculations about his political intention come 2015.

He called on the government to allow the motorcycles ply some areas, particularly the suburbs.

NAN recalls that the Commissioner for Information, Mr Abraham Yiljap, had said that the decision was for security reasons.

Yiljap said that the government had provided 500 tricycles and 300 mini-cabs to take care of intra-city transportation. (NAN)

Gunmen attack Damaturu prison, free I won’t make my assets public – Jonathan 40 inmates

Insecurity: Julius Berger put operations on hold in North, Page 19

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 assets publicly, then every public office holders must do same and I don’t think that’s right.”

According to him, but for Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua’s public declaration of his assets in 2007, he (Jonathan) would not have make public his own assets while he was vice-president.

Commenting on why the government has yet to commence talks with the dreaded Boko Haram, Jonathan said inasmuch as the government is prepared to dialogue with the group to end the reign of terror in the land, it will not discuss with a faceless group.

He said he was ignorant of the demands of the sect, asserting that: “I don’t know what their demands are but I know that terrorists all over the world want to destabilize the government.”

According to him, Boko Haram began by attacking government facilities and when doing such could not bring the government down, it changed tactics and began to attack churches. The aim of the attacks on churches and other worship centres, according to him, was to cause disharmony and religious war in the country.

While agreeing that certain individuals, including Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad, have access to the leadership of the group, Jonathan disclosed that there was no negotiation because

Contd from Page 1

the police and the JTF confronted them and the Boko Haram members that were shot were carried away by the sect,” he said.

Mr. Egbuniwe disclosed that a combined team of the Police and Army went after the attackers, whom he said were being traced to Bundigari and Pawari wards of the state capital.

Police sources said the suspected Boko Haram members staged the daring attack on the Damaturu prison on Gashua road, around 6.00am yesterday.

Residents reported that sounds of sporadic gunshots permeated the area during the incident.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) forces had engaged in a fierce gunfight with the sect early last week leading to the capture and execution of a leading Boko Haram commander, Habibu Bama, who was accused of masterminding a Christmas day church suicide attack, as well as the bombings of the UN House and the Police Force headquarters.

The radical sect confirmed the death of Habibu Bama on Saturday. “We are happy for Habibu Bama’s martyrdom,” Boko Haram said of its member, who was a former soldier”, the group said in a brief statement.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 3

Reps query MDAs over N21.1bn contingency budget

By Lawrence Olaoye

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L-R: Managing Director, BICS/NIIT, Mr. Martin Wallace, Chairman, BICS/NIIT, Mr. Shaka Momoh, and Head of Media, Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Olubunmi Badejo, during the opening ceremony of ICT training for staff of Federal Civil Service Commission and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

FG to provide jobs for 370,000 Nigerians

By Josephine Ella

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o fewer than 370, 000 Nigerians across the country are to be offered employment by the Federal Government (FG) soon.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who disclosed this yesterday, at the Presidential Media Chat held in Abuja, said 10,000 youths would be considered from each states of the federation.

Fielding questions from journalists on the unemployment

situation in the country, he said: “In terms of job creation, we are going to provide employment for 370,000 Nigerians across the country. This will comprise 10,000 from each state”.

The President assured that the criteria for the employment would not be based on “who knows who.”

He noted that agriculture is another sector that has the capacity of generating employment for Nigerians, especially in the North.

In order to encourage people to

engage in agriculture, Jonathan added: “We are giving free improved cotton seed to farmers in the north, who are farming cotton and we are going to do this in all the commodities”.

He expressed optimism that with this, poverty would be reduced in time to come.

Jonathan said that the administration has succeeded in wiping away corruption in the area of tractor and fertiliser distribution in the new Growth Enhancement Scheme of the FG.

ouse of Representatives has concluded plans to investigate several government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) over the misappropriation of the sum of N21.1 billion approved for Service Wide vote from 2003 to 2006.

The Service Wide Vote is a major component of the annual national budget earmarked for "Contingencies" and approved by the National Assembly but without specific budget details submitted.

"It is a virtual account. It is a fund from which disbursement is made as need arises", according to Jonah Otunla, Accountant General of the Federation, while responding to queries raised on federation account in the audit report being scrutinized by the House Committee on Public Account.

The resolution was sequel to the discovery of misappropriation of N21,103,363,588.92 allocated for execution of capital projects by 22 ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) within the period under review.

From the amount, N6,049,128,835.86 was over spent

by Federal Ministry of Police Affairs/ Nigeria Police; N2,053,171,980.91

by Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development; N1,961,406,158.40 overspent by Federal Capital Territory (FCT); N1,346,905,995.44 by FCT High Court of Justice; N1,469,692,118.93 by Federal Ministry of Information and Orientation; N1,082,381,868.81

by Federal Character Commission; N1,194,243,862.86 by National judicial Council (NJC); N819,779,118.77 by Federal Ministry of Industry; N701,919,615.84 by House of Representatives and N437,165,846.73 by National Assembly office among others.

Solomon Adeola, chairman House Committee on Public Accounts and other lawmakers during the interactive session with Jonah Otunla, Accountant General of the Federation, representatives of the Auditor General for the Federation and some of the MDAs, expressed concerns over the recurring cases of extra-budgetary spendings.

To this extent, the Committee directed Accountant General of the federation to submit details of how Service Wide Vote for the period under review were expended and purposes for which the fund was spent.

He disclosed that the misappropriated funds were discovered by the Auditor General of the Federation during the computation of the report submitted by the office Accountant General.

Tambuwal condemns violence, pleads for tolerance

Pension scandal: Plot to S assassinate Maina uncovered

By Lawrence Olaoye

As Reps disagree with Senate over his indictment

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he Federal Government at the weekend allegedly uncovered plot to assassinate the Chairman of the Presidential Task Team of on Pension Reform, Abdulrasheed Maina, and resolved to beef up security around him.

It was learnt that the government took the decision to provide maximum security for Maina, who was last week indicted for complicity in the pension fraud by the Senate ad-hoc committee investigating the fraud in the nation’s pension regime. Following repeated signals about plans to kidnap him after several attempts made to disband his Committee on Pension Reform had failed.

The plot to kidnap Maina was said to have been leaked to security agencies by one of those contracted to perfect the plan, a reason the security operatives considered the need to beef up security around Maina.

Some of those indicted of

alleged pilfering of pension funds and who are currently facing charges of looting the fund were said to have been prime suspects in the kidnapping plot, although thorough investigations are said to be ongoing on the issue.

When contacted, Maina confirmed the kidnap plot but said he only woke up to see new set of security men posted to his residence, adding that it was when he made phone contacts that he discovered that the security beefup around him was not unconnected to the plot to kidnap him.

The Senate had at the close of legislative session last week adopted a Report from its ad hoc Committee on Pension, concluding that the Head of Pension Reform Task Team had compromised by mismanaging the money he had recovered from government officials who allegedly looted pension funds in billions.

The Senate Committee in the

Report therefore, called for probe of Maina by the anti-graft agencies while indicating that it would issue a warrant of arrest to compel the appearance Maina in case he delayed in honouring its summons.

But the House of Representatives has consistently maintained that Maina has no case to answer in the pension scam insisting that the Presidency should rather further empower him to continue his reforms in the nation’s pension regime.

The House Committee on Pension raised a memo signed by its Chairman, Rep Ibrahim Kamba, to the Head of Service of the Federation titled “Urgent Call on Mr President To Further Give Protection and Directive to the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform to Continue To Carry Out Thorough, Comprehensive/ Holistic Pension Reform Across All MDAs and Parastatals To A Logical Conclusion.”

The House said it had

conducted probes on Pension funds and had also made an independent on-the-spot verification of bio data of pensioners in the Diaspora, and found out that “the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform should be the only genuine veritable vehicle for executing reform agenda on Pension Funds.

It said: “In the light of corruption in the management of Pension Funds within MDAs and Parastatals, the House Committee on Pensions wishes to call on President Jonathan to direct the Presidential Task Team on Pension Reform to overhaul and continue to reform all MDAs and Parastatals pension administration.

“The task team is also to liaise with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to search, expose and recover all MDAs and parastatals’ pension fund accounts that might be trapped, hidden, forgotten and lying dormant in all commercial banks in Nigeria,” it said.

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday condemned the violence that has gripped different parts of the North, and admonished adherents of all faiths in the urged country to respect one another and work towards building bridge of understanding among the people.

Speaking when he addressed worshippers and other well wishers at the St. Cyprian's Anglican Church, Koroma, Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Tambuwal said various communities in the country have lived together in peace for ages, and as such no one should seek to undermine that peace and harmony being enjoyed.

He was in Rivers to witness the thanksgiving ceremony organised

by Rep B life and places of worship, adding that Prophet Muhammad places high premium on respect for churches and monasteries during his life time and has enjoined his followers to do same.

According to him, in theory and orientation, Islam and Christianity are not antagonistic to each other.

"In Damascus, I saw the tomb of John the Baptist inside a mosque.

Few metres away from there, lies the grave of the grandson of our holy prophet Muhammad (SAW).

I think we have a lot to learn from that," the Speaker added.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 4

Katsina Assembly loses member From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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he death has occurred of a member of the Katsina state House of Assembly, representing Dutsi local government, Alhaji Tasi’u Suleiman Yamel.

Yamel, 59, died in Kano, in the early hours of yesterday, after a protracted illness.

The deceased was a former head of health of Dutsi local government and a two time chairman of the local government, before his election into the state house of assembly in 2011.

The late lawmaker left behind four wives, 34 children.

He had been buried in his village, Yamel in accordance with Islamic rites.

Those who attended the burial include the state deputy governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Faskari, and some members of the assembly.

Boko Haram: OPC ready to protect Kwara T From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

he Kwara state Chapter of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) at the weekend, declared its readiness to protect the people of the state from possible attack from the aggrieved ‘Boko Haram’ sect, noting that with its over 19,000 members, the sect should not take the state and the Yoruba people for a ride.

Our correspondent gathered that the Congress had ordered all its branches across the 16 local government areas to extend their tentacle across the length and breadth of the state.

At the state meeting held penultimate Saturday, Peoples Daily gathered that all the 16 local government leaders of the group were mandated to recruit youths within their domain and always prepare for emergency.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the Coordinator of the OPC in Kwara state, Comrade Moruf Abdulsalam, said their preparation was not meant to protect the people of the state alone, but to ensure that all the innocent souls were not wasted through the hands

of Boko Haram sect.

“We are preparing for them.

We are not praying for them to attack us in Kwara state or any Yoruba land, but we know that this group is a threat. Therefore, we are not leaving any stone unturned.

“The separation of Nigeria may be possible because any disease that did not leave a

patient, such sickness could kill the person. Americans have predicted that Nigeria will breakup in the year 2015 and Boko Haram is confirming that by raining bombs in the country.

On the possibilities of assisting President Goodluck Jonathan to fight the sect, Comrade Adbulsalam, said that the presidency knows the

amount it budgeted for security agencies in the country, stressing that the major objective of OPC was mainly to protect the Yoruba people.

“We did not collect any money from security votes; they know those that are collecting the huge sum. But if President invites us, we shall do something because our national leaders have spoken on this issue before.”

The leader of the group in the state however disclosed that they have already discovered new scientific ways of dealing with bomb blast, saying that the idea will be experimented at the right time.

Why we keep suspects in our custody for weeks Man stuck –– NDLEA on MTN mast From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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ational Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bauchi command, has explained the reasons for keeping a serving councilor and one other suspect arrested with cannabis three weeks ago in its custody.

The state Commander of the NDLEA Mr. Julius Bawa Parah, disclosed this to newsmen in Bauchi at the weekend, saying that the agency had within 24 hours of the suspects arrest made preliminary investigations and filed charges against them before the Bauchi Federal High Court.

“What we normally do here is, the moment we make an arrest, in less than 24 hours, we carry out preliminary investigation, you know the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives us only 24 hours to keep somebody”, he said.

He added that once the suspect is identified and the quantity of the drugs, a charge would immediately be filed against him at the Federal High Court.

“What obtains now, it is the court that will ask us to produce the person that we file a charge against and up to now he is still in custody, the court has not ask us to produce him yet”, Parah stated.

According to him, “We have finished our investigations, we are only waiting for the court to ask us to produce him, and we cannot on our own carry him to the court”.

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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middle-aged man, who climbed an MTN mast in order to steal properties of the communication company, found himself stuck and could not climb down.

Our correspondent gathered that the middle-aged man, identified as Babangida Bangis, a residents of Bayara community, a suburb of Bauchi metropolis has climbed up a Mast Belonging to MTN to steal some properties of the communication company, but was unable to come down from the mast because of the distance.

Sources said the suspect, Babangida Bangis, 30, had in the early hours of the morning climbed up the MTN mast to steal their properties but luck run out of him and hook up on the tall mast.

He said the incident attracted the attention of residents of the community, motorists and passer-by, who swiftly moved to the mast that was located a few metre away from the BauchiDass road, along Tafawa Balewa Road.

It was also gathered that it took the efforts of two policemen who climbed up the mast, where the suspect was stucked to persuade him to come down.

The Bauchi state Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Abubakar who confirmed the incident to news men in a telephone interview said the suspect has been arrested and charged to court.

Suspected vandal, Abubakar Mohammed being arrested by security operatives, on Saturday at Kafin Tafawa, in Bauchi local government area of Bauchi state.

Photo: NAN

Mantu, Gana decry spate of insecurity From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

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ormer Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu and former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, have both expressed worry over the wave of bomb blasts in the country.

The duo gave this indication in separate interviews with journalists in Lamurde council area of Adamawa state over the weekend, where they paid their last respect to former NLC President Comrade Paschal Myeleri Bafyau.

Senator Mantu said the ugly happenings has never been experienced in recent times stressing that the current security challenges have defied human understanding, describing it as most unfortunate.

“After the Abdulmutallab issue when the US blacklisted us as a terrorist nation, we protested because we felt we had

no business with terrorism, little did we know that we are going to become worse than most countries that have witnessed it; even in Iraq and Afghanistan, they have not witnessed 200 explosions in one day as we witnessed in Kano. So today, we have actually joined the league of terrorist nations.”

Speaking further, Mantu bemoaned the menace of Boko Haram in the North, spate of kidnapping in the South South as well as armed robbery in other parts of the country, adding that “there’s no peace anywhere, Nigeria is absolutely under siege by insecurity and I think it has defied human understanding.

Our country is sick and we are all guilty. We need to search ourselves and change our ways of doing things.”

He however exuded confidence that after involving in deep and sincere spiritual cleansing through fasting and

praying by Nigerians the Almighty will provide answer and restore peace in Nigeria.

“What we have to do is to go down on our knees and pray to God almighty to intervene in this matter, something has gone wrong and we all need to be born again. We all need to go on our knees pray for his forgiveness; to me I believe God is angry with Nigeria. What is happening is beyond any human understanding.” Mantu said.

On his part, Prof Gana, attributed the security challenge being faced to impunity, as according to him, “impunity is what is destroying us. In Nigeria, people do certain things and get away with it. We must not allow that.”

He therefore urged President Goodluck Jonathan to be firm and courageous to ensure that solutions proffered are implemented effectively with no sacred cows.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 5

Plateau moves to boost security at churches, mosques From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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ollowing the bomb threats on places of worship and institutions in the state, the trio of Plateau state Police Commissioner, Mr. Diipo Emmanuel Ayeni, Commander of Anti-Terrorist Squand, DSP Obed Ali Masoyi and Commissioner for Information, Yiljab Abraham yesterday visited worship centres targeted for the purported attack.

Some of the churches visited include Saint Finbars Catholic Church Rayfield, the Church of Christ In Nations COCIN Rayfield among many others.

Peoples Daily observed there was a heavy security presence within the state’s capital with increased number of check points, while several anti bomb squad unit were seen patrolling Jos and Bukuru metropolis.

Our correspondent also observed that while many worshipers could not worship at their usual centers, others chose to

worship in nearby churches due to announcement of bomb threat on places of worship by the state Police Commissioner.

A resident of Jos, Mr. Lemshak, who said he had to stay at home and worship for the fear of possible attack by Boko Haram sect, however called on federal government to do everything possible to ensure the safety of all Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the state commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljab said the state government is proposing a bill that would make it mandatory for all places of worship to comply with the security measures that all places of worship must attained for the safety of their places of worship and members.

He urged citizens to be security conscious and report any suspicious movements or strange faces in their midst to security agents for prompt action, adding that “the security personnel needs information from members of the public to get rid of the terrorists.”

Boko Haram: Jonathan must sack more people, says NANS From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said if President Goodluck Jonathan is ready to end the Boko Haram menace and other security challenges in the country, he must give more people the boot.

Reacting to the recent sack of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Minister of Defence, Bello Haliru Mohammed, NANS in a statement issued by its Vice President (External Affairs), Comrade Aremo GbengaOyebode, said “Other security chiefs like those two failed the nation and they must be sacked.”

Gbenga-Oyebode particularly called for the sacking of the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd), and said the

nation's security apparatus, especially the intelligence gathering departments need total overhauling and the most affected is the police.

"If Bello Haliru Mohammed, whose Ministry is in charge of external security of the country could be sacked because of internal security problems in the country, President Jonathan needs to explain why he is still keeping Olubolade, whose Ministry should be the one responsible for tackling the Boko Haram menace,” he said.

"Mr. President must therefore live above sectional and manknow-man politics by weeding his government of grossly incompetent people, because Nigerians are begining to get impatient with him," NANS said.

when the committee was set up, it wrote its managing director to make detailed presentation on its activities as they affect the importation and distribution of petroleum products which he honoured.

The firm argued that while the managing director was making the presentation, the issue of impropriety was not leveled against it nor was any impression or indication given that there was any discrepancy.

It also expressed its dissatisfaction over resolve by the committee on alleged impropriety and that it should refund N13.2billion.

The firm, however, want the court to determine whether having regard to the provision of

R-L: Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam, in a handshake with DIG Atiku Kafur, during the latter’s visit the governor, recently in Damaturu, the state capital.

Improved police welfare will stem insecurity — Gaidam obe State Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam has said the federal government must do more in terms of welfare and wellbeing of police officers and men to ensure they effectively stand up to the security challenges that the nation faces.

“In the course of their duties, as we have observed, the police is seriously handicapped in the areas of logistics, training and welfare.

Perhaps this explains why it has been difficult to do away with some of the unwholesome practices aAt check points as the morale of police

personnel is at its lowest ebb”, Gaidam said.

Speaking yesterday, at the Government House Damaturu when he receives the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) ‘F’ Department, Mr. Atiku Yusuf Kafur, who paid a courtesy on him, the Governor, advocated for a special welfare package for police officers and men ‘in the event of death, injury or accident in the course of discharging their lawful responsibilities’.

Kafur was on a visit to Damaturu to undertake an on-thespot assessment of the town, following last Monday’s encounter

between members of the Boko Haram sect and security personnel.

He said this will equip officers and men with a frame of mind of confidence and trust which will make them to go to the limits of their abilities knowing that the Government ‘is there for them’.

Gaidam said, on its part, the Yobe State Government is doing a lot to support the police and other security agencies with the provision of 180 four-wheel drive jeeps and over N40 million monthly in ration cash allowance (RCA).

The DIG ‘F’ Department, on his part, commended Gaidam for being of the ‘foremost State Governors’ in providing support to security agencies.

Section 6(1) and (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, it was competent for them in the exercise of their powers under Section 88(1)(a and b) (I and ii) of the constitution to take a decision or adjudge that petroleum products in respect of which it received subsidy refunds in the sum N13.2billion from the Federal Government is not sustainable and therefore not good enough to attract any subsidy payment.

In the suit filed on its behalf by Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), the firm also want the court to determine whether it was lawful for any of the defendants to act or take any action or step against it or any of its officers, in respect of any matter relating to or arising from the

committees report as adopted or approved by the House in its resolution passed on April 25, 2012 as it affects it.

It prayed the court to make a declaration that by virtue of Section 6(1) and (6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, the resolution of the House by adopting the subsidy report, particularly as it concerns it, is ultra vires and consequently unconstitutional, null and void.

The firm also wants the court to make a declaration that by the rules of natural justice and Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the House and the committee were bound to make available to it, detailed particulars of the allegations concerning the importation, distribution and

consumption of petroleum products and the payment of subsidy from 2006 to 2011.

The firm further wants the court to declare that the resolution of the House approving the report of the committee that it should N13.2billion is contrary to the rules of natural justice and section 36 of the Constitution and therefore illegal, null and void.

It further urged the court to declare that the AGF, EFCC, ICPC and IG are not entitled in law to act or take any step on account of the report by the House and committee.

It wants the court to restrain the defendants and their agents from taking any action or step against it and its officers based on the report.

By Umar Mohammed Puma

Y

Subsidy probe: Oil firm sues House of Reps, Farouk Lawan From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

A

n oil marketing firm, Integrated Oil and Gas Limited, has instituted a suit against the House of Representatives and the Hon. Farouk Lawan-led Ad-hoc Committee on the Subsidy Regime before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Joined as defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Inspector General of Police.

The oil marketing firm in its affidavit in support of the originating summons argued that,

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Yakowa vows to restore peace in Kaduna

By Lawal S. Sanusi

G

overnor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state has promised that his administration would continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that peace and normalcy returns to the state and indeed Nigeria.

Yakowa further stated that such stakeholders include Vice President Namadi Sambo, who as a former governor of the state and understands the challenges of governing the state.

Yakowa, who stated this in a statement signed by his External Media consultant Mr. Emmanuel Ado, commended the role Sambo played in ensuring that security was beefed up in Kaduna state.

According to Ado, "Governor Yakowa does not and would never be convinced that the Vice president would be part of any plot to declare a state of emergency in Kaduna state, because a state of emergency in the state would serve no purpose, but rather worsen the issues facing the state."

The governor further said that the security challenges presently facing the state is not local, but national in nature adding that the challenge facing his administration is the rebuilding of trust amongst the diverse people of the state.

"The events of the last few days have shown the futility of

retaliatory attacks. Retaliatory attacks would only worsen the situation. And we will be playing into the hands of those who do not mean well for Nigeria," Yakowa said.

Meanwhile Governor Patrick Yakowa had yesterday met with

Christian and Muslim leaders to discuss the protracted crisis in the state.

Yakowa, who met with the religious leaders shortly after a similar meeting with political stakeholders, told the religious leaders that he met with

politicians and agreed to reintroduce the moribund strike force to deal with youth restiveness.

He urged the leaders to deliberate on how to tackle ethno-religious and political conflicts among the people.

L-R: Niger state Deputy Governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, the state governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in a chat during the 4th NUPE Day Lecture, on Saturday, at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai.

Bomb explosion hits popular Abuja night club, destroys 5 luxury cars

By Mohammed Kandi

F

ive luxury cars were last weekend destroyed during bomb explosion that rocked the vicinity of a popular Abuja night club, Crystal Lounge, located on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II in Abuja.

Though unconfirmed, eyewitnesses account said a man entered a crowded food courtyard, planted the explosives and then ran away.

But, a statement issued by head of press and public relations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) noted that, "the explosion occurred at about 11:30pm on Friday."

It further stated: "No human casualty; six luxury vehicles damaged, window glasses of buildings around the vicinity shattered by the blast. The explosive was suspected to be planted on a tree opposite the Crystal Lounge.'

Meanwhile, FCT Police Commissioner, Aderele Shinaba, who confirmed to journalists the explosion, said the bomb was thrown from a moving vehicle by a man driving on the opposite lane close to Etisalat office.

Women advocate punishment for corrupt officials

T My focus is to restore peace in Borno not defection to PDP, says Shettima From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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orno state governor, Alh. Kashim Shettima yesterday dismissed insinuations that he is defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP), and said that the major task before him is to assiduously work towards the restoration of peace, security and stability in Borno.

A statement issued by the governor's Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Umar

Gusau, said, "Our attention has been drawn to a story in one of the national papers (not Peoples daily), that the Borno State governor, Hon. Kashim Shettima was defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. And the only foundation for the story as the reporter admitted, was the fact that the governor of Sokoto, Magtakarda Wammako, and Kano state's deputy governor, Dr. Umar Gunduje, both PDP leaders, visited Maiduguri a few

days ago.

"The fact of the matter is that the Sokoto state governor, chairs the Northern Governors subcommittee on security, a committee, the Borno governor and that of Kano are members.

The meeting was therefore to look at what they would be presenting to the forum in no distant time.

"More surprising was that the reporter did not even take into consideration the current mood in the state in particular, and the North in general. To contemplate

politics at this time is to insult the sensibilities of the people of the state who have lost breadwinners, relatives and friends owing to security challenges in the state and some parts of the country.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the major task before Governor Shettima is to assiduously work towards the restoration of peace, security and stability in Borno and to pave way for the reconstruction of the state as he is already doing", the statement added.

NAFDAC proposes life sentence for fake drug dealers From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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he National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, is to prescribe life imprisonment for dealers in fake and counterfeit drugs.

NAFDAC Director-General Dr. Paul Orhii who disclosed this in Makurdi at the weekend said the proposed bill which is to be presented to the National Assembly soon will also prescribe for the confiscation of property

of offenders well as other fines.

Orhii lamented that the manufacture, sale and distribution of fake drugs has become a global phenomena and as such requires proactive measures to stem the tide.

"As an individual, I would have recommended death penalty for offenders as is the case in China because the producers of counterfeit drugs are worst than armed robbers, aside taking the money of their victims, they also ensure their death. But

human right groups argue that death penalty was no more acceptable in civilized societies".

"But the fact is that the fake drugs phenomenon is taking a dangerous dimension worldwide. With the intensified war against the dealers in narcotics, most of them have now diverted into the production and distribution of counterfeit drugs. Only recently, findings revealed that over 200billion dollars is expended annually in the production of fake drugs the

worldwide", Orhii said.

He also regretted that Africa and other underdeveloped regions of the world are the destination of these fake and counterfeit drugs, noting that Nigeria is gradually winning the war against the phenomenon with the percentage of fake drugs in circulation in the country dropping to a single digit level, assuring further that in future, the country would be free from the incidents of counterfeit drugs

he Federal Government has been urged to punish those found guilty of corruption.

Mothers Union/Women's Guild of the Cathedral Church of the Advent (Anglican Communion), made the call in a communiqué issued in Abuja on Sunday.

The communiqué, signed by Mrs Grace Oluwarohunbi, the Vice President of the guild, was issued at the end of its first Archdeaconry Women's conference.

It decried the level of corruption in the country, saying it was militating against meaningful development.

According to the communiqué, the women observed that the incessant bombing in the country, particularly of churches, negates the constitutional provision for freedom of worship.

This, it stated, had caused Christians to be afraid to go to church to worship God. The communiqué urged the Federal Government to identify and bring to justice sponsors of the group, saying the killings had turned many women to premature widows and children to orphans.

It reminded women that they held a special place in God's heart and so should use their God-given virtues to honour Him. It urged women to be alive to their responsibilities at home, church and the society at large and serve as good role models to their children.

The conference featured health talks on Lassa fever and ageing as well as a seminar entitled `Christian woman in the home'. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 7

Salami: Lawyer wants suit against reinstatement dropped

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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L-R: Representative of wife of Plateau state governor, Mrs Maureen Longjang, presenting a souvenir to National President of NAWOJ, Asabe Baba Nahaya, who visited the first lady, Mrs Talatu Jang, recently in Jos. Photo: NAN

Transformation Agenda, a national project - Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

AP

resident Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to Nigerians to see the present efforts at transforming the nation as a national project rather than his personal business.

Speaking during the 2012 Civil Service Dinner and Award Night at the State House Banquet Hall on Saturday nighAt, President Jonathan noted that both himself and the Vice President were not in the position to bring the desired change to the country alone but

that it would require all hands to be on deck to succeed.

The President assured that his administration would build the necessary capacity for the civil service to make it a fulcrum of development and urged civil servants to redouble their efforts as he noted that the success of any government depended on the service.

President Jonathan similarly urged the civil servants not to deviate from the old tradition of excellence and commended the organisers for appreciating those who distinguished themselves in

service.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HOS), Alhaji Ibrahim Sali said the event which was part of the civil service week, was set aside to reward hard work and excellence.

While calling for the enhancement of the civil service, he noted that no nation in the world has ever risen beyond its bureaucracy.

The awards, which were in three categories, were given to both serving and retired civil servants who distinguished themselves in various field.

PDP, ACN blame each other over attacks on Unongo, Shaahu residences From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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he Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP and the main opposition party in Benue State the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN, were at each other’s jugular at the weekend over the recent attacks on the residence of two elder statesmen, Wantaregh Paul Unongo and Chief Isaac Shaahu.

While Unongo, a former minister of the Federal Republic and two time governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples’ Party, ANPP resident in Makurdi was set ablaze by unknown persons, Chief Shaahu also a former minister’s home in Gboko was said to have been attacked by persons alleged to be PDP thugs.

State Chairman of the CAN,

Comrade Abba Yaro, who frowned at both incidences, described it as ‘unfortunate’ and blamed both attacks on the PDP. Comrade Yaro wondered what could have prompted these attacks at a time when the PDP have won their cases at the Supreme Court, questioning further “what has these two elder statesmen done to deserve these attacks on their residence. There is no smoke without fire. This portends bad omen for 2015 elections”.

On his part, the PDP spokesman Mr. Godwin Ayihe out rightly denied allegation that his party masterminded the attacks on Unongo and Shaahu, maintaining that it is an attempt by the ACN to paint the party in bad light.

