Peoples Daily Online

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 98

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

. . . putting the people first

FG to begins training of 40,000 teachers

We’ve forgiven Boko Haram – Kaduna Catholic bishop

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>> PAGE 3

Safar 12, 1434 AH

N150

MERRY XMAS We wish all our readers a blessed Christmas and bountiful New Year in advance.

Pastor, 5 others shot dead in Potiskum

By Richard Ihediwa,

Pope Benedict XVI used his Christmas Day address to call for an end to bloody conflicts in Syria and Palestine and for there to be peace in the Middle East, just as he called for peace in Nigeria.

See story on Page 2

with agency report

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group of gunmen struck a church in Peri village, near Potiskum, the Yobe state capital, killing the pastor and five other worshippers who had gathered for the Christmas eve service before setting the church building on fire. Peri is just two kilometers from Potiskum.

Police authorities yesterday confirmed the attack in Peri .

The attack was said to have taken place at about midnight when members of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA),formerly known as Evangelical Church of West Africa were holding a Christmas Eve service ahead of the Christmas Day celebrations yesterday.

Yobe State Police Commissioner, Sanusi Rufa’i, described the matter as “a security issue” and refused to comment further.

However, a resident, Usman Mansir, told newsmen that the gunmen stormed the church Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

24th Dec., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.76 249.02 201.11 0.2894 41.24

SELLING 155.76 250.63 202.41 0.3094 41.53

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 207 255 42 157

SELLING 209 256 44 158

Why critics say we are slow – Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday provided reason why his critics have accused him of running government at a slow pace.

The President who spoke in a Christmas service yesterday at

the Anglican Cathedral in Life Camp, Abuja said the need to do things properly and follow all the due process of law was responsible for the belief in certain quarters that his government is too slow.

“By human thinking our administration is slow but I won’t say we are slow but we need to

think through things properly if we are to make lasting impact.

If we rush we will make mistakes and sometimes it is more difficult to correct those mistakes.

“I want to assure Nigerians that any step we take whether little or giant, we won’t go back.

And where we need to act fast

we will do so, that we demonstrated with the flood disaster because it required immediate response,” he said.

He however assured that with the solid foundation laid in critical sectors like agriculture, power, transportation, roads, the country’s infrastructure will Contd on Page 2

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

CONTENTS News

Choir members at the Cathedral of St. Micheal Church performing during Christmas Church service, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

Property

24

Arts

29

Pope decries killings in Nigeria, sues for peace

By Richard Ihediwa, with agency report

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Recruitment scam: When Immigration was forced to eat the humble pie, Page 4

Int’l

31-35

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-46

Leisure

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

atholic Pope Benedict XVI in his traditional Christmas massage on Tuesday lamented what he described as the “savage acts of terrorism” in Nigeria and called on the authorities to find lasting solution to the problems The Pontiff also prayed for concord in Nigeria, seeking divine intervention to end acts that have continued to “reap victims, particularly among Christians”.

The Pope also called for an “end to the bloodshed” and “a political solution” in conflictwracked Syria and several other of the world’s conflict zones.

He expressed optimism that the war torn areas of the world will find peace adding that there is a ray of hope even at the most difficult of times.

“There is hope in the world … even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations,” he said, praying that “peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenceless and reaps innocent victims,” he said.

The Pope’s wide-ranging “Urbi et Orbi” (To the City and the World) message, heard by some 40,000 pilgrims at St Peter’s Square, also pointed to hotspots across Africa and urged

religious freedom in China, and as usual called for peace in the Middle East.

He prayed for “Israelis and Palestinians (to be granted the) courage to end long years of conflict and division, and to embark resolutely on the path of negotiation.”

On the conflict weary Congo, the Pope prayed for “help and comfort to the refugees from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo”, where a rebel campaign caused tens of thousands to flee their homes. He also prayed for peace in Kenya, “where brutal attacks have struck the civilian population and places of worship”.

On Mali, where Islamist

insurgents have occupied large swathes of the desert north since a March coup, the Pope also prayed for the return of peace even as he called on the new leadership in China “esteem the contributions of the religions”.

Speaking of “the high task that awaits them,” the pontiff said he hoped the new leaders unveiled in November would “help build a fraternal society for that noble people and of the whole world.”

China and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951 after the latter recognised the Nationalist Chinese government in Taipei, a rival to the communist regime in Beijing.

Pastor, 5 others shot dead in Potiskum

Contd from Page 1 and opened fire on worshippers killing the pastor and five others on the spot.

“A group of gunmen came into the village at midnight and went straight to the church... they opened fire on them, killing the pastor and five worshippers. They then set fire to the church,” Mansir said.

He said a branch of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) was targeted. As at press time yesterday no

group has claimed responsibility of the attack.

Worshippers in many churches in the area were said to have held their services amidst fears as the Peri attack came despite assurances of tight security at worship places by the police.

Potiskum is gradually becoming a hub for violent encounters counting for the death of many in recent time following series of attacks targeting churches, mosques, civilians, soldiers, policemen,

government officials and traditional rulers.

On Sunday insurgents engaged security forces in a gun duel which left not less than 14 suspected insurgents and a police officer dead.

Army spokesman, Lt. Eli Lazarus, said the Sunday attack went on for hours after suspected insurgents bombed a local police station and attacked a bank branch.

Two weeks ago, unknown gunmen attacked Potiskum

killing a top police officer and 13 others in an attack during which they also razed down a branch of Unity Bank, telecom masts and a Police station.

In May this year about 60 persons were killed when gunmen attacked a cattle market in Potiskum with explosives. The attack was said to be in reprisal for an incident earlier in the day, when a gang sought to rob the market but were fought back by traders.

Why critics say we are slow – Jonathan Contd from Page 1 never go down again.

He also added that the church has a greater role to play if the transformation agenda must succeed.

The President said a situation where some Nigerians vandalise government properties to sabotage government’s efforts to provide stable power supply and other critical infrastructure, must be condemned.

The President who expressed happiness that the reforms in

the agriculture, power and transportation sectors have been hailed by Nigerians, assured that his administration will fulfil its promises to the people.

“The church has a great role to play if the transformation must succeed because you can’t transform without reformation and is the role of the church to do so.

“I urge the church to come up with various programmes to talk about how we Nigerians can be reformed.

“People play politics with things that affect even their own lives. You wonder why a person that carries saw to go and cut down a conductor carrying cables that produce electricity, because you want a government to fail.

This happened somewhere in Enugu. You begin to wonder if they are humans.

That is why we need to reform if we must transform.

“I want to reassure Nigerians that we are committed and will keep faith with our promises. At

least what we are doing in agriculture, transportation and power has been noted.

“We have laid solid foundation for power, agriculture and transport sectors and I can assure you we will not go back again.

Speaking earlier, the Primate of all Nigeria/Bishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Nicholas Okoh challenged the Federal Government to ensure that Nigeria is free from all sort of security challenges.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

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We’ve forgiven Boko Haram, says Kaduna Catholic bishop From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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ishop of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, Ndagoso Man’oso, said that the Catholic Community in the area has forgiven the Boko Haram sect reported to have masterminded the recent bombing of a Catholic church in Kaduna which led to the death of a number of persons.

In his message yesterday to mark the Christmas festivities, Man’oso explained that the need to forgive the Boko Haram sect was in line with Jesus Christ’s act when he was betrayed and crucified by his enemies.

He urged Christians to show love even to their enemies, arguing further that it would amount to dishonouring Jesus to celebrate Christmas with

rancour, malice and revenge.

The clergyman reminded Christians that violence, political and social upheaval were witnessed during the time of Christ on earth, saying that whatever evil being perpetrated in the modern days should not surprise anybody.

According to the cleric; “As we celebrate Christmas, we remember the killing of our members and bombing of our churches, particularly Saint Rita’s Catholic Church, Ungwan Yero, Badarawa, Kaduna. We can only pray for the souls of the departed to rest in peace.

“We should remember that over 2,000 years, the time of Jesus on earth, he faced similar persecution, humiliation and death in the hands of those who

were supposed love him but even at that he forgave them.

“So, violence, be it religious, political, economic and social has been there long time ago in the history of humanity.

Bishop Man’oso expressed gratitude to the state government, corporate organizations and individuals who stood by the Archdiocese during the violence.

On his part, the Governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Muktar Ramalan Yero, in statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Kabir Shehu Kaura urged Christians to shun tribal, ethnic and religious teachings that are not in consonance with those of Jesus Christ who was an embodiment of peace and love.

The governor urged the people of the state to allow true love for their fellow human beings, for Kaduna state and for Nigeria to prevail over all forms of hatred, bitterness and malice, now and in the coming year.

He reminded all that Christmas is not only a time for celebration but a period for sober reflections and stock taking of God’s many-fold blessings to us as a people adding that people must learn to reflect reflect on is their relationship with God and with our fellow humans.

Yero therefore called on all Christians and the entire people of Kaduna state to be committed to religious harmony, peaceful living and understanding of one another.

L-R: Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger state chapter, Rev. Musa Dada, presenting a Christmas gift to the state Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, during a visit by the state CAN Executives to the governor, yesterday in Minna.

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he Kano zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused state governors of undue interference in the administration of state-owned universities in the country.

“This trend started with Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and has now reared its ugly head at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Kano State University of Science and Technology, Kaduna state University, Imo State University, Owerri, among others,” ASUU said yesterday in a press statement after its zonal meeting in Kaduna.

The statement signed by the ASUU zonal Coordinator, Dr. Rabiu Nasiru, listed some of the areas

By Ayodele Samuel

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he Federal Government has began the training and retraining of 40,000 teachers for basic education in the 2012 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) programme on current innovative strategies and techniques of teaching.

Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i who opened the workshop in Lagos at the weekend said the training would hold at 109 centres nationwide.

Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers would receive training on the four core subjects- English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Basic Science and Technology while primary school teachers would be trained on Language Communication Skill, Effective Classroom Management Skills, Basic Teaching Methods and Information and Communication Technology.

Rufa'i said countries that have made progress in recent decades are those that combined "effective and equitable investment in education with sound economic policies."

She said federal government would continue to support the National Teachers Institute (NTI) to undertake programmes tailored towards teacher education development.

Director General of NTI, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu said the initial arrangement was to train 120,000 teachers but funds available to the institute could only accommodate 40,000 teachers.

Sharehu said the teachers would also receive training on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and faith based HIV/ AIDS initiative which would take place at three designated centres in each states including FCT.

Kano council boss escapes assassination

Govs interfere in state varsities’ administration - ASUU From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

FG flags off training of 40,000 teachers

where the governors attack autonomy of the universities to include dissolution or refusal to constitute governing councils of the universities, appointment and removal of Vice Chancellors at will and interference in the selection of Vice Chancellors in favour of particular candidates who are imposed on the universities.

The statement reads: “These have clearly violated the autonomy of these universities, violated the due process, created a state of industrial disharmony and in some cases disrupted the academic calendar.

“Such a process may continue to affect more universities if left unchecked. We strongly condemn such violations and call upon the visitors to the affected universities in the states to return to the path

of sanity and due process.

“We demand that all Vice Chancellors be appointed in accordance with the established

laws and anything short of that is unacceptable and will be vehemently opposed by ASUU at all levels.”

Gaidam salutes Christians

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s members of the Christian Community in the state, the country and the world celebrate Christmas, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state he extended his congratulations and best wishes to them.

In a press release issued yesterday and signed by his Special Adviser on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, Gaidam noted the deep spiritual significance of the Christmas season and prayed the Almighty God for successful celebrations.

The governor also noted that

this year’s Christmas, like last year’s, came at a time that “our beloved country is going through challenging times, especially in the area of security of life and property”.

Gaidam therefore urged all Christians not to relent in prayers and devotion to the Almighty God for divine intervention and deliverance.

He urged all citizens-Christian and Muslim-to continue to live and work together in peace and unity in order to attain sustainable social development.

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unmen yesterday shot and injured the Interim Management Chairman of Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano state, Alhaji Kambai Sumaila.

The Information Officer of the Local Government, Malam Bashir Habib, said the chairman went on a condolence visit to Sallari in the state capital, when he was shot.

“He was about to enter his car when some gunmen attacked his vehicle and shot dead his driver while the interim management chairman sustained serious injuries”.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Malam Magaji Majiya, who confirmed the incident, said the driver of the chairman was killed on the spot while Sumaila sustained injuries.

He said investigation on the matter had begun.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Recruitment scandal: When Immigration was forced to eat the humble pie

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day after the Peoples Daily Weekend, this paper’s sister publication, had broken the recruitment scandal at theNigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Saturday, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which is the parent ministry of the NIS, quickly issued a press statement refuting the story.

The Peoples Daily Weekend had reported that, “A job racket scandal is festering at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), with about 4000 vacancies covertly being ‘shared’ by the Comptroller General, Mrs. Rose Uzoma”.

The story further accused the Comptroller General of favouring her home state of Abia, her husband home state of Imo and Benue state, the home state of the Internal Affairs Minister, Comrade Abba Moro.

In refuting the story, the Minister’s spokesman, MalamSalihuDantataMahmud claimed the publication “could be a strategy to malign the good image of the honourable minister”.

Part of the statement reads that,”The honourable minister of interior is a no nonsense man who has zero tolerance for malpractices and fraudulent activities.

There is no way he could allow employment to be given to only his state and local governments in the name of special consideration.Some critics are at it again, since it is being rumoured that cabinet reshuffle is imminent, this could be a strategy to malign the good image of the honourable minister.”

But in its defence of the scandalous recruitment exercise, when other newspapers picked on the story, the NIS claimed that it was conducting the exercise clandestinely in order not to recruit those it termed as terrorists and criminals.

The NIS’s spokesman, Mr. Olumbar Joachim, while denying any untoward practices in the exercise, claimed that the service introduced stringent vetting measures to ensure that it did not admit criminals.

“Considering the situation we are in now we will go the extra mile to ensure that criminals and terrorists are not brought into the service,” declared the spokesman, adding that, “the service will not engage in any exercise that will endanger the lives of innocent Nigerians”.

But considering that the

In denying the allegation of a scandal that trailed its recent recruitment exercise, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) went to the insolent extent of insulting a section of the country, only for the service to later eat the humble pie when the skewed exercise was canceled by the Federal Government, writes Abdu Labaran Malumfashi

Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro

NIS C-G, Mrs. Rose Chinenye Uzoma

NIS Comptroller General is also accused of allocating, according to another newspaper report,” hundreds of job slots to top government functionaries, including the Presidency which is offered 250 slots, Jonathan’s mother 40 slots, First Lady 100 slots, Interior Minister Abba Moro 100 slots, two commissioners of the Immigration board 30 slots each, and the Federal Character Commission 250 slots”, the “terrorists and criminals” referred to by the NIS spokesman can only mean the Northerners of creed other than the CG’s.

This conclusion is inescapable in view of the fact that those states favoured in the surreptitious allocation, are the hotbed of armed robbery, kidnap for ransom and deadly militancy. All these activities are no less criminal than those by “terrorists”.

Vindicating the Peoples Daily Weekend and the other newspapers that exposed the recruitment scandal, the same Internal Affairs Ministry that had earlier

the ongoing recruitment exercise in the Nigeria Immigration Service”. “(The) Minister stated that following apparent controversy trailing the ongoing recruitment exercise in Nigeria Immigration Service, the responsible thing to do is to cancel the exercise until a more transparent, acceptable and effaceable platform is established to enlist qualified Nigerians into the service”.

Even the House of Representatives has had to

denied it, ordered for the cancellation of the exercise on Monday soon after two other newspapers came out with the story and two days after the Peoples Daily Weekend’s publication.

In a statementby the minister’s spokesman, Mr.Ubong George Udoh, the Interior Ministry ordered that the exercise be canceled “until a more transparent, acceptable” procedure is adopted.

“Minister of Interior Comrade Abba Moro has directed the cancellation of

“

This conclusion is inescapable in view of the fact that those states favoured in the surreptitious allocation, are the hotbed of armed robbery, kidnap for ransom and deadly militancy. All these activities are no less criminal than those by “terrorists”

intervene when members got wind of the skewed recruitment exercise.

According to chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character, Rep. Ahmed Idris, the house has opened investigations into the "illegal" recruitments in the Immigration service.

"We have met twice with the Comptroller General, the last was on Saturday and she told us that they are recruiting 4,500 new officers out of which 1,200 is for senior cadres or degree holders while about 300 is for Diploma and secondary school leavers," he said.

"Based on the reports we got, we have asked for their nominal roll and her last recruitment which will be given in a template that will reflect state by state distribution and even local governments. Section 4 of the 1999 constitution is very clear about Federal character in every government organisation and we won't allow anybody who violates it to go scotfree."

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

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Clerics bemoan commercialisation of Christmas C

lerics in Lagos on Tuesday advised Christians not to commercialise Christmas either by increasing cost of goods or transport fares.

In separate interviews, the clerics said it was time for Christians to understand the lessons from Jesus and reflect on them.

National Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (South West), Bishop Francis Oke, in a statement, said that the essence of Christmas was that God, in love, sent Jesus Christ to humanity from sin.

“Buying of cows or rams and use of bazooka are part of the celebration. They are good because

we are celebrating the King of kings.

“If my daughter, for instance, is getting married, I will celebrate it. The problem, however, is that Christmas has become commercialised. The festivities and holidays are okay because we are celebrating our Saviour.

“But when everything becomes commercialised, it’s wrong. Materialism is wrong.”

The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr Ola Makinde, said that Christmas had

been abused and commercialised, adding that there were so much emphasis on commerce.

“Today, we have commercialised the occasion as the rich use the season to oppress the poor. It is a time when we should visit people in prisons and the lessprivileged and let them feel the impact of Christmas. It is a time for giving rather than receiving.

“We should spiritualise the season. The festivities that go with it are part of the celebration.”

According to Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, Director, Centre for Media Development, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, the essence of Christmas is the celebration of hope, which is fulfilled at Easter.

“Just like every good thing, Christmas has suffered a fatal blow; it has lost its essence.

“We seem to pursue shadows; we are more concerned about industrialists turning out their products because they want to make more money during this period”. (NAN)

Five years after, Lagos domestic airport gets airfield lighting From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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L-R: Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple, Chaplain, Aso Villa Chapel, Rev. Obioma Onwuzurumba, First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, President Goodluck Jonathan, Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, his wife, Nkasiobi Okoh, and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John-Kennedy Opara, after Christmas Day church service yesterday at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Oga Driver, most popular radio programme in Kaduna - Survey From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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radio audience measurement survey carried out by Track and Field Media Index shows that Oga Driver, a Pidgin English road traffic monitoring programme on Kaduna Kapital 90.9 FM, is the most popular among radio listeners in Kaduna metropolis.

However, Kaduna Supreme 96.1 FM emerged the overall station that radio listeners surveyed tuned to, for the month

of November 2012, in four metropolitan local government areas of Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna North and Kaduna South.

Briefing reports on its findings, Track and Field Media Index Chief Executive officer, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, explained that Oga Driver, anchored by Philip Omachi, had 282, 266 listeners out of a total auto-base of 300,000.

Kaduna Supreme 96.1 FM had the highest audience with 21.5 per cent while Kaduna Liberty Radio 91.7 FM had 18.9 per cent and

Kaduna Kapital 90.9 FM came third. Kaduna Kada 89.9 FM came last out of the 10 radio stations with 4.1 radio audience.

The first of its kind in northern Nigeria, Ibrahim said that his organization deployed audience data using universally accepted statistical methods and tools.

According to him, “the Track and Field Radio Index is expected to stimulate competition, deepen content development and awaken radio stations to their SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses,

Opportunities and Threats) on a regular basis for the purpose of planning and repositioning.

“The index will also put radio stations in direct purview of media buyers and advertising agencies to which the index serves as authentic, scientific advisory for media budget spend.

“A multi-media platform, the Track and Field Index will embrace television and newspaper audience and readership and circulation surveys in the second quarter of 2013.”

Yuguda pleads for peaceful Nasarawa deputy gov preaches are enjoined to imbibe and peace at Christmas co-existence beliefs, put the teachings of Jesus into state as well as the country, were From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state has pleaded with Christians to continue to promote of peaceful co-existence among their communities in the state, The governor made the plea in his goodwill message to the people of the state on Christmas celebration, saying that Jesus Christ had, throughout his lifetime, preached peace, honesty, and love for one another and above all, the fear of God. According to Yuguda, people irrespective of their religious

practice.

“We should use the occasion of Christmas celebration for serious stocktaking of our routine and spiritual performances in the last one year and pray to our Lord for better and prosperous years ahead.

The Christmas period should be used to strengthen existing friendships and established new ones” He said The Governor then reiterated his call for mutual respect and peaceful co-existence among the citizenry irrespective of religious, ethnic or political differences, calling on Christians to imbibe the sprit of love and forgiveness.

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

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he Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dameshi Barau Luka, has called on the people of the state to preach peace as the yuletide provides an opportunity for the practical demonstration of the article of faith, by promoting peace, unity, love and tolerance.

Luka made the call in a goodwill message to the people of the state yesterday, as part of the Christmas celebration.