However, when contacted Police spokesman ASP Ejike Alaribe said no arrest has been made in the case of Unongo just as he claimed not to have fully briefed on the burgle of Chief Shaahu’s house.

lawyer, Wilfred Okoli, who told a federal high court, Abuja last week that the suit seeking to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from reinstating the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami was filed without his consent as Plaintiff has formally applied to the Court to discontinue the suit.

In the notice of discontinuance filed on Friday and signed by the lawyer, stated two grounds for seeking to “discontinue the suit against all the Defendants”.

The Defendants are the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Salami, the Attorney General of the Federation and President Jonathan.

Ogle stated that, “I neither gave consent, nor authorised that the suit be instituted in the first instance. I did not brief anybody whatsoever to commence the suit on my behalf”.

“I do not have any cause of action against any of the Defendants”, he added.

On Tuesday last week, Okoli, had told the presiding Judge, Justice Abdul Kafarati that he was not aware of the suit filed in his name by, Mr. Amobi Nzelu.

Okoli is a lawyer working in the chambers of Nzelu.

On May 10, 2012N the NJC after its meeting in Abuja, recommended the

reinstatement of Justice Salami.

Nzelu, in the suit filed on behalf of Okoli asked the court to stop Jonathan from acting on the recommendation of the NJC, but Okoli told the court that he was not aware of the suit.

Amazed by the development, Justice Kafarati asked the purported Plaintiff and his principal to go and sort out their differences.

The court also asked Amobi to serve the second defendant (Salami) before the next sitting of September 25, 2012.

The plaintiff is asking the court to hold that NJC can not deliberate on an issue which is a subject of litigation.

He wants, “A declaration that the 4th Defendant’s right to act or not to act upon any recommendation made to him by the 1st Defendant is uninhibited.

“A declaration that it is only a court of law duly created by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) that has the power to hear and determine matters between parties.

“A declaration that judicial powers are vested in the courts by virtue of section 6 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).

“An injunction restraining the 4th Defendant (Jonathan) whether by himself, agents, servants, assigns, privies, or whosoever purports to act on his behalf from acting on the recommendation”.

Eulogies, crowd as Bafyau is laid to rest From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

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undreds of sympathisers led by the chief mourner, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress Comrade Abdulwahed Omar thronged Lamurde council area of Adamawa state to witness the internment of Comrade Paschal Myeleri Bafyau, former President of the NLC. Notable among the sympathisers include Professor Jerry Gana, former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu, Adamawa state ACN. Governorship candidate Engr. Markus Gundiri, Deputy

Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly Barr Laori Kwamoti and other top politicians as well as Labour unions across the country.

Omar in a tribute said “he would best be remembered for his belief in and strive for a strong united labour movement which culminated in the 1988 uniting of Democrats and the Progressives; the two factions of the congress engaged in a fratricidal ideological struggle.”

It may be recalled that Bafyau 65 passed on May 15 2012 following a heart attack; he was survived by a wife and four daughters.

Lagos - London route not affected by suspension – Air Nigeria

By Muhammad Sada

A

ir Nigeria has announced that the scheduled Lagos London - Lagos flight operation is not affected by the

temporary suspension directive of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

According to a press statement issued by the airline’s management at the weekend,

passengers are therefore encouraged to proceed with their confirmed itinerary, while intending customers can make their reservations through all our sales channels.

“We however wish to apologize for all the inconvenience that the temporary suspension of our domestic and regional flights will bring on our passengers”, the airline stated.

PAGE 8

Movement for creation of Lowland State defends memo From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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group agitating for the creation of Lowland State out of the present Plateau and some parts of Bauchi state has submitted its memorandum before the Plateau state committee on the review of the 1999 constitution.

Secretary of the movement for the creation of the state Chief Nanyen Andrew Daman, in a press statement said the nine local government areas from Plateau and the two local government areas from Bauchi state has the land mass and population that should warrant the federal government’s approval for the creation of the state.

Daman said the agitation for the creation of the lowland state was purely for peace, unity and development of those areas agitating for the creation of the state saying the eleven LGAs are economically, politically, socially and humanly viable because of the abundant human, mineral, agricultural resources and industrial potential that abound in the areas.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Boko Haram denies Kano mosque bomb plot

By Muhammad Nasir, Abuja, and Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri he Jama’atu Ahli ssunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, also known as Boko Haram yesterday denied any involvement in last Friday’s attempt to bomb Fagge Juma’at mosque in Kano metropolis.

Spokesman for the group, Abul Qaqa in a statement emailed to newsmen at the weekend, also accused the State Security Service (SSS) of

T

orchestrating the plot in order to discredit it, describing such a practice as normal among security services in many countries.

“In respect of what we heard in the media yesterday, Friday that some people attempted to detonate a bomb in a Juma’at mosque in Kano, this movement Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati WalJihad hereby dissociates itself from this act. We are fully aware of this kind of

conspiracy by the SSS, following a similar pattern of their counterparts in other countries to tarnish the image and reputation of Islamic fighters, they will not succeed, God’s willing”.

“We are aware of this type of ugly trend which exists among security services such as the SSS. It is done to discredit God’s warriors, but we are confident that they will never succeed by God’s grace because our aim is to ensure the

existence of a strong Islamic practice,” the sect said.

“Everyone knows that we are waging Jihad to restore the supremacy of Islam, which is why we are labelled ‘Muslim fundamentalists’, how on earth can we then attempt to destroy a Muslim place of worship. This is therefore a conspiracy by those that are averse to the enthronement of an Islamic state, and they will not succeed by God’s grace”, it further alleged.

Condolence register for late Amb Olusola at Peace embassy

By Joy Baba

A

condolence register has been opened at the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) national headquarters, the Peace Embassy, 25, Bujumbura Street, off Aminu Kano cresent Wuse II Abuja in honor of its chairman, board of trustees Chief Amb. Segun Olusola,mni, OFR who passed on last week Thursday.

This was contained in a statement signed by Secretary General of UPF Mr. Olaleye I. Alao.

The statement said a similar register will also be opened at the UPF Lagos office AREF headquarters, old secretariat off Oba Akinjobi street, GRA Lagos and Port Harcourt office suite 4, Civic center Moscow road Port Harcourt.

All ambassadors of peace, friends and well wishers will be welcomed to the above addresses to sign the register in honor of this relentless and brave advocate for peace in Nigeria, Africa and world at large the statement further stated.

The statement also said Amb. Olusola was a pioneer ambassador for peace, founding member of the Interreligious and International Federation for world Peace and Universal Peace Federation. He was one of the first five recipients of the ‘Crown of Peace Award’ in the world; the first African to receive such award and the first Nigerian member of the Global Peace Council.

L-R: Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, Executive Director, United Action for Democracy (UAD), Mr. Jaye Gaskia, and member of Safe Nigeria Group (SNG), Mr. Dolapo Osinowo, during a press conference on high scale of corruption in the country, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Dankwambo tackles gully erosion in Gombe From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

I

n an effort to the tackle menace gully erosion in Gombe metropolis, Gombe state government has approved the sum of N600 million for the control of erosion.

The state Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Rev. Habu Dawaki, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Gombe over the weekend.

He said that the area to be

controlled are Harwa-Gana, Gadan Moddibo to railway at the cost of over N264 million, kasuwa Shanu to Tudun Wada primary school would cost over N71 million, Nasarawa, A&B over N79 million, All Saint Collage to Illimi International Collage at Federal low-cost Housing estate at the cost of over N67 million, while over N214 million would be spent at Pantami to Barunde.

Reverend Dawaki further

explained that the council approved the dualization of four township roads that include Bello Sabon Kudi road, Kasuwar Doya to New Market roundabout, Emirs place round about to Eid praying ground road as well as state Low Cost Housing estate to Madaki Barunde Bypass road at the cost of over N2.3 billion with a completion period of nine months.

He said the council had also

approved the development of 6.6km road network and drainages within the Federal Low-Cost housing and Buba Shago Quarters at the cost of over N1.2 billion with completion period of six months The commissioner further said that at the contract for the streets light along 12 roads in Gombe metropolis at the cost of over N566 million has been approved by the executive council.

Group renders free surgical operations to over 100 patients in Oyo From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he Association of Rural Surgical Practitioners of Nigeria (ARSPON) at the weekend concluded a three-day free treatment and free surgical operations on over a hundred patients drawn from in and around the ancient town.

The doctors, mainly drawn from the Oyo environs, as well as those from Lagos, under the national presidency of Dr.

Charles Agbamu Sagua, treated and carried out surgical operations day and night on over 100 patients between Thursday and Saturday.

Using Momoh Memorial Hospital and Shekinah Medical Centre located at Akeetan and Owode areas of the town, the volunteer doctors carried out operations in the following areas: Lipomas and other lumps, including breast lumps, hernias, simple goiters, uterine

fibroids and ovarian cysts, as well as prostate diseases.

While the free operations and free post operation care were carried out as part of their social responsibility to the society for what it had given to them as grassroots people themselves, the doctors claimed it did it to provide opportunity for professional interactions and skill acquisition to young doctors among them.

The Alaafin visited the two

hospitals, where he commended the doctors for the humanitarian service being rendered towards complimenting government efforts, “since the government cannot do it all alone”.

In his response, ARSPON President, Dr. Sagua, said, “We are happy to be here; to be part of history and to serve you and your people. It is this service and love for you that brought us here.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Land Use Act won’t be repealed – FG

By Udenna Orji

A

s housing development stakeholders continue to lobby for the repeal of the Land Use Act to make land more available for housing development, the chairman, Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof. Peter Adeniyi has said the Federal Government has no plan to repeal the Act. In several presentations to the Presidency and the National Assembly, housing stakeholders, including property developers, estate surveyors and valuers had called for the repeal of the Land Use Act saying the power it gave state governors to control land allocation in their states had politicized land administration and made it cumbersome, expensive and time-consuming to obtain land and title rights for housing development. They had argued that a repeal of the Act would enhance affordable housing development and drastically reduce Nigeria’s estimated deficit of 16 million housing units.

But while speaking with newsmen at the weekend, Prof.

Adeniyi revealed that the Federal Government would not repeal the Land Use Act. According to him, “It is important at this point to state categorically that the land reform programme of the Federal Government is not intended to repeal the Land Use Act or usurp the powers of the state governors and local government chairmen in land administration or deny individuals or communities the right to their lands”.

While noting that land reform is critical in achieving President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, he said the federal government’s land reform was focused on identifying and removing bottlenecks hindering land titling and registration process within the current land administration system in Nigeria.

He said his committee was working on pilot schemes in Kano and Ondo states involving identification and registration of title rights that may usher in a new land administration system in Nigeria.

PAGE 11

FG distributes N2.7bn seedlings to small scale farmers From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he Federal Government is to spend N2.7 billion in the procurement and distribution of free seedlings to about five million small scale farmers across the country, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Bukar Tijjani has revealed.

Tijjani, who made this known during the launching of the

Growth Enhancement Support Scheme 2012 (E-Wallet Voucher System) in Kano over the weekend, explained that the seeds to be distributed are cotton, cocoa, cow pea, maize and rice.

He said this is part of the government’s strategic plan of action towards improving agriculture and ultimately food security in the country.

The minister stated that the government will provide fertilizer

to farmers at 50 percent subsidy in addition to the provision of other agricultural inputs, assuring that it will also buy off their surplus produce at a good price to prevent unwarranted loss.

“Nigeria and Kano state in particular has great potential for food production that is why the President is insisting that we must produce and eat our own food”, Tijjani stated.

Responding, the Governor of

Kano state, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso stated that his administration is working in unison with the Federal Government to maximize benefit from the huge agricultural potentials in the state.

He therefore urged farmers in the state to team up and register under Federal Government agricultural schemes to enable them benefit from the government’s assistance.

Presidential c’tte mourns late Ahmadu

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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Minister of State for Agriculture, Alhaji Bukar Tijjani (right), Kano state Governor, Dr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso (2nd right), and a beneficiary (left) during the launching of the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme 2012 (E-Wallet Voucher System), at the weekend in Kano.

Niger Delta group commends Jonathan over appointment of Dasuki as NSA

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

A

Niger Delta based civil society organization, People and Environmental Rights Assembly, PERA has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for dispelling the insinuation that he is a sectional leader by choosing the new National Security Adviser, NSA, retired Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki from the core North.

The group in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Prince Mefe Akiri said genuine sons

and daughters of the south-south region have cause to be proud of the president’s decision in view of recent accusations by critics of his government that he only considers persons from his Ijaw clan or Niger Delta extraction for sensitive positions under his administration.

According to the statement, “the appointment of Sambo Dasuki as the National Security Adviser, NSA is one of the things President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has done recently that has elicited joy and

made our region proud again.

Before now, the critics of this administration have always painted President Jonathan as the enemy of the North and created the impression that he is an Ijaw or South-South president who will only appoint people from his region into sensitive national positions.

We are happy that such unfair criticism can no longer hold water in view of last week decision by the president to replace a Niger Delta son with a core northerner as NSA", the group said.

he Presidential Committee on Public Awareness on Security and Civic Responsibilities has held a special session in honour of its Deputy Chairman, Retired Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police, late John Hamza Ahmadu, who died in the Dana Air crash.

The special session was followed by a condolence visit by Members of the Committee to the family residence of late DIG John Ahmadu in Abuja.

A statement issued yesterday by the Secretary to the commit-tee, Yusuf Mu’azu, said that the Chairman of the Presidential Committee, Dr. Abdul-Lateef Adegbite, said members of the committee were terribly shattered by the incident, which robbed them of the company and contributions of DIG John Ahmadu.

Adegbite, described the Late DIG John Hamza Ahmadu as “a fine, upright and dedicated Police Officer who was highly public spirited, reliable and dependable”.

He said the Late DIG Ahmadu was committed to the great future of Nigeria and will be missed by the Presidential Committee on Security Awareness.

According to the Committee Chairman, “We will miss him and the nation is at a great loss with the premature exit of this Nigerian patriot, at a time he is needed to contribute his quota to the current efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to transform Nigeria to an enviable status within the comity of nations.

Improved tariff will drive power sector reforms – NERC chairman

By Udenna Orji

T

he new electricity tariff structure recently announced by the federal government is designed to boost private capital investment in the sector to ensure the success of the power sector reforms currently being executed by the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

While speaking with consumers and industry operators on “Appropriate Pricing & the Future of Nigeria’s Electricity Supply

Industry” in Abuja at the weekend, the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi said “many of the proposed improvements for the sector will not happen except we are able to improve the financial viability of the sector. The tariff review proceeds from a concern with establishing a proper revenue requirement for the sector.

The total revenue requirement (RR) required to expand supply and improve the networks is recovered through tariff for various consumer classes”

According to him, the tariff review has provided a strong incentive for capital inflow for investments in the entire value chain of the power sector while also ensuring that Nigerians, especially the urban and rural poor have regular power at affordable rates.

Foreign electric power equipment providers, including generation and distribution companies are said to be flying into the country in droves to position to tap opportunities expected from the impending growth of Nigeria’s power sector while local power

providers are expanding capacity to tackle the coming competition.

Thousands of new jobs are expected to be generated by the burst of activities about to be witnessed in Nigeria’s power sector.

He said the government had to arrive at a good balance to ensure that investors and consumers are appropriately protected.

“Since access to electricity is a public good in some sense, it becomes necessary to assist poor consumers to have access to basic electricity. The rider to this is that this support does not become

inefficient and grossly distort the market”, Dr. Amadi said.

However, experts fear the renewed efforts to generate electricity may be hindered by the gas shortage buffeting the power sector. Power sector operators have always identified two issues as hampering the growth of the sector – gas shortage and inappropriate tariff.

Presidency sources say President Jonathan is addressing the gas issue in a deal with the major oil producing companies in Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

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President Jonathan's ill advised trip to Brazil

enultimate Sunday, Nigerians woke up to the shocking news of another series of bomb blasts in Zaria and Kaduna, followed by attacks in the Yobe state cAapital, Damaturu all of which left many dead. However, what hapless Nigerians found even more shocking was the decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to embark on the trip to Brazil for the world environment summit. In the three days that the orgy of violence lasted in the two states, over 100 people were killed with properties including places of worship lost and as a dazed nation struggled to come to terms with this unending spate of killings, the commander-in-chief opted for the comfort of a foreign land and the company of foreigners instead of his people.

It is very sad that President Jonathan once again failed to seize the moment to provide leadership and inspire Nigerians to rekindle their weakened belief in their country and its leadership. As has been proven over the years across the world, successful leaders were mostly those who led their countries through adversity.

We cannot think of a greater threat to the unity of this country than the security threat that it faces at present, which our President does not seem to realize or perhaps is taking lightly. We thought it would have made more sense if the President had visited the affected states instead of jetting off to Brazil for a function that at best the vice-president or a minister would have attended.

Apparently he was more interested in the photo opportunities with world leaders instead of with victims of his ineffectual

government.

Although Nigerians were not deluded into thinking that his presence would have changed anything but it was the least they expected from a leader who swore to the Constitution to ensure the safety of their lives and property. It is tragic that the President’s ministers and advisers allowed him to embark on the trip amidst the

“

We though it would have made more sense if the president had visited the affected states instead of jetting off to Brazil for a function that at best the vice-president or a minister would have attended crisis at home. The Information Minister, Labaran Maku's argument that the President can rule from anywhere, in our opinion, puts in perspective exactly how visionless and out of touch with the Nigerian people Jonathan and his cabinet are. The statement is an insult on a nation in mourning. Clearly, the President and his team do not understand the idea of empathy which the President should have demonstrated.

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”

We are in fact at pains to understand the benefits of the trip to Nigeria that the President so desperately had to abandon serious matters at home for. The Rio summit cannot be said to have been a success since most of the major world leaders such as those of the United States, Britain and Germany - whose nations are after all the major world polluters - did not attend. The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, said as much while reminding them to live up to their promise to cut emissions. Nigeria itself is no where when it comes to efforts at improving environmental conditions or cutting gas emissions what with the poor power supply that has left many businesses and homes resorting to generators for electricity. So what score card did the President have to present at the summit when his country was on fire?

It is ironic that the leaders that President Jonathan rushed to rub shoulders with in Brazil would not have behaved in the callous and insensitive manner he did. Countless examples abound when leaders abandon state visits to rush home when national emergencies break. Early this year, to mention but one example, the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, cut short his Africa Tour while in Nigeria when riots broke out in London. In places where leaders are more circumspect, it is unheard of for a leader to be seen to be fleeing his country in the midst of a crisis.

President Jonathan has let us down this time. He should get his acts together before he is consumed by this insecurity crisis.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 18, 2012

By Yusuf Nagi Ahmad

D

riven by what has become a popular euphemism ‘the current security challenges’ (which refers to the many militant insurgencies and acts of criminality around the country including that of the MEND in the Niger Delta, OPC in the South-West, kidnappings and armed robberies in the South-East and more recently, the Boko Haram in the North), all the discussions about the future of Nigeria presently always end up with probing the possibility of the country becoming a ‘failed state’ like Somalia or Afghanistan.

Such occurrences are marked by the collapse of central authority preceded or followed by the fall of the Sovereign and a violent socio-political explosion as a direct result of the total breakdown of law and order.

The national territory breaks up into bits, which are immediately taken over by tribal warlords who command the loyalty of pieces of the national army, whose command and control will have also broken down.

A fierce competition among the warlords then ensues for the control of bits of the national territory and the people, and the resources that could be forcibly cornered to continue to prosecute an internecine war against each other.

The violent rivalries then acquire a life and momentum that is difficult to contain as every one of the warlords becomes more and more blood thirsty with every military clash recording more and more vengeful and hateful deaths.

Invariably, these break-ups are also accompanied by dire economic hardships and poverty

By Ogbonna Nnaemeka Henry “When we do have hope that tomorrow will come and that tomorrow will come with a new change within itself, a new place to build you up, then that gives you hope to carry on.’’

R

efugee, which is synonymous with a helpless person or being fleeing a distressed zone to another which can be considered safe enough to offer refuge, has become a word that has surreptitiously found its way into the mouths, activities and even policies of countries and people, and surprisingly more frequently too in recent times. At the instance of conflicts, wars, drought and the consequent famine, or even economic reasons, people in their droves embark on mass migration from regions hit by any of these factors and rely on fate to lead them to safety. A United Nations statistical survey puts the total refugee figure at more than 42 million people worldwide, spread mostly across Africa and Asia.

There should not be the foolhardy ignorance of excluding Nigeria from the pack of countries that produce refugees, for most parts of the

PAGE 13

Nigeria, state failure: Which type? in terms of a real abject lack of purchasing power and the scarcity of the most basic essentials of life.

This perspective of the phenomenon of the ‘failed state’ is mediated largely by the perceptions of America and the West, and is informed by the experiences recorded in the Balkans after the fall of Communism, Afghanistan, Somalia, Rwanda, Liberia and Sierra-Leone.

The closest Nigeria came to this first type of ‘failed state’ phenomenon was after the country’s first coup d’état which terminated the First Republic, followed by a counter coup and the Civil War 1967-70.

As graphically demonstrated in especially Afghanistan and Somalia, the most defining characteristics of this type of state failure are the fall of the Sovereign and the break up of the armed forces among rival warlords; the total break-down of law and order within, and the carving out of enclaves out of the national territory among rival warlords as exclusive areas of influence from where they extort resources to continue to prosecute a war of mutual attrition.

Since the successful conclusion of the Civil War, the balance of probabilities has always been in favor of Nigeria overcoming most of the instances in her history, conducive to this

type of violent ‘failed state’ phenomenon.

But there has been another quite different, archetypal occurrence of the phenomenon of the ‘failed state’ which is generally over-looked, but whose import is more robustly

collapse of authority and breakdown of law and order per se.

The most defining characteristic of this archetype is the blatant and gross abuse and manipulation of (mostly false) figures especially of the electoral

“

The national territory breaks up into bits, which are immediately taken over by tribal warlords who command the loyalty of pieces of the national army whose command and control will have also broken down relevant to the case of Nigeria as a federation: namely, the ‘failed state’ phenomenon or state failure that is induced and caused by ethical implosion and a total, national collapse of values, rather than the collapse of authority and total breakdown of law and order.

Ethical implosion is caused mainly by rampant and pervading corruption, resulting in the choking up of the State Ethic and the collapse of national values which may not degenerate into a social explosion and/or a total

votes which determine the emergence of the political leadership in the first instance, and which subsequently lays down the pattern of treating every other figure in all facets of national life involving the government.

Phantom figures may be concocted of industrial production, Gross Domestic Product GDP and/or other indices of the workings of the economy, which never manifest in improving the standard of living of the people. Such figures

Refugeeing today East house refugee camps that cater to the immediate needs of the lucky survivors of Boko Haram terrorism in the North.

Having lost practically all they slaved in foreign lands over the years for in a moment of beastly madness, the only respite now being the option of going back home however empty, for life’s sake.

The United Nations has, in recognition of the pitiable plight of refugees the world over, sought to make efforts at alleviating their pains, and the commemoration of June 20 as World Refugee Day is one among many of such efforts.

Other wings of the UN such as the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) caters for the rights of displaced persons, while the United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNHCR) actually oversees the integration of refugees and people of unfortunate disposition. The theme for this year’s observation is ‘Refugees Have No Choice. You Do.’ That is more or less a passionate call on concerned parties to do their

utmost to ameliorate the beleaguerings of such displaced people.

It is intriguing to notice that while newer causes of conflict crop up by the day which inevitably produces refugee situations in its wake, older ones and the consequent wars it has created never seem to die off, or the place becoming safe enough for a return. Even as this is a fulfilment of divine utterance that nation will rise against nation, it is alarming the rate at which nearly every country is turning to an amphitheatre of conflict and aggression, spilling hapless commoners in their thousands, all the way from Sudan to Somalia, Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Libya, Afghanistan, Israel, Iran, Kuwait, and the list just goes on and on. It is in fact estimated that 8 people decide to leave their original places of domicile by reason of armed conflict every minute, and the options of staying and leaving no better than that of the devil and a drown in the deep blue sea, by reason of the hassles and

stretchy stress of migration.

Since survival has been the principal motivation catalysing the refugees, this informs the various treatments they get at their eventual destinations, and this has made their situation even more precarious. In most host countries, they are housed in no more than tarpaulinsheltered camps, with little or no hygienic convenience and set-up. They hardly get more than urgent and pressing medical care, and since the brunt of their nutritional upkeep is mostly borne by their host countries, sometimes supported by some humanitarian organisations, what they get is only a little improvement compared to what would have obtained if they had stayed back in their war-torn countries. It is hard for most host regions and countries to accept the fact that a refugee travels not just with his scanty bags and belongings, but with his dreams, goals, aspirations and desires roped around his person, and they are thus relegated to

though hide the stupendous acts of corruption which are not so tangible, but which may have indeed struck quite deadly blows to the national economy rendering it comatose And with the economy in real stagnation, the general populace in a state of stupor and despair and the ruling elite in an intellectual cul-de-sac, not knowing what to do next, with all intellectual pursuits stunted and numbed by the soporific effects of corruption and totally disengaged from social reality, the State gets stuck somewhat.

And without the Sovereign falling, without any form of a breakdown of law and order and without anybody firing even a shot, first the ruling elite and the civil society and then the armed and police forces are simply overwhelmed by the same moral ennui, and the state collapses without any act of violence against it either from within or from without.

It was this archetypal phenomenon of the ‘failed state’ or failure of the state caused by ethical implosion which resulted in the collapse and falling apart of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics USSR, or the former Soviet Union, which was very much a federation just like Nigeria and most of the former Communist, satellite states of Eastern Europe.

In his book, Perestroika Continued on page 14

the beggarly status of dependency and probably servitude.

The observance of the World Refugee Day is an opportunity and platform to appraise refugee situations the world over, and to look into ways of handing a new lease of life to the teeming and brimming population of refugees. Host countries are being called on to relax their asylum conditions and rules of engagement, as well as the effort being made to drum up support for the refugees by encouraging more countries to offer a hand of solace to displaced persons. It is also an avenue to, by proxy, mediate between the warring factions that are the root cause of the phenomenon of refugeeing, in different parts of the world.

The ultimate aim of the United Nations is to accommodate refugees to the best level of available resources, if not reducing to the barest minimum the incidence of refugee situations all over the world, and this, it is hoped, will be achieved in the shortest time possible, with a barrage of concerted efforts.

Ogbonna Nnaemeka Henry can be reached at henchyman@yahoo.com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Hajj is not a religious tourism to Makkah

By Muhammad Ajah

F

or clarity, Hajj is not a religious tourism to Makkah and Madinah.

Hajj is a fundamental timespecific, spot-specific, manner/ condition-specific and financially tasking Islamic obligation which, instituted by a divine injunction of the Holy Qur’an and practically exemplified by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is to be fulfilled by the Muslims despite whatever challenges that may be associated with it in terms of funding, political interference, national/natural infringement or even global conspiracy.

This piece is in response to some postulations in which a writer mentioned three out of ten things that amaze him about modern Nigeria which was the third part of the series.

The three things he discussed in the said publication started with the much talked about but conspicuously misconstrued (in the Nigerian context) holy pilgrimages to Makkah by the Muslim faithful and to Jerusalem by the Christians.

The second was the educational backwardness of the north and the third the trooping out of Nigerians outside the country in search of medical attention.

Unarguably, there are somewhat controversial issues concerning the holy journeys to Makkah and Jerusalem every Continued from page 13

(which reads like a dead, outdated literature right now, but which is indeed still very much alive and relevant to the situation of a federation such as Nigeria), the last President of the USSR and the man who presided over its collapse, President Mikhail Gorbachev, chronicled the issues and events which presaged the falling apart of the component, territorial units of the former Soviet Union.

Chief among the issues was the chronic use and/or abuse and manipulation of blatantly false figures of electoral votes by apparatchiks to maintain the supremacy of the Communist Party in the Soviets’ political space by ensuring that the Party always won almost 100% of the votes cast in ALL the elections for leadership positions in the country.

The same party apparatchiks also doubled as industrial managers, and because they had to meet up with officially assigned targets to keep their positions, they also cooked up blatantly false figures of production of consumer goods most of which were actually becoming increasingly scarce to ordinary citizens.

Quite naturally the Communist Party, always committed to upholding the superiority of the Communist Ethic, fully affirmed such false figures as the basis of political and socio-economic orthodoxy challenging and/or deviating

year. revelation that caught the whole pagan priests? The huge sums It is laudable the call on awareness of some responsible of money allegedly paid off by a Nigerian governments at all Nigerians. N6 BILLION ONLY IN former head of the Niger Delta Commission levels to control waste of public FIVE YEARS!!! I felt it was a very Development funds on religious duties. It is true ludicrous observation that a (NDDC) were just a tip in the that Hajj is one of the pillars of panel of such caliber of people iceberg. How many Nigerians Islam, with the strict condition could recommend. Is this amount visit the same India and several of ability in all ramifications up to a single percent of what the other parts of the world for their attached to it. This means that federal government and some acclaimed individual spiritual and power pilgrimage to Makkah predates rich states expend on things that elevation the existence of Nigeria and do not benefit a percentage of acquisition? Is it the poor therefore cannot stop even if Nigeria’s population? This Nigerians that spend such huge amounts? It is government still the officials does not pay a of government kobo or apparatuses and subsidize b u s i n e s s a n y t h i n g Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text personalities attached to messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written who suck from hajj. A clear contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 the public funds. case to this is words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and Nonetheless, that the a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed there are all the number of to: reasons for N i g e r i a n government to Muslims who The Editor, be involved in embark on the Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, matters of n o n religion.

The compulsory 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. federal, state lesser hajj Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com and local (Umrah) is five SMS: 07037756364 governments times more and politicians than those who embark on hajj despite amount, methink, has been should never be discouraged government’s direct non- expended largely on medical, from channeling resources into involvement in it. consular and security services ways that have direct benefits In relation to that writer’s which are the constitutional for Nigerians or larger segment assertions on pilgrimages from rights on the government for the of our society. It is believed that people who have little or no faith Nigeria, the Sun and Punch once citizenry wherever they are. quoted part of the Stephen And again, who says that the and those who do not believe in Oronsaye Panel’s reports, which federal government favours only the peaceful coexistence of showed that the federal Muslim and Christian Nigerians are they who project this government expended N6.449 pilgrimages. Is it because the duo wishfully billion on matters relating to is openly celebrated? How many hypothesis that the yearly pilgrimages between 2007 and billions of Naira is yearly and pilgrimages have no impact on 2011. I was shocked by this secretly paid for services by our society. If Nigeria faces

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immorality from its citizens at such amazing level upon all efforts to ameliorate it, what would Nigeria have looked like without these highly spiritual journeys?!

However, I do not know that the federal government sponsors ordinary Nigerian pilgrims to go to the holy lands except the negligible number of officials who coordinate such large segment of Nigerians outside the country within such given periods of time. They also conduct specific duties to pray for peace, stability and progress of Nigeria and their states. Is it something not worthy of commendation?

Again, many of the pilgrims, especially the first-timers to the holy lands come back to Nigeria, better exposed, informed and reformed. It has been observed that many of the every-year goers have lost the spiritual taste and reformatory derivations from the trips. But in general, the merits of these holy journeys are far more reaching than any observed demerits. Moreover, government’s non-involvement will be counter-productive against its struggle to ameliorate the country’s damaged image outside.

Performance of Hajj is now easier and much sought even with the ever increasing pricing in hajj fares? So, if government hands-off completely from the little subsidies it grants Muslims and Christians – who constitute Continued on page 15

Nigeria, state failure: Which type? from which could mean losing the liberty to live one’s life.

This was in spite of the fact that as at then, the economies of the Soviet Union and most of the Communist Eastern bloc nations had virtually reached a sort of dead-end, an intellectual cul-desac, and their currencies had increasingly become laughably worthless as per their official values, and salaries were ridiculously paltry in what they could purchase.

Yet, while ordinary citizens were facing these dire shortages of even the most basic of the necessities of life, the Communist Party apparatchiks and their wards had become a special class of comrades, who continued to enjoy hidden weekends of a life of abundance and ease in choice and specially supplied dachas around some of the best sea resorts in the country.

The chief event that was taking place then when the Soviet State finally imploded and failed was the war the Soviet armed forces were conducting just across the country’s border deep inside the territory of Afghanistan.

That is to say while yet commanding arguably the largest arsenal of nuclear warheads and cruise missiles, with the ability to deliver active military power on virtually any spot around the globe and even beyond (late President Ronald

Reagan confirmed this with the Star Wars military program!!!) and the most modern ice-cutting warships, the Soviet Union’s military never really broke up into pieces, nor did the Soviet armed forces lose the capacity to defend the national territory nor was there a general breakdown of law and order within its national territory, nor did the Soviet Sovereign lose command and control of the armed and police forces – rather the Soviet armed forces were indeed actively projecting military power deep inside a neighbor’s territory when the Soviet State ethically imploded and failed resulting in the falling away of its component, federating units.

Howsoever understood, what clearly emerges from a reading of former President Mikhail Gorbachev’s Perestroika is that a State’s military power and/or the ability to defend its territory and/ or even project active military power abroad and/or even its ability to marshal such potent internal security outfits such as the KGB to suppress dissent - all of these are of no consequence for a guarantee against state failure, when it is caused by ethical implosion and the collapse of values as a consequence of rampant and pervasive corruption marked mainly by the abject manipulation, abuse or even total disregard of the significance of figures in the affairs

of the State.

What was most poignantly enigmatic about the Soviet Communist system was that it quite clearly distinguished between the false figures for political use and/or abuse, and the figures used for sincere and devoted pursuits of especially scientific and technological knowledge.

That is why even as the figures of electoral votes and industrial production of consumer goods were always manipulated or out rightly concocted to justify and maintain the dominance of the Communists in the national political space, the Soviet Union still developed a genuine and robust system of scientific and technological knowledge.

The West African state ethic from its cradle in the republics of the liberated slaves of Liberia and Sierra Leone has never developed the same kind of distinction between the figures used for political buccaneering, and the figures that should form the basis of a genuinely factual definition of social reality and/ or even natural phenomenon: all figures in this jurisdiction seem to be subject to manipulation, falsification and bastardization.

The chief exemplar is political power itself: the figures that define its acquisition are invariably concocted or at least

their veracity is almost always dented by obvious improbability.

And this is what seems to define the approach to figures in almost all facets of the conduct of the State in Nigeria: because political authority is the most highly prized nexus that defines the laws that constitute the reality of the State, once it is defiled by being defined in false figures of electoral votes, everything else seems to become so easy to defile by also being defined in false figures.

It is generally assumed that even with all the so-called ‘current security challenges’, Nigeria has passed the stage of ever becoming a ‘failed state’ of the first archetype – that is of the collapse of central authority, preceded or followed by social explosion caused by the total breakdown of law and order and the breakup of the national territory and the armed forces among warlords.

But as for the second archetype that is caused by the collapse of values and ethical implosion as a result of pervasive corruption and characterized by the total disregard of correct figures in the affairs of the State – as for this archetype, nobody can say for certain what future holds for Nigeria.

Yusuf Nagi Ahmad wrote in from Radio Nigeria, Kaduna.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 15

From Farouk Lawan to the dictator E

arly in the life of Obasanjo’s democratic rule, I had an interesting encounter with one of my reporters.

He strolled into my office one late afternoon looking resplendent in his well starched and dry cleaned flowing white robes. Since his beat was the National Assembly, I humoured him with the joke that he looked every inch an Honourable member or a distinguished Senator.

“Oga, but you are rightooo.

Today they made me a member,” he replied. Since I knew this was not possible, I cut short our joking session and demanded his copy since he was far late behind production dateline.

He on the other hand was in no hurry to turn in his copy instead he took a chair and continued with his incredible story. He had followed a committee of the House to a government agency as part of its “oversight functions”. Because he was heavily decked out in the manner of a village potentate, officials of the host agency easily mistook him for one of the Honourables. He was thus ushered to a seat in the midst of honourables, far removed from other reporters.

The assignment over, he left the board room and was walking to the bus. Then came one of the top officials of the agency sprinting towards him.

“Honourable, honourable where is your driver. This is for you and I want him to take it for you.” He turned and saw the top official clutching a fat brown envelope.

Contd. from Back Page

Even more sinister, it is legitimate to ask whether Boko Haram now merely provides a cover for stronger and more sophisticated interest which is fighting targets such as the U.S, Nigerian Christians and the Nigerian state, using Nigerian Muslims as hostages. Is there some credibility to the suspicion that Al Qa’ida in the Sahel has taken over the local grievances of Boko Haram, and is now fighting for its own agenda, which has little to do with the real interests of Nigerian Muslims and other citizens? Or again, is there some credibility to the suspicion that some sinister forces are milking the security situation in our country for financial gains, and are sustaining the current levels

“Oh, he is there, but just give it to me”, he falsely replied and collected the envelope.

Back to the National Assembly, he pretended to be pressed and rushed to the toilet.

He then opened the envelope and ‘lo and behold’ it contained freshly minted N500,000 notes. That is ‘oversight functions’, Nigerian style. It is to quote Olusegun Obasanjo daylight “armed robbery”.

There couldn’t have been a more competent authority on ‘oversight functions’ in our democracy than Obasanjo. It all started or he started it all during his reign. His collaborator and close ally in those days, Atiku Abubakar is my witness.

Prior to the inauguration of the national Assembly, their party the PDP had resolved that Chuba Okadigbo should be Senate President.

But overnight, Obasanjo moved huge sums of foreign and local currency to NICON NOGA hotel where the senators were lodged. On the floor of the Senate the following day, things changed. Chief Evans Enwerem, Obasanjo’s man floored Chuba Okadigbo the PDP man.

In the House of Representatives, Obasanjo’s favourite, Salisu Buhari also won, handsomely, defeating Ghali Na’Abba. Then Buhari run into a certificate scandal and Naaba replaced him. Obasanjo was never quite comfortable with this change and a game of cat and mouse followed. Obasanjo mobilized the members of the House to impeach Naaba,

pumping millions into the pursue populist causes. He himself glorified in the pompous project.

It came to a ridiculous stage title of “Mr Integrity.”

To me, an event that took where some of the members brought out millions of Naira and place in Triumph Newspapers dumped them on the floor of the where I was one of the editors in House, confessing that they had 1985 made me suspicious of him. been bribed by Obasanjo’s agents We had in our stable, the Sunday to impeach Na’Abba. Bribery in Triumph, a broadsheet, the only the national Assembly under of its kind in Nigeria then. To give Obasanjo was a thriving it more value and variety, a literally corner industry. was introduced.

As the eight Malam Bashir years of his rule Bello, a young and came to a close, talented literally we were mind was subjected to a employed to grand bribery coordinate it. He scheme that went ahead to form ought to be a club made of staff recorded in the and none staff to Guiness book of contribute to it. records. Each Emmanuel Yawe Another young Senator and 08024565402 Farouk House of Reps royawe@yahoo.com man, Lawan, a none staff member was given N50 million to support a was a member. That gave him constitutional change that would the window to smuggle into our have made it possible for Obasanjo paper the most senseless and to run for a third term or even reckless poem I have ever read in my life. “To the dictator”, he become a perpetual President.

Against this background and captioned it.

I have difficulty classifying it many other scandalous schemes, the Nigerian public has a poem because it was just an concluded that the National artless construction of insults Assembly is populated by heaped on President Ibrahim “marvelous scammers’, to borrow Babangida. Amongst other more the words of General Collin insulting words, he called the military President an “IMF Powell.

One man in the House from pimp”. He then delved into Kano State by name Farouk murder by advocating the Lawan has tried to convince us assassination of the President! that he is not part of that How this poem was smuggled maddening crowd. Since he came into the Sunday Triumph, a to the House in 1999, he has often government owned newspaper, identified or led groups that nobody could say – not even

Bashir Bello.

No staff of Triumph could have been so irresponsible. We had learnt the hard way in relating with military governments. Our founding MD, Rasheed Haroun Adamu was detained without charge throughout the Buhari years and so was Leke Salawu, one of our reporters.

The author of this dangerous poem had his own agenda which was and is still known only to him. Those who plan to assassinate Presidents do not advertise their aims with poetry published in newspapers. If Farouk wanted Babangida killed, the newspaper was the last place to contact and I am sure he knew and still knows this. But by writing these verses and smuggling them into the paper, he put the careers and even the life of management staff and particularly the editors of the paper on the line.

When the same Farouk suddenly appeared in the National Assembly and started grandstanding, he hardly made an impression on me. He is a man with a very mean and little mind. Only a sick mind could do what he tried to do with us at the Triumph I have always known that the whole drama and his celerity status will end in a disaster one day.

Amazingly, Nigeria is led by the likes of Farouk Lawan. People with dark motives and sick minds have hijacked this country. Only God or most appropriately Satan knows where they are taking us to.

will raise the levels of fear and anger among most Nigerians.

Many Christians will be tempted to adopt a simple position which links Boko Haram with all Muslims, and will hold all Muslims responsible for Boko Haram’s atrocities. Muslims will reject the linkage, and will in turn, claim that they are even more victims of Boko Haram than Christians. They will resent their religion being used as cover for un-islamic activities, and will in turn claim that Muslims are being killed in many parts of the nation for being Muslims alone, and the Nigerian state is unwilling or unable to bring their killers to justice.

convince all Nigerians that Muslims and Christians are all victims of this frightening wave of terror. The plan may be to get them to engage in an unending blood-letting, but it it will be a war without a victory. If they fight, they will be reluctant warriors. They do not need to fight, it Muslim leaders act and show even more openly that Boko Haram is condemnable.

They do not need to fight if Christian leaders do not make capital out of the genuine grievances of their flock and urge them into a senseless confrontation. But above all the nation does not need to take up arms against itself if the government and leaders can take bold steps to plug the many gaping holes around our security.

Victims, all

of hostility and fear using the cover and modus operandi of Boko Haram?

Tragically, there appears little effort towards identifying exactly what the nature of the threat is. If there is one, government appears determined only to throw technology and money at it.

Hard political and security intelligence is always difficult to come by in conflicts of this nature. Yet, hard intelligence is precisely what the government needs to deal with this major threat, and it has very little time to acquire it. The most imminent and dangerous fallout of the Christmas bombings is that they

The most serious threat to the current situation, however, is the possibility that the Nigerian state will lose its credibility as the protector of our collective security. Whoever is behind these bombings and killings has succeeded in casting major doubt in the minds of citizens over the ability of this administration to protect both Muslims and Christians. If we cannot feel and be protected, we may be tempted to protect ourselves. In a situation where Christians and Muslims feel threatened by each other, it takes very little to trigger a disastrous chain of events. In these days with so much anger and passion, it is difficult to

Hajj is not a religious tourism to Makkah Continued from page 14

90% of the nation’s population – it cannot stop hajj. What it will translate to is an increase in hajj fare and Muslims will pay for the hajj seats. Politicians, or subtly put it, the rich will not stop to sponsor those allies and partners in progress whom they feel should benefit from their religious or social largesse.

Therefore, it is sufficiently evident that the call for scrapping pilgrimage

commissions in Nigeria or withdrawal of subsidies from pilgrimage related-matters cannot be an issue for development for Nigeria. The establishment of the hajj commission was in response to a long search for a permanent solution to the perennial problems that bedeviled hajj operations in the past, added to the embarrassment such past failures brought to the Nigerian government. I know that the

commission has on its board representatives from key government ministries: foreign Affairs, Finance, Health, aviation, interior and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

And as it is today, as many Nigerians would testify, the commission has delivered its mandate to a satisfactory level commended by the international community.

But the question in this regard is: why are some people

not happy that Muslims and Christians are benefitting from governments’ subsidies in matters relating to their holy pilgrimages? Why all these attempts to explore ways to block such laudable gestures from the federal government?

The leadership of Nigeria of today is as wise as Solomon. There can be no justifiable reason to stop what over 80% of the nation’s population benefit from. Religion is an integral part of human life

and government should not be drifted away from it.

Both the Muslim and Christian faithfuls, in pursuit of their religious obligations and spiritual uprightness, become more devoted when things get tougher in their ways.

Muhammad Ajah is a writer, author, advocate of humanity and good governance based in Abuja.

E-mail mobahawwah@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Ministry, AEPB sensitise residents on sanitation

By Josephine Ella

A

head of this year’s World Environmental Day, coming up in June 28, the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), at the weekend flagged-off an enlightenment and sensitisation exercise on the need to maintain the environment.

The exercise, which was launched on Saturday, at Byazhin Street in Kubwa village, saw officials of the ministry and the AEPB engaging in cleaning of blocked drainages and the surroundings.

Speaking to journalists at the event, the Director, Human Resources of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Gambo Jakada said: “The objective of the exercise was to create the necessary awareness among the local communities on the need for people to maintain a clean environment as a necessary basis for improving their health and national productivity”.

On what informed the choice of Kubwa, he said that it was one of the major satellite town in FCT, hence provide a good opportunity for the two bodies to demonstrate this campaign on environmental cleanliness.

He added that : “ the exercise was intended to serve as a model for the area councils and the FCT administration to replicate same in other parts of the FCT and make sure it becomes a part and parcel of the people’s life style”.

He said it is also expected that other states of the federation would emulate and replicate the gesture in their

Officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the AEPB cleaning a drainage in Kubwa at the weekend during the enlightenment and sensitisation campaign.

Photo: Josephine Ella respective states.

Also speaking to journalists, the Head of Enforcement and Monitoring of the AEPB, Mr. Uche Agbanusi noted that the exercise was to inculcate into residents, the danger of poor environmental sanitation as well as the benefits.

“We want to involve the villagers in the event. You will

agree with me that the problem in this place is because of the haphazard buildings they have here and nobody is here to also teach them the danger of living among heaps of waste, polluted gutters, so it is a very big problem and I believe that with this, people will be sensitised,” he said.

Continuing, Agbanusi

added: “I don’t believe in celebration, I want something that will be lasting, something that people will imbibe and it will become their everyday life style. So, celebration with me, will just end that day but when you inculcate it into the people, it will stay for a longer time.

You tell them the danger in what they are doing and what

they are not doing and the benefit they will get from what you are teaching them.

He blamed the area councils, who’s responsibility it is to ensure cleanliness in the rural areas for the poor sanitation in the rural areas of the FCT, stressing that it is their responsibly to ensure that the sanitation campaign flagged off is sustained.

AMAC boss tasks politicians on wellbeing of rural dwellers

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba has called of political leaders in Abuja to make the welfare of people in rural communities their major priority in order to improve their standard of living.

Jiba made the call at the

weekend in Iddo-Sarkin, a community along the Abuja International Airport road, when the leadership of the council and a nongovernmental Organization (NGO), Jirgin Talakawa Foundation embarked on visits to some communities in the council.

The chairman said that there are so many people in

rural communities that do not have the opportunity and means to have three meals per day, saying that when political leaders pay visits and interact with people at the grassroots, the problems of the common people would be known.

He said his administration is willing to continue to do what it takes to alleviate the

challenges most people are facing in the rural areas.

“I know it is not possible to meet all the demands of most of the people in the rural communities, but no matter how little it may be, our leaders should try to reach out to those at the grassroots because those people voted for them and put them in office, so, they need to be taken care of the best way

possible,” he said.

In his remark, the President of Jirgin Talakwa Foundation(JTF), Samuel Nggada, said that the organisation decided to support the council boss in his desire to impact positively in the lives of people living in rural communities because there is a reward for whatever good done in life.

Builder arraigned for vandalising PHCN cables

By Kerem Kurugh

T

he police have arraigned a builder at Games Village, before an Abuja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly vandalizing a power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) armoured cable.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Sani Yakubu told the court that the case was reported at the court that the case was reported at the Wuye police station by one Adejo Anthony of games village on June 21, 2012.

Yakubu said a police patrol team arrested the accused,

Umar Faruk, 25-year-old, when he was sighted within the games village vicinity, attempting to escape with the cable.

He said that during investigation, the accused confessed that he disconnected the armoured cables.

Faruk was said to have

claimed that he committed the crime under the influence of a drug as according to the prosecutor, “he claimed that he was intoxicated with a Lacasera drink which his friend drugged and gave to him but he was not aware”.

The prosecutor said that the

offence, to which the accused pleaded guilty, contravenes Section 287 of the Penal Code.

The Magistrate, Aminu Eri sentenced the accused, to three months imprisonment.

He however gave him an option to pay a fine of N2, 000 and ordered that the stolen cables be returned to the PHCN.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

NGO advocates funding for widows’ upkeep

By Josephine Ella

A

n Abuja based nong o v e r n m e n t a l organisation (NGO), HelpLine Foundation has appealed to governments at all levels to set aside funds for the up keep of widow.

The President, Mrs Jumai Ahmadu, who made the plea in a press conference as part of activities marking this year’s International Widow’s Day Celebration also urged them to initiate policies that would address the plights of widows in the country.

She noted tht such policies if

vigorously pursued would go a long way in resolving some societal problems associated to juvenile delinquency as she observed that most youths are uncontrollable as a result of single parent upbringing.

Furthermore, the NGO boss observed that the continuing plight of widows globally has been identified as a threat to the realisation of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs which seek to end poverty, promote gender equality and engender global partnership.

“Most widows are said to live below poverty line, suffer gender

discrimination and neglect by government, civil society organisations and the communities they live in. It is a situation still begging for comprehensive interventions at all levels. We all know that death is inevitable, but we can reduce the suffering that widows endure by raising their status and helping them in their hour of need.

“This will contribute to promoting the full and equal participation of all women in society. And that will bring us closer to ending poverty and promoting peace around the world,” she said.

Mrs. Ahmadu explained that Help-Line Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life of widows in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond, disclosing that a charity shop stocked with assorted items has been established in Kuje Area Council to cater for the needs of the widows in the territory.

Commending the wife of the FCT minister, Hajia Aisha Bala Mohammed for her contributions to the less privileged in the society, she called on the wives of the six area council chairmen to replicate similar gestures within their domains.

Gwagwalada council to construct stadium

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he Secretary, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Usman Yahaya has said that the administration is set to construct a stadium to boost sporting activities in the area.

Yahaya disclosed this in an interview with newsmen during the 15th edition of Gwagwalada chairman sports competitions which was held at the Government Day Secondary School football field.

He said that the stadium if constructed, would engage youths to participate in different games of their choice.

According to him, “we engage the youths in sporting activities every year so that we can bring out the best among them in the area”.

He noted that the Gwagwalada Area Council is the only area council that has been organising two football events every year for the youths in the six area councils, saying that the aim of organising the competition for the youths is to discourage them from immoral acts.

Meanwhile, at the end of the competition, flamingos FC defeated the young stars FC by 1-0.

The football competitions in which 29 teams registered, would last for three weeks.

Man accused of stealing pots, clipper L-R: Representative of the Minister of State for FCT and Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to the Minister, Mrs. Jummai Kwanashie, and Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon. Peter Yohanna Ushafa, during the flag- off of the village - community sanitation exercise, recently at a Kuduru community, in Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Commission cautions area council staff over involvement in politics

By Adeola Tukuru

S

taff of area councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been cautioned against full participation in politics at the detriment of their primary assignment as staff of council secretariats.

Head of Management of Area

Council Service Commission, Chief John Okomodo, who gave the warning in Abaji Area Council, lamented the attitude of staff of area councils in Abuja who do not take their job seriously.

He said that many officials of the council often jump into political parties of their choice, while they allow the secretarial services to suffer.

“Let me sound a warning to the

six area councils staff who participate fully in politics, that it is not going to be business as usual, you either resign and join politics or behave as a complete civil servant.

“We are not going to spare anybody that violates civil service rules and regulation of Nigeria and we will no longer tolerate staff that are perpetual late comers to office.

Henceforth, each departmental

attendance register will be monitored and query will be issue to defaulters,” he warned.

He said the commission would do everything possible to train staff within and outside the country in order to develop their talent and skills, calling on those who are stagnant in promotion to further their studies in reputable institutions.

Two guards bag two months imprisonment for stealing

By Kerem Kurugh

T

wo teenagers, Haruna Rabiu and Nura Musa, both security guards at a building construction site located along Jahi, Katampe road have been sentenced to two months imprisonment by an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for stealing already filtered electric cable

wire.

Rabiu, 19 and Nura, 18, were arraigned on a one-count charge of theft, which contravenes Section 287 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The prosecutor, Mr. Christopher Roko told the court that the case was reported to the Jahi police post by one Mr. Patrick Izuchukwu of Lugbe Zone 8 on

may 30, 2012.

According to the prosecutor, the convicts connived and made away with the complainants already filtered electric cable wire value at ¦ 522,000.00.

He added that, the complainants discovered this on May 25, 2012, when he visited his building construction site.

He said that, the convicts, who

were unable to give a satisfactory account of their action during interrogation by the police, eventually confessed to the crime.

The convicts pleaded guilty as charge before the court presided by Chief Magistrate Ibrahim Musa Jibbo, who in his ruling, sentenced them each to two months imprisonment without an option of fine.

A

29-year-old man, Kingsley Uzoma of Lugbe Zone 7 has been arraigned at an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stealing pots, clipper and other items.

The accused, who was arraigned on a one-count charge of theft, the Police Prosecutor, Corporal Paul Anigbo told the court, was reported by one Mr Uche Okoye, also of Lugbe, at the Lugbe Police Station on May 20, 2012.

He was alleged to have connived with his friend (now at large) in April 2011 to steal the items from the complainant’s house.

The prosecutor added that other items stolen were Sharp television, LG home theatre, Sonny play station and Tigmax generator, all valued at N250,000.

Anigbo also told the court that the accused sold the generator to one Mr Onovo Emasa at N10,000, adding that during police investigation, the accused confessed that he stole the items.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In view of the plea, the prosecutor prayed the court to fix a date to hear the matter.

Magistrate Bashir Alkali granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with two reliable sureties who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to July 4, 2012 for hearing. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 17

Less privileged waiting for spirited people to give them alms, yesterday in Garki village, Abuja.

Job hazard; a Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) official on duty, yesterday in Karu village, Abuja.

Officials of Abuja Environmental Protection Board evacuating waste, yesterday in Area 2, Abuja.

This okada rider and his passenger with her baskets of tomatoes on a dangerous ride, Motorcycles seized by security operatives at the Federal Secretariat, on Friday in Abuja. yesterday in Karu market, Abuja.

Photos: Mahmud Isa, and Justin Imo-owo

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Interbank rates up on cash shortage

Mob: 08033644990

Nigeria loses N30bn yearly to newsprint importation From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he capital flight saga, being accentuated by unbriddled importation and the concomitant ruination of local businesses, may have found expression in the paper industry, with continual lamentations from the nation's operators.

Yesterday, the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers (CIPPON), disclosed that the country is currently losing over N30 billion yearly due to massive importation of newsprint.

President of CIPPON, Alhaji Muhammed Lawal, told journalists in Lagos that the development was a large drain on the economy and a sad commentary on the nation's printing industry.

He said the nation would have saved the over N30 billion to resuscitate its moribund paper mills and create more jobs for Nigerians.

According to him, the three paper mills in the country at Oku Iboku Iwopin and Jebba closed shops 15 years ago due to the ulterior motive of some foreigners to ensure that the country perpetually rely on importation of paper.

Specifically, he accused the Indians as being the brain behind the death of the paper mills in the country.

He said: "The Indians are the ones doing the bulk of importation of paper into the country. They felt if they should allow paper mills here to grow, their business will not thrive."

Lawal said government's attitude to the paper mill industry also paved way for its sudden death.

According to him, "the running of these mills was based on political consideration rather than credibility, competence and professionalism.

"When you appoint somebody who doesn't have cognate experience in printing or paper mill to manage these mills, what you will get is mismanagement and run down of its operation like we are currently experiencing", he noted.

Lawal said it is not too late for the government to retrace its step and resuscitate the moribund paper mills but the administration could initiate policies that would create the enabling environment for the mills to grow.

He also promised that CIPPON would assist the government in this drive by creating the requisite advocacy, as well as ensuring that they comply with the printing Act. The association, he added would continue to proffer advice to the Federal and State Governments on printing activities.

Julius Bergers’ trucks at the company’s premises in Abuja, FCT.

Insecurity: Julius Berger put operations on hold in North

By Muhammad Sada

J

ulius Berger Nigeria Plc. has disclosed that it has suspended its operations in Northern Nigeria due to the security challenges.

Managing Director of the company, Engineer Wolfing Goetsch, stated this in Abuja at its 42nd Annual General

meeting, held at the Shehu Musa Yar' Adua Centre.

The Chairman of the company, Nurudeen Imam (rtd.), in his address, said that Julius Berger has experienced no serious security incidents in 2011 but nevertheless, cannot ignore the fact that security issues require the company to remain vigilant and that while

the Niger Delta amnesty programme continues to prove effective, Boko Haram activities are an increasing concern.

According to Imam, the company recorded a gross profit of N34 billion in 2011 compared to the N29 billion garnered in the preceding year.

Revenue from construction

contracts alone amounted to N17 billion in 2011 as against the N171 billion recorded in 2010, while dividend of N2.40 per ordinary share would be paid to shareholders.

He added that the company has diversified its customer base to include clients from the oil and gas sector and private individuals.

Oil prices fall to eight-month record low

C

rude oil prices dropped to the lowest price in eight months in New York after U.S. stockpiles unexpectedly increased and a report signaled China's manufacturing will shrink this month.

Oil for August delivery slid as much as $1.34 to $80.11 a

barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest price for a front-month contract since October 6. It was at $80.42 on Friday. Futures are down 19 per cent this year.

Brent oil for August

CFA • £ RIYAL $

22nd June, 2012 BUYING 0.281 194.415 241.6905 41.3023 154.9

SELLING 0.301 195.6701 243.2508 41.5689 155.9

PARALLEL RATES £ RIYAL $

BUYING 243 43 154

SELLING 257 45 159

Bloomberg survey.

Crude output climbed 117,000 barrels a day to 6.35 million, the highest level since February 1999. Imports rose 328,000 barrels a day to 9.45 million, the highest since March. (Bloomberg)

Management Tip of the Day

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

settlement decreased 51 cents, or 0.6 per cent, to $92.18 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange.

Oil stockpiles were forecast to decline 1.3 million barrels, according to the median estimate of 11 analysts in the

E

Get into the zone

veryone aspires to get into "the zone," or the mental state where you do your best work. Next time you're trying to achieve peak performance, remember these three things: There is no zone for new activities. When you start a new task, you're not going to

find flow. Getting in the zone requires activating the subconscious part of the brain, which is simply inaccessible when you are trying something for the first time.

You need the right environment. Figure out the settings that facilitate your flow - be it a crowded coffee shop or a

quiet library - and work in them whenever possible.