While congratulating Christians in the state as they celebrate the Christmas, the deputy governor noted that the

passing through trying moments, adding that the moment was an opportunity for the people to pray for God’s intervention.

He further observed that desirable rapid development was only achievable in an atmosphere of peace, calling on all adherents of other religions to embrace one another and live in peace for the development of the state.

Peoples Daily reports that the Christmas celebration in Lafia, was marked by early morning devotions, with faithful trooping out in their numbers to attend services in various churches spread across the city.

fter five years of flight restriction to daylight operations, the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos came alive again as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) early yesterday morning, successfully deployed an emergency airfield lighting on the popular 2.7 km Runway 18 Left.

The absence of the airfield lighting on the runway had, for half a decade, forced the domestic airlines to land after sunset at the international wing, thereby burning extra fuel to taxi down to their various terminals before disembarking passengers.

In all, 66 CALKIT brands of emergency airfield and additional two approach lights were deployed by six NAMA engineers working through Monday night and rounded up early yesterday morning. CALKIT is ICAO, FAA and UKCAA certified airfield lighting.

The facility is of Combined Omni-directional Runway edge light, Light Emitting Diode (COREL LED) portable lighting system with end lights.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of the agency, Engr. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh lauded the commitment of the engineers who defied all pressure at this yuletide season to work round the clock to deliver the immediate the vital navigational facility on the runway.

"We are indeed grateful to the federal government, especially the hard working minister of aviation, Princess Stella Oduah who took the initiative to transfer this safety critical operation to NAMA earlier in the year and withstood all pressure to sustain the successes recorded in the industry.

"With this latest achievement, we can proudly say, travellers should expect more deployment of modern equipment to drive our vision of quality delivery at airports across the country in the New Year", Engr. Udoh further remarked.

Among engineers who worked on the installation include the General Manager, Airfield Lighting, Engr.Taiwo Makinwa, Engr. Muyiwa Adegorite, SA to MD /CE, Engr. Charles Iroro, Engr.

Anjorin Alaba, Atiku Abubakar and Engr. Amechi.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Bauchi seeks FG intervention on ICT From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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Children celebrating their Christmas, yesterday at Wonderland Park, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Governors urge citizens to embrace peace, love, unity

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overnors Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom states have called on Nigerians to live in peace and harmony as a way of achieving meaningful progress.

He made the call in a Christmas message signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello and made available in Ikeja yesterday.

The governor urged Nigerians to support and cooperate with the authorities to enable the leaders and the governed to contribute to the development of the country.

Fashola, who said security was one of the challenges being faced by Nigerians, enjoined the public to be safety and security conscious, especially during the festive period.

He said: "This passing year has been a challenging one particularly in the area of security. I therefore, urge you, as you celebrate this season of sharing, giving and receiving, to be vigilant and stay safe.

“Be safety and security

conscious. Do not drink and drive. Be alert and report all suspicious activities around you to security agencies, using the toll free numbers 767 and 112''.

In Uyo, Governor Akpabio urged citizens to always embrace peace, love and unity to promote the interest of the state.

He said in a radio broadcast that: ``we celebrate the story which is historic and simple;

the story of a child who was born in a manger because there was no room for him at the Inn. “But his message of love and salvation has earned the freedom anthem of mankind on earth.

“I urge you to remain tolerant towards one another as Christ tolerates us and pray for the peaceful coexistence of the country, irrespective our religious differences.'' (NAN)

he Bauchi State Government is seeking the intervention of Federal Government on provision infrastructure and capacity building in information communication technology (ICT) Director-General of the state ICT Bureau, Alhaji Muhammad Lawal stated this yesterday while speaking with newsmen in Bauchi.

He said "we have visited the minister of communication and technology, Mrs. Mobolaji Johnson, we told her that most of the state governments don't get enough funds to cater for useful projects such as ICT without the federal government's intervention especially in the area of ICT infrastructure and capacity building" According to him, the state has commenced discussion with the Federal Government on the best way to assist and guide the state in the area of ICT. Lawal said, "we need federal government intervention to equip our secondary schools with adequate computers and other necessary ICT infrastructures ,because out of the 86 secondary schools in the state, only 20% of them have computers and now the examinations bodies in the country had introduced e-testing examinations for secondary school students".

Even though Governor Isa Yuguda approved the ICT project in the state because of his commitment to the projects, but funds are not readily available to execute the projects .

"Bauchi state government has done a lot in the area of capacity building training programmes for all state government employees, and government had provided computer laptops to all senior civil and public servants in the state and government had provided a broadband of 512 kb up and down at the state Government House, which we will extend to the state secretariat about five kilometer with the intervention of the federal government", he said.

He added: "We have just started biometric data capture of all employees of the state which will help to reduce the number of ghost workers in the state when completed and government awarded contract for basic State Geographic Information system BAGIS for the state Ministry of land Housing".

The Director-General said the minister has assured the state of its assistance in all the activities of the ministry being the first state government to visit the ministry and seek for assistance on ICT.

Pencom vows to recover unremitted funds From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has donated gift items to less privileged people at the SOS Children's Village, Isolo, Lagos.

The Director of the village, Mr Benjamin Buraimoh, made the disclosure in an interview in Lagos yesterday.

Buraimoh said that the governor donated two cows, food items and clothing.

“Gov. Fashola is among notable people that have shown love to the less privileged.

“He donated cow, food items and other things to the children for them to celebrate the Christmas,'' he said.

Buraimoh said that the village

had been receiving donations, including food items, clothing and cash from individuals and corporate organisations since the beginning of the season.

The director listed other organisations that had shown love to the less-privileged as Emzor Pharmaceutical, Nigerian Bottling Company and Total Nigeria Ltd., among others.

“We have been receiving items and cash from people and organisations since the beginning of December in support of our work.

“These items have helped us in the day-to-day running of the village,'' Buraimoh said.

The director said that the village had instituted a

programme called Family Strengthening Programme that would help to take care of children living with their parents but in need of help.

According to him, the programme helps in supporting the children with their parents to pay school fees and pay their medical bills.

“This family support programme is to help pay educational and medical bills of children living with their parents but who don't have other means to survive”.

This family support programme is in Lagos, Ibadan, Jos and Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory". (NAN)

he National Pensions Commission (PENCOM), has revealed that between January 2010 and December 2011, about 15,427 employers who had registered under the contributory pension scheme failed to remit the monthly contributions deducted from employees' remunerations into their retirement savings accounts.

PENCOM stated this in a report titled, "Unremitted pension contribution.

However, the report was silent on the value of unremitted contributions for the two years.

Meanwhile, the commission has vowed to recover the unremitted funds from the defaulters through legal means, with interest as penalty.

PENCOM said it has been employing different approaches to entice employers to embrace voluntary compliance, including public enlightenment, media campaign and collaboration with regulatory and professional bodies

Federal Government's agencies.

This was with a view to identifying overlap or duplication of functions and make appropriate recommendations to the government.

Enang said in Abuja yesterday that if the report was implemented, the cost of governance would be drastically reduced and more funds would be available for

capital expenditure.

He said: ``I am urging the President and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to take courage and implement the recommendations made by the Oronsaye Committee. ``Ministries and Departments with duplicating functions should be merged and officers transferred to the main service and dealt with

according to civil service regulations.''

Enang also noted the need to reduce the increasing funds budgeted for fuelling of generators in public offices by exploring the option of solar energy.

He added that the recurring demand for the purchase of computers by ministries and agencies should be discouraged so as to have more funds for visible projects.

"We need to reduce the demand for diesel and computers as this would reduce the cost of governance; there will be huge savings which will increase the capital budget and attract development.''

The lawmaker advised the Ministry of Finance to always ensure early release of funds to enable Ministries, Departments and Agencies to fully implement the budget for the benefit of the people. (NAN)

Fashola donates gifts to less privileged

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Senator wants implementation of Oronsaye C'ttee report

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en. Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom), Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, has called on the Federal Government to implement the Steve Oronsaye Committee report to reduce recurrent expenditure.

President Goodluck Jonathan had set up a committee headed by Oronsaye, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, to restructure

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Tight security as Plateau residents celebrate Christmas

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L-R: Senate President David Mark; and Bishop of Otukpo Catholic Dioceses, His Lordship, Bishop Micheal Apochi, during the Christmas Vigil Mass, yesterday at St. Francis Catholic Cathedral, Otukpo, Benue State.

Fuel scarcity mars Christmas festivities in Abuja, Lagos

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he persistent fuel scarcity in the country has marred Christmas festivities in Abuja and Lagos, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

NAN reports that many filling stations in Abuja had no fuel while the few that were selling had to contend with long queues of motorists.

Anxious motorists were seen at the Forte Filling Station and NNPC Mega-station in the Central Area of the Federal Capital.

Some motorists told NAN that they had to use the Christmas holidays to shop for fuel.

A Civil Servant, Mr Samuel Ogah, lamented that it was becoming increasingly difficult to get fuel on working days when there was long queues at filling stations.

“You know work will resume on Thursday, so, I want to seize this opportunity to fill my

tank.’’

A lawyer, Mr Andrew Omoh, expressed his disappointment with the worsening fuel crisis.

He wondered why fuel would not be available at a time people were celebrating Christmas.

However, the scarcity did not prevent fun seekers from visiting recreation spots in the FCT. The Wonderland Amusement Park along Airport road witnessed a high turnout of people.

An official of the park, Mr Godwin Amodu, told NAN that Christmas season was always busy for the park.

“You know we always look forward to this season for high patronage but Boxing Day is usually more lucrative for us.’’

In Lagos, many residents lamented the fuel scarcity which they said, had hampered movement of people celebrating during the yuletide.

Some of the residents who spoke with NAN called on government to urgently intervene by ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products.

The residents expressed displeasure over the sudden scarcity of fuel which they said, became noticeable on Dec. 24.

Many filling stations in the city were closed to business while hundreds of motorists queuing up at few filling stations struggling to buy the commodity.

Meanwhile, a source at the NNPC told NAN that the scarcity was caused by the pipeline explosion that occured at Ijeododo in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos last week.

The official who pleaded anonymity said that system `2B’, which convey petroleum product to South-West states from the Atlas Cove was destroyed. (NAN)

Jigawa SUBEB to prosecute erring contractors From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board says it will take appropriate action on any contractor who did not comply with contractual agreements.

The Executive chairman state Universal Basic Education Board, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi gave the warning

during a meeting with contractors and consultants on the need to ensure speedy execution of UBEC intervention projects in the state.

He noted with dismay the poor attendance of the contractors and the consultant to the meeting.

Alhaji Sani Abdullahi said the board would not entertain laxity and urged them to

ensure the completion of the projects within the period of sixteen weeks.