Emotions are key. Being in the zone requires finding the feelings that allow your subconscious to take over. Music can help activate these emotions.

Find songs, albums, or artists that put you in the right mood and block out distractions.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

NACCIMA strikes business deals with Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia

T

he Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has entered into strategic partnerships with investors from Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Skyway Aviation constructs ultramodern cargo warehouse

S

kyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, (SAHCOL) has concluded plans to commence the construction of a custom bonded cargo warehouse, which is the first in the West African subRegion at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Cargo Complex.

Ekiti strategises to increase IGR

K

ey officials of the Ekiti state government have mapped out strategies to ensure aggressive revenue generation drive to shore up the income base of the state.

Fitch upgrades Access Bank's ratings

F

itch Ratings has upgraded Access Bank Plc's Longterm Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'B' from 'B-'.

WAIFEM calls for adoption of IFRS to ensure global standards

T

he West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), has added voice for the adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Nigeria to help businesses abide by globally acceptable standards.

Etihad begins service to Lagos

E

tihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has confirmed that flights to and from West Africa's most populous city, Lagos, will commence from July 1, 2012. The development brings to three the number of airlines from UAE.

FBN Capital launches Fixed Income, Money Market Fund From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

F

BN Capital, the Investment and Asset Management business of the FirstBank Group has introduced two funds - the FBN Money Market Fund and FBN Fixed Income Fund.

This is in line with the bank's resolve to boost wealth creation through specialized products.

According to the bank, the funds have been created to cater for the specific needs of retail and institutional clients in Nigeria, and give investors a platform for

diversifying and growing their investments for optimal returns.

The FBN Money Market Fund, which has a minimum investment of N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira) only, is an open-ended mutual fund which will emphasize income payment on a quarterly basis to its various investors, hold various Money Market Instruments, invest in low-risk securities, and pay out returns that reflect short-term interest rates.

The FBN Capital Fixed

Income on the other hand is for the more affluent investor, requiring an minimum amount of N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira). It is also openended, but will pay income on a semi-annual basis, hold a variety of government and corporate debt obligations and other money market instruments. The Fund will be actively managed to maximize its total return potential while minimizing any increase in risk relative to its market benchmark.

naira worth in three and six months treasury bills, $750 million at the bi-weekly foreign exchange auction and an unspecified amount of dollars directly to some lenders, sucking cash from the system.

The secured Open Buy Back (OBB) was unchanged at 15 percent, 300 basis points above the central bank's 12 percent benchmark rate, and 5 percentage points above the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate.

Overnight placement closed at 16.50 percent, compared with 16 percent last week, while call

money closed at 16 percent, the same level as last week.

"We are expecting the disbursement of May budgetary allocations to government agencies by Tuesday (tomorrow), which will boost the liquidity level and help ease the cost of borrowing in the market," another dealer said.

Traders said rates would not ease significantly next week in spite of the expected budgetary cash inflow because of demand for Naira to use at bond, treasury bill and forex auctions. (Reuters)

Interbank rates up on cash shortage N

igeria's interbank lending rates inched higher this week to an average of 15.83 percent, from 15.66 percent last week, after a large cash withdrawal by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a tax remittance by telecoms company, MTN drained liquidity from the system, traders said on Friday.

NNPC, a major dollar supplier to the interbank market, sold about $400 million to some lenders last week and recalled its naira proceeds to its account with the Central Bank of Nigeria, while telecoms giant MTN remitted part of its corporate tax to the government, draining liquidity from the system.

"The market was very short this week because of the large cash outflows from the system and this resulted in the rates spike," one dealer said.

Traders said liquidity was initially boosted by treasury bill repayments on Wednesday, but the market opened short on Friday with a cash deficit of about 76 billion naira ($468 million) due to the large outflows.

Nigeria also sold 100.62 billion

Ecobank introduces mobile money From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

I

n furtherance of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy, Ecobank Nigeria has introduced an Ecobank Mobile Money, a product designed to deepen financial inclusion for all classes of Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas as well as reduce cash dependency level in their day to day transactions.

The Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Jubril Aku who spoke during the launch of the product noted that Ecobank Mobile Money is equally aimed at bridging the gap between the banked and unbanked and can be used by both account and non-account holders of the bank.

This is part of Ecobank's mission to provide convenient, accessible and reliable financial products and services to the Nigerians, he said. “As we all know, mobile money services have huge potential in markets where mobile penetration vastly outpaces the number of people with bank account. This is the clear case in Nigeria today as we have available over 90 million cell phone users, both the banked and 'unbanked'.

There is therefore an urgent need to offer an affordable, but convenient, solution to money transfer services," Speaking on the benefits of the product, Aku stated that Ecobank Mobile Money delivers convenience, accessibility and reliability to customers in line with the bank's mission.

Mainstreet Bank adopts market-driven growth plan From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

Inflation rates from May, 2011 to Apr, 2012 Max = 12.9%, Min = 9.3% for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 12.9% Source:CBN

Banking Earnings Report

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

I

n response to the dynamics of the global financial markets, the board and management of Mainstreet Bank Limited have adopted a positional strategy that will position the bank to meet the needs of its growing customers.

Rising from a three-day strategy retreat in Lagos, the bank, in a statement declared that its guiding vision is "to be the financial institution of choice for value creation and be among the top four banks in Nigeria".

In order to achieve this, the firm believes that it will start by "creating enduring value for our stakeholders by delivering exceptional financial services".

The bank also defined its stakeholders as its numerous customers, shareholders, staff, the regulatory authorities and the government.

The strategy session also led to the realignment of the bank's organisation structure, to ensure a level of nimbleness and effectiveness that are critical for success in the increasingly competitive financial markets.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Market maintains tempo by +0.99%

T

he bulls continue to dictate the pace in the market for the second week in a row as bargain activities continue to outweigh sell pressure during the week.

Furthermore, the bears continue to dominate market activities as tradings closed pessimistic by -0.74% to open the first trading day of the week negative while Nigerian Stock Market trims losses by +0.26% to close the second session green due to renewed bargain activities witnessed on the bourse.

The bulls continue to dominate market activities in the third session as NSE ASI firms up by +2.03% while bargain activities significantly outweighed sell pressure amid low volume turnover. The bears resurfaced in the fourth session as market recorded -0.76% loss due

to renewed selling activities witnessed in some sectors across the main board.

Conversely, trading activities on Friday closed northwards as sentiments turned green.

Consequently, the key benchmark indices inches up by +0.22%, while market closed the week with aggregate gains of +0.99%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded 23.23% gain with FCMB recording -20.51% losses while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with 79.43% gain. However, Sterling Bank Plc recorded 14.17% losses while ETI also closed negative with -10.03% loss recorded.

However, the All-Share Index in the week under review moved

up by +0.99% to close at 21,394.77 as against an upbeat by +1.35% recorded last week to close at 21,184.58.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week appreciated by N67.09 billion (US$447.32 million) to close at N6.82 trillion (US$45.51 billion) as against appreciation by N96.62 billion (US$644.15 million) recorded last week to close at N6.76 trillion (US$ 45.07billion).

The total volume traded in

the week closed at 924.04 million units valued at N6.29 billion (US$41.95 million) compared with 2.71 billion units valued at N7.37 billion (US$49.17 million) exchanged in 16,255 deals last week. The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved down by -65.98% as against upwards movement by +137.61% recorded last week. Weekly value went down by -14.68% as against negative position of -16.73% recorded last week.

Sovereign Trust Insurance PAT hits 128% From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

S

overeign Trust Insurance Plc. has recorded a profit after tax of N704 million for the financial ended 31st December, 2011.

This represents a128 per cent surge when compared with N308 million written in the 2010 financial year.

Speaking at the company’s 17th annual general meeting in Lagos, the Chairman, Chief Ephraim Faloughi announced that sum of N274.8 out the profit is being recommended by the

board to be paid as dividend, and that was unanimously approved by the shareholders of the company at 4 kobo per ordinary share 50 kobo each to investors whose name appeared in the company’s register.

In the same vein, the company recorded a Profit before tax of N7898 million, a growth rate of 92 per cent when compared with N415 million achieved in the 2010 financial year.

Faloughi intimated the shareholders that the right issue at the rate of one new share for

every three embarked by the company last year recorded a 96 per cent success which added N834 million to the company’s paid up capital.

Commenting on the company’s performance, the chairman noted that the result is the one of the best ever recorded in the insurance industry.

According to him, the company’s gross premium written increased to N6.4 billion against N4.7 billion recorded in the comparable period of 2010 while gross premium earned rose to N6.1 billion in the period from

N4.6 billion written in the 2010 financial year.

Gross claims paid moved to 1.1 billion from N927.2 million paid in previous year while underwritten profit which stood at N1.7 billion in the comparable period of 2010 increased to N2.1 billion in the period under review.

Total assets rose to N7.3 billion in the period under review, against N5.6 billion recorded in the previous year while shareholders’ funds which stood at N3.7 billion in 2010 grew to N5.1 billion in the period under review.

Julius Berger shares N2.88 billion dividend

By Muhammad Sada

S

hareholders of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc are to share N2.88 billion as dividend arising from year 2011 business transactions.

At the company’s 42nd yearly general meeting held in Abuja, yesterday, shareholders approved the sum earlier recommended by the Board of Directors, headed by AVM (Dr.) Mohammed Nuruddeen Imam.

Also, the construction giant announced that it has concluded plans to adopt the International Finance

Reporting Standard (IFRS), which the government has directed to be adopted by both the public and private sector organisations in the preparation of financial statements aimed at enhancing a regime of transparency in the conduct of transactions in the country.

Imam told shareholders that the company posted a turnover of N169.413 billion for the 2011 financial year, representing a three per cent drop of the year 2010’s result. Yet, he said the company was able to declare a dividend because of the

retained profit of last year.

His words: “ Although in 2011 Julius Berger achieved a turnover of N169.41 billion, which was a decrease of 3 per cent of the previous year’s performance, the retained profit increased this increased profitability is a confirmation that our consolidation efforts have positively affected our company’s efficiency and utilization of resources.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange share valuation of the Company on December 31st 2011, the last trading day of the year, was N31.60k which is

lower the N50.00 per share in 2010. This reduction in the Company’s stock value is reflective of the overall trend across all sectors, especially in the second half of 2011.

“In light of the Company’s increased profitability in 2011, the Board of Directors are pleased to be able to recommend an increased dividend of N240 kobo (N2.40) resulting in a total dividend payment of N2.88 billion. You will recall that the proposed dividend for 2010 was 200 kobo per each ordinary share,” the Chairman reminded them.

INVESTORS NEWS BEAT

RT Briscoe hits 11-month high as Nigeria focuses on farming

R

T Briscoe Plc rose to the highest in 11 months, benefiting from a national focus on agriculture, according to Lambeth Trust and Investment Co. The stock advanced as much as 4 percent to N1.72 and closed 1.8 percent up in Lagos at N1.68, the highest since July 25. RT Briscoe shares have risen 65 percent this year, compared with a 3.2 percent increase over the same period last year.

Shareholders petition SEC over Ashaka Cement’s yearly meeting in Gombe

S

hareholders of Ashaka Cement Plc have forwarded a petition to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), seeking relocation of the 2011 yearly general meeting from Gombe State, over alleged insecurity.

FG sells N100bn in T-bills

N

igeria sold a total of 100.62 billion naira ($619.0 million) in treasury bills with 91-day and 182-day maturities at its bi-monthly auction, with mixed yields compared with the previous auction, the central bank said on Friday.

Reserves, oil prices and FX outlook –FBN Capital

R

ecent data from the central bank shows Nigeria’s FX reserves balance at $37.6billion, similar to the levels they were a month ago.

Fitch withdraws rating on Rivers State’s bond

F Source:Pro-share Nigeria

itch Ratings last week withdrew the expected rating on the Rivers State’s proposed fixed rate bond. Prior to the withdrawal, the expected ratings of the issuer and bond were B+ and AArespectively.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 22

CBN defends aviation intervention fund T

By Abdulwahab Isa

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has defended the N35 billion Aviation Intervention fund and said as a result of the fund, nonperforming loans in the sector has dipped to N22.9 billion from N84 billion last year.

The joint committee on Aviation of the National Assembly which rounded up its

four-day public hearing on the June 3 Dana air crash had confronted Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah with claims that the intervention funds were diverted by airline operators to other businesses.

The joint committee, headed

by Senator Hope Uzodinma had invited the governor of CBN, Sanusi Lamido who in turn was represented by Director of Communication, Ugochukwu

Okoroafor and explained that the fund was floated by the apex bank to salvage the aviation sector.

Okoroafor told the committee in answer to a question whether the fund was working and necessary saying “between April 2010 and November 2011, nonperforming loans in the aviation has reduced from N84 billion to N22.9 billion”.

He told the committee that the CBN came up with the intervention fund because the banks were at the centre of the aviation crisis as owing airlines could not meet up with their loan payments to banks.

Okoroafor told the committee “it was not like we moved to safe the banks but because we wanted to stabilise the economy.

We were looking at the aviation sector and this extended to the

FMBN introduces e-collection platform for National Housing Fund

By Abdulwahab Isa

F

ederal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has launched an electronic platform for collection of National Housing Fund (NHF) deductions from employers of labour.

Simply called the NHF ecollection platform, the device makes it possible for NHF deduction, collection and remittance to be done electronically by all designated commercial banks in Nigeria through their existing information technology structures.

Mr. Gimba Ya'u Kumo,

managing director/CEO, FMBN, disclosed in Abuja that once a designated NHF collection bank is issued instructions by an employer to pay monthly salaries to its employees' bank accounts, the corresponding NHF components of the salaries will be automatically deducted and instantly channelled into a dedicated NHF collection account. A payment schedule indicating the identity of each employee and amount contributed by the employee is also automatically generated and FMBN immediately credits each contributor's NHF contribution account with the

corresponding amount remitted for that month, the FMBN boss explained.

Kumo said the e-collection platform will address a number of problems facing the NHF scheme, such as refusal of some employers to deduct their employees' NHF contributions, failure of some employers to remit NHF contributions after deducting such contributions from their employees and failure of some employers to provide remittance schedules to FMBN. All these sharp practices enable some unscrupulous employers of labour to misappropriate NHF monies or even embezzle such funds.

Essentially, the NHF ecollection platform will help promote transparency and accountability in the collection

L-R: Managing Director/CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN); Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Navy Post Service Housing Scheme, Rear-Admiral Itunu Hotonou and Minister of Lands Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple at the launching of FMBN’s NHF e-collection platform in Abuja at the weekend.

of NHF and make it possible for more eligible Nigerians to access NHF loans for building, renovation or purchase of residential houses. For example, the platform will make it easy for NHF contributors to check their NHF contributions using the NHF e-cards on any ATM machines nationwide, the amount of money they have contributed to the NHF scheme and thus be in a position to know if their employers are making the appropriate NHF remittances as and when due.

The NHF e-collection platform is embedded with features that secure contributors' contributions and indeed the system instantaneously sends an SMS alert to the contributor's mobile phone once the NHF deduction hits the NHF collections account.

In addition, each contributor is registered and issued NHF ecollection card with similar security features as the normal ATM card. An NHF contributor also has the option of using personal details to log-on to the FMBN web portal (www.fmbn.gov.ng) to view upto-date records of his or her NHF contributions.

However, no withdrawals can be made from the NHF account until the contributor satisfies the requirements for refund of contributions as specified by the NHF Act 1992.

Kumo commended the minister of Lands Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amal Pepple, for her landmark achievements aimed at making delivery of affordable houses for the Nigerian masses possible.

Such achievements include the recent approval of new National Policy on Housing and National Policy on Urban Development, and now the introduction of the NHF e-collection platform.

banks.

“It only happened that banks were at the centre of the fund because it got to a stage where banks could no longer lend. Not that we gave them money to buy aircraft. Twenty per cent of the loan was meant for operation”.

The committee however directed the CBN to submit payment schedules to it in the first week of next month after the senate retreat.

Liquidity surge to spur demand for Nigerian debt

A

bond auction in Nigeria this week is expected to be well-received, thanks to an expected liquidity boost as the government disburses funds to government agencies.

The expected monthly disbursal of funds to government agencies could spur interest in Nigerian debt at an auction this week, but yields are seen flat on Treasury bills.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plans to sell 83.91 billion naira ($515.04 million) worth of 5-year, 7-year and 10-year sovereign bonds and 134.57 billion naira in short-dated treasury bills this week.

Traders said investors are already taking positions ahead of this week’s auction because of the expected inflows. They said they expected the yield on the 7-year bond to be in line with what similar tenors are offering on the secondary market.

“We see the new 7-year bond attracting around 16 percent yield at the bond auction next week, while other tenors are likely to stay flat,” one dealer said.

The CBN sold a total of N100.62 billion in 91-day and 182-day Treasury bills at its bi-monthly auction, the central bank said on Friday.

The bank sold N37.49 billion of 91-day paper at a return of 14.05 percent, lower than the 14.10 percent yield at the previous auction, while it issued N63.13 billion in 182day bills at 15.31 percent, compared with 14.94 percent previously. (Reuters)

Consolidated Hallmark declares N120m total dividend From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

C

onsolidated Hallmark Insurance has declared a total dividend of N120 million for the financial ended 31st December, 2011.

At the company’s 17th annual general meeting in Lagos shareholders approved a dividend payout of 2 kobo per share for investors whose names appeared in the company’s

register and this translates to N120 million.

The Chairman of the company, Ugo Obi Ralph Okezie while addressing the shareholders commended the firm’s performance, saying: ‘’Notwithstanding the daunting challenges posed by the global economy and the harsh operating environment, your company was able to sustain its yearly growth record in key

performance metrics’’.

Gross premium income, according to him, increased by 36 per cent from N2.8 billion recorded in the 2010 financial year to N3.8 billion in the period under review while profit after tax, which stood at N211 million in the preceding period of 2010 rose to N271 million in the 2011 financial year, thereby showing 28 percent surge.

Shareholders’ funds rose to

N4.2 billion from N4.1 billion written in 2010, while total assets of the company, which stood at N5.4 billion in the comparable period of 2010 increased to N5.6 billion in the period under review.

Net claims paid grew to N527 million in the period under review, from N370.9million in the preceding period of 2010, showing a 42 percent growth, while underwritten profit

increased by 27.7 per cent from N1.1 billion written in 2010 to N1.4 billion in the period under review.

The chairman attributed the success recorded by the company to the unflinching support of its numerous customers and unwavering determination and commitment of the management and staff of the company.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

The politics behind the dualization of Suleja – Minna road In early February 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan, in a speech while addressing thousands of Nigerians and party members during his electioneering campaign for the 2011 presidential election at the Trade Fair Complex in Minna, Niger State Capital, announced that the Federal Government had awarded contract for the dualization of Minna-Suleja road. This was obviously sweet music to the ears of Nigerlites who, rightly or otherwise, seem to believe that their state has about the worst road network in the country. In this report, Iliya Garba examines the the dualization of Minna-Suleja road project and the politics behind it.

P

erhaps, not a few in the mammoth crowd that attended the President Jonathan’s February electioneering campaign in Minna, Niger state, decided that the presidential candidate deserved their votes because the dualization of the Minna-Suleja road was a project they would cast their vote for the person who makes it a reality. That apart, many believed that the proximity of the state to the seat of power, which has been under the leadership of PDP since 1999, would also attract good things for the state in the J o n a t h a n - l e d administration.

It is pertinent to point out that, unknown to many Nigerians, including Jonathan supporters, who were at rally, the site of the project had been officially handed over to the construction company, Salini Nig. LTD since the 13th of December, 2010 but because of Christmas break, the contractor took over the site in January where they began with bush clearing.

However, nearly one and a half years on, the MinnaSuleja road, which is only a distance of about 100 km, still take motorists about one and half hours to cover due to its poor condition. In fact, the impact of the dualization project is nothing to talk about because the work seems to be stagnant.

A motorist, Samson Alfa lamented that it was unfortunate that even the Federal government is playing politics with the lives of their citizens. He said, “I know that the Suleja – Lambata – Minna dualization project is politically motivated right from the onset because of electioneering campaign, the contractors were hurriedly

project. The things, according to him, include the many security check points along the road. ”To move to Diko from the site, which is a distance of about seven kilometres takes more than one hour, this is frustrating and affecting our job”. Also, he said, the road was a busy one with motorists driving recklessly which frequently causes accident.

According to him, the scope of the road is tagged, “dualization of Suleja – Lambata – Minna road which covers only 40km out of the 100km distance. He said the scope covers two

flyover situations in Diko junction and Maje village, while within the stretch of their contract, there are three bridges to be constructed by the firm out of which two are nearly completed. ”The issue of lack of fund from the Federal government is a general problem, but apart from the payment there is also the issue of discrepancies in the bill of quantity, because as soon as we finish the bush clearing we discovered that the work is underestimated”, he disclosed.

He also disclose that

Engr. Bizzarro Raffaello explaining a point on the project about N500 million would be involved for compensation to individuals that would be affected by the project, a project to be handled by a consultant appointed by the client.

In telephone interview, Engineer Bakare Olashire

Umar said the slow pace of work on the dualisation of the Suleja – Minna road was caused by the inadequate provision made in the budget for all the road projects across the country.

However, Engineer Olashire Umar disclosed that

Part of the 40km road under construction mobilised to site. The pace of work is so glaringly slow that 16 months after the President’s announcement of the award of contract, not much progress has been made by the contractor.

Also, the Secretary of the Niger state chapter of the Nigeria of the Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Abubakar Suleiman said, “everyone is aware of the bad condition of the Suleja road and the slow pace of work is another

disturbing issue”.

He said, “apart from the bad road and slow pace of work, there is also the issue of breakdown of long vehicles that are left on the highway without any sign to alert oncoming vehicles which has caused several fatal accidents.

According to him, “when we learnt that the on-going dualisation project was awarded for just 40km from Suleja, we concluded that the road accident on the road is

not yet over because the remaining part of the road which was not covered by the contract, is over 60km.

Therefore, we want to appeal to the state government in the interest of the citizen welfare to source for funds to complete the remaining part like other state governments have been doing”.

When contacted, the Site Agent (Project Manager) of Salini Nig. LTD, Engineer Bizzarro Raffaello, claimed that the company moved to

the site in January 2011. ‘“We fully mobilized to site and because of our reputation we have attained 40-50 percent in terms of value but in terms of scope we have acheived16-20 percent out of the N280million”, he disclosed.

Raffaello lamented that although the various communities located within the project area had been very accommodating, there are other things hampering progress of work on the

Engr. Bizzarro Raffaello

Cleared portion of the dualization project

the Federal government had decided to source for more money outside the budget to finance priority road projects beginning with the Lokoja – Abuja road.

He assured that the Ministry of Works was committed to completing all on-going road

projects in the country and that the contract for the remaining part of the Suleja – Minna road will also be awarded, adding that government decided to stagger the contract because of the scope and enormous cost of the project.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Euphoric: German Chancellor Angela Merkel celebrates after Philip Lahm scores against Greece in the quarter-final

Battle of the Bailout: Angela Merkel cheers with delight as Germany puts Greece out of the Euro

By Rob Preece

I

t was a bitter grudge match dubbed the Battle of the Bailout - and, unsurprisingly, it was dominated by Germany.

The German football team beat their Greek counterparts 4-2 in a quarter-final at Euro 2012 in Poland tonight.

The match in Gdansk, watched from the stands by German

chancellor Angela Merkel, pitted Europe's economic engine room against the nation many say it is trying to crush, by demanding huge budget cuts in exchange for rescue cash.

And there was no respite for the Greeks as Germany, tipped as one of the favourites for the tournament, ran out comfortable winners.

Merkel has been regularly

Celebration: Germany's Marco Reus, left, and Jerome Boateng dance after winning the game

ridiculed by Greek media as a 'Nazi' trying to re-take control of their country.

It refers to Greece's occupation

by Adolf Hitler's army from 1941 to 1945, for which some victims' families are still trying to claim $100billion from Berlin in reparations.

As would be expected, both sets of national media spent the last week ramping up the tensions between the three-time champions and the surprise 2004 winners.

Greece's Live newspaper quipped: 'The referee should give Merkel a fright and toss a drachma coin at the beginning of the match.' jersey with the name of German Chancellor Angela Merkel prior to the match Meanwhile, Gata sports newspaper joked: 'The first measure that our new government has to push through on the urging of Merkel: we have to lose against Germany on Friday.'

The German press has also

drawn on the eurozone crisis.

Bild newspaper said on Tuesday: 'Be happy dear Greeks, the defeat on Friday is a gift.

Against Jogi Loew, no rescue fund will help you.'

Philipp Lahm gave Germany the lead in the 39th minute before Georgios Samaras equalized for Greece in the 55th.

But Sami Khedira, Miroslav Klose and Marco Reus all scored to pull Germany clear.

'We made some silly mistakes but at the end we scored four goals,' Lahm said. 'We had many chances in the first 10 to 15 minutes.'

Mrs Merkel stood to cheer every time her team scored in the match, which was played amid the political backdrop between the countries.

Germany has been a major contributor to economic bailouts for Greece and was instrumental in demanding unpopular spending cuts.

Germany dominated nearly the entire match at the Arena Gdansk, but the Greek defense held strong for much of the first half.

Lahm finally put his team in front by controlling the ball with his chest and dribbling toward the middle before sending a longdistance shot into the corner off the hand of Greece goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis.

The Greeks looked better at the start of the second half, and even equalized when Samaras knocked the ball past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer after a perfect cross from Dimitris Salpigidis.

But after that goal, it was back to being all Germany.

Khedira volleyed in a cross from Jerome Boateng in the 61st, and Klose headed in a free kick from Mesut Oezil in the 68th as Sifakis was late to punch the ball away. Reus made it 4-1 in the 74th, volleying a shot in off the underside of the crossbar after Sifakis had saved from Klose.

Salpigidis added a consolation penalty for Greece in the 89th after Boateng handled.

And Berliner Kurier printed a cartoon of a government spokesman telling German press: 'Our stance on you remaining in the eurozone depends entirely upon how the match goes.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Eliminated: An unhappy Greece supporter watches as her team goes out of Euro 2012

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Principal calls for establishment of more vocational centres in Nigeria

T

he Principal of the FCT Vocational Centre, Bala Musa, on Friday called for the establishment of more centres in the 36 states of the federation.

Musa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bwari that the establishment of the centres would reduce the number of beggars, hawkers and other destitute on the streets.

He said that the centres would also take care of those perceived to be useless and make them useful to the society.

On the challenges facing the FCT vocational centre, Musa said that it was yet to receive its first quarter allocation of N3 million.

According to Musa, the development has created funding problems for the centre.

“The centre also has other challenges such as water, power supply, prompt supply of food, you see there is need to improve and maintain the supply chain.”

Musa said that workers at the centre were not properly remunerated, adding that a lot of them were on contract.

He said that the workers were being paid based on the Memorandum of Understanding between the centre and an NGO, the Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria.

“My concern is what happens to the centre when the MOU expires. That is why I am concerned.

“It is high time the FCT took its responsibility and all this boils down to the attitude of the society toward people living with disability.” he said. (NAN)

PAGE 27

Registrar blames Rufa’i for delay in takeoff of new federal universities

T

he Registrar of the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, Muhammad Yusuf, has said that the delay in the take off of the newly established six federal universities followed a directive from the Federal Ministry of Education,

asking the university not to start the registration of students until its facilities were inspected.

He told newsmen that “the directive is not only given to Federal University Dutsinma, but to all the nine new federal universities in the country”.

The registrar said that the university was prepared for the take-off as admission list had been released.

He said that April 30, was slated for the commencement, but due to the directive, the institution had to wait for the inspection.

The registrar also urged admitted students to exercise patience and not panic as academic activities would take-off after the inspection.

“This is what caused the delay in the registration of students,” Yusuf said. (NAN)

L-R: Deputy National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Chief Onem Nelson Onem, Secretary General of the union, Obong Ikpe Johnny Obong, and National President of NUT, Comrade Micheal Alogba, during the union meeting, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo.

Agency awards oversea scholarship to 1,200 students in Rivers

T

he Executive Director of Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency, Noble Pepple, says 1,200 students from the state have benefited from its overseas scholarship scheme.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the agency was set up five years ago by an Act of parliament to focus on three areas; namely, education, agriculture and job creation.

Pepple told journalists in Port

Harcourt on Friday that the students were studying in 10 countries with courses ranging from Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture and IT. He said the first batch of 93 IT graduates from Singapore returned last year and were presently doing their National Youth Service programme, while 50 post-graduate students had completed their studies since last year.

The director said another batch of 150 students was expected to complete their studies and return home later in the year, adding that the scholarships were aimed at building a core of globally competitive work force.

He said new courses like Agricultural Engineering and Urban and Town planning had been added to the scholarship programme to assist in actualizing the dream of the greater Port

Harcourt city under construction.

On agriculture, he said their focus was to turn around the sector for job creation and sustainable growth.

He said the Songhai farm had started an agricultural revolution by training young people in modern agriculture, adding that the farm had trained several youths and agricultural extension staff from other states since its inception. (NAN)

graduates’ teachers lacked professionalism, inadequate exposure to teaching practice, shallow-subject matter knowledge and inability to communicate effectively in English.

Besides, the former NUC boss said that the low rating of the

dregs make up the bulk of teachers, both in-service and practicing”.

Earlier in his remark, Segun Awonusi, TASUED ViceChancellor, said that teacher education was the bedrock of all educational attainment in life.

Awonusi explained that there was no area of human endavour

for Education, said government would continue to give teacher education a priority in the state.

Odubela, who said government had spent a lot of money to improve standard of education in the country, stressed that government would not stop in doing so. (NAN)

37,000 students benefit from Okebukola advocates 5-year revalidation of teachers’ certificates Jigawa Mass he former Executive relation to the minimum teaching profession was seen in that did not require teacher Secretary of National standards as accessed through a the scanty application for education, adding that no Education Universities Commission survey by NUC showed a very admission into faculties and educational system could rise programme, (NUC), Peter Okebukola, has called poor percentage of efficiency over college of education. above the quality of its teachers. for five years regular revalidation the years.

In his remarks, Prof. Segun He said that the pervasive says official of teacher certificate for improved Okebukola said that most notion was that only “academic Odubela, the state Commissioner

T

T

he Executive Secretary of Jigawa Agency for Mass Education, Ya’u Usman, has disclosed that thirty seven thousand people have benefitted from its mass literacy programme since its inception in 2008.

Usman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse that the agency had expended N616 million on the agencies programmes since 2008.

He said that the agency runs five programmes of basic literacy class, post literacy, continuing education, remedial and women functional literacy education.

The executive secretary said that all the courses were aimed at teaching the beneficiaries how to read and write, remedy the deficiencies of those who dropped out from school and assist them their education.

Usman said that the agency also taught sewing, soap-making and hand craft to students to make them become self-reliant after graduation. (NAN)

teaching in schools.

Okebukola made the call at the first distinguished lecture organised by the College of Science and Information Technology, Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijebu-Ode, Ogun.

He explained that the quality of graduate teachers in Nigeria in

Murtala Mohammed Foundation donates computers to Ekiti schools

A

charity organisation, Murtala Mohammed Foundation, has donated 90 desktop computers to six secondary schools in Ekiti.

Taking delivery of the computers in Ado Ekiti on Friday, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Eniola Ajayi, said the foundation was convinced on the vision of the administration.

She said that it was the vision of the administration to place a computer on the desk of each student by 2014 to make the state education sector to rank

among the best in the world.

The commissioner said the donation followed a request from the foundation that the government should signify interest to receive the computers.

“The computers are from Murtala Mohammed Foundation, it is a donation they gave to us after requesting that we signify our intention to receive this kind of gesture.

"And once we complete their documentation, they alerted us that they would bring the computers today.

“They gave us 90 desktop

computers for six schools in Ekiti State,” she said.

The benefitting schools include Isan Community High School, Isan Ekiti, Aisegba Coomunity Grammar School, Aisegba, and Doherty Memorial Grammar School, Ijero.

Others are Government College, Iyin Ekiti, Orija Grammar School, Emure, and Ekiti Parapo College, Ido Ekiti.

Ajayi said the remaining batch of 33,000 laptops being distributed to students in secondary schools would be made available before the end of the

year.

She said some of the computers would be given to the state College of Education, Ikere Ekiti, and Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, under the Tertiary Education Fund.

She said that the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Department of the state university was being equipped with more computers.

The commissioner pointed out that Google was poised to help the university to augment its ICT Department to international standard. (NAN)

PAGE 28

Corps member erects anti cultism sculpture in Bida poly

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

A

youth corps member, Yahiya Muhammed, has erected a sculpture at the Frontage of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, to preach against examination malpractices, cultism and indecent dressing.

The sculpture, which was unveiled on Friday at the school, attracted people with goodwill from both within and outside the institution, including the Rector of the School, Abdullahi Sule, the Bursar, Danjuma Buhari, the NYSC State Coordinator, represented by the Zonal Inspector, Mrs Lydia.

Speaking at the event, the Rector of Bida Ploy, Abdullahi Sule, commended the outgoing Corp members for the significant edifice, saying it depicts the triple vices of cultism, indecent dressing, and examination malpractices, which are common in academic institutions.

Sule thank the Corp members for adding beauty to the school and assured them that whenever there is any employment exercise in the Polytechnic, they will be given priority over other applicants because of their sacrifice.

In her remarks, the State NYSC coordinator commended the Rector for retaining a Corp member for distinguishing himself while he was serving.

She requested that similar gesture be extended to some other corps members serving in the polytechnic.

Kwara recruits 1,040 teachers for core subjects

T

he Kwara Government has distributed letters of appointment to 1,040 teachers to teach core subjects in schools throughout the state.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr Lanre Daibu, said the new teachers should report to their areas of posting and start work immediately.

The chairman, who was represented by a permanent member of the board, Mr Sikiru Sholagberu, explained that the recruitment became necessary due to the shortage of teachers in some primary schools.

He said that there was hardly a school with teachers for core subjects.

He said government was determined to ensure qualitative education in the state adding that education was now free.

Daibu noted that the board had conducted orientation for all the new teachers, and asked them to be disciplined and show good example.

The chairman gave the assurance that teachers would be continuously trained, adding that the inspectorate division had been set up to ensure efficiency in the education sector in all the local government areas. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

UNILAG College of Medicine produces 6,687 graduates in 50 years - Provost

T

he Provost of the University of Lagos College of Medicine, Oluwole Atoyebi, over the weekend, stated that the Collage has produced 6,687 graduates in its 50 years of existence.

Atoyebi said this in Lagos at news conference organised to mark the college’s 50th anniversary scheduled for September.

He said that the graduates of various medical and allied fields are internationally competent, explaining that of the 6,687 graduates, 4,624 had Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

(MBBS), while 702 had Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and 424, Bachelor of Physiotherapy (B. Physiotherapy).

He noted that 314 others bagged the B. Sc degree in Pharmacology, while 190 and 42 graduated in Physiology and Radiography respectively.

“In our well established tradition of continual quality assurance of programmes and innovations in medical education, the college is leading most other Medical Schools in undertaking major revision of the curriculum.

“This is so in order to reposition our undergraduate training programmes to meet current local, national and global realities and needs.’’

Atoyebi noted that the college had established a Medical Education Development Unit (MEDU) to ensure sustainable and continuous quality assurance in all training programmes.

He added that the unit, which would also assist in sustaining current and future faculty development activities for all academic staff, had been

strengthened by the advent of the Medical Education Partnership initiative in Nigeria (MEPIN).

In line with efforts to sustain its foremost position as the country’s best in medical training, Atoyebi also said that the college libraries had been equipped and strengthened with qualified manpower to promote excellence.

The provost, however, said that the college was constrained by funds to renovate structures and provide facilities for a more conducive teaching and learning environment. (NAN)

L-R: Osun state Deputy Governor, Mrs Grace Titi LaoyeTomori, the state Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, and ViceChancellor, Adeleke University, Professor Ayandiji Aina, during the vicechancellor's visit to the governor, recently in Osogbo, the state capital

ASSUS blames poor education on shortage of staff

T

he Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASSUS), Ogun state chapter, has said that shortage of staff, among other factors, was responsible for the falling

standard of education.

Tunde Folarin Ogun, the state chairman of the union, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta.

Folarin added that inadequate funding and the lack of dedicated staff were also the bane of quality university education.

“That we have a falling standard of university education

Awo’s free education helped S/West lead in education - Aliyu From Inumidun Ojelade, Osogbo

T

he Niger state governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, yesterday ranked the South-West region as leading in the area of education in the country, saying the foundation was laid by the late Obafemi Awolowo, whose free education policy.

The ‘Chief Servant’ of Niger State, represented by his Chief of Staff, Muhammed Yahaya Kuta, made the disclosure at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, where he was presented with an award of “Outstanding Contribution to Education of the Obafemi Awolowo Free Education Order” by the Faculty of Education of the university.

He said, “Baba Awolowo

remains a leading light in education in Nigeria and Governor Babangida is following in Niger State.

“The policy of free education introduced by the late sage is one of the policies being implemented by the Niger state government. I believe Awolowo’s legacy is not magic, but commitment and that is what has transformed the South West of Nigeria ahead of other states in the country.

“And that is why in Niger State, we are on the march. We are trying to catch up with what South West has done in the area of education”.

The Niger State governor, while joining other well meaning Nigerians in celebrating the exemplary qualities of Awolowo, who died 25 years ago, said,

“Legacy in education endures whether one is alive or dead.

That is what Baba Awolowo represents and that is why people are celebrating him. Education is a right to every Nigerian child, to go to school and that is what the Niger State government is implementing.

While noting that the Federal Government has a policy on the Universal Basic Education, he said to make it operational is what is left, “and I think every state will take advantage of this in terms of economy and infrastructure to do that”.

Rev. Oyediran, the daughter of Chief Awolowo, in her speech, urged people to learn what it means to render service to one’s community because Baba Awolowo lived and died rendering service to the nation.

is incontrovertible and as such, we must strive to eliminate those factors identified as the bane of quality education in Nigeria. ‘’What other responsibility of government is more important than educating its citizens?

“No nation can afford to abandon education as doing so will be like a Ship without a rudder; “How will the nation develop without sound education?” he asked.

Folarin, expressed optimism that the nation‘s educational system would blossom and the economy would benefit, if the quality of education improved.

He charged members of staff and students to also make judicious use of resources made available to them, adding that various university authorities should also generate funds internally to ease pressure on government.

While urging unions to engage in negotiation with authorities before embarking on strike, he also enjoined governments at all levels to be sensitive to the yearnings of various unions.

“Strike should and must be a last resort and so, unions, government and authorities must do everything possible to avert strikes,” he said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 29

Female circumcision an impediment to developmental growth I

By Ronah Adamu Bete

was shocked when I later heard her story, it broke my heart as she explained the pains she passed through during the circumcision period and the fear she has if the same fate befall her sisters. She cried so hard for help but to no avail not because she cannot be helped but because it is the tradition that must be obeyed.

It is quite imperative to note that knowledge affects our attitudes and our attitudes affect our behaviour, these behaviours form our practices. These practices are said to be the enduring way of behaviour about things that people do by a way of tradition or culture.

The concept of female circumcision has been in existence for decades and it is a practice among many countries of the world. The female circumcision which is also known as female genital mutilation has been defined by the world health organization as all procedure that involve the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or the injury to the female genital organ for non-medical reasons. This act is carried out on girls before puberty, it is perceived as the proper way of preparing young girls for womanhood.

Development on the other hand, tries to bring about changes in our harmful cultural practices

but where development tries to achieve this; our cultural and traditional practices which we hold unto so tight always tend to stand in the way.

This practice of cutting the female genital organ is usually performed by a circumciser using knife, razor, or scissors. This practitioner, with little or no knowledge of human anatomy or medicine does it manually on girls leaving them in severe pains.

Although, the origin of female circumcision is quite unknown but a variety of reasons are being forwarded in its defence by its supporters who could include religious or cultural groups.

It becomes highly controversial when an issue touches our cultural, religious beliefs or rights.

Anything that contradicts our culture contradicts us, as cultural and traditional values are highly respected in our Africa societies.

This practice is highly respected, in some cultures, it is perceived that by partaking in the practice you are heighten to a level of pure motherhood not tainted by sexuality and that is why the woman gives it away happily to become a matron and be respected by everyone.

The Massai people of Tanzania will not call a woman 'mother' if she is not circumcised even if she has children. However in some societies, women who have

Uganda Female Genital Mutilation not have the procedure are regarded as too unclean to handle water or food.

There is a belief among some group of people that a woman's genitalia will continue to grow until it dangle between her legs and that the clitoris is dangerous and is capable of killing a man or a baby if it comes in contact with it during birth. These kinds of beliefs may make people to give in to the practice without

considering the health consequences.

Over the years it has been estimated that over 135 million women have undergone the process and thousands of girls still live with the fear of this circumcision. The female circumcision has been categorized into three by World Health Organisation (WHO).

They include clitoridectomy which is the cutting of part or the entire clitoris, the second type is called excision which involves the cutting of the clitoris and the labia minora, then t h e t h i r d t y p e is called infibulations which is the most severe of all.

After excision of the labia minora and labia majora, they scrap away to create raw surfaces which is held in contact until they are healed either by stitching the edges of the wounds or by tying the legs and knees of the girl together leaving a small opening for the passage of urine or menstrual blood leaving the girl in pains.

These practices are done without anaesthesia; one can only imagine the pains the victims undergo.

It should be noted that, this procedure is capable of causing haemorrhage, fractured bones due to struggling, shock, long term complication, such as

keloid, scar formation, p a i n ful intercourse, chronic infections and possibly transmission of disease. A woman might suffer from abscesses and pains from damaged nerve endings.

Medical practitioners affirm that, amputation of the clitoris and other sensitive tissue reduces a woman's ability to experience pleasure. Female circumcision sometimes causes death and permanent health problems as mentioned above but its practitioners look at it as an integral part of their culture and ethnic identity which they cannot do without.

Nigeria as a developing country is faced with many problems and developmental growth, what is the stand of health organisation in Nigeria with regards to this harmful practice?

The choices remain ours, to either hold on to our traditional practices or give chance for development.

The government should sponsor programmes in the light of this harmful female circumcision and educate the people about its health implications for the better of women world and development of Nigeria as a whole.

Ronah Adamu Bete is a student of Mass C o m m u n i c a t i o n Department, University of Maiduguri

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Bleaching: Beauty accompanied with danger determines how dark a person's skin is; more melanin production results in darker skin. Melanin has another key function; it plays a major protective role. It is the skins' own natural protection from the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun. Without it, the skin is extremely vulnerable and we would have to cover exposed skins with sun screen or risk a greater chance of developing skin cancer.

• The cells contained within the dermis and epidermis provide a natural yellow, white colour • Superficial blood vessels provide a blue or red color determined by oxygen content • Melanin produced by melanocytes scattered within the basal layer of the skin It is this third point which

How skin lightening products work There are two chemicals found in skin lightening products, Hydroquinone or Mercury.

• Hydroquinone (C6H6O2) is a severely toxic and very powerful chemical used in photo processing, the manufacture of rubber and is an active agent in hair dyes.

• Mercury in the form of Mercury Chloride & Ammoniated Mercury is carcinogenic. They appear on the list of toxic substances that can only be purchased via pharmacies with prescribed labels of toxicity.

Both products perform a similar process. In the short term they will initially cause the skin to lighten by inhibiting the production of

stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus, they irritate the sensitive esophagus lining, which in turn causes that uncomfortable burning sensation that is known as heartburn.

Then there's constantly the other likelihood that you might have sensed the burning sensation previously, but thought it was nothing more than straightforward upset stomach.

There are countless names

that I found heartburn to be camouflaged under, but one of the more famous and appropriate one, is "Acid Reflux". "Acid" in the acid reflux suggests the stomach acids, whilst the "reflux" refers to refluxing ascendant movement of the acids, in the direction of the mouth. In my opinion I prefer the term "heartburn" though, seeing that the pain I feel when having an attack is more similar to heart "smoldering up". Nevertheless, the pain

Would you use a cream or soap that may have the following long term side effects: Skin cancer, liver damage, kidney damage or poisoning?

Health tip: Nurse unsealed a brand new bottle of "LAXAN LACTULOSE" (a useful laxative) and gave a patient 15 ml to drink, which he did. The drug turned out to be "bleaching liquid" in taste and he had to immediately vomit it out, but not without some damage to his tongue, throat, stomach and discomfort all night. The following morning, formal report was made by the hospital to the manufacturers and the batch of the drug had to be withdrawn from circulation immediately. As he related the sad experience to another patient in the morning, he told him of a driver who was given eye drops in a reputable clinic, which he applied, but it turned out to be raw acid. The driver lost sight in both eyes despite all efforts. The lessons and precautions are, always taste liquid drugs first and observe for few seconds before swallowing the full dosage.

Mothers must always taste all syrups for their children and observe for few seconds before administering it on children.

All eye, nasal and ear drops should be tested at the back of the hand and observed for few seconds before applying to the eyes, nostrils, and ears.

In the modern conscious society in which we live, there is a myth that lighter paler complexions portray beauty, riches and success.

This misguided belief has resulted in a huge market in the use of skin lightening products.

Some people use them secretly knowing what the side effects are, others use poorly labeled under the counter products not

A

knowing what dangers they are letting themselves in for.

Manufacturers may not be fully versed with the side effects or labeling may be misleading or economical with the truth.

Why do we have colour in our skin?

There are three reasons for the colour of our skin:

melanin. Without melanin formation in the basal layer no brown pigmentation will be visible.

The long term effects of using skin lightening products Hydroquinone or Mercury applied to the skin will react with ultra violet rays and reoxidize, leading to more pigmentation and premature ageing. More products are then applied in an attempt to correct the darker blotchy appearance.

These are the beginnings of a nasty cycle. By altering the skins natural structure and inhibiting the production of Melanin, its natural protection, the skin is more susceptible to skin cancer.

Prolonged use of Hydroquinone will thicken collegen fibres damaging the connective tissues. The result is rough blotchy skin leaving it with a spotty cavier appearance.

Mercury will slowly accumulate within the skin cells striping the skin of it's natural pigment leaving behind the tell tale signs of gray/ blue pigmentation in the folds of the skin. In the long term the chemical will damage vital organs and lead to liver and kidney failure and mercury poisoning.

What to know about heartburn

H

eartburn is the term of the condition given to a blazing uneasiness in the chest, just at the back of the breastbone. There is more than one term to define heartburn; you might know it by a different name, "Dyspepsia".

This very strong discomfort by and large takes place in the same region as the heart; the condition has been named "heartburn" regardless of having nothing whatsoever to do with the heart itself.

Usually, the beginning of heartburn is known to take place right after eating food and I found the cause for this to lie in a very simple explanation. I am not saying my explanation is by any means comprehensive, since after all, I'm not a doctor, but in the case of heartburn a few things tend to stand out, and this is one of them.

I discovered that heartburn crops up when the stomach acids produced after eating food come into contact with the esophagus or the gullet as it is also known. The inside layer of the esophagus is more reactive than that of the stomach and is not ready to control the ruthless stomach acids. When these

depends on just how much of the stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus.

It is on this, that the severity of heartburn depends. Each person who suffers from heartburn will feel bad to some degree, but a lot of people will only experience the milder symptoms, and not even realize that their pain could get significantly worse if not taken care of immediately.

Chances are though, that if you haven't been watching yourself too closely, you would have suffered from some sort of the milder heartburn symptoms without realizing it, and mistook it for indigestion, especially if it occurred right after a heavy meal.

Once you understand what the cause of your heartburn is, life will become much easier, especially if you pursue the more natural remedies in favor of the easier available drugs.

Lastly, it is worth bringing up here, that regardless of whether you use natural remedies or not, if you endure pain from heartburn, you should consult your doctor to confirm your suspicions, especially before experimenting with any remedy.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 31

Alternative voices from Rio+20 ANALYSIS

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he development-the drilling, mining and damming - is affecting everyone, our communities and the Earth, our home and the only planet we have."

The piercing voice of 11-year-old Ta'Kaiya is enough to grab the attention of delegates passing by. With the aptitude of a seasoned speaker, this young delegate from Canada comfortably commanded the following of environmental activists staging a sit-in at the Rio+20 conference.

Ta'Kaiya is in Rio to represent the Indigenous Environmental Network and to speak out against the controversial tar sands project being planned by an energy transport company, Enbridge, that involves a pipeline from the Alberta tar sands to the Pacific northwest coast of Canada.

"This pipeline puts in jeopardy, thousands of streams, 45 different indigenous cultures that have been practiced by my ancestors and their ancestors. I am shocked that people would jeopardise such pristine beauty and put a price tag on it," T'Kaiya told Al Jazeera.

The wisdom emanating this young mind would leave many of the negotiators in the "green" rooms of Rio grappling for answers.

She is joined by more than 200 civil society groups that have travelled from all over the world.

Even before the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, also called Rio+20, commenced on June 20, hundreds of non-governmental groups focused on ecology, climate change and development gathered for a counterconference that they named "The People's Summit" - an alternative to the UN mechanisms that have yet to produce the needed results called for at the 1992 Earth Summit, which also took place in Rio. "Re-inventing the world" is the only course of action, claim social movements gathered in Rio. Being financed by the host government Brazil, this alternative summit has brought together leading voices, not just from environmental groups but from all stakeholders, especially from the most afflicted demographics. Rural women's organisations, indigenous leaders and climate activists featured heavily both inside the UN conference and at the city centre's Flamengo Park, where the People's Summit is taking place until Sunday.

Meanwhile, the official UN conference opened on a sombre note, with the largest contributors to the issues at hand, the industrialised countries such as the US and UK, not sending their heads of state. To accommodate the downscaling of enthusiasm towards emission reductions marked by the recent Bonn Climate Conference in May, UN officials announced that the emphasis at Rio would be "green economies across the globe" - and not tackling climate change head on.

The conference has proceeded without the same sense of urgency as the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. This is despite experts warning that the current state of affairs calls for action more urgently than ever before, with biodiversity and climate change being much greater challenges than 20

Indigenous activists are among those at the Rio+20 alternative 'People's Summit' [Preethi Nallu/Al Jazeera] years ago.

Over the days of the conference, activists took to the streets marching in the tens of thousands to express their collective rejection of the green economy initiatives that have become the major focus at Rio+20.

Greenpeace activists were among those marching on the opening day of UN summit, dubbing the conference "Rio Minus 20". Kumi Naidoo, the executive director of Greenpeace pointed out that, although this high level meeting comes 20 years after the first Earth Summit, a majority of the 17 principles charted in 1992 have not progressed, with many areas of concern experiencing rapid degradation.

Furthermore, activists said the main principles laid forth at the Earth Summit of 1992 have been rampantly "broken", to the point that today's levels of greenhouse gases are rising more rapidly than before the UN convention on climate change came into being.

The Earth Summit is credited with two historically significant outcomes one was a convention on preserving biodiversity and the other was the creation of the UN Panel on Climate Change. The two are inextricably bound. They are mutually interdependent. Focusing on one part while ignoring the other is counterproductive.

Bill McKibben, of 350.org, is blunt in his assessment of Rio+20 summit.

Although he has chosen to attend, he thinks that the gathering is a "joke".

When he spoke to Al Jazeera, he was about to join a sit-in protest, aware that his credentials may be revoked as a result.

"I remember Rio 20 years ago, a source of hope," he said. "But we are now losing the environmental battles. There is nothing in this text to change that, just some wistful declarations."

But, McKibben points out that his work is not deterred by the inefficacy of such high level meetings. In fact, it is exactly this ineptitude from governments that prompted his mission to galvanise grassroots movements across the world.

350.org says it has mobilised more than 20,000 demonstrations in the past four years and operates in every country, except North Korea.

"It is the largest global climate movement and that is what we need - movement power - in order to apply real pressure. Currently, the fossil fuel industry holds all the cards. This is why we do not get any action," said McKibben.

As part of the Rio+20, UN Women conducted a women leaders' high level summit where female heads of state from Denmark, Norway, Brazil and others pledged their commitment towards enhancing cooperation between governments and NGOs and advocating for gender equality. While the meeting was inspirational, given the achievements of this handful of leaders, it hardly filters down to the millions of other women across the world who feature most heavily in every indicator of developmental divisions, from education to basic health and human rights.

After an emotionally charged speech at the People's Summit, Emily

“

Tjale from South Africa, representing the Rural Women's Assembly, sat down to explain her frustations as an activist.

Tjale has been following the negotiations since "Agenda 21" the declaration that spelled out the necessary measures for national and international action "in every area with human impact on the environment", at the 1992 Earth Summit. This commitment was reaffirmed by member states in 2002, but the repeated promises have not materialised into action, she said.

"We, women, need space. We need to be made part of the decision making process, as we are the ones most affected. We need to connect climate change with our issues that affects our livelihood. We need to reconnect the eco-system in order to rehabilitate it," Tjale explained.

Concurrent to the Rio+20 conference and as a sequel to the first Kari-Oca conference that was also held in 1992, 500 indigenous groups gathered at the sacred Native American site in Rio to adopt a new declaration that they delivered to the UN over the course of the conference.

Much to their disappointment, the final document does not mention "culture" or "indigenous rights" as part of the main principles.

Windel Bolinget is representing the Cordillera People's Alliance at both summits, and has travelled from the Philippines where he lives as part of the Igora tribe. He explained why culture, as a "fourth pillar" is essential for the text - not just from an indigenous perspective, but in a global context.

“I remember Rio 20 years ago, a source of hope,” he said. “But we are now losing the environmental battles. There is nothing in this text to change that, just some wistful declarations.”

"Our people's cultural world view is that humanity must be in harmony with mother nature. We should treat nature as a source of living, not extraction. The multiple crises that the world is facing today - economic, social, political and climactic - we, indigenous people, have much to offer in terms of solutions."

He joins other civil society movements in rejecting the "green economy" initiatives being prodded by the UN as the most pragmatic approach to dealing with environmental crises.

"When we look at the policy proposals of the draft document drawn

by UNEP, basically the green economy is converting nature as a capital, so it is basically the commodification of nature - our carbon credits and ecosystem. The corporations are to make cash value off these investments. It does not address the root causes of climate change such as nuclear power, extractive industries, the polluting of rivers and [the destruction] of our mother Earth."

The activists gathered in Rio believe that the alternative People's Summit is just the beginning of a movement led by a global community, and one that will result in much more effective change than loosely binding agreements between states.

The main pre-occupation of governments around the world at the moment is in sustaining their individual economies, these advocates argue, at the expense of bankrupting the world's natural resources in the long term. Given the bleak prospects for state-led action, activists in Rio say their hope is that world citizenry will evolve from being a passive audience of these initiatives to taking the reins of their futures.

Meanwhile, these 200-plus grassroots organisations in Rio are mobilising to transform the average consumer into the average sustainer.

Source: Al-Jazeera.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 32

Morsi wins Egypt’s presidential election US warns of ‘imminent attack in Kenya’

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he US embassy in Kenya has warned of an imminent threat of an attack on the Kenyan port city of Mombasa and asked all its government workers to leave the coastal town, which has been hit by a series of attacks in the past.

Underscoring the threat, police said they recovered suspected bombmaking material in the capital Nairobi the second such discovery this week in the country.

The US embassy said in a statement on its website that it had also suspended travel for its government officials to Mombasa, a tourist destination popular with foreigners, until July 1.

Mombasa, the capital Nairobi and other parts of Kenya have suffered a series of grenade attacks since Kenya sent troops into Somalia last year to pursue al-Qaeda-allied al-Shabab fighters it blames for a surge in violence and kidnappings threatening tourism in east Africa's biggest economy.

"This is to alert all US citizens in Kenya, or planning to travel to Kenya in the near future, that the US Embassy in Nairobi has received information of an imminent threat of a terrorist attack in Mombasa," the embassy statement said.

"All US government travel to Mombasa is suspended until July 1, 2012. All US government personnel are required to leave Mombasa."

The embassy said private citizens would not face the same restrictions, but advised them to heed the warning while planning their travels.

The warning comes days after police arrested two Iranians after seizing chemicals they suspected were going to be used to make explosives in Mombasa.

In the most recent attack in the country, a bomb exploded in a trading centre in the heart of Nairobi in late May, wounding more than 30 people. One person later died from injuries.

Armed men also detonated grenades outside a nightclub in Mombasa in May, killing one person and wounding several others.

On Saturday, Anthony Kibuchi, Nairobi's police commander, said police had recovered a bag of what appeared to be detonators labelled "Magnum Buster. Danger explosives" in a city neighbourhood.

"We are on hot pursuit of the suspects," Kibuchi told Reuters news agency, saying they were looking for three people.

T

he Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammed Morsi has officially won Egypt's presidential election and will be the country's next president, the electoral commission has announced.

Morsi picked up 13.2 million votes out of just over 26 million, giving him about 51 per cent of the vote. His competitor, Ahmed Shafiq, the final prime minister under Hosni Mubarak, received 12.3 million. More than 800,000 ballots were invalidated.

Farouq Sultan, the head of the election commission, delivered a long speech before announcing the results in which he defended the body's "independence and integrity" amidst what he called meddling by unnamed political factions.

The two candidates filed 456 complaints about the electoral process, Sultan said, most of them allegations of either forgery or Christian voters being blocked from polling stations in Upper Egypt. The vast majority of those complaints were dismissed.

Morsi's victory caps off more than a week of behind-thescenes negotiations between the Brotherhood and the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF). He claimed victory just hours after last week's runoff election, based on unofficial numbers tallied by the Brotherhood, but the commission delayed its official announcement.

In the intervening days,

Morsi was declared the winner with 13.2 million votes, the electoral commission said [EPA] Khairat al-Shater, the Brotherhood's political boss, met generals from SCAF at least once. Sources say they were negotiating exactly what powers the president will have.

Despite Morsi's victory, many of those questions about his power remain unanswered.

Shortly before the polls closed last week, the generals issued a decree sharply limiting the powers of the new president. It permitted him to declare war, for example, only with the approval of the

military council.

SCAF will also keep control of legislative power, and the budget, until a new parliament is elected. Egyptians went to the polls in November to elect a legislature, which was dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party, but it was dissolved earlier this month after a high court ruling found parts of the electoral law unconstitutional.

Saad el-Katatni, the speaker of the now-dissolved parliament, also met with

officials from SCAF, and told them that the Brotherhood would not accept the court ruling or the election-night decree. But it's unclear whether the Brotherhood ultimately accepted those decisions in exchange for the presidency.

Either way, the military council - which has promised to hand over power to a civilian government on June 30, in a "grand ceremony" - will remain a powerful force in Egyptian politics, despite the election of a civilian president.

were killed.