He also advised contractors to ensure execution of qualitative projects as government will no longer accept low profile projects.

On their part, the contractors and the consultants promised to execute qualitative projects within the stipulated time.

lateau residents joined their counterparts the world over to mark the Christmas this morning amidst tight security, especially in Jos metropolis.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) covering the festivity report that there had also been some aerial surveillance on the state with helicopters hovering in the skies to ensure a peaceful festivity.

NAN observed that as early as 6 a.m., security men were stationed on major streets of Rayfield, Bukuru, Hwolshe, Tudun-Wada, Zarmaganda and Farin Gada.

Also being policed by the fierce-looking security agents were areas like Dokon Karfe, Abbatoir, Bauchi Road, Rukuba settlement, Angwan-Rogo among others.

Inside most of the settlements, gaily dressed Christians were seeing moving to well guarded Churches for worship.

The atmosphere was calm with no incident reported anywhere.

Correspondents also observed that the festivity began since Monday with various groups and religious organisations organising all manners of events to herald the festivity.

To ensure that the ceremony

is hitch free, the Special Task Force (STF) maintaining the peace in Plateau issued a statement where it advised residents to report any suspicious movement in their vicinities.

The statement signed by Capt. Salisu Mustapha, STF Media Officer, indicated that the task-force would introduce additional temporary checkpoints throughout the festive period, while vehicular checks would also be intensified.

The STF also banned the entry of vehicles into the premises of recreation centres during the period, and promised that its men would be posted to the centres to complement efforts of local security operatives.

The task-force also banned the use of fireworks and bangers during the Yuletide, and promised severe consequences to those caught selling or using the device.

The statement also advised religious leaders to sensitise their followers, particularly the youth, on the need to steer clear of acts capable of disrupting a peaceful celebration of the Yuletide.

NAN reports that the troubled north-central state has been very peaceful lately, except for occasional attacks on rural dwellers by unknown gunmen.

(NAN)

Jigawa CAN charges Christians on Peaceful Christmas From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has called on its members to conduct the Christmas and New Year celebration peacefully.

The state chairman of the association, Reverend Damina Sule Ibrahim Taura gave the charge in his Christmas and new year messages.

He charged members

especially wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged in the association at all times.

Reverend Damina Taura expressed appreciation for the mutual understanding that exist between Christians and Muslims in the state and hoped that it would be maintained.

He also commended Governor Sule Lamido for his leadership as well as untiring efforts to keep the state in peace and stability.

Egbin power plant generates 1,030 MW - CEO

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he Egbin Power Plant is now generating 1,030mw of electricity, up from 600mw, according to its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mike Uzoigbe.

Uzoigwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that five of the six turbines of the plant were now working at full capacity.

The Egbin plant power generation dropped from 1,080mw to 600mw on Dec. 5, because of a national system collapse.

The collapse led to a shutdown of the station.

Uzoigbe assured that the station would meet its generation capacity of 1,320mw fully as the unit six, which was faulty, was being repaired.

He said: “Egbin is generating at 1,030 megawatts capacity on five turbines, which is being distributed based on demand.

“When all the units are working to capacity, we will

distribute in full blast.

“What we are doing is to maintain and improve on existing generation.’’

Uzoigwe denied the insinuation that the Egbin plant had been shut for its inability to generate power.

“Over the years, we have had problems of obsolete equipment and spare parts.

“But since government started tackling the problems of the power sector very seriously, things are picking up gradually.

“It is only the sixth turbine that is still down, but government is making necessary arrangement to revive it.

“By the grace of God, we will be able to bring it back and be in a position to approach the 1,320 megawatts.’’

Uzoigbe said that contract for repair of the faulty turbine was awarded to Marubeni Power International, a Japanese company, on Dec. 19.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Vice-President Namadi Sambo (right), presenting a Christmas greeting card to President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd right), and his wife, Patience (2nd left), during Christmas Day Homage Visit to the President, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. With them is wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo (left).

Worshippers praying during Christmas day church service, yesterday at the Living Faith Church Winners Chapel, Basorun, in Ibadan.

L-R: Provost of Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos, Very Rev. Pelu Johnson; Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Lagos Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs Joke Orelope-Adefulire; and Justice George Oguntade (rtd), during the Christmas church service, yesterday in Lagos.

Worshippers during Christmas service, yesterday at St. Cyprain Anglican Church, in Enugu state.

Ever-busy Federal Secretariat, deserted as a result of the Christmas holiday, yesterday in Abuja.

Photos: Joe Oroye,Justin Imo-Owo, NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 9

CNPP urges deregistered parties to join ACN, CPC, ANPP merger plan

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he Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday urged all deregistered parties to join the merger plan of the ACN, CPC and ANPP. CNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Osita Okechukwu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the conference supported the merger proposal. ‘’CNPP is in support of the three political parties that are trying to merge and calls on those deregistered to join the merger plan. ‘’We applaud the CPC, ACN and ANPP for trying to come together, this will enable them to form a united front,” he said.

Okechukwu urged the INEC’s National Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, to ‘’pay more attention to those things that can bring to bear, free and fair election in Nigeria”. ‘’Government has stopped funding parties and if it has stopped funding parties, they would find ways to sustain themselves,’’ he said.

Okechukwu urged the INEC boss to pay more attention to the Uwais Electoral Reform since he (Jega) was a member of the committee. ‘’He should pay attention to advance those courses recommended by the committee.

We need free and fair election; if there is free and fair election, the political parties on their own will do their own internal censorship,’’ he said. (NAN)

Jigawa releases N225m counterpart fund to UNICEF From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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NICEF-assisted p r o g r a m m e s coordinator in Jigawa state, Alhaji Garba Aliyu, has said that the state government had released about 225 million naira as counterpart fund for UNICEF supported projects for the outgoing 2012 year.

Aliyu, who made this known in Dutse, said N200 million was released by the state government for health and nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene.

According to him, N104 million would be spent by the donor on health and nutrition such as maternal, newborn, child health and immunization services, among others.

He said that UNICEF has also set aside N4, 33.5 million for water, sanitation and hygiene, including policy and institutional, environment, water supply and environmental sanitation.

Aliyu explained that about N4.7 million was earmarked for HIV/AIDS prevention and care among the children.

R-L: Cathedral Administrator, Methodist Cathedral of Unity, Very Reverend Dennis Okechukwu Mark; Senior Cathedral Servant, Mrs Chidima Nwosu; and Senior Pastor of the church, Reverend Ifeanyi Chukwui; after the Christmas Day church service, yesterday at Methodist Church, in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Too many parties unwieldy for elections — INEC Commissioner

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ommissioner in charge of election monitoring at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Mr. Ishmael Igbani, has said that too many political parties are unwieldy for elections in a developing country like Nigeria.

Igbani, who stated this yesterday in Abuja, noted that “For election purposes Nigeria doesn’t need too many political parties.”

“Even though having too many political parties is not a crime, all of them cannot be participating in one election.

“Looking at the ballot with over 65 candidates having their names on a ballot paper would be confusing to the electorate, and the worse scenario is when there is more than one election in a day, it becomes more confusing.’’

The INEC commissioner advised politicians to come

together and set criteria on how names would be placed on the ballot papers.

He said it was time for politicians to stop tying their existence to elections; rather they should focus more on issues that would engender socio-economic growth of the nation.

“The smaller parties instead of fighting for a place on the ballot papers can exploit various avenues with focus on different areas that

94 died in 5-day road accidents—FRSC

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he Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said yesterday that it recorded 94 deaths in 191 road accidents across the country in the last five days.

A statement issued by Mr Jonas Agwu, the Public Education Officer of the Commission, quoted Mr Osita Chidoka, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, as giving the figure.

Chidoka gave the statistics after an aerial patrol on Tuesday.

The commission identified over-speeding as one of the major causes of the crashes.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FRSC expressed serious concern over the development.

He said: “It is an attitudinal issue as this year witnessed rehabilitation of major corridors of the highways.

“People tend to disregard From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he Joint Military Taskforce, (JTF) in kano has said terrorist elements planned to instill fear in those celebrating christmas by planting bombs and carrying out terrorist attacks on innocent people during the yulletide in the state.

Commandant of 3rd Motorize Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Iliyasu isa Abba, told journalists in Kano yesterday that, “there are desperate attempt by terrorist to instil fear on urban dwellers”.

He said that many explosives

traffic laws on speed limits and accelerate beyond recommended speed.

“This has resulted in the figures we have witnessed in the last five days.

“However, we have devised measures to address this unpleasant development.’’

The statement noted that the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency had rehabilitated many roads.

It noted that the rehabilitation was carried out after the report of an audit conducted by the FRSC was submitted.

include gender, environment, health, social issues and other areas of development.’’

On de-registration of some political parties by INEC, Igbani said the exercise was done in accordance with the law.

He explained that the Electoral Act 2010, as amended, declared that: “Any political party which contests elections and does not win any electoral seat shall be deregistered”. (NAN) The aerial patrol took the team, led by Chidoka, to the Abuja-Lokoja, Lokoja-Okene, Asaba-Onitsha highways and the 9th mile corner in Enugu State, among others.

“The purpose of the surveillance is to identify areas of gridlock and resolve them to ease traffic flow,’’ the statement added. (NAN)

6,680 teachers promoted in Jigawa From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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igawa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has announced that about 6,680 primary and secondary school teachers have been promoted this year.

The state chairmen of the NUT, Comrade Usman Yau Dutse, who disclosed this in Dutse, the Jigawa state capital, said the promotions were part of

achievements recorded in the education sector in year 2012.

According to Dutse, N147 was disbursed to the teachers as vehicle loan under the revolving loan scheme, adding that a thousand teachers were also sponsored to undertake the National Certificate of Education (NCE) program in state college of education located in Gumel.

He said over 1300 teachers were currently undergoing a

training program under the MDGs in government secondary schools in Gadadin, Fantai and Ringim areas respectively.

Dutse therefore called on the teachers who are yet to obtain their NCE to do so as no teacher will attain greater position without the minimum requirement.

He also advised the teachers to reciprocate the gesture by working hard to complement the government’s effort.

Xmas: Terrorists desperate to instill fear on Kano residents, JTF were discovered and most of the latest discoveries were planted in residential areas, adding that the situation compelled them to embark on House-to- House search on suspected dark spots in the metropolis.

Abba said: “We have made some arrest and investigation is on and i believe that arrest will certainly lead us to more”.

“Terrorist plans major attack

to disrupt chrismas celebration in the city but we have initiated a number of measures to frustrate their plan,” he said.

He therefore appealed to residents to cooperate with JTF officials on line of duty, saying “it’s through collective effort that we can triumph against the evil forces”.