And that unrest appears to be lingering. Just this month, an ambush in the region killed 22 people, including seven UN peacekeepers.

Al Jazeera's Haru Mutasa reports from the western Ivory Coast.

Gbagbo is at the International Criminal Court at the Hague facing war crimes charges. He refused to cede power following a 2010 election

which he lost, opening old wounds that plunged the country into a six-month civil conflict.

The violence has forced 13,000 people to flee their homes, according to UN estimates.

In response to mounting pressure from the Ivory Coast, Liberia has agreed to extradite 41 Ivorians accused of taking part in the deadly post-election violence in their homeland

back to the Ivory Coast.

A court in the remote eastern Liberian town of Zwedru, near the Ivorian border, ordered the extradition late on Thursday. It is due to be carried out within 30 days.

The Liberian state prosecutor charged the men with mercenary activities after they crossed the border with a large quantity of arms in July 2011, according to a petition for extradition filed last month.

Western Ivory Coast sees rise in unrest

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id workers say western Ivory Coast has seen a serious increase in unrest and instability, as the country's president blames a series of cross-border raids on Liberia-based fighters who are loyal to former leader Laurent Gbagbo.

Gbagbo's refusal to step down after losing the 2010 presidential election unleased a four-month civil war, in which around 3,000 people

Sudan sees rise in antigovernment protests

S Following days of unrest sparked by rising food prices, protests demanding regime change have widened over the week.

udan's police chief has told his staff to "firmly" disperse anti-government rallies in the capital Khartoum.

The country has seen a growing movement calling for the downfall of the government after austerity measures led to a drastic rise of fuel and food prices. Ordinary citizens are

increasingly joining the demonstrations, which were started mainly by students and political activists.

Protesters have been burning tyres and blocking roads in Khartoum for the past seven days. Some are calling for an Arab Spring style revolution.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 33

China conducts first manual space docking

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hinese astronauts have carried out the nation's first manual space docking, a highly complex manoeuvre that will bring it a step closer to building a space station.

The manual "kiss in space" was the main goal of China's current manned mission, which began over a week ago when the

Shenzhou-9 spacecraft lifted off carrying three crew members, including the nation's first female astronaut.

The manual docking took place around noon (0400GMT) on Sunday, state media said.

On June 18, the spacecraft came together in an automatic docking with the Tiangong-1

module in orbit around Earth, which the three astronauts entered several hours later - a first for China - and have been living in since.

In preparation for the manual docking, the Shenzhou-9 separated from the space module shortly after 11am (0300GMT) after all the astronauts returned to the

cabin of the spacecraft.

The Tiangong-1 is an experimental module that will only stay in orbit until 2013 and will later be replaced, but is designed to test the docking technique essential to building a space station - which China aims to do by 2020.

The manual docking technique is hard to master as it involves two vessels - placed in the same orbit and revolving around Earth at thousands of kilometres per hour -

coming together very gently to avoid destroying each other.

"Compared with the automatic docking, the upcoming manual docking will be more challenging in terms of orbit control," Xie Jianfeng, a scientist at the Beijing Aerospace Control Centre, was quoted by Xinhua as saying in a report late on Saturday.

He added the operation must be prepared for "changes in the space environment".

Scores arrested after Israel protests

E

ighty-five protesters have been arrested after clashing with officers and vandalising banks in the capital Tel Aviv, Israeli police say.

The Israeli demonstrators blocked roads and smashed bank windows in central Tel Aviv yesterday, following two days of social reform protests.

Demonstrations on Saturday which ran into the early hours yesterday morning in protest to the detention of 12 activists a day earlier during social reform Liu Yang, left, the country' first woman to travel to space, is among the three crew memebers [AFP]

Deaths in southwest Pakistan shooting

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Rescue workers transport one of the victims who was killed in target killing to a local hospital [EPA]

Activists have accused police of using brutal means to quell the social protests [AFP]

rmed men riding on motorcycles have killed eight people in an attack on a laundry in southwestern Pakistan, police say.

Four other people were injured after several men on motorcycles shot at a group inside the shop.

Saturday's attack took place in a commercial area of Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan province.

Initial investigations indicated that the victims were "settlers", Iskandar Tareen, a senior police official, told the AFP news agency.

He was referring to people who have settled in Balochistan but come from other provinces of Pakistan.

Police official Salim Shahwani told the AP news agency that the victims were from Punjab province.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police have launched an investigation to determine whether the attack was a hired killing, as such cases have been on the rise in the city.

Small separatist groups in impoverished Baluchistan also often target Pakistanis from other parts of the country.

The separatists want autonomy and a greater share of the money derived from the province's natural resources like gas and oil.

Many non-Baluch have left Balochistan in recent years.

protests. They were also angered by reports that one of the arrested activists, Dafni Leef, had been injured during her arrest.

Leef, an activist leader, has since been released on bail but she said that police officers bruised and humiliated her after her detention on Friday.

Hundreds of people took to the streets late on Saturday and some blocked main roads and scuffled with police. Police also said that protesters broke the windows of five banks.

Local media reported that in one case, activists charged inside a bank and set up a tent, the symbol of protests against rising living costs that spread across the country last summer.

"We are talking here about an illegal protest ... It started yesterday with illegal protests and continued today with illegal protests with the intention of confronting policemen," said Aharon Exol, the police commander of Tel Aviv district.

"We will not allow this, every possible red line was crossed here, we will not allow this protest to become violent." "[The police] simply aren't giving permits," Stav Shaffir, one of the protest organisers, told local newspaper Haaretz.

"In the last two months we've come to understand what was going on: They are playing with us, blocking our attempts, and making us wait for excessively long periods of time. This has been going on over and over again for many months," he said.

Micky Rosenfeld, a police spokesman, said the arrests were made to prevent looting.

He estimated there were 1,500 people taking part in the protests. But media reports gave a figure about four times higher.

A grassroots protest movement that began last July as a cluster of student tentsquatters demanding lower living costs in Tel Aviv spread into a nation-wide mobilisation of Israel's middle class.

Those rallies have been some of the largest in Israel's history and led the country's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu to form a panel led by economist Manuel Trajtenberg which has recommended raising welfare spending and lowering defence expenditure.

PAGE 34

Belarus establishes embassy in Nigeria

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elarus has established an embassy in Abuja after 20 years of maintaining diplomatic relations with Nigeria, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Its Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Vyacheslav Beskosty, told NAN in Abuja on Sunday that the move was part of efforts to further boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

He said Nigeria and Belarus had in the past 20 years, been cooperating at the level of international organisations such as the UN. “We have been supporting each other's candidates in various committees at the UN and other bodies,'' he said.

The envoy added that both nations had been involved in trade and investment with the volume standing at 97.3 million dollars in 2011.

According to him, the figure accounts for rubber, cocoa and leather imports from Nigeria while Belarus' exports were in fertilizer, oil products and printing.

He listed new areas of cooperation to include education and culture, saying that at least, 500 Nigerian students were studying privately in Belarus.

“We are interested in investment and will be partnering with Bauchi State to assemble Belarusian tractors.

Mistaken identity in Mexico drug bust

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fter working with US intelligence for months, the Mexican navy said it believed it had nabbed a big prize in a known Guadalajara narcohaven: the son of Mexico's top fugitive drug lord.

But it turned out they got the wrong man.

The man arrested on Thursday as the presumed son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman is really Felix Beltran Leon, 23, and not Alfredo Guzman Salazar, as the Mexican navy had presented him, the attorney general's office said on Friday.

The stocky, baby-faced suspect had been presented as the son of Guzman, the chief of the Sinaloa Cartel, and a navy official described him as a rising operator in the international drug trafficking organisation.

But Beltran Leon's wife, Karla Pacheco, said he is the father of a toddler and works with his motherin-law at a used car dealership.

The attorney general's office said that "necessary tests" had proved he was not the drug lord's son, but said he would remain under investigation for the guns and money found during his arrest.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Latin American leaders reject Paraguay ‘coup’ L

atin American countries have expressed concern at the ouster of Paraguay's President Fernando Lugo, with leaders of three countries saying they will not recognise its new government.

Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez, Ecuador President Rafael Correa and Venezuelan

President Hugo Chavez on Saturday said they would not recognise the government of newly-installed leader Frederico Franco, who was sworn in by the same senate which, minutes before, had voted out Lugo.

Argentina's foreign ministry said in a statement later on Saturday that it was

Ousted President Fernando Lugo

withdrawing its ambassador to Paraguay, while Brazil said it was calling in its ambassador to Paraguay for consultations over the impeachment, adding democracy is essential for regional integration.

Federico Franco, the Paraguay's newly sworn-in president, has reached out to Latin American leaders to minimise diplomatic fallout and keep his country from becoming a regional pariah.

His first two appointments were Interior Minister Carmelo Caballero, who will be tasked with maintaining public order in this landlocked country, and Foreign Minister Jose Felix Fernandez, who will immediately hit the road to try to appease fellow members of the Mercosur and Unasur regional trade blocs.

"Our foreign minister will go to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay to meet with authorities and explain to them that there was no break with democracy here. The transition of power through

political trial is established in the national constitution," Franco said.

The Paraguayan Senate voted 39-4 Friday to dismiss Lugo, 61, a little more than a year before his five-year term was to end.

Senators found Lugo, a former Catholic priest with a string of outstanding paternity cases, guilty of performing his duties badly during the dispute last week that left 17 people dead.

An hour later, to cheers inside Congress and angry clashes outside, 49-year-old vice president Franco was sworn in as the new leader of one of Latin America's poorest nations.

A torrent of furious responses poured in from across the region, not just from traditional leftist allies like Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela, but also from centrist and right-wing governments Argentina and Chile.

"Without any doubt there has been a coup d'etat in Paraguay. It is unacceptable." Argentina's Kirchner said.

Pope Benedict picks Fox News reporter to burnish Vatican's image

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Fox News reporter has been chosen by Pope Benedict to burnish the Vatican's image amid signs that the 85-year-old pontiff is plotting a radical shakeup at the top of the Roman Catholic church.

Greg Burke, a 52-year-old member of the conservative Opus Dei fellowship, is to take a strategic communication role in the Vatican's most important government department, the secretariat of state.

He said: "I feel exactly the way I felt in Lebanon at the start of the 2006 war - nervous and excited at the same time, with a guarantee that it is going to be interesting. I don't know how it's going to work out, but I know it's going to be interesting."

Burke, who is currently Rome correspondent for Fox television, said his role would be different from that of Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Holy See's press office.

The US journalist said he would be based in the secretariat of state and his remit would be more strategic.

He said he had twice refused a similar offer from the Vatican, "because I had a really great job".

The appointment followed a meeting between the pope and his cardinals on Saturday. The Vatican has been through a period of turmoil recently, with the sacking of the head of the Vatican bank and the

Pope Benedict XVI salutes from the window of his Vatican apartments during his Sunday Angelus prayer.

arrest and imprisonment of Benedict's butler, who is accused of leaking the pope's confidential correspondence. After a broader meeting on Saturday morning, the pope consulted a select group of five cardinals who did not include his top adviser, the secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

The exclusion of the Vatican's "prime minister" prompted speculation in Italy that Benedict had finally yielded to pressure for Bertone's removal. Critics have long accused him of exacerbating divisions at the top of the Catholic church, the world's biggest Christian denomination.

This is the second time the papacy has called on a professional journalist from Opus Dei. The late pope John Paul II's press chief was a former Rome correspondent of the conservative Spanish daily ABC.

Greece outlines plan to ease bailout terms

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reece's new government has said it wanted to review several austerity measures that the debt-ridden country agreed as part of bailout packages.

The government on Saturday said it wanted to bargain for a two-year fiscal adjustment extension as it prepared for an EU-IMF audit next week.

A policy document released by the conservative-led coalition said efforts to "revise" Greece's bailout deal in talks with creditors starting on Monday include "the extension of the fiscal adjustment by at least two years," to 2016.

The aim would be to meet fiscal goals "without further cuts to salaries, pensions and public investment" and new taxes, it said, announcing a freeze on further civil-service layoffs, salestax cuts and longer unemployment

benefits.

"The aim is to avoid layoffs of permanent staff, but to economise a serious amount through non-salary operational costs and less bureaucracy," the three-party coalition document said.

The programme, agreed by leaders of the three-party coalition after a June 17 election, faces its first test at a two-day EU summit starting next Thursday.

Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, a Harvardeducated economist who switched from opposing the first bailout to reluctantly supporting the second, has promised to soften the terms without jeopardising Greece's place in the eurozone.

Greece has been dependent since May 2010 on funds from two international rescue loan deals with other EU countries and the IMF, in

return for which it imposed a series of deep spending cuts and tax hikes. Its most recent austerity programme runs to mid-2014.

If implemented in full, the new

programme would undo many austerity measures the country agreed in February to clinch a 130 billion euro ($163bn) bailout package, its second since 2010.

Greece has seen widespread protests over string of punishing austerity measures as part of bailout packages [AFP]

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 35

World’s ugliest Dog title goes to British hound Mugly

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British dog has been named the ugliest in the world at a contest in northern California.

Judges and the vocal audience of hundreds at the 24th annual World's Ugliest Dog contest in Petaluma went barking mad for eightyear-old Mugly, a Chinese crested with white whiskers, a short sno u t a n d b e a d y eyes.

The rescue dog won $1,000 (ÂŁ641) and a year's worth of dog cookies, while he can also look forward to starring in a special photo shoot and receiving a VIP stay at a Sheraton hotel.

Bev Nicholson, the dog's owner, said: 'I couldn't speak when they announced Mugly's name. I didn't know which way to look. I was shaking as much as the dog.'

Mugly beat off challenges from a field of 29 contenders at the competition, which was watched by reporters f r o m a c r o ss the US, Brazil, China, Germany and the UK. Among the other entrants were dogs named Handsome Hector, Creature, Rue, Icky, Spam-O-Rama and Mouse.

Ms Nicholson revealed this is not the first time Mugly's unique looks have won him attention and titles.

According to the Associated Press, the owner said her ugly pooch also had the dubious honour of being named Britain's least attractive hound in 2005.

Mugly has been recognised as the world's ugliest dog at a ceremony in California (Pic: AFP)

Mugly and the runners-up at the World's Ugliest Dog contest (Pic: Getty)

A man takes scooter on a bike to get around driving laws

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man in China thought of a novel way to bypass local drive laws after tying his scooter to the back of his bicycle in order to get home after a boozing session.

The cyclist had a few too many lunchtime before realising he wouldn't be able to drive home and was left with few options.

Clearly not enthused by the thought of having to pick up his scooter in the morning, or

risking his licence, the unknown man decided to hire a bicycle instead.

Securing the vehicle with some rope, the relaxed peddler managed to balance his cargo at an improbable angle on his bicycle, which is not subject to China's drive laws.

This bizarre biker was snapped weaving home through the traffic in Changsha, Hunan province, southern China.

'He looked pretty wobbly,' added one pedestrian (Picture: CEN)

Handsome Hector is shown to the audience at the World's Ugliest Dog contest

Pavarotti lookalike cheers up rail commuters by breaking into song

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rain passengers are never glum when Colin Miller is working - the Pavarotti lookalike cheers them up by breaking into song.

The Virgin Trains worker will sing impromptu choruses of Nessun Dorma to soothe commuters held up by regular delays.

Some queue up to have their picture taken with the station guard - and others hop off to take a snap before their train leaves.

The 61-year-old said: 'I can't sing like Pavarotti - but I give it a good go.

'All the punters love it, they know the railways don't always run on time but people know I will be out there to keep them smiling.'

The former greengrocer started impersonating the larger-than-life opera star after Italia 90 - when Pavarotti sang the classical aria at

Luciano Pavarotti died in 2007

In the aria tonight: Colin Miller has travelled the world as a Pavarotti lookalike but now entertains commuters as a station guard (Picture: Dave Evitts/newsteam) the football World Cup. He then spent 20 years

travelling the world as a lookalike and has featured in TV ads until work dried up when the opera singer died in 2007.

He now works at Lichfield Trent Valley station in Staffordshire, where he is known as Pav to colleagues and his passengers.

Commuter Polly Thompson, 26, said: 'He really makes my morning.

It's a good way to start your day.'

But Mr Miller, from Burton-uponTrent, has been banned from singing at his 26-year-old daughter's wedding later this year. 'She prefers Coldplay to opera and it is her special day, so I'm not arguing,' he said.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Having a new hip can boost your brain power

By Roger Dobson

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or those of you deliberating over whether to have a hip replacement, perhaps this latest finding will convince you: the op could boost your memory and even protect you from dementia.

Studies have found that the brains of people living with chronic pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis shrink at a dramatically faster rate than those without pain.

This accelerated rate, say researchers, may lead to faster mental decline.

Researchers at North Western University in the U.S. compared MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain scans from 26 people with chronic back pain for more than a year with those of a healthy comparison group.

Results showed that the back pain sufferers had up to 11 per cent less grey matter (brain cells) than the other group.

This is equivalent to the amount of grey matter normally lost in ten to 20 years.

The reduced brain volume was related to pain duration, with a 1.3 cubic centimetre loss of grey matter for every year of chronic pain.

In another U.S. study, neurosurgeons studied brain scans of people with complex region pain

Treating the pain with joint replacement surgery seems to reverse the damage to the brain syndrome - a long-term condition usually triggered by an injury and found a similar decline in grey matter, as well as changes in white matter, which carries messages between neurons.

Again, the changes in patients' brains were related directly to the length and intensity of their pain.

'Studies suggest that some chronic pain patients will develop

It's thought pain could cause changes in the emotional areas of the brain

clinical syndromes of poor attention span, reduced cognitive abilities, and possibly dementia,' says U.S. pain specialist Dr Forest Tennant.

'Chronic pain may produce a loss of brain tissue and all practising doctors must immediately begin understanding the ramifications of this finding.'

With one in five adults having a chronic pain disorder and one in four adults suffering from back pain at some time in their lives, these findings could indeed have huge implications.

But the good news is that treating the pain with joint replacement surgery seems to reverse the damage to the brain.

Orthopaedic surgeons and neuroscientists at Hamburg University investigated 32 patients with chronic pain caused by hip osteoarthritis.

As in the previous studies, they found a reduction in grey matter in a number of areas of the brain.

Tests six weeks and four months after hip replacement surgery found patients were free of pain, but also showed an increase in grey matter in all four areas of the brain where there had previously been a decline.

That, say the researchers, suggests the brain changes are in response to suffering chronic pain, and not the other way around.

'As grey matter decrease is at least partly reversible when pain is successfully treated, we suggest the grey matter abnormalities found in chronic pain do not reflect brain damage, but rather are a reversible consequence which normalises when the pain is adequately treated,' they say.

Work at Oxford University has found similar effects.

Two studies have examined structural changes within the brain in response to having painful osteoarthritis of the hip and found changes identified preoperatively were reversed after successful surgery that led to pain relief.

In one Oxford study, published in Nature Review Neurology, significant differences were seen in grey matter volume between healthy patients and those with painful hip arthritis.

Areas of the thalamus - which plays a role in alertness, for example - in patients with chronic pain showed reduced grey matter volume.

Nine months after surgery, the loss had been reversed to levels seen in healthy controls.

So why does chronic pain have such an effect on our memory?

One suggestion is that longterm pain, such as arthritis, causes the central nervous system to reorganise itself, in a phenomenon known as 'neural plasticity'.

The parts of the brain that deal with pain get bigger and more active to deal with the onslaught to the body, meaning other parts - such as those involved with memory - get smaller to compensate.

It's also thought pain could cause changes in the emotional areas of the brain, which might explain why people with chronic pain are more likely to suffer from depression.

'The more we understand about pain, the more we recognise how much the brain can change as a result of plasticity,' says Dr Nicholas Silver, consultant neurologist at the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Merseyside.

'Parts of the brain may shrink and other parts may expand their function to work most effectively after damage.

'What these studies do not tell us is whether the nerves shrink in redundant areas or whether they degenerate and die.

'For a long time we have recognised that people suffering from chronic pain experience problems with their concentration and memory.

'It has often been assumed such changes purely reflect disturbances in their mood and will reverse once the pain condition has been appropriately treated.

'These recent studies have preliminary data to show the problem may be more concerning and suggest patients with chronic pain should possibly best be treated early and vigorously to avoid potential long-term problems with cognition and memory.'

Dr Paul Strutton, senior lecturer in neurophysiology at Imperial College London, adds: 'There is now good evidence to show grey matter declines in people with chronic pain.

'We think the plasticity that occurs in the brain is as a result of the pain and not a cause of it.

'The big question is whether this loss of nerve cells in the grey matter can be reduced or even reversed by treating the pain.'

Research into the area continues: a clinical trial is starting this month at North Western University in which 60 men and women with knee osteoarthritis will be given either a drug called duloxetine, widely used to treat pain, or a sugar pill.

The researchers will use scans to assess effects of pain on grey matter over 16 weeks.

But Dr Silver says the effect of pain on memory may not be limited to long-term conditions.

'It is of interest that some episodic pain conditions are associated with transient loss of cognition.

'In patients with chronic migraine, we often see problems associated with memory and concentration, for example difficulty finding words.

'When patients have had frequent migraine for a long time, they often have a number of other problems related to fatigue, dizziness, sleep, and memory.

'Once treated, most of these nonheadache phenomena improve, but memory often appears to remain problematic, despite the fact the headaches have improved.'

He adds: 'One has to a be a bit cautious interpreting these snapshot data, as studies will be needed over a duration of time to actually prove the brain atrophies in certain areas in those suffering chronic pain.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 37

Renewed ACN/CPC alliance: Another dry romance?

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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any observers are recently marveled by the renewed romance between the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) for another possible merger, to garner strong force for the 2015 presidential elections.

Already, the media was aglow with comments from the two major political actors on the state of the 2015 presidential elections, expressing confidence that the duo would take the stage come 2015.

Retired General Muhammadu Buhari, recently visited ACN leader, Bola Tinubu, at his residence in Lagos, where they met behind closed doors.

Sources close to the two leaders said they discussed the political future of the two leading opposition parties, especially how to restart consultations towards merger or alliance ahead of 2015.

Sources in CPC and ACN said the Buhari-Tinubu meeting discussed a possible alliance that would include the other main opposition party, All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).

National secretary of CPC, Buba Galadima, said that the two leaders had “fruitful discussions” on alliance and workable plans ahead of the next general elections.

According to him, they also reviewed some of the issues that led to the collapse of the previous alliance moves before the 2011 elections.

On his part, CPC spokesman Rotimi Fashakin, disclosed “The visit is part of the ongoing cooperation among progressives in breaking the primordial barriers of yore and ensuring that the yearnings of the people for a stable, virile and just nation are satisfied.”

However, two top ACN officials said that there had been moves for Buhari and Tinubu to meet, and that a birthday event both of them attended in Abuja recently, was used to facilitate the meeting. “We are starting early to avoid the pitfalls of previous meetings and talks,” one ACN official said. “We want to be sure we got it right this time around, dotting our i’s and crossing our t’s; moreover that we have some aggrieved PDP members giving us vital information on their parties internal wrangling and how we can overcome our own differences.”

Despite all these cordiality which has not yet stretched anyone from his position to stoop for the other, observers prefer using the telescope to

General Muhammadu Buhari watch the romance from a distance. This is as a result of earlier flaunting of ego between the actors of the two political parties which led to the collapse of the first romance.

The major reason for the collapse of the earlier political alliance between the two frontline opposition parties in the 2011 general elections was the refusal of CPC presidential running mate, Pastor Tunde Bakare, to sign a resignation/ withdrawal of nomination letter drafted for him at the instance of conveners of the talks.

Sources said the forum-CPC, ACN and Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF), which convened the meeting, had earlier agreed that the ACN presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu should step down for the CPC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), while the latter will drop his running mate and accept another person to be proposed by the ACN. According to the agreement, the ACN was to submit names of three people, out of which Buhari will choose one as his running mate.

However, sources revealed that Bakare, who had earlier agreed to resign, refused to sign the draft letter of resignation handed to him by the alliance forum, which was supposed to indicate that he was withdrawing as Buhari’s running mate anytime before or after May 29, 2011.

Instead, according to findings, Bakare submitted a letter, which was not acceptable to even the conveners of the dialogue-the NPLF. In the letter he submitted, Bakare allegedly indicated that he was giving Buhari a Power of Attorney to decide whether

Bola Tinubu or not to drop him as his running mate before or after May 29.

This position, according to sources, was viewed by the ACN as an indication of Bakare’s reluctance to relinquish his position, and to certain extent, an insistence by his party, the CPC that he must be retained even under the proposed alliance.

After the disappointing romance, ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande said it was better for the parties to go into the contest on their various platforms and emphasised “there is no alliance between ACN and the CPC ahead of the Saturday presidential election.”

He continued “While it is true that representatives of both parties have engaged in talks aimed at forging an alliance that could dislodge the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the clueless party that has frittered away the huge opportunities that could have transformed our great country in the past 12 years, we regret to announce that such talks have not led to any alliance.”

“We as party that believes

in democratic values have therefore decided that, in the overall interest of the parties involved, our democracy as well as our country, it is better for each of the parties to go into the presidential election on its own platform.

“If at the end of the election on Saturday there is no clear winner we will make a decision on which way to go, in the overriding interest of all Nigerians.

“We as a party that believes in democratic values have therefore decided that in the overall interest of the parties involved, our democracy as well as our country, it is better for each of the parties to go into the presidential election on its own platforms,” the ACN National Chairman said.

However, Buhari, at a different forum insisted that the alliance talks between the two parties was still ongoing, saying that the CPC needed unity of purpose with the ACN to defeat the ruling PDP at the poll, stressing that, “we need unity of purpose to defeat the enemies of democracy and to be able to deepen the roots of our nascent democratic culture.”

“

We as a party that believes in democratic values have therefore decided that in the overall interest of the parties involved, our democracy as well as our country, it is better for each of the parties to go into the presidential election on its own platform

Following this situation, the ACN leaders backed out of the proposed pact, and expressed their appreciation to all those Nigerians who were keen in seeing to the success of the alliance, most especially former military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, former VicePresident Atiku Abubakar, former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, Malam Adamu Ciroma and other NPLF members.

Apparently jolted by the outcome of the National Assembly, the trio of Babangida, Atiku and Gusau, with the mandate of the Ciroma led NPLF, commenced frantic moves to revive the earlier alliance talks between the two parties to forge a common front, in an effort to convincingly defeat the PDP. Speaking at a town hall meeting with the party’s supporters in Abuja, Buhari, in an emotionally laden speech, told the gathering that if he failed to clinch the presidency at the poll, he would not present himself again for election.

“This year’s campaign is doubly significant, first because it is an election in which more clearly and more unambiguously than the previous two in 2003 and 2007, our victory is assured, as evident by the unprecedented turn out by the people and spontaneous popular acclaim all over the country.

“And second, because this campaign is the third and the last one for me; since after it I will not present myself again for election into the office of the president,” he said.

Judging by this and Buhari’s decision to rescind his earlier position of not contesting in 2015, commentators are worried that this kind of desperation by the CPC leader might result in another collapse of the alliance, just like the first one.

Also, the ACN through its punch man, Ahmed Tinubu is unlikely to settle for anything less than the presidency, judging by his countenance and clandestine moves to really sweep the south-west.

As it stands, it is not the issue of starting the romance early, but about making stringent decision and reconciling their differences which were earlier identified.

Should the romance continue, who will stoop for the other? Is it Buhari who is making a forceful come-back after declaring publicly that he won’t contest or Tinubu who is exploring all the possibilities and impossibilities together for him to lead the country? Only time will tell.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Minister APGA women accuse urges civil to Umeh of gender insensitivity servants maintain

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he women wing of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has lamented what it described as 'gross insensitivity towards gender matters' by the National Chairman of the party, Victor Umeh.

In a communiqué read by APGA National Women Leader, Ella Nwabueze, after an emergency meeting by APGA women leaders held in Abuja, the women leaders stated that such practice negates the essence of gender equality and fairness.

They further stated that absolute lack of funding for women activities at all levels, as well as non provision of offices contradicts the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which mandates nations to promote the empowerment of women in their political lives.

They pointed out that Umeh does not consult nor consider women contributions in policy formulations in the party, insisting that since gender sensitivity is a litmus test for civilization, APGA leadership should comply to be viewed as civilized.

On the clash of interests between some APGA chieftains and the National Chairman, the women leaders called on the chairman to reconsider his stance towards co-party members, to avoid becoming a king without a kingdom.

According to the

communiqué, " Even on the assumption that he could expel or suspend party elders, governors, national officers at will, whom would he continue to preside over."

Reading further, she stated that as mothers of the party, the women leaders were deeply saddened by the recent development, describing it as

traumatic, since APGA is a mass movement, which has labored to become the beautiful bride of Nigerian politics.

"These current events will result in a fall from grace to grass, and we are resolved to set in motion, actions that will stop the slide. We will not only initiate progressive moves in the center but also in all states of the federation."

The communiqué stated.

Meanwhile, after National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of APGA held Thursday in Abuja, six NWC members of the party were suspended for purportedly suspending the Chairman against the party's constitution, including the National Women Leader of APGA, Ella Nwabueze.

R-L: INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, welcoming the visiting coordinator, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Abuja Regional Bureau, Mr Felix Henkel, who led young experts to INEC office, recently in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Edo guber: PDP alleges ACN plans to destabilise polls

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised the alarm over alleged plans by the government of Governor Adams Oshiomole to rig and distabilise the July 14th governorship polls in the state.

Director of Publicity of the PDP in Edo state, Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, said in a statement that credible reports at the disposal of the party showed that Oshiomole, acting in concert with the ACN national leadership, is rapidly building an army of militants and thugs to carry out the heinous act.

Ihimekpen stated "Governor Oshiomhole has already paid some leaders of Niger Delta militants millions of naira to storm Edo State

few days to July 14 election with deadly weapons to unleash terror on the peace-loving Edo electorates who are determined to go out to cast their votes for regime change.

"One of the leaders of the militants, Asari Dokubo, has been carrying out his brief, issuing threats that they would cause mayhem in Edo if the governorship election is not free and fair or put differently, if their sponsor, Governor Oshiomhole, is defeated.

"Reports indicate that these Niger Delta militants are to be variously kitted in the uniforms of the NYSC, the Police and the Army while some are to be unwittingly accredited as observers and monitors by the INEC in order to be able to access all polling units and collating centres where they can

ignite crises, create violence and go ahead to profit from the bedlam.

"Oshiomhole's plan to bring in the Niger Delta militants is being complemented by the plan of the national leadership of the ACN in Lagos to bring in from the Southwest members of the criminal wing of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) whose objective is to create unpalatable situations in polling units across the state.

Ihimekpen stated that Oshiomole planned to compromise the integrity of the election because he knew he was going to lose at the polls just as he further alleged that the governorn had compromised the security apparatuses in the state and that explained why he never wanted the deployment of security forces from outside the

state.

He added "In addition, we can confirm that the governor has stockpiled arms in government house, sowed police and army uniforms to be distributed to his neighborhood watch and the Edo traffic control group members for the purpose of using them to cause mayhem in the forthcoming governorship election.

"We also have information that, in spite of our earlier protest to NYSC Directorate that Oshiomhole intended to use corps members to rig the election when he started paying them the sum of additional allowance of N10,000 every month, the governor has intensified efforts in indoctrinating them on how they will help to rig the election," he alleged.

Katsina govt. meets community leaders, sues for peace

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he Deputy Governor of Katsina state, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba, has pleaded for peaceful co-existence among the various communities in the state.

Garba made the appeal in Katsina at a meeting he held with security operatives, community and religious leaders in the state.

He said the plea had become necessary in the interest of peace and stability of the nation, pointing out that ``no society can make progress without peace and harmony.

He urged all Nigerians to embark on prayers for the restoration of peace in the country.

“We need to pray hard to God

to grant us peace and stability in the nation. May Almighty God restore peace in these states," he said.

The deputy governor commended religious and traditional leaders as well as security agencies in Katsina for peaceful co-existence in the state.

Garba, however, tasked

security agencies in the state to double their efforts to protect the people, adding that the State Government would continue to support any move aimed at sustaining peace.

He appealed to the public to support the security agencies in the state to ensure peaceful coexistence among the people.

neutrality

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CT Minister Bala Mohammed urged civil servants at the three tiers of government to continue to maintain high level of neutrality in their day-to-day activities and remain focused.

Mohammed gave this advice when he received a delegation of the National Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. ``Neutrality is required of all civil servants as it will help to boost and add value to all sectors of the economy. ``Civil service, whether at the federal or state level, is one of the few institutions in the country that has remained constant by religiously serving any government in power without bias. ``Keep the flag flying, the nation as a whole recognises your contributions to nation building,'' the minister told the delegation.

He noted that it was the contributions of the civil servants to national development that made the President to approve the National Minimum Wage and the affordable housing policy.

The minister said that the FCT Civil Service Commission would come on board soon to ensure that FCT Administration's civil servants were handled with utmost professionalism.

He promised to partner the commission to build affordable houses for civil servants to improve on productivity and advised them to find a credible private developer to undertake the project.

The FCT Minister of State Olajumoke Akinjide also said that the FCT Minister had approved a district in the FCT for building of affordable houses.

She said that the FCT Administration would provide quality infrastructure and services with strong development control to ensure that standard was not compromised while delivering such affordable houses.

Comrade Bobboi Bala, the National Vice President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants, commended the FCT minister for the land allocated to the association for the building of its national headquarters in Abuja.

Bala solicited for the cooperation of the minister to deliver houses to members of the association currently living in Nasarawa and Niger states.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 39

US on Boko Haram leaders: Inept leadership has compromised Nigeria's sovereignty – ACN Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has said that the country's inept and clueless leadership was responsible for the Unityed States of America (USA)'s designation of three leaders of Boko Haram as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.

ACN in a statement issued yesterday in Ilesa, Osun state, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, added that the Jonathan presidency has virtually surrendered the nation's sovereignty to the US, "if the letter from the Nigerian Embassy in Washington begging the Americans not to kill innocent Nigerians, as reported by the media, is anything to go

by. ''In what must rank as the most shameful acceptance that it is indeed helpless and hopeless, the Nigerian government, through the nation's Embassy in Washington, has agreed that in line with the declaration, the US government is free to attack the designated Boko Haram leaders even on its (Nigerian) soil.

'The Embassy however wishes to appeal that whatever action is eventually taken against these individuals, their immediate neighbours who have felt the impact, but are very much vehemently opposed to the activities of Boko Haram, should not be affected,'' the statement said.

The party said while the letter was the clearest indication

that the nation's sovereignty has been surrendered to the US, it also shows the naivety of the Jonathan's administration, as innocent people, including women and children, have been mowed down by American drones in such countries as Afghanistan and Pakistan, where such declaration has led the US to strike at a time and place of its own choosing. ''Because of its own incompetence, a government whose major concern should be

the security and welfare of its citizens has now exposed the same citizens to what Americans call double whammy: attacks from Boko Haram and US drones.

"Because of its cluelessness, a government holding the nation's sovereignty on behalf of the people has surrendered it to a foreign government. Because it fails to act when it should to end the Boko Haram crisis, the Jonathan presidency has railroaded Nigeria into the unenviable class of lawless and

failed states like Somalia and Afghanistan. This is a sad day indeed for the most populous black nation on earth,'' the party lamented.

The statement further called on the National Assembly, as an assemblage of the people's representatives, to act fast to protect whatever is left of Nigeria's sovereignty and respect, as the US designation will also have far reaching implication on how other nations view and deal with Nigeria in the days and months ahead.

Insecurity: Emir of Gwandu sues for peace From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

T

he Emir of Gwandu and the Chairman of Kebbi state Traditional Rulers, Alh. Iliyasu Bashar, has called onboth Muslims and Christians to embrace peace and harmony even as he urged them to tolerate one another and ensure unity in the society.

He made this appeal yesterday in Government House Brinin Kebbi during the security meeting between the security agencies in the state and the religious leaders comprising of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kebbi State chapter and Jama atu Nasrul Islam(JNI).

The Emir who dwelled on the importance of peace also emphasized that without peace, development cannot take place. He urged the followers of both Islam and Christianity to tolerate one another as well as to sustain the existing

peaceful atmosphere in the state while commending the state government for its effort to always ensure peace and equity in the state.

Speaking at the peace meeting, Malan Umar Eka ,Sarkin Malaman Gwandu and Shiek Abdul Rahman Isah Jega ,called on Nigerians to live in peace and not to allow acrimony to divide them pointing out that both Islam and Christianity do not permit shedding of human blood .They also said that the present crises which engulfed parts of the country should not be seen as religious but rather politically motivated.

Making his remark, the state chairman of CAN, Zakka Peter Auce, prayed for peace everywhere in the country just as he pointed out that no good Christian would engage in violence .The cleric urged Christians not to panic and called on Muslims to safeguard lives and properties of one another .

CPC set to cooperate with for the people to enjoy ACN in Edo values democracy. "So, we are going to

T

he Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has concluded plans to cooperate with Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) before the July 14, governorship election in Edo. CPC Chairman Tony Momoh, who made this known in Abuja yesterday, that such cooperation, was to ensure the re-election of Gov. Adam Oshiomhole.

Momoh said the party took the decision because it was convinced that Oshiomhole had done better than his predecessor in terms of providing basic needs, such as health care and good roads.

Others area he added, were qualitative education, potable water supply and food security among others, for the wellbeing of the people.

"Oshiomhole is doing a lot of work in every part of Edo by uplifting the state's integrity and

cooperate with ACN in Edo State," he said.

He added that ACN and CPC were moving toward an alliance and would eventually merge to actualise good governance in the country.

The national chairman called on other political parties desirous to be part of the merger to feel free to do so, assuring them that the move would ensure the growth of democracy in the country.

"What are working hard to be stronger in securing the votes, to ensure that votes are counted and the votes count. "We shall reap the benefits when the elections come," he said.

Momoh stated that Nigeria was experiencing the challenges in the area of security and economy because the nation had failed to do what it was supposed to do as regards democracy. (NAN)

L-R: Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, welcoming the first elected civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, during the one day public hearing on the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution by the Nationa l Assembly organised by the Lagos state House of Assembly's Ad-Hoc Committee on Memoranda Drafting, recently at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, Assembly Complex, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos.

ACN, a brood of dictators, says PDP

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is a brood of dictators whose deceit and pretence to democracy are consistently hobbled by its habitual disregard for the rudiments of democratic process.

Reacting to the denial by the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN, Lai Mohammed that his party was yet to choose its gubernatorial candidate for the October 20 election in Ondo State, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh urged the ACN to emerge from its cocoon of deceit to own up to its artful preference for the undemocratic style.

The party queried " Who is fooling who?

The ACN apparatchiks under its Pontifex Maximus met in Lagos in clear aberration of all known tenets of democracy and handpicked Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association as its candidate. The facts are there."

"If Akeredolu has not been handpicked in the ACN's usual closed door as Mr. Lai lied, why are

other aspirants protesting? Why are some of the thirty aspirants already going public with their disgust and frustration with the ongoing shenanigans in the ACN?" "The ACN has never been democratic and cannot start with Ondo State governorship election.

We agree that the ACN is cut and dry with the INEC guidelines but who does not know they are plotting the graph of their flagrant imposition of candidate and other electoral impunity to curve within the intendment of the INEC rule." “Who does not know that the so called yet to be scheduled primaries of the ACN which Mr. Lai lied about is a calculated endorsement rostrum designed to give legitimacy to a charade. The result of the congress will not be different from the decision already taken in Lagos. The isolated nature of the Ondo election is a window into the internal workings of the ACN, a party that evangelizes Nigerians on democracy, yet, every passing moment, it sinks deeper into the morass of deceit and dictatorship."

According to the PDP spokesman, " it is pertinent at this juncture to ask the ACN to explain to Nigerians the value as

quantified in electoral victory, of the unholy nexus that bonds it to some serving and retired judges.

Will Lai Mohammed specifically tell Nigerians the role the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami played in the Lagos decision that handpicked Akeredolu or will he still lie about it? " "Has the ACN been able to disprove that it benefited from the suspended Judge's 'political judgments' (apologies to ACN leader) that awarded PDP controlled states to them?"

"Will the ACN also deny that the involvement of Justice Salami and others in the candidacy of Akeredolu was a reward for the latter's coordinated efforts for Salami's recall to the Appeal Court?"

"Will the ACN again deny that this concert of politicians and servants in the temple of justice in the build up to the governorship election in Ondo State is not a groundwork in anticipation of the unknown that may end in legal tussle?"

"Nigerians are watching as the ACN keeps lying and deceiving the very few that has not seen through its wiles," the PDP statement ended.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

ANPP clears Zamfara councils’ polls

By Lawrence Olaoye with agency reports

Z

amfara State Independent Electoral Commission (ZASIEC) yesterday announced that the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) won in all the 13 local councils in Saturday's polls.

Making the announcement through the state owned radio station, Alhaji Garba Mohammed, ZASIEC

Chairman said the ANPP won all the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in the state.

The Chairman, who noted that the elections were free and fair, also stated that all political parties were accorded all the necessary support toward their full participation.

Mohammed commended the cooperation rendered to his Commission by security agencies, especially the police,

vigilance groups, SSS, Hisbah group and traditional institutions.

In a reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party Chairman of Maradun Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Dodo said "we are not surprised to hear the results like this; after all it is only the ruling party that organised and participated in it."

The PDP chieftain added that "we already knew the elections will not be free and fair

which is why we boycotted it right from the beginning and we intimated our party leadership over this action."

NAN also recalled the PDP through the immediate past governor of the state called on the state's electoral body as well as the state government to "ensure fairness at the polls and declare only those that are truly elected by the people in order to ensure peaceful coexistence."

Also during the polls, it was reported that election materials did not reach some parts of the state including Modomawa, Kannu, Gora and Nasarawa Mailayi of Birnin Magaji local government areas.

The electoral officer of the area, Mika'il Sa'id said there were crises in those areas during which the commission's staff were attacked and so it had to call them back but they were returned on the election day."

Maku, Chukwumerije, labour leaders pay tributes to Bafyau

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L-R: Member, House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Mustapha Khabeeb, Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Secretary General of ECOWAS Parliament, Mohamed Diakite, and Hon. Akpan Umoh, during the meeting between Committee on Diaspora and ECOWAS Parliament, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

ECOWAS Parliament Speaker appeals to Ghana over evacuation of Nigerian traders economic interest to Ghana to other African traders in Ghana

By Lawrence Olaoye with agency reports

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peaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Ike Ekweremadu, has pleadead with Ghanaian authorities to stay action for four months following the deadline given to Nigerian traders to leave the country.

Ekweremadu made this plea when Rep Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora led her committee to meet with the Speaker in Abuja.

Ekweremadu, who doubles as the Deputy Senate President in the Nigerian Senate said the grace of four months will enable the parliament to look into the issue and resolve it amicably.

Earlier, Dabiri-Erewa said the Committee was inundated with series of petitions from Nigeria traders in Ghana on the descriminatory attitude against them by the Ghanaian authorities.

The lawmaker said if any

Nigeria businessman commits any crime, such person should be punished accordingly as against hiding under any harsh law to deport Nigeria traders.

"Mr. Speaker sir, we are not here to beg anybody. But we are saying such trade laws does not promote regional integration which ECOWAS stands for", she said.

Dabiri-Erewa said that the Ghanaian Trade policy if not checked by ECOWAS, was capable of affecting over 85 per cent Nigerians living in Ghana.

She said it would be of

allow free lawful trading activities in line with ECOWAS trade treaty as it would enhance the principles of integration in the sub-region.

Ekweremadu told the visiting Committee that as a sub-region, ECOWAS should be strengthened and not weakened by some policies in the region.

The Speaker recalled that ECOWAS trade treaty in place allows free and unhindered lawful trading activities among the citizens of the sub-region.

Ekweremadu acknowledged that the purported deportation order on Nigerian traders and

was against the integration policy of the sub-region.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, GIPC Act of 1994, Section 18 (Act 478) stipulates that any foreigner wishing to engage in trading in Ghana must possess a capital of US $300,000.00 dollars (N46 million) or the same amount in equity.

Such trader must also employ 10 Ghanaians.

The deadline given by Ghana government for all traders who could not meet up expired on Wednesday, June 20.

CPC suspends Borno chairman over insubordination

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has suspended indefinitely the chairman of the Borno state Executive Committee, Mallam Zanna Shettima, over allegations

bordering on disloyalty and insubordination.

In a statement signed by the CPC's Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, the party has replaced him with Mallam Ibrahim ElZubair as the acting state chairman.

The party described the move as part of the on-going

efforts by the National leadership to reposition the party as a united, cohesive and disciplined political organization.

It therefore urged the security agencies to take note of the change, and to forthwith, stop according the status of CPC party leader in the state to the former chairman.

he Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, has called on leaders not to shy away from taking decisions when the need arises.

The minister made the comment at the lying in state of the late former NLC President, Mr Pascal Bafyau, at Labour House in Abuja.

Maku said that the late labour leader would always make people know his stand at any given time, noting that his virtues should be emulated by all.

The minister noted that Bafyau's wish was not to betray the NLC or the country through his attitude, describing his death as a monumental loss.

Maku said that Nigeria had lost a rare gem and the voice of a man who rendered selfless service to humanity. ``He was very loyal and not afraid to take decision. We lost a friend and a comrade who till the last day was still standing. ``Nigeria has lost a voice and a man who rendered selfless service to humanity. ``Bafyau's wish before his demise was not to betray the NLC or the country. ``He was a detribalised Nigerian who fought for the unity of the labour union and the nation at large. '' The NLC President, Mr Abdulwaheed Omar, in his tribute, said that Bafyau was a veteran and a great unionist who would remain the ``general of all time for the Nigerian worker''.

Omar described Bafyau as a veteran of several wars, a generous and conscientious leader, noting that his death brought in one of the darkest moments in Nigeria's labour history.

He said the late labour leader was a master of negotiations and a maverick. ``What he lacked in bare-faced aggression, he more than made up for in diplomacy with bountiful results for the movement. ``The man, therefore, with all sense of history, could justifiably be called the architect of congress infrastructure. '' Gov., Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, said that the late labour leader would be remembered for his dreams to enthrone Labour Party in the country. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 41

Wimbledon: Djokovic opens against ‘dangerous’ Ferrero

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aving picked himself up after the disappointment of failing to complete his grand slam collection in Paris, Novak Djokovic begins his Wimbledon defence looking for a repeat of last year’s “perfect tournament”.

Djokovic begins his Wimbledon campaign against Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero, while six-time champion Roger Federer and women’s world No 1 Maria Sharapova are also in action on the tournament’s opening today.

Djokovic will be playing his first match since his hopes of becoming only the third man to hold all four major titles at the same time were ended in the final of the French Open by Rafa Nadal earlier this month.

Ferrero, who topped the men’s rankings in 2003, but has had to battle against injury and loss of form, will provide the Serb with an intriguing challenge.

“He was a former No 1 of the world; idol of many generations

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he 2012 Federation Cup takes centre stage across Nigeria from today. As usual, oddities are expected in the shape of unknown quantities edging out their more illustrous neigbhours.

Also, there are interesting match-ups which are likely to provide the needed excitement ane thrillers capable of producing shocks cup competition.

In one of such Round of 60 games, El Kanemi Warriors, who just won promotion to the NPL, will face NPL outfit Rising Stars with the Maiduguri-based team upbeat they will knock out the Akure.

El Kanemi Warriors boss Mohammed Zana, who was delighted the Borno state government doled out N12m only yesterday doled out the amount to the players in appreciation of their returning the team to top flight football, said they are not afraid of any team as they have the qualities to beat any NPL team.

“We are ready for Rising Stars.

We fear no team no matter the level they are playing and you should also have it in mind that we are now NPL side now. I don’t see Rising beating,”Zana declared.

“Our team have the qualities to beat any team and we also want to progress in this competition.”

Rising Stars left back Amodu Mohammed said his team will rise to the occasion and beat El Kanemi.

“El Kanemi’s promotion shows they are a good side and as such we will approach the game with all seriousness. I don’t see El Kanemi stopping us,” he said.

Both sides will clash at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja. In Katsina-Ala, Plateau United will lock horns with NPL champions

Maria Sharapova back in Spain; he’s a Grand Slam winner; Davis Cup winner; somebody really that people appreciate,” Djokovic said of his first round opponent.

“Everybody who follows tennis, especially us, the tennis players, we really respect him a lot.

“He is always dangerous. If you look at him now, I think he’s playing equally well as he was playing four, five years ago. Now it’s just a matter of his fitness and his confidence on the court.

“He definitely has a lot of

Novak Djokovic experience playing on the big stage, so I’m not underestimating him, that’s for sure. It’s going to be a good first-round match.”

As champion Djokovic will kick off the action on Centre Court, where he beat Nadal 12 months ago to go top of the world rankings and win his first Wimbledon title.

Federer is hoping to reach his first final at Wimbledon since 2009 when he won his sixth and final title and begins his tournament against Spain’s world number 43 Albert Ramos.

Women’s world No 1 Sharapova is aiming to follow-up the French Open title she won earlier this month with a second Wimbledon crown and plays Australia’s Anastasia Rodionova second on Centre Court.

The statuesque Russian was launched into the celebrity stratosphere when she beat Serena Williams to win her first major at Wimbledon as a 17-year-old in 2004, but suffered the disappointment of a surprise final defeat to Czech Petra Kvitova last year.

“If you’re coming off a French Open win or a final it’s the toughest turnaround,” she said.

“As much as you want to celebrate and enjoy, you come here and it’s like a whole new ball game.

“But I think that’s the beauty of tennis. There’s so much out there to achieve. It always seems like it’s back to back, so that’s nothing really new.”

Fed Cup: Teams on the

prowl Dolphin on Tuesday and both sides are talking tough ahead of the match.

Plateau United central defender Kabiru Ayinde also said they will stop Dolphin to advance to next round of the cup competition.

“It is going to be a tough game no doubt, but I see us beating Dolphin. This is the Federation Cup and not the league, so it is not about which league a team play. It is a competition that is known for surprises all over the world, we are prepared to do well in it especially after missing promotion ticket.”

Dolphin midfielder Hassan Hussein confirmed they won’t underrate Plateau United, who he has played against during his time with city rivals JUTH FC. “It is not going to be easy against Plateau United. I know them too well and if I have the opportunity to face them, I will unlock them. Victory is what we are playing for,” he said.

Hassan Hussein’s brace against Plateau United in the state final two seasons ago was all JUTH FC needed to win state Federation Cup. The overall winners will represent Nigeria in next year’s CAF Confederation Cup.

FIXTURES Fame Academy v 3SC in Shagamu Sharks V Tornadoes in Ilorin Mbaise Lions V Kwara Utd in Lokoja Zabgai V Akwa Utd in Katsina Ala El Kanemi V Rising stars in Abuja Wikki V Prime in Minna All Stars V UNICEM Rovers in Aba Gamji FC v Scorpions FC in Katsina Ala Dynamite Force V FC Taraba in Lokoja Dabo FC V First Bank in Abuja Hehoda FC V Ranchers Bees in Keffi Gateway FC V Akpabio FC in Benin Spotlite FC V Mgbo FC in Keffi Warri Wolves V Olorunda in Ado Ekiti Sunshine stars V Jimeta in Abuja Yobe Stars V JUTH FC in Jalingo Crown FC V Fountain in Abeokuta Rangers V Hajaig FC in Ibadan Cannan Utd V FC Ebedei in Warri TUESDAY Makwada VTornadoes in Katsina Flash Flamingoes V Lobi Stars in Abuja FC Abuja V Kogi United Samba V Sakaba Links in Ilorin Abia Warriors V Police Machine in Benin Ajax FC V Nasarawa United in Minna Kaduna United V Police Machine in Jalingo.

Cup holders Heartland and runners-up Enyimba are drawn bye for the next stage of the competition.

Kaduna attacks stop Obaje from Confed Cup

T Heartland FC celebrating their victory at the 2011 Federation Cup

Falcons coach rates Banyana top class

S

uper Falcons’ assistant coach, Samson Unuanel is positive South Africa’s Banyana Banyana will excel at the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic Games. The South Africans kept a clean slate against reigning African champions, the Super Falcons in the reverse fixture of the two-leg friendlies at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos over the weekend.

Apparently excited at the level of opposition mounted by the visitors, Unuanel rated the South Africans highly and said they will be the team to beat in the football event of the quadrennial Games in London.

“Yes, they are good. Any team that can hold Nigeria to a barren draw in a friendly is no mean team. They’ve been together for the past seven months and it showed in their performance today.

“They played lots of competitive games, they were in Brazil for one month the same as in America and have been together preparing, so I see them doing well at the Olympics,” he said.

The Ocean Boys’ manager who expressed satisfaction with the barren draw said the friendly has helped in the discovery of new players.

“I am satisfied with the calibre of players we used. We have some new players we want to give opportunity, we can’t invite them to camp without an opportunity to see what they can do and that is exactly what we’ve done.

“The coaching crew will continue to build on the gains until we get a formidable team that will represent us at the AWC in Equatorial Guinea in November,” he said.

he terrorist attacks in Kaduna could force Joshua Obaje out of a CAF Confederation Cup tie involving his South African club Black Leopards.

The northern Nigeria city of Kaduna has been under siege by the terrorist organisation Boko Haram this month forcing the state government to impose a 24-hour curfew in the city.

Obaje said he had planned to rejoin his South African club Sunday ahead of a Confederation Cup game against Al Merreikh, but the restriction of movement in Kaduna, where he has been holidaying, has made it impossible for him to travel.

“The situation here is frustrating as no one can move out. The crisis has dealt a big blow on me and stopped me from going back to South Africa to join my team preparing for our Confederation Cup game against Al Mereikh in Sudan,” disclosed the former Nigeria U20 star.

“The curfew means no airline or office is open and so I can’t do anything now and it is looking very likely I will miss the game this weekend. It is painful.”

Some other overseas-based holidaying players like Terna Suswam of Portuguese club Vitoria Setubal and Westerlo of Belgium midfielder Moses Adams are also trapped by the Kaduna curfew.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

FCT handball tourney begins today Fenerbache

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Senator Bala Mohammed, FCT Minister

ive male and three female teams will begin the battle for honours today in the FCT Handball Championship at the Old Parade Ground Abuja.

The championship, which is being organized by FCT Handball Association in collaboration with Centre for Children and Youth Excellence in Sports, will have the likes of Safety Shooters (FRSC), Defenders (Civil Defence), Key Boys (Nigeria Prison Service), Unity Boys (FCT Handball male Team) and the guest team, Owena Kings (Ondo Handball Team), doing battle in the male category.

The female teams are Safety

Babes (FRSC), Defenders (Civil Defence) and Unity Girls ( FCT Handball Female team).

The schedule of the matches released yesterday indicated that the Safety Shooters will lock horns with Unity Boys in the first game while the second match will feature Unity Girls and Civil Defence Girls. The last match of the opening day will see Prison Key Boys squaring up with Civil Defence Male team.

According to the chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Bala Mohammed, disclosed that the competition would be used to select players that will represent

including 18 knockouts. He leaped on to the ropes to celebrate the victory that left Ortiz with a record of 29-4-2.

Ortiz was leading 86-85, 8784 and 88-83 on the official scorecards when he was forced to quit. Lopez had made the fight much closer than expected.

Ortiz was due to fight Saul Alvarez in Las Vegas on September 15 but the fight will probably be cancelled.

In Hollywood, Florida, Tony Grano knocked out DaVarryl Williamson in the fourth round of a heavyweight bout, taking his record to 20-2-1, with 16 knockouts.

Williams, who is 43 years old, and well past his best, has dropped to 27-6; 23 even as the result gave Grano the

vacant NABF heavyweight title.

Earlier Angelo Santana stopped Justin Savi in a lightweight bout to remain undefeated after 13 fights. The fourth-round victory brought Santana his tenth stoppage wins. Savi, who was knocked down in the second and fourth rounds, has dropped to 26-2; 18 in records.

Brando Hernandez moved his record to 22-1-1, with 12 knockouts, when he stopped Brandon Baue in the fourth round.

Baue’s now stands at 12-7; 10.

Rico Ramos, a former WBA super-bantamweight champion, had to work hard to win his eight-rounder against Efrain Esquivias in a tournament in Studio City, California.

Ramos, who had lost his title to Guillermo Rigondeaux at the beginning of the year, moved to 21-1; 11 when he won by majority decision in his first fight since his only defeat.

WBC title: Jaw-breaking Lopez upsets Ortiz in 9th round

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osesito Lopez stopped former WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz with an apparent jawbreaking punch in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

In one of the biggest upsets in recent times, Lopez won on a ninth-round technical knockout.

Ortiz and his corner stopped the fight before the start of the tenth round when the injury left the highly rated fighter unable to close his mouth.

Unheralded Lopez had accepted the fight last month as a late replacement for Andre Berto, who failed a doping test that scuttled his rematch with welterweight start Ortiz.

Lopez improved his professional record to 30-4,

... Kayode may claim IBO title, as Tarver allegedly tests positive to ban substance

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igerian-born Lateef Kayode may be declared winner after Antonio Tarver has tested positive for the presence of a banned substance. Tarver, the IBO cruiserweight champion, was tested after his recent draw with Lateef Kayode.

The American fighter was as surprised as his supporters, saying he had always been in favour of “the most rigorous drug testing”.

He has promised to investigate all possible causes of the positive test for an anabolic steroid.

Two other top-notch professional boxers, Andre Berto and Lamont Peterson, were recently tested positive for illegal substances.

Tarver and Kayode drew in their bout in Carson, California, on June 2. South African Vusi Malinga fought on the undercard, losing to Leo Santa Cruz.

The 43-year-old Tarver has a professional record of 29-6-1. His future now depends on the results of a B sample to be tested.

He has also been active as a TV analyst but has been suspended

by Californian sports authorities until the result of the addition test is announced.

Tarver has issued a statement saying that he is confident of proving to his supporters that he was not trying to “gain an unfair advantage” by using an illegal substance.

Promoter Gary Shaw has said he hopes the result of B sample test will prove that Tarver was “clean”.

Kayode and his handlers are likely to appeal against the result of the fight but will probably not do so before the result of the new test is announced.

Monday Fixtures Safety Shooter v Unity Boys (male) 8am Unity Girls v Civil Defenders Girls (Female) 10am Prison Key Boys v Civil Defence (12noon)

FCT handball team in the forthcoming National Sports Festival that is to be held in Lagos in November.

Bala, who is the Assistant Coach of Nigeria national handball team, lauded the increased awareness for handball and noted they would expect massive turnout of fans to watch the matches.