“Our cordon and search exercise its going to be a continous

exercise, we know it id inconviniencing but it’s necessary under the present circumstances and we urge residents to cooperate with our men in the collective interest of all,” Abba stressed.

He assured that the JTF was on top of the situation and urge residents to go on with their normal activities without any fear of molestation.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Christmas: Keep faith with your country, Tambuwal urges Nigerians

By Abubakar Ibrahim

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peaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has enjoined Nigerians to renew their faith in the country and work towards building a nation of their dreams.

In a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, to commemorate this year's Christmas celebration, Tambuwal said with renewed faith, commitment and hardwork, the country will soon realise its full potentials.

He said Christmas was a time for deep reflection on the teachings of Christianity and what Jesus Christ stands for, and urged Nigerians, especially Christians, to pray for the peaceful coexistence and unity of the nation.

Tambuwal urged leaders at all

levels to make the interest of the people their priority at all times, adding that despite the challenges of development confronting the country, progress was being made in critical sectors.

He said the House of Representatives would continue to play its role in the efforts to provide

quality representation to the people of Nigeria.

“I therefore congratulate Nigerian Christians who joined their colleagues the world over in celebrating this important occasion. May the blessing of the season shower on our homes and our nation,” the Speaker added.

ACF salutes Christians

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L-R: Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola, Speaker, Ogun state House of Assembly, Hon. Surajudeen Adekunbi Ishola, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yusuf Olaniyonu and Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole, during the 61st Jalsa Salana (Annual Conference) of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria, recently at Ilaro, Ogun state.

Chicken prices Islamic organisation treats 20,000 eye patients o fewer than 20,000 people 2013 eradication of blindness 1,020 people who would benefit go up in Kwara with different eye campaign in the state. from free eye treatment across the From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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hristmas and Boxing Day celebrations have jerked up prices of chicken across Ilorin markets as customers made last minute shoppings for the festivals.

Our correspondent’s investigation showed that fowls at Obo road, Unity road, Ipata markets and others now go for N2,500, N1,500 as against N1,200, N900 and N800 before the Christmas.

Many poultry owners were seen along Unity road making desperate moves to entice people into patronising them. At various markets within Ilorin metropolis, broiler, layers and cockerels goes for N1500, N2500 and N1200 respectively.

Majority of the celebrants were seen buying cockerels while others visited meat dealers.

Despite the large number of poultry sellers along Unity road, Ilorin, many could not sell their birds while customers waited till late hours when the chicken and turkey prices would have hopefully dropped.

At Ipata market, customers made last ditch efforts to purchase foodstuff despite traffic along major roads within Ilorin metropolis.

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problems have undergone surgeries, sponsored by the Eye Foundation of the Islamic group, Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) and a philanthropist.

Chairman of the Foundation, Alhaji Ahmad Bawa, made the disclosure on Monday in Katsina at the launching of the 2012/

Bawa said the surgeries were sponsored by JIBWIS and a philanthropist, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal.

He said that the figure represented the number of people treated in the past 14 years of operation of the foundation.

Bawa said that the foundation had also screened another batch of

Akpabio pledges to develop Akwa Ibom without bias From Mike Etim, Uyo

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kwa Ibom state Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has pledged his commitment to the continued development of the state without ethnic bias.

The Governor who spoke in Uyo on Monday at the Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio 2012 Annual Carnival, said the whole state was his constituency, hence he would evenly locate projects across the state.

Governor Akpabio who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Umanah O. Umanah, listed some of his achievements in the state in the past six years and explained their benefits to the state.

The supreme traditional ruler in Ibibio nation, Okuibom Ibibio IV and paramount ruler of Etinan Local Government Area, His Eminence, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, said the federal government was marginalizing Akwa Ibom state by not citing projects in the state.

The monarch said, “it is disheartening to know that in spite of the crude oil deposit in the state, the state has not been provided with oil depots to enhance the supply of petroleum products. Akwa Ibom State is one of the major crude oil producing states in the federation but we cannot boast of any federal government projects here.”

34 local government areas of the state next year.

According to him, 340 people would go for eye surgery, 340 to get medicines while 340 would receive eye glasses.

Bawa said the effort was aimed at eradicating blindness, particularly among the poor.

One of the beneficiaries, Malam Musa Idris, commended the foundation for the gesture, urging it to increase the number of beneficiaries for the attainment of the desired goal.

(NAN)

he Arewa Consultative Forum has felicitated with Christians over the celebrations of Christmas to mark “the arrival of Jesus Christ for the express purpose of reconciling humanity with God”.

According to a press release signed by Anthony N Z Sani, National Publicity Secretary of ACF, “Jesus Christ came to save humanity from their sins and made no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles” and as such, “ACF prays the spirit of the celebrations would bring about improvement in tolerance and accommodation among individuals and among groups that often go with genuine reconciliation and true forgiveness”.

He said what God has put together by way of a united Nigeria in diversity, should not be put asunder by anyone.

“It is true that Nigeria is passing through hard times. But the difficult times are mere challenges that are not insurmountable. More so that great nations have been defined by great challenges which they consciously directed efforts and came out victorious”, adding that “Nigerians are not inferior physically, spiritually and intellectually, to those who have conquered their collective challenges, given the will and determination of purposeful leadership and the best in everyone”.

While praying Almighty God to make it possible for Nigerians to live long and enjoy the glory days to come, he wished them happy Christmas and New Year in advance.

Sen. Ahmed buried in Kaltungo

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he remains of Second Republic Senator, Alhaji Uba Ahmed, who died in Germany last week, were on Monday buried in his hometown, Kaltungo in Gombe state.

The funeral prayer was offered at the Mai of Kaltungo’s palace at about 5.30 p.m. by Gombe State Grand Khadi, Alhaji Usman BabaLiman.

Dignitaries at the occasion were Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, his deputy, Mr. Tha’anda Rubainu, Senator Joshua Lidani, among other senior government

officials.

Others were the Mai Kaltungo, Alhaji Saleh Mohammed, and the Chief of Tangale, Mr. Buba Maisheru.

Speaking after the funeral prayers, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Gombe, Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, described the death of Ahmed as a loss to Gombe State and Nigeria.

Yayari prayed for the repose of the soul of the senator and expressed sympathy with his family. (NAN)

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Work for peace and be happy

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o not interfere in others businesses: Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered in the right direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

Forgive and forget: This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste on such trifles. Forgive, forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

Do not crave for recognition: This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives.

They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless; they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you.

Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition?

Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

Do not be jealous: We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbour

whose business is only one year old.

There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his / her destiny, which has now become his/her, reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

Change yourself according to the environment: If you try to change the environment singlehandedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

Endure what cannot be cured: This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage.

Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

Do not bite off more than you can chew: This maxim need to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. We do this to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations.. Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. An uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of

mind.

Meditate regularly: Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind.

Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour every day, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and halfhours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

Never leave the mind vacant: An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile.

Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfilment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading.

Do not procrastinate and never regret: Do not waste time in protracted wondering "Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debate. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done.

It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. Do Not Regret.

Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spill milk?

Be careful, bad investments still exist

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hen it comes to investment, one needs to be very careful as there are thousands of investments available in the market. Most people invest to get a secured future but they fail to have a clear idea on the product they want to buy. In every investment, you cannot expect fun and make money. You should know that each financial product has its own pros and cons, and that bad investments are still in there. Financial Expert, John kendel give tips on how one can prevent losing money on bad investments.

Decide on the amount of risk you can take Understand that every investment product has its own risk. Majority of the investments which can bring more benefits are usually risky in nature. Do not put all your money in a high risk investment so try it first by investing a minimum amount of money. Moreover if you are a nervous person then it is good to avoid high risk investments as anything can happen to your money anytime. Always get investing advice from professionals before you invest your hard earned money on any financial products. Completely analyze the pros and cons of a product before you invest your

money.

Stay updated with different financial products If you want to know the latest financial products and its benefits, then you must regularly read financial news and finance magazines. Always have a look on the quarterly and annual reports of corporate firms especially if you are interested in investing on stock market. Never buy stocks from industries you are not familiar with, as it usually leads to lost of money. Do not put all your hard earned money on a single stock, compare between each other and invest in the best.

Keep an eye on any fading investment Fading investments like buying gold offer you good returns but regularly watch out for the variations. Direction can change at any time, so always stay updated.

Have some money in reserve Never put all your money on different investment plans, save some money for any emergency Tax advantages Whenever you invest money, ask whether that specific financial product offers you tax benefits.

There are various financial products that allow you to enjoy tax benefits consistently.

the economy.

But without a pension, you can make your wish come true with a simple fixed annuity, a product that's been available for years from insurance companies. In simple fixed annuity, insurance companies allow contributors to pick a future retirement age; make premium payments whenever they want and each premium payment buys another layer of a fixed, lifetime income.

Outside the annuity are also the systematic withdrawals, another approach to generating retirement income.

With systematic withdrawals, you invest your retirement savings in a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds, and then develop a cautious withdrawal strategy that minimizes the odds of outliving your savings.

Comparing these two approaches to generating retirement income is like comparing apples to broccoli; they are completely different

methods.

With systematic withdrawals, you have access to any unused savings at any point in time, unused funds at your death can leave a legacy, and your retirement income will increase if your retirement savings perform well. But if you live a long time or your investments perform poorly, you might outlive your savings.

Whereas with the fixed annuity, your income doesn't increase, you don't have access to your savings, you continue earning till you die, and when you die there's no money left over for a legacy.

Experts suggest that it makes sense to diversify your sources of retirement income by dividing up your retirement savings and using two or more approaches for generating income. This can give you the advantages of each approach while mitigating the disadvantages. It will also protect you against different types of investing risks.

The tomorrow you don't know T

omorrow is near and around the corner. So, if you have no structured retirement plan where you are either contributing into or your employer dropping something monthly on your behalf, then, it is as bad as dangerous. For those covered under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), you may not bother about this because you have a plan already running, except you want extra income in retirement.

But remember, you are only safe if your employer is remitting

Quote In business, I’ve discovered that my purpose is to do my best to my utmost ability every day. That’s my standard. I learned early in my life that I had high standards. — Donald Trump

deductions from your salary into your Retirement Savings Account (RSA) managed by a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).

But, if you are not one, then you need a personal pension plan.

Deciding therefore how to generate retirement income from your savings is one of the most important

financial decisions you'll ever make. It's well worth your time to consider all your options.

In considering this, many people wish they had a company pension, where they are paid a monthly retirement income for the rest of their life, no matter how long you live and what happens in

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

L

Time to put a stop to this secrecy

ast Saturday, as the nation was coming to terms with the news of the death of erstwhile Kaduna state governor Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser (NSA), Andrew Azazi in a helicopter crash, rumours were circulating furiously that Enugu state Governor Sullivan Chime had also passed on in an undisclosed hospital abroad.