“The quality of teams and support we have got so far are clear indications that we are sustain our leading role in handball development in the country. Right now, FCT has over 20, 000 active handball players,” he concluded.

Lateef Kayode

Josesito Lopez

lures Yobo with increased offer

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enerbahçe are set to sign Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo on a permanent deal with an improved offer of two million pounds to EPL side Everton.

Fenerbahçe’s initial offer of £1.5m was rejected by Everton, but it is believed they will now accept two million pounds for the 31-year-old central defender.

Everton manager David Moyes has deemed Yobo surplus to requirements at Goodison Park and he is keen to offload the defender in July.

The Nigeria International has been on loan with the Istanbul giants for the past two seasons and has cemented himself as a first-team regular.

The experienced centre back has settled into life in Turkey and recently told reporters in Istanbul, “I am very happy in Turkey and at Fenerbahçe as is my family.

“I feel at home here, hopefully an agreement will be reached and I can continue playing at the club.”

Last season, Yobo featured in 42 games and played an integral role in ‘The Canaries’ finishing runners-up despite a turbulent year marred by match-fixing allegations.

They also won the Turkish Cup. Fenerbahçe are also facing competition from English Championship outfit Leicester City for the Nigeria star, according to the English newspaper, The Sun.

Borno Govt rewards El-Kanemi players with N12m for gaining promotion to premiership

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he Borno Government yesterday rain down on the players of El-Kanemi Warriors the sum N12 million in appreciation of their securing the club’s promotion to the Nigeria Premier League.

The team secured the promotion after spending eight years in the lower division and the state government rewarded the players by doling out to each player amount ranging from N50, 000 to N200,000, while officials received between N200, 000 to N500, 000 respectively.

Governor Kashim Shettima, who was represented by the state Head of Service (HOS), Abba Ashigar presented the cash rewards to the beneficiaries at a reception

held at the Government House in Maiduguri.

According to Governor Shettima, the gesture was government’s appreciation of the honour done the state by the team stressing that it was the resolve of the government to reward efforts aimed at bringing honour to the people of Borno state.

“The club has lived up to the expectations of the teeming football fans in Borno state by librating us from the tension of the lower division. That was exactly what the El Kanemi Warriors had done in the past by librating the Borno Empire each time there was aggression from opponents,’’ the governor said.

The governor said the

government had already paid the backlog of players and officials’ entitlements, owed by the club.

“What is important now is not just your qualification into the premier league, but making impact at the upper division.

We want the team to strive hard and make impact by picking a continental ticket at the end of the season,”’ the governor said.

Further, he warned against resting on their oars, “What is important now is not just your qualification into the premier league, but making impact at the upper division. We want the team to strive hard and make impact in the new season by picking a continental ticket at the end,’’ he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 43

Tottenham move to hijack Liverpool Sigurdsson deal

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Gylfi Sigurdsson

City lead United, Arsenal in race for £20m Garcia

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anchester City are in pole position to capture Benfica’s Javi Garcia, it has been reported.

The 25-year-old, who can play as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, impressed City’s scouts during his side’s Champions League clash with Chelsea this season.

And according to Portuguese newspaper Record, the Premier League champions are Garcia’s favoured destination as he looks to leave his current club this summer.

The news will come as a blow to rivals Manchester United and Arsenal, who were also thought to be

Real keen on Tevez

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eal Madrid has made a shock move to land Carlos Tevez.

Manchester City could be ready to sell as they prepare their first bid of £20million for Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.

Spanish champions Real have asked to be told if City plan to offload their star.

And City would want £25m for their Argentine, who has two years left on his £198,000-a-week deal.

Etihad boss Roberto Mancini made his peace with Tevez at the end of last season after the forward’s strike but he may want to sell to fund his summer buys.

tracking the former Real Madrid player.

Garcia, who won his first international cap for Spain last month, has a release clause of around £24million in his contract.

But it is reported that Benfica would be willing to let him leave for a slightly lower fee, even though Garcia is a fans favourite at the Estadio da Luz. City is looking for another defensive midfielder this summer, with Owen Hargreaves having been released this

ottenham have made a shock move to sign Liverpool midfield target Gylfi Sigurdsson. It appeared that the 22-year-old Iceland international was set to follow his old Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers to Anfield in an £8million deal.

Now Spurs, who have yet to appoint a successor to sacked manager Harry Redknapp, have spoken to the Hoffenheim player, who has been allowed by the German outfit to select a new club providing the transfer fee is met.

It is believed Spurs have offered a better package and the player, who spent last season on loan at Swansea, is seriously considering it. Sigurdsson was a major influence in Swansea’s impressive showing in their first season in the Premier League.

Rodgers agreed an £8m fee with Hoffenheim to make the Swansea switch permanent.

It appeared that the 22-year-old Iceland international was set to follow his old Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers to Anfield in an £8million deal. summer and doubts emerging over Nigel De

Jong’s future at the Etihad.

Javi Garcia

Giroud will have a medical today or tomorrow before he is officially unveiled as a Gunner. Boss Arsene Wenger has been at Euro 2012 to see Giroud make three appearances as a sub for Les Bleus, including the final 11 minutes of lastnight’s quarter-final defeat by Spain.

Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool fight for £20m Salomon

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S

weden defender Olof Mellberg has emerged as a surprise summer transfer target for Everton. The ECHO understands Blues boss David Moyes is yet to make a formal approach for the veteran, who is currently out of contract at Greek side Olympiakos.

The former Aston Villa defender would be available on a free transfer, having failed to agree an extension to his current contract, and would add central defensive cover to Moyes’ ranks – an area in which the Blues were caught short at times last season.

His Premier League experience, garnered during seven years with Aston Villa between 2001 and 2008, would also prove valuable.

Moyes is expected to finally offload Joseph Yobo this summer, with the Nigerian ready to complete a permanent switch to Turkish side Fenerbahce, where he has spent the past two seasons on loan.

Further dialogue is expected soon, and though Everton are privately disappointed that Fener’s valuation of Yobo falls some way short of theirs, they are eager to lower their wage bill by offloading an unwanted high-earner.

V

livier Giroud will join Arsenal for £12million this week. Arsene Wenger fears England will be bundled out of Euro 2012 if they sit back.

The French striker, 25, has agreed a five-year deal after helping minnows Montpellier win the Ligue 1 title.

helsea, Tottenham and Liverpool are battling it out for £20million Malaga ace Salomon Rondon, according to the player’s agent.

The 22-year-old striker has attracted interest after his 11 goals helped fire his side to Champions League qualification last season.

And the Venezuela international’s representative Pablo Martinez has confirmed a number of approaches from England for his client,

Everton set to land Mellberg

Moses close to Chelsea deal

Oli set for Gunner five years contract

O

Transfer The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain.

And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin daily doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

reports Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

But, with the former Las

Salomon Rondon

Palmas hit-man also being eyed by three unnamed German sides, he will not be bought on the cheap.

A fee of more than £20million is reported to have been demanded by Malaga, who is looking to offload Rondon if they are able to bring in a bigname striker this summer.

The cash-rich club’s Qatari owners are planning to make a statement of intent in the transfer window, as they look to compete with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

ictor Moses was at the centre of a bitter war of words last night as he moved closer to a move to Chelsea.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insists the 21-yearold forward owes the Latics everything for developing him over 2½ years.

But Moses’ agent Tony Finnigan hit back by saying the club should be grateful the Nigeria star turned down Manchester City to join them in January 2010.

Chelsea had a bid of around £3m laughed off earlier this week because Wigan values him at around three times that amount.

Whelan is disappointed Moses, with a year left on his current deal, has shown no willingness to consider a new contract.

Latics have offered to double Moses’ money to around £40,000 a week if he stays.

Whelan said: “We took this lad as a teenager and everything he has he owes

to Roberto Martinez and Wigan Athletic.”

Finnigan countered: “All I will say is: How did Vic end up at Wigan, when he could have gone to Manchester City? Who took him to Wigan?”

Victor Moses

Liverpool battle Everton for Inter Milan star iverpool and Everton are shaping up for a huge transfer

L

battle, with both clubs tracking young striker Luc Castaignos.

The Dutch forward, 19, is valued at about £4.5 million by current club Inter Milan - a fee that should be within the budgets of both Merseyside clubs.

Brendan Rodgers and David Moyes are extremely interested in signing Castaignos.

However, they are open to the idea of taking him on loan for the coming season, so negotiations over a fee might not be required.

Rodgers is looking to add firepower to a Liverpool attack that already boasts the likes of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, while Moyes is hoping to supplement the qualities of key striker Nikica Jelavic.

They will not have it all their own way, though, with both Newcastle and newly-promoted West Ham thought to be keen on making their own moves for Castaignos.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Coach pleads for delay of Felix, Tarmoh 100m tiebreaker

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hough organisers wants both Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh photo-finish to be resolved today, coach of the athletes has pleaded athletics officials to wait until Allyson and Jeneba compete in the 200 metres trials before they make any move to break their tie for the final US Olympic spot in the 100m.

Felix and Tarmoh finished in a rare dead heat for third place in the 100m at the US Olympic trials on Saturday, both credited with times of 11.068 seconds after a review of the photo finish.

The tie must be broken because only three athletes per

event can represent their country in the Games.

“They need to leave my athletes alone and let me coach them in the 200, then make a decision,” Bob Kersee told Reuters in an early morning telephone call.

Kersee said he understood USA Track and Field (USATF) officials were talking about Olympic 200m silver medallist Felix and Tarmoh doing a runoff

by Monday (today).

Both athletes are running in the 200m, which begins on Thursday and concludes next Saturday.

“The powers-that-be need to

Allyson Felix come up with a better decision.

This makes no sense,” the coach said, adding that he would not

Jeneba Tarmoh be a part of deciding which love the most?” he added.

Kersee said the decision athlete goes to London. “It would be like, which kid do you should be made after the 200m.

800m king, Rudisha, runs 1:42.12 at altitude in Kenyan Olympic Trials

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orld 800m record holder, David Rudisha, sent warning signals to his peers at next month’s London Games when he posted an incredible win at the final of Kenyan Trials for London 2012 in Nairobi over the weekend.

Rudisha’s powerful strides opened up on the homestretch to stop the clock at an astonishing high altitude record of 1:42.12 to seal his place in his first Olympic Games after a tendon injury buried his hopes four years ago.

The breathtaking performance on the last event of programme appropriately wrapped up an enthralling day of track action as the final pieces of the Kenyan London 2012 jigsaw fell into place.

Organisers had slotted in the men’s 800m Trial as the last race of the programme with the main act David Rudisha sending supporters into orbit with another devastating display of front running masterly that will surely send shockwaves across the world.

Prior to the final, he had cruised to a 1:44.0 victory during Thursday’s heats and from the gun Rudisha had an unobstructed view as he pounded the track to smash his own 1:42.84 record at altitude when winning his second

David Rushida

African title in 2010 in the same stadium.

Fans led by Kenya’s vicepresident, Kalonzo Musyoka, rose to acclaim the runner known as ‘King David’ in his homeland as he took his lap of honour, complete in Masai Moran traditional regalia, amid wild cheers.

“I’m very happy since Kenyans love sport and they love athletics and they give us support. Even today, they cheered as the start list was being announced and that is why I always want to deliver something for them,” said Rudisha.

“If I wanted to run a slow race and win nice and comfortable, I would have done that but for those who are not able to come and watch us run in Europe, I try to do my best to show them how we perform there live. It’s such an honour,” the world season leader - 1:41.74 achieved in New York - explained.

“I’m feeling in better shape than in 2010 and my Olympics dream has come true and what remains is to keep the shape since I want this gold so much because it is the only medal missing from my table,” he added ominously to his rivals.

Behind him the ‘other’ race saw Commonwealth Youth winner, Timothy Kitum beat

Pamela Jelimo

double Africa junior silver medallist, Anthony Chemut in a flying finish that returned 1:43.94 against 1:43.96 to earn the youngsters the remaining Olympic slots.

Rudisha was thereafter, named in the men 4x400m relay team as expected, giving him the chance to double and emulate his father, Daniel Rudisha.

“I’m happy they have announced it today. 4x400m will come after my event and I hope we will work as a team to perform well in the event my father ran in 1968,” he added alluding to his elder’s silver success at the Mexico Olympics.

Staying true to established tradition, the London 2012 Trials claimed their share of big names that saw Olympics dreams snuffed out in unforgiving fashion.

Olympics bronze medallist and 2007 World champion, Alfred Kirwa (6th, 1:45.19) and Commonwealth Games silver winner Richard Kiplagat (7th, 1:45.79) were the high profile victims of the Rudisha 800m blur.

Olympics silver medallist, Eliud Kipchoge’s history making third successive appearance at the Games dissipated when he was forced to seventh (13:10.86) in the men’s 5000m having missed selection in the 10,000m

selection event at the Prefontaine Classic.

Commonwealth, Continental Cup and African Steeplechase champion, Richard Mateelong, who won bronze in Beijing had his prized scalp claimed in the men 3000m steeple as he slumped to fifth in 8:14.00.

Beijing silver winner in the women steeple, Eunice Jepkorir, returned 10:13.28 for the wooden spoon as world leader in the corresponding race, while Paul Kipsiele Koech again succumbed to his chronic high altitude sickness in the men’s race.

Beijing fourth finisher and Berlin World champion in 10,000m, Linet Masai was in the frame for selection in the 5000m until metres before the bell after dropping out of the longer race with stomach cramps last week but eventually faded to seventh in 16:23.75.

“My race is the 10,000m but today, I did not have the speed and I wish the girls all the best in London. I will work hard to ensure I will be around for the next one,” a distraught Daegu bronze winner rued.

Meanwhile, Nancy Jebet Langat, the women 1500m titleholder from Beijing, will not defend her title after a knee injury ruled her out of the start.

However, fellow Olympic gold

Silas Kiplagat

winners, Pamela Jelimo, Asbel Kiprop and Brimin Kipruto as well as Athens 2004 champion Ezekiel Kemboi booked their places for the London showpiece in contrasting fashion.

World 5000m and 10,000m champion, Vivian Cheruiyot, successfully kept her twopronged London assault on track by winning the 5000m Trial having taken the 10,000m race a week earlier.

Isaiah Kiplangat Koech, blessed the Nyayo tartan with a new 5000m soil record of 13:09.80 in the other signature performance of the meet to lead a crop of upcoming runners who upset the established order during the selection meet.

SELECTED RESULTS MEN 800m David Rudisha 1:42.12 Job Kinyor 1:43.94 Timothy Kitum 1:43.96 Alfred Kirwa 1:44.61 Abraham Rotich 1:44.79 1500m Silas Kiplagat 3:37.60 Nixon Chepseba 3:38.00 Asbel Kiprop 3:38.30 Caleb Mwangangi 3:38.80 Bethwell Birgen 3:39.00 5000m Isaiah Kiplangat 13:09.80 Edwin Soi 13:11.11 Thomas Longosiwa 13:11.28 Vincent Kiprop 13:19.47 Emmanuel Bett 13:21.55 3000m Steeplechase Brimin Kipruto 8:11.73 Ezekiel Kemboi 8:12.82 Abel Mutai 8:13.47 Jairus Birech 8:14.05 Richard Mateelong 8:34.00 WOMEN 800m Pamela Jelimo 1:58.48 Winnie Chebet 2:00.33 Janeth Jepkosgei 2:00.47 Lydia Wafula 2:00.74 Jane Jelagat 2:01.65 1500m Hellen Obiri 4:06.10 Eunice Sum 4:07.19 Faith Chepngetich 4:08.53 Margaret Wangari 4:11.84 Mary Kuria 4:16.68 3000m Steeplechase Milcah Chemos 9:32.75 Mercy Njoroge 9:33.32 Lydia Rotich 9:40.41 Phanencer Chemion 9:48.63 Hyvin Kiyeng 9:51.07 5000m Vivian Cheruiyot 16:08.08 Sally Kipyego 16:09.29 Viola Kibiwot 16:09.45 Sylvia Kibet 16:10.81 Janeth Kisa 16:18.71

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL i. Leigh Halfpenny admits rugby’s superpowers still do not fully respect Wales as they slump to a 3-0 series whitewash in Australia. ii. “It’s been so long since a British player won Wimbledon - everybody wants to see it and it's a good source of motivation.” iii. Gary Neville has warned England's players that they risk getting themselves sent off if they try to antagonise Mario Balotellil iv. Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal are among the hopefuls trying to qualify for next month's Open Championship. v. British fighters Josh Taylor and Tom Stalker will resist the temptation to turn professional straight after the Olympic Games.

i

vi. Saudi Arabia is to allow its women athletes to compete in the Olympics for the first time ever.

vii

ii

iii

vi

vii. Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is a major injury doubt ahead of Germany's Euro 2012 semifinal with an ankle problem.

iv

v

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Yusuf wants no sentiment in selection of handballers

T

he President of Handball Federation of Nigeria, Mallam Dauda Yusuf, has urged coaches to keep sentiments aside when selecting players for tournaments to allow only the best to play.

Dauda, who made the call at the Handball National Coaching Conference in Abuja over the weekend, alleged that some coaches were sentimental in the selection of players to represent the country at completions stressing that they often allowed religion and tribal difference to overshadow their judgments.

“A coach should be open minded and free to all players regardless of religious or tribal difference. When it comes to competitions, success is what matters and as such you should make sure you are selecting the best players.

“These players should be chosen according to their abilities, as a coach you are to be a model to players without discrimination and bias,” Dauda said.

He said using merit in the selection of players would produce results of victory and not shame. .

Daudaurged coaches to be creative and bring in innovation that would produce results so as to move the Nigeria Handball Federation forward.

Mr Paul Chiroma, the Vice-President, Nigeria Handball Coaches Association, in a lecture urged handball coaches to imbue the key responsibility of fair judgment so as to achieve a successful Handball Federation.

Chiromasaid a coach should be full of integrity and mentor young players so as to create a synergy that would go a long way to sustain the federation.

“There is need for coaches to be in position of responsibility and power that way players will be able to look up to them and learn acceptable behavioural traits,” he said.

He encouraged coaches to act in ways that promoted positive and acceptable conduct in handball games.

“The key responsibility of a coach in achieving a successful implementation of handball programmes is to educate players through communicating ideas and concepts to improve players’ technical ability through knowledge,” he said.

Chiroma said coaches should strive to promote fair-play and laws of the game to gain trust of players, parents, fans and fellow employees.

He, however, said that handball games were rarely cared for and supported like other games and added: “handball must not be left to suffer, other countries have benefited from the game and Nigeria can do the same.”

T

he Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ade Abolurin, over the weekend predicted that Team Nigeria will not disappoint at next month’s Olympics Games in London because the level of preparation of athletes for the Games.

Abolurin said with the preparations, Team Nigeria would have no option but win many medals in London to justify the huge investment in preparations as well as meet the expectation of Nigerians.

Dr. Abolurin, who was addressing newsmen in Abuja during the commemoration of the Olympic Day, said that he was confident Nigeria would succeed. “With the level of preparations, I’m very optimistic that Nigeria will win many medals.”

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that Nigerian weightlifters are undergoing training in Germany, the taekwondoists are training in Korea, while the canoeing athletes are in Nottingham, London.

Also, the boxers are training in Bradford, which is the biggest centre of excellence for boxing in the world, according to the NOC president Sani Ndanusa.

Abolurin said the NSC was eager to see Team Nigeria make a mark in the Olympics, unlike the previous games where funds had always hindered preparation.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government has

PAGE 47

NFF to go tough on age cheats

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he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it has resolved to tackle the problem of age cheats in cadet competitions in the country to facilitate the growth of the grassroots talents..

The Acting General Secretary, Musa Amadu, confessed over the weekend that the use of over-aged players in cadet tournaments was a big setback to football development.

“This has been a problem for a very long time and we are

making sure those players that are within the age bracket of U17, that are playing in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), are not eligible.

“If a player is playing in the NPL and wants play in the U-17 team, it is not allowed for the fear of deceit; that has been a trend in the system. We have won the U-17 World Cup thrice; at the moment, it should not be about wining; it should be geared toward development that will improve the country’s football.

Musa Amadu, NFF Scribe

Ndanusa, Abolurin sure Team Nigeria will win medals at Olympics

released N1.9 billion to the NOC through the NSC to ensure a memorable outing for Nigeria.

This release Abolurin believes would go along way to ensure that Team Nigeria receives

adequate training and neccessary explosures and thus perform well at the Games proper.

He reassure Nigerians that the

Tosin Oke, Gloria Asomu, Nigeria’s Olympic medals hopes

Federal Government was doing everything to ensure the success of Team Nigeria at the Olympics and lauded participants for the Olympic Day Workout, stressing that the

“We should look at the competition as a developmental tournament so that any player that has distinguished himself will be sure of playing in the senior team,” Amadu said.

He also said the NFF would continue to fund age grade competitions to discover talents to enhance the growth of football.

The NFF scribe said all players would be subjected to the Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI) scan to scientifically determine the real age of a player.

“We also have the MRI scan which is the scientific way of finding out the actual age of players. And we are working hard to ensure that anybody who fails will be disqualified from representing the country,” he said.

Amadu said the NFF has resolved to stamp out agecheats adding that it would quicken the rebuilding process of the country’s football and the restoration of its lost glory in the sport.

“Football is on the rise again, and we are trying to put Nigerian football where it was and even surpass it; we know it will take some time, but we are on the right track.

“I know by 2013 to 2015, we would have got there; we just want to appeal to Nigerians to be patient with the NFF. Slow but surely, we would get there.” turnout “is encouraging.”

The 2012 Olympic Day in Nigeria is celebrated with a Keep-Fit Walk by the Federation of Public Service Games (FEPSGA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC).

The NOC President, Sani Ndanusa, said the day was set aside to promote good health throughout the world.

“It is a day set aside by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the whole world to jog for good health and for cohesion among communities of the world. It is a universal day where we all jog at the same time throughout the world to bring the world together.”

Ndanusa said that the day was the biggest day in the Olympic calendar and “it is being commemorated in 13 states in Nigeria.”

The FEPSGA President, Victor Orji, said that the exercise was necessary to keep Nigerians fit both physically and mentally. “It is a social event to offer all generations the chance to live a healthier, more balanced and better life with more meaning.”

Orji said that the FEPSGA keepfit exercise that normally holds every last Saturday of the month was adjusted to accommodate the Olympic Day. The celebration of the day is an international effort to promote fitness and well-being as well as the Olympic ideals of fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship.

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE In this period, the countr y should look country for people who can bring results, and not sentiments, not emotions.

. . . putting the people first

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

UERO 2012: Italy edge England to set up semifinals clash against Germany

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lessandro Diamanti scored the decisive spot kick as Italy beat England 4-2 on penalties after their action-packed UEFA Euro 2012 quarterfinal finished goalless after extra-time yesterday.

Diamanti struck after Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed for England to take Italy through to a semifinal meeting with Germany in Warsaw on Thursday.

Portugal face defending champions Spain in the other semi-finals match.

Italy had much the best of the first game of the knockoutstage to go to extra time, having more than 30 attempts at goal.

Daniele De Rossi, with a swerving 25-metre shot after three minutes, and Diamanti both hit the post.

Riccardo Montolivo, twice, and Mario Balotelli, several times, also went close while Antonio Nocerino had a 114th minute headed goal correctly ruled out for offside as England's defence was continually cut open after they had started well and gone close themselves through Glen Johnson and Wayne Rooney.

England did have their moments and Italy keeper Gigi Buffon made a fine early stop from Glen Johnson.

Mario Balotelli then fired a close range effort too close to Joe Hart before Wayne Rooney astutely found Manchester United teammate Danny Welbeck, who leaned into his effort and fired over.

After the restart England had a let off as Hart saved from De Rossi and Balotelli before Riccardo Montolivo put the rebound over from point blank range.

England threw on Andy Carroll and Theo Walcott for Welbeck and James Milner on the hour in an attempt to regain the initiative in the face of increasing Italian pressure but neither side could find a way through.

There were few chances in the first-half of extra-time with Diamanti going closest with a cross hitting the post.

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Victims, all When a hunter sets a trap using a goat as bait, he doesn't expect to catch rabbit — A Nigerian proverb

I

am one the millions of residents of Kaduna state who have been under lockdown since bombs went off in Zaria and Kaduna two Sundays ago. We have been let out for a total of ten hours since we were clamped into detention, and part of those hours were promptly utilized by our traditional religious combatants to resume hostilities. As things stand now, we live in fear over what will happen on Sunday (I am writing this on Saturday).Will they bomb churches again, and force us to resume hostilities, as Christians pounce on the nearest Muslim for reprisals, and Muslims embark on counter-reprisals? Now that President Jonathan is back with a sacking here and a sacking there, should we dare to dream that this nightmare will be more effectively handled?

Most citizens here have no food, no water, no power, no peace, and no faith that they will not be casualties tomorrow, or the next day. I cannot write a new column as my secretary, Ruth, lives on the other part of a city rigidly segregated by faith. But I can share with you the views I expressed in December last year over our situation. How little has changed: The bombs that went off on Christmas Day at Madalla in Niger state, in Jos, Plateau state and in Damaturu and Potiskum, in Yobe state appear to have many purposes. One was to send a signal that whoever the Boko Haram bombers are, they plan to sustain their terror campaign. Two, the bombs were intended to further expose the vulnerability of the Nigerian State and its citizens, in spite of elaborate security arrangements to ensure a relatively safe Christmas. Three, the bombs may have been intended to trigger widespread conflicts between Muslims and Christians. The first two objectives obviously succeeded. The third appears to have sought to deepen inter-faith suspicions and hostility, and possibly trigger another round of mayhem involving innocent Muslims and Christians.

So far, both groups have remained largely restrained, although there is justifiable anger among Christians, and fear of undeserved reprisals among Muslims.

Someone, somewhere is attempting to pitch millions of Muslims against millions of

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

Gov. Patrick Yakowa

Christians in a war where both will be reluctant combatants, and losers.

The gruesome images and the pains of the losses and injuries from the Christmas day bombings will shock and offend every civilized person. The deliberate targeting of churches by people who claim that they are avenging the killing of Muslims last year will naturally inflame passions, and offend Muslims who recognise that their faith does not sanction the taking of innocent lives. The anger and bitterness which is felt across the land over the mass killing of people whose only crime appears to be their faith is only a step away from violence against those suspected as

supporters of the killers or those who share their characteristics.

The helplessness of the victims in Madalla, in Jos and Potiskum and Damaturu reminds the nation of the victims of Jos, Zonkwa and many other areas and conflicts where innocent people were murdered for their faith alone.

The disclaimers by prominent Muslim traditional rulers and clerics will have some effect in terms of calming nerves, but they will also raise more questions than answers. People will ask what influence these leaders and clerics have over the Muslim community they speak for, if they cannot limit or eliminate the threats and the dangers posed by the bombers.

The bombers of Christmas day who claim to be Boko Haram say they bombed churches in retaliation against the killing of Muslims during last year's Sallah celebrations in Jos. They claim that neither the Muslim leadership nor the Nigerian State took steps to protect the Muslims in Jos or bring their killers to justice. In this manner, they undermine the credibility of Muslim leaders and the Nigeria state. A logical question to ask is who is speaking for the Muslim community in Nigeria today? Is it Boko Haram, which both fights the Nigeria state and places bombs

“

The most serious threat to the current situation, however, is the possibility that the Nigerian State will lose its credibility as the protector of our collective security.

Whoever is behind these bombings and killings has succeeded in casting major doubt in the minds of citizens over the ability of this administration to protect both Muslims and Christians

which kills innocent Christians and Muslims alike; or the mainstream leaders who denounce their goals and tactics as un-Islamic? When Boko Haram bomb churches, they expose millions of innocent Muslims to retaliatory attacks, which traditional leaders and Muslim clerics cannot prevent, or protect them from. Attacks on Muslims far from the theatre of conflicts will trigger more attacks from Muslims, and the vicious circle will be complete.

If the strategy of Boko Haram, or whoever is hiding behind its name and grievances is to bring the Nigerians state to its knees, it could not have found a better tactic than one which touches Muslims and Christians where they hurt most, and mobilizes them in their largest numbers. No Christian will fail to feel anger at the killing of whole families who were just leaving a church service on Christmas day. Their killers will remind the nation that Muslims were equally slaughtered at a mosque in Jos a few months ago on Sallah Day, an event which angered all Muslims. When the state fails to assume a firm control over the situation by limiting anger after these killings, or apprehending perpetrators, communities will be tempted to take revenge. Muslims have no monopoly over bomb-making know-how, or weapons. They congregate five times daily in millions of mosques across the nation, and are therefore even more vulnerable to attacks. There are millions of Muslims in every nook and cranny of the nation, many living in isolation in communities far from their homes. They are exposed, and vulnerable to attack from people who may think their faith alone qualifies them for being murdered.

At this stage, it is clear that there is a plan to cause massive crises along religious lines in Nigeria. It is time to ask some uncomfortable questions as well.

Could the scenario painted by a United States agency of the failure of the Nigerian State be playing out? Is this attempt to push the Nigerian State to fail being engineered by external forces? If so, what are the possible objectives behind the plan? Is there a plan for a relatively crisis-free breakup of the nation, or is the plan simply to cause massive and prolonged crises between and within ethnic and religious groups? Is Nigeria's considerable oil and gas resource a factor in this attempt; and could some interest out there be targeting exclusive control of this resource by alienating the rest of the nation from it?

Contd. on Page 15

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