Chime's rumoured death, which was later refuted by the authorities, had been strong enough for media houses to seek clarification from relevant officials of the state on the true position of the governor, who is said to have been suffering from an undisclosed ailment.

A newspaper reporter, who ventured to the Enugu Government House to get first hand information on the matter, was allegedly manhandled by security men.

What heightened the anxiety about Governor Chime was his absence from public view for about four months without any convincing explanation from the relevant quarters, with his aides only saying that he has gone on an accumulated leave.

The secrecy surrounding Chime's state of health and whereabouts is also playing out on Cross River state counterpart Liyel Imoke, who has also been abroad for months allegedly for the treatments of an undisclosed

“

The secrecy that usually cloaks issues to do with the health of our elected representatives, to us, is highly unacceptable because it is unethical to keep the people in the dark regarding the general wellbeing of their leaders ailment in an undisclosed hospital, and, to some extent, Taraba state Governor Danbaba Suntai, whose exact state of health has remained shrouded in secrecy since he was flown to a German hospital about a month ago following the air crash that nearly took his life.

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”

While we recognise the rights of the governors to a degree of privacy, we at Peoples Daily believe that as leaders, whose every whims and caprices are catered to by public funds, they should always have the courage to keep the people informed about the true state of their health and whereabouts so as not give room for speculations and rumours.

The case of these governors is reminiscent of what the nation went through when late President Umaru Yar'adua, under a cloak of intense secrecy, was flown to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment in 2009 with Nigerians kept in the dark.

The secrecy that usually cloaks issues to do with the health of our elected representatives, to us, is highly unacceptable because it is unethical to keep the people in the dark regarding the general wellbeing of their leaders. Such secrecy creates room for unscrupulous jobbers to cash in and plunder the state.

We believe that the time has come for the enactment of laws that would check this trend for the good of all.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 13

November Inflation Numbers and their significance

By Ifeanyi Uddin

C

onsumer price indices for November (released last week by the National Bureau of Statistics – NBS) confirm what every housewife/home maker in the country has known for sometime now. Rising food prices, to the extent that these reduce disposable income, are hurting households’ welfare.

The choices are easier as you move up the social ladder: then, food is a much smaller share of monthly purchases.

The fabular “poor and vulnerable” segment of the population are, as usual, bearing this new encumbrance. Whereas the NBS’ figures suggest a lag of about two months (in the case of the flood events) and one month (for tariff increases on rice and wheat) between shocks to the food sector, and corresponding price responses, most dinning tables in the country appear to have felt these shocks a lot earlier.

What to make of the new inflation numbers? One of the less easy aspects of the meeting, last month, of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) rate-setting committee (the Monetary Policy Committee – MPC) was making sense of the “conflicting

price signals” in the inflation numbers for October. Headline and food inflation went one way (up), while core numbers trended a different way – downwards. Now, with all the indices headed the same way (up) a month after, is the CBN’s job made any easier? The process of finding a useful answer to this question will benefit from a determination of the trends in the inflation numbers for November. Since falling to 9.9% in August, from 12.1% in July (a drop explained by the NBS in terms of what it called a “significant base effect”), the composite index has risen every month (on a year-on-year basis).

In September (for the first time) the NBS partially attributed higher food prices to the “impact of the floods on the production of certain crops”.

Given that the floods that caused so much disruption in the nation’s agriculture belt raged from July to midOctober, and leveraging the NBS’ lag period, it is fair to expect its effect on domestic food prices to reach into December.

Now, this is assuming that the support infrastructure for agriculture is been repaired as we speak. (Unfortunately, it would seem that a lot of the

nation’s farmland is still under water).

Otherwise, the possibility of ancillary effects of the flood on food prices lasting for far longer is very high. The challenge of crafting appropriate policy responses to this possibility is higher still: too many independent variables are up in the air.

Core inflation numbers offer a slightly different order of difficulty for the policy intent.

Because “core” numbers back out volatile inflation measures (food and energy, for example), most policy making tends to target them. Apparently, it is easier to anchor inflation expectations around phlegmatic numbers than around mercurial ones. In our case, after rising dramatically from 11.9% in February to 15%

in March, the “All Items less Farm Produce” measure remained stuck at or close to 15% till it dropped precipitously to 13.1% in September, and 12.4% in October. Again, the NBS indicted the “base effect” for much of this drama.

All year long, however, the CBN was persuaded that the “trajectory of prices and output (was) dependent on fiscal and structural policies than on the monetary stance”.

In essence, that the nation had run out of room for manoeuvring monetary policy in pursuit of desired price responses. On this basis, the dramatic drop in the measure of core inflation in September called for a more detailed query of the numbers. Back out the

“

Core inflation numbers offer a slightly different order of difficulty for the policy intent. Because “core” numbers back out volatile inflation measures (food and energy, for example), most policy making tends to target them

NBS’ “base effect”, and the possibility of upside developments in the fiscal and structural space beckon. But we all know nothing of the latter variety happened.

Our abecedarian government still grapples with crèche-level challenges. Now, without the “base effect”, and in the absence of marked improvements in the fiscal and structural space, how do we explain the upward trend in the core measure in November? The NBS’ account is quite straight forward: “Increases in the Core index was as a result of increases in the Housing, Electricity, Gas and other Fuel division, in particular rental and imputed rent prices, increased liquid fuel prices (such as kerosene due to the prevailing supply – demand gaps), increased air transportation costs, and clothing prices”!

Still gasping for air? Yes, I did gasp for air. But, not just on account of the length of the sentence. But because every single variable in this sentence has been around and trending upward throughout the year!

Why then do they have this selective effect on the official measured price numbers?

Uddin is an economic analyst

Decapitated Academia, Diminished Nigeria (II)

By Adagbo Onoja

T

he question, however, is how many of even the few I can remember and mention immediately above are in the services of the Nigerian State as academics?

Of course, Eghosa Osaghae is still solidly in academia, hopefully returning to Ibadan after a two term ViceChancellorship of Igbinedion University, Okada but that is no longer the case with Professors Sam Egwu and Okey Ibeanu.

Osaghae, Egwu and Ibeanu constitute the troika who took over from Okwudiba Nnoli as leading authorities on ethnicity and ethnic conflicts. It is an unscientific mindset but not a terrible thing to say that whatever they don’t know on the various dimensions of that subject is not worth knowing.

But where is Egwu now? He has been grabbed by the UN system. Ibeanu too though with some roots in INEC. Rotimi Suberu, Jibrin Ibrahim and Raufu Mustapha who should bring up this list are either scholars outside Nigeria or lost to international NGOs. It must be stated though that Ibrahim and Mustapha did not leave ABU, Zaria of their own will but under circumstances that are part of the crisis of university education in Nigeria. In a country where academics rarely return to the campus after extra-campus engagements, the outcome of all outward movements is predictable.

Ibrahim Bello Kano will not leave Bayero University, Kano only because of a personal disposition. Otherwise, any university anywhere in the world would gladly open its doors to his extraordinary mastery of the domain of Literature. It is such that between him and Tanimu Abubakar, his supervisor, no one can say who the master is now. Their case is similar to asking who, between Eghosa Osaghae and Peter Ekeh, his supervisor, is now a more remarkable Political Scientist, whether in terms of intertextual integrity or number of publications. There is also Professor Olawale Albert and his Peace Studies team at Ibadan, particularly their interesting experimentation with transdisciplinarity.

But these beacons in the system are not only too few, they also stand no chance of reproducing themselves within the context of existing universities. I asked Osaghae recently if he could say that he has reproduced himself. I am not sure how he answered the question now. I would certainly have remembered if his reply was a categorical yes. His answer could not have been yes because it is difficult, if not impossible, for any academic to reproduce himself within the university environment in Nigeria of today. The reason is simple. In a rentier state like Nigeria, what matters most is mastering the grand strategies and the tactics with which one can ease his or herself into the circuits that

control oil rents, (the government and transnational oil companies mainly). In a context in which who you know is more important than what you know, knowledge is the first casualty. The students are very conscious of this. Hence their disdain for knowledge because they know they will never need knowledge, hard work, merit or talent to succeed in life. So, the academic labours in vain.

The second snag is the complete reversal of the fact that, in spite of the tension between the Nigerian State and the early academics, they worked together substantially. The climax of this was when IBB arrived on the scene and harvested over a dozen intellectuals viz Eme Awa and later Humphrey Nwosu and Okon Uya, (election management), Akinyemi, (foreign policy), Isawa Elaigwu, (federalism), Nkenna Nzimiro, (industrial relations), Oyovbaire, (information management), Jerry Gana, (mass mobilisation) and many more. Before IBB, there was the late Shehu Yar’Adua in the practice of erecting power on inhouse intellectuals. The twosome knew one thing or two about the meaning of power. Today, only very few politicians have that facility or the inclination.

In contrast to that tradition of antagonistic co-operation between the state and the academics, there is now a state of permanent gulf between the two.

With the godfathers, fixers and enforcers, who needs to clothe power again with paradigmatic

sorties? Power is now sweeter if it is exercised most violently or crudely and nakedly. And once that is the case, the academy suffers because it translates to a state totally disinterested in especially the academics and functional universities.

The other side of this same point is the closed nature of Nigerian universities. It is difficult to imagine that the University of Abuja would not seek out a Jibrin Ibrahim, an Okello Oculi, a Sam Egwu, a Yakubu Aliyu, our very bests in terms of rounded training and the spirit of academia and all of whom they know to be in Abuja.

Above all, the platforms for networking are missing in action. We don’t have anything like the Nigerian Political Science Association worth the name anymore.

Or the Sociological/Anthropological, Geographical or Economics etc associations. They can’t be there and nobody hears them. Yet, these are the platforms from where scholars fulfil the requirement of shouting instead of murmuring.

The theoretical deficit of current university education is the third worrisome dimension.

Nigeria had an excellent tradition of challenging received paradigms and methods which all sub-sets of the first generation successfully sustained. Apart from that, scholarship for its sake was contested. The radicals among them, in particular, essentialized anti-imperialism as the cornerstone of

scholarship.

This was the ABU School of History mentioned earlier on. All these were products of deep theoretical grounding. Then came the World Bank and their great distaste for theoretically charged courses. In alliance with the Nigerian government through the NUC, they so adjusted the courses in a way that hit particularly at the theory component, imposing a deadening uniformity in course units for all the universities, from the first to the final year. It is a template too global to serve any purpose because they merely copied the template, unmindful of the historicity of the courses in those societies which produced the copied templates. One of the outcomes is graduates without theoretical grooming. But of what use is a graduate without that ability?

What’s the point in going to the university then? From which pool would academia reproduce itself?

This is why Nigeria matches on without a knowledge industry.

Predictably, it matches on a diminished Nigeria, totally dysfunctional manner, completely dependent on templates copied from others after having lost of competitiveness in ALL areas of life. It is an irony too complex to unravel, Nigeria being that African country most equipped

by God to talk of a manifest destiny in the Black world.

Concluded Onoja is a public affairs analyst

PAGE 14

By Mariam Abubakar

O

ne of the not-soennobling things about us as a people is, in my humble opinion, our tendency to ignore or even vilify our resourceful compatriots when they are alive and blooming, so to say, only to begin to appreciate and venerate them after their demise. Recall, for instance, how some of our fallen heroes like Awolowo, Abiola, and even Ojukwu, were hailed as the best president Nigeria never had, after their demise.

It is against this backdrop that the piece entitled “Now that Tukur Mamu is armed…” and which was published in the last edition of the paper that is diligently “putting the people first”, otherwise called PEOPLS DAILY, intrests some of us. The said article, for these who may not have read it, is about a young man who used to be the butt of joke for daring to venture into a terrain for which he supposedly had no “relevant qualification.”

It so happened that the young man in question, Mallam Tukur Mamu, was my mate at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Though I had heard about him earlier, notably when he was arrested and detained in 2009 by

By Bayo Oluwasanmi

A

s the year trudges to an end, I looked at Nigeria closely, my mind racing back to 52 years. A surge of impatience rose up within me.

I tried to shake off a rush of anxiety. The progress so far jarred my confidence. My stomach was knotted with fear.

The memories of Nigeria’s immediate political history of a leaderless country cut like a knife at my soul. As I contemplate Nigeria’s future, fatigue swept over me. Over the years, the confidence I had for Nigeria is quickly fading back into skepticism.

Economic prophets with gloom forecasts and political seers with doom predictions are working overtime warning us where Nigeria is headed. The unanimity of their prophecies is summed up in one ominous and frightened sentence: “A failed state.” The image of a comatose nation in a stupor of its former greatness in the intensive care unit of rogue nations is having a kind of negative psychological contagion among Nigerians.

The profound dilemma of Nigeria has been a permanent leadership vacuum. I thought of a man who might have had a chance to bring relief to our people. I thought of a man with position, training, natural ability, and the desire to help. I thought of those who had the unique opportunity to rescue Nigeria but in foolish act after another, they forfeited all the advantages they might have used.

Ninety-nine percent of those who run the affairs of Nigeria needed complete

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Re: Now that Mamu is ‘armed’ wealth and Mamu) and his ilk in terms of security agents over what his position, weekly paper (DESERT reputation, this man still finds determination.”

I totally agreed with that, HERALD) had published it convenient to aspire for regarding the then First Lady, higher education. Compare given that the publisher’s Turai Yar’dua, I never met him that with the attitude of our burning desire was, in his own in person until both of us met in typical youth and senior guys words, “not just to acquire immediately they knowledge but to improve Zaria last year during our who, m y s e l f Master degree intellectually programme in so that I International would be Affairs and better in Diplomacy.

Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text what I am W h a t messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’

All written doing as well interested me at contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 as in other first sight was the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and areas of life.” gentleman’s a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed Here, in amiability, to: other words, humility, and is someone e a s y - g o i n g who, after nature. Looking The Editor, b e e n at him, at least Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, involved in for the first time, 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. the media Mamu was the Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com business for antithesis of the SMS: 07037756364 nearly one “firebrand” or long decade, “fire-spitting” would forget was still determined to media manager that one had “arrive”, about self- improve, to be better in his heard so much about over the everything years. He appeared like a chap improvement – never mind craft, to sail to a higher height.

By way of comparison, it is who would never hurt a fly. On furthering their education. top of that, he was devoid of the Mamu’s humility held sway pertinent to recall what a sort of air that the typical throughout the duration of our veteran journalist said in an published in Nigreian ‘bigman’ carries about Master degree course and as one interview of my mates, Hassan, pointed BLUEPRINT newspaper of 24/ like a shadow. But I digress.

Reading the afore- out, “there are, in my view, 12/12. According to that mentioned piece, I couldn’t but pertinent lessons to be learnt veteran who worked with the note that despite his high from this gentleman (Tukur TRIUMPH newspaper group,

Kano, for some three decades as editor of its Arabic language title, today’s starryeyed reporters are too much in a hurry; so much so that they hardly bother about selfimprovement. In other words, such chapshave little or no passion for excellence.

Therefore, Mamu and other media managers, nay journalists like him, who consciously go the the extra mile in their quest for excellence, must be commended. Whether one goes to school or not, whether one bags a degree or not (as Mamu has just done) it is imperative to always strive harder and harder. Regardless of whether you are a journalist or not, whatever may be your vocation or profession, continuous improvement must be our constant concern. It is in this vein that one must salute the determination and commitment of the Tukur Mamu’s across the land; men and women in different walks of life with a passion for excrllence.

Abubakar, a bank executive based in Kano, is reachable on amariam@yahoo.com

reconstruction. All the three tiers of government – local, state, and federal – there is leadership deficit. They seek to bring about the right thing in the wrong way. The abhorrent mediocrity of the elected representatives at all levels of our government disqualifies them from the service of the people.

Nigeria has been turned into a football game in which millions of spectators in need of exercise are watching a handful of players in need of rest. The unending recycling of ill equipped, witless, and myopic technocrats, bureaucrats, and other political appointees guarantees imitation of the barbaric past of their predecessors.

They have become silent enablers and coconspirators in defrauding the very people they’re supposed to serve and save. They find so much pleasure in watching the slow agonies of poor Nigerians.

The socially and economically induced misery caused by the corrupt representatives results in deforming and depleting our humanity and love for one another. The meaning of events taking place in Nigeria defies worn-out vocabulary. It leaves us intellectually debilitated, morally disempowered, and personally depressed.

There is pervasive intellectual impoverishment.

There is collapse of meaning in life – the eclipse of hope and absence of love for others. No one, nowhere is safe in Nigeria

scale public intervention that will ensure provision and access to basic social goods: housing, food, health care, education, transportation, child care, jobs, and social safety net.

Last, the most important and major challenge is the need to generate and nurture new leadership. There is paucity of courageous leaders.

The mangling, bungling, and manhandling of policies and programs by the crop of present leaders demand that we look beyond the circle and recycle of old, backward, worn-out, burn-out, tired horses, close minded ancient thinkers, and blind as bat elites. We need leaders who can plunge themselves into the oppressive and unresponsive sociopolitico-economic narrative of our country and craft a rewrite that will correct the malaise.

We need leaders who possess the acumen, integrity, intelligence, foresight, and fortitude that will grasp the complex dynamics of our ethnicity, differences, and with creative imagination chart the future of a new Nigeria. We need leaders who will strap themselves with ideals of freedom, democracy, fairness, and equality that will shield and shelter the shoeless, homeless, landless, luckless, propertyless, and the marginalized that perch on the fringes of poverty and penury.

There appears no alternative route to the above.

Either we swim or sink, or the turbulence this time we consume us all!

WRITE TO US

Nigeria’s lingering dilemma today: suicide bombers, armed robbers, abductors, rapists, hired assassins, exhorters, swindlers, defrauders, ghost workers, robber-barons, jet pastors, corrupters, child molesters, looters, and leeches.

What we’re witnessing today in Nigeria are the consequences of a lethal linkage of economic decay, cultural decay, and political lethargy in Nigerian life.

What shall we do to foster or generate a new spirit and vision to meet the challenges of postdemocracy, post-industrial, and post-party politics? First, we must accept that the critical power, help, and hope lie within us and our commonalities. We must search for a new paradigm to bring into the fore our understanding of multifaceted crises and overcome our despair.

Second, we must shift our attention to the common good that focus on how much we care about the quality of lives together. The neglect and nonexistent in most cases, of our

infrastructure – roads, highways, water and sewage system, streets, bridges, hospitals, schools, airways, airports, electricity, safety and security must be terminated forthwith.

The lack of these basic infrastructures reflects (a) our myopic economic and social policies, (b) impediment to productivity, and (c) the low and primitive priority we place on our common life.

Third, the tragic abandonment of our children and the elderly clearly reveals the type of people and nation we are. It also shows our deep disregard and lack of compassion for the weak and the most vulnerable.

Majority of our children are born and raised in poverty.

Parents who are overburdened and overpowered by poverty are ill-equipped to provide lives of spiritual and cultural quality to their children. A way forward is for the government and patriotic Nigerians with private initiatives to assemble a large

“

We need leaders who possess the acumen, integrity, intelligence, foresight, and fortitude that will grasp the complex dynamics of our ethnicity, differences, and with creative imagination chart the future of a new Nigeria

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 15

Appraising Katsina 2013 budget

By Lawal Sa’idu Funtua

B

udget forms an important government yearly routine that set-out its proposed expected revenue and expenditure. It is a budget that determines government’s financial and policy directions. It is a budget that experts use to gauge the government’s commitment to development activities or otherwise. A good budget according is to financial experts, shows the government clear direction of improving the welfare of its people.

Certainly budgets in developing countries were only annual rituals that has no clear cut policy or financial direction.

No matter how budget was beautifully presented its implementation in these countries often hit the rock. This scenario often leads to borrowing to finance the budget or abandoning some of the provisions in the capital and recurrent expenditure list. The issue of having a surplus budget in developing countries like Nigeria was long forgotten.

Budget processes in a democratic setting under go some constitutional processes. In a democracy like Nigeria, the executive were constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of initiating the process which has to go the legislature for its own in put before its eventual passage into law. Most poor budget implementation at all levels of governments in Nigeria are

blamed on a weak legislature that lack the financial competence to properly scrutinised the budget and conduct a thorough over sight function on the project executed and the funds spent.

On Monday 17 December 2012, the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema presented the year 2013 budget before the state house of assembly. The budget tagged ‘Budget of Responsibly’ was to focus more on delivering service in critical areas to the good people of Katsina State. The major focus of the budget was solidifying the gains already achieved in the areas of Education, Health, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Solid Minerals, Water Supply and Renewable energy.

Similarly, the main features of the budget according to Governor Shema were made up of a total expenditure of N114, 584,263,550 billion naira. He noted that the in terms of aggregate the 2013 budget is lower than the 2012 budget by N1,199,281,705 billion which, according to him, is a 1.05% decrease which he said was due to revenue shortfall recorded this year.

The 2013 budget is made up of a recurrent revenue of N89, 061, 712, 643 billion which he said comprises of N14, 561, 712, 643 or 16.35 % internally generated revenue and N74 , 500, 000, 000 billion or 83 % as revenue receivable from the federation account. However the budget shows that the total

amount available as capital receipt for 2013 was projected to be N82, 758, 585, 395 billion which was broken down as follows: transfer from the recurrent budget surplus was N57, 236, 034, 488 billion, FGN Counterpart Contribution N1 billion; External Contribution N2, 203, 410, 907 billion; Internal receipt, others N319, 140, 000 million; and an opening balance of N22, 000, 000, 000.

The capital expenditure for the budget stands at N80, 931, 809, 320 representing 72% of the total budget. One important thing worthy of note in the budget was the percentage between the capital and recurrent expenditures. In most levels of governments the cries largely over budget implementation has to do with the recurrent expenditure taking the large chunk of the accruable funds, leaving little for the capital or development projects. In Katsina

the percentage is 72 % Capital Expenditure and 28% Recurrent Expenditure for the 2013 budget.

Since this is a mere proposal let us take the government’s 2012 budget as a yardstick for measuring the merit of a large percentage Capital Expenditure dominated budget. The 2012 budget was put at 70% Capital Expenditure and about 30% Recurrent Expenditure. The governor at the budget presentation noted that the 2012 budget was almost 100% implemented which translate into a lot of development activities in the state.

Governor Shema stated that in terms of infrastructural development the in the 2012 budget there was the provision of new roads, asphalt some selected road networks as well as continue the construction of many rural feeder roads across the state. In terms of social the government had continued the payment of

“

One important thing worthy of note in the budget was the percentage between the capital and recurrent expenditures. In most levels of governments the cries largely over budget implementation has to do with the recurrent expenditure taking the large chunk of the accruable funds, leaving little for the capital or development projects

WAEC, NECO, NABTEB examination fees for all candidates in public schools.

The governor said despite the challenges faced the state scholarship trust fund; the state government continued the payment of scholarship allowance to fresh and continuing students in tertiary institution where N472, 000, 000 was released for the purpose.

Similarly in the area of health, the governor said the government had recorded success in effective and free health care services.

Drugs were supplied for maternal and child health care free of charge and the continued operations of drug revolving funds. He noted that the multi billion naira 250 orthopaedic hospital which was 98 % completion.

Agriculture under 2012 budget also received some promising success, as the government provided employment to youth through the sector. The government had equally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Soghai regional centre for the development of three dam sites in Zobe, Sabke and Mairuwa dam sites. In the area of youth empowerment the government has initiated the youth craft village which has been providing skills training to the youth in the areas of computer, dye, GSM maintenance leather works mechanic and electronics.

Funtua is reachable on lawfun1985@gmail.com

A Brief Evaluation of ABU @50 (II)

By Sa’ad Abubakar Zongre

A

BU products/graduates of the 1970’s and 80’s have equally performed relatively well in the aspect of private enterprise with the most notable one being in the success story of the privately-owned Media Trust Ltd; which, under the able leadership of an ABU alumnus, Kabiru Yusuf as chairman and wise counsel of other alumni such as Mohammed Haruna, Sanusi Abubakar, Adamu Adamu, etc, is today, the leading newspaper production company in Northern Nigeria and among the top 3 in Nigeria in terms of quantity and quality of production, columnists (who can compete favourably with the very best in any part of the world) and professionalism.

With about 4 different newspapers-Daily Trust, Weekly Trust, Sunday Trust and “Aminiya” being released respectively to newsstands nationwide on daily and weekly basis, Media Trust Ltd has positioned itself as an attractive choice to be considered for a contracted consultancy work by the management of ABU in order to provide a practical edge to the university’s sensible shift in

academic orientation and focus by way of conducting workshops and seminars for students on the necessity of acquiring entrepreneurship skills while in campus and applying same after graduation.

Understandably, not much could be seen or said in respect of the achievements or otherwise of ABU in respect of this recently revealed shift in favour of equipping students with entrepreneurship skills to enable them become selfemployed as graduates since, as it appears, it was relatively a new thinking that was brought to bear in the academic programmes of the university few years ago and it is expected that those who graduated thereof are still toddlers in the North/ Nigeria’s competitive market.

The questions are endless and the weight of each raises further question marks on what truly constituted any stated or perceived achievement of ABU especially in the last 30 years or so (when retrogression is said to have set in over all aspects of our regional/national life as from the early 1980’s to date).

For the achievement of a university should not be principally zeroed on the regular production or grooming

of supposedly high quality graduates who graduated with first or second class-upper honours alone and even though they may be the best in their respective academic disciplines and might have been proud recipients of national, international and professional honours and certificates, but more crucially, on how these “special” graduates individually or collectively contributed in the overall development of their respective communities in particular and the region/country in general.

All over the world, the achievements or successes of a

university are measured by the effectiveness of its community service and how this service has succeeded in transforming the larger society/region/country for the better. This explains the basis on which universities in the developed countries are usually graded higher than those in the developing/ underdeveloped countries because it is believed that they (universities) have an important role to play in the development or none of it of their respective countries.

When put succinctly, a university must share in the

“

The questions are endless and the weight of each raises further question marks on what truly constituted any stated or perceived achievement of ABU especially in the last 30 years or so (when retrogression is said to have set in over all aspects of our regional/national life as from the early 1980’s to date)

credit or blame for the prosperity or retrogression of its region/country owing to the ability or inability of its graduates to facilitate the comprehensive advancement of their alma-mater’s host region/country as relatively posited by Professor Shehu Galadanshi in a pre-Golden Jubilee convocation lecture thus; “…the failure of our system is to a large extent, the failure of human personnel managing and running this system. And yes, to a greater part, this is a factor of the type of education and training that they got from their almamater”.And it is on this parameter that ABU’s host region/country (North/ Nigeria) is not doing well at this moment, that I found it fair enough to round up this brief evaluation of the university’s performance scorecard in the past 50 years by awarding it a score of 45%. At least, it is a pass mark!

Concluded Zongre, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Yerima Bappa Sanda Road, Turaki ‘A’ Ward, Jalingo, 08067771017 azzongre2017@gmail.com

Decapitated Academia, Diminished Nigeria

‘Remaking’ of Jigawa by Lamido On Agricultural development, the administration of Governor Sule Lamido has embraced various farming techniques to boost agriculture and provide succor to farmers in the state. For instance, the Jigawa State Government has earmarked 71 million naira for the rehabilitation of three agricultural skills acquisition centres in the state. The centres would provide training on crop, livestock, poultry and fishery production as well as agro processing. The policy is to provide Job opportunities for unemployed youths and encourage agricultural activities in the state.

As part of government effort to boost food production in the state, new varieties of improved seeds were introduced to the farmers.

The state government approved the sum of 50 million naira for the purchase of improved seeds of sorghum, maize and ground-nuts from Lake Chad Research Institute, and cassava seeds from Root crops research Institute Amuchike, while about 18 million metric tones of fertilizer was purchased at the rate of N5,500 per bag, and sold to farmers at the rate of N2,500 per bag.

The State Government agencies such as Jigawa Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (JARDA), Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO) and the Jigawa State Agricultural Research Institute (JRI) were being supported by the government with adequate fund, while their operations and achievements were commendable.

Other achievements of the Administration of Alhaji Sule Lamido in the Agricultural sector

are the improvement of farm mechanization through the distribution of 175 tractors to large scale farmers at 50% subsidy under the tractorization programme, Revitalizing of extension services through the procurement of 346 motorcycles for extension agents with N1,000 monthly maintenance allowance and eight vehicles for field inspection, purchase and resale at N9,500 tones of assorted grains at 60% subsidy to the people with a view to cushioning the short fall in food supply.

On the other hand, the state government established agro seed multiplication processing centre in Birnin Kudu and undertook renovation and re-stocking of nine fish hatcheries across the state for fish seed multiplication as well as purchase at 50% subsidy under the stakeholder engagement scheme.

Similarly, a number of bridges, drainages and street lights were constructed. These include New Badingu Bailey Bridge, New Tsakuwarin Bridge and street lights projects in Hadejia town, Gwaram, Birnin Kudu, Gumel, Maigatari, Malam Madori, Ringim, Kazure, Babura and Kafin Hausa towns.

The Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido intends to undertake the construction of some roads across the state under Roads Development and Rehabilitation Programme Phase IV. The roads include; Construction of Limawa – Warwade – Jidawa – SakwayaDutse roads, construction of Unguwar Mani-Korayel – Maraganta – Gwiwa road, construction of Danladi Hammado

– Sule Tankarkar road, construction of Babaldo – Wurno – Jangargari –Buji –Falageri – Sagu road and construction of Sukullufi – Kale – Gunka – Darai– Kuka Kwance – Harbo – Tsakuwawa road.

There were also renovation and equipping of 2 No. studios, purchase of new outside Broadcast Van (OB VAN) and upgrading of AM Transmitter for wider reception and coverage of the state and beyond and rehabilitation of FM stations equipment.

The administration of Governor Sule Lamido had also taken a bold step in sports development in the state by construction of NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp and Sports Centre at Panisau, Dutse and supply and installation of sports facilities at various places across the state.

Similarly, a site has been cleared in the state capital for the construction of an ultra Modern stadium complex, this is a part from the renovation of Hadejia, Gumel, Kazaure and Birnin Kudu township stadiums. Also the state government constructed 30 courts, 10 each for Badminton, Basket Ball and Volley Ball in township stadia, secondary schools and residential areas across the state all in an efforts to promote sports development.

In fact one can go on to recount the numerous achievements of Governor Lamido but for want of space. However from whatever angle one view Jigawa State and its current leadership, sure Governor Lamido is remaking the state.

Umar Maiwada Writes from Katsina

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 16

Karu market fire: Traders count losses T

raders whom’s shops were affected by an early morning fire in Karu market, which last Friday destroyed goods worth more than N10 million, have lamented the losses they suffered following the disaster.

A trader, Mr Malachy Onah, who sells foam in one of the affected shops, said that he received a phone call from a man who lives around the market informing him of the fire.

“I was woken up this morning

by a call at about 5 a.m, informing me that there was a fire incident in the market and that my shop was affected.

“I did not know what to do when I got there; just the previous day before the fire incident, my goods arrived; goods worth more than N3 million were gutted by fire, just like that, and nothing was saved, it is very painful,’’ Onah said.

Mr Celestine Ozor, who operates a restaurant in one of the affected shops, said “the fire has destroyed my only source of livelihood and I

am not sure of what to do next”.

NAN reports that the seven shops affected by the fire are a bookshop, a foam shop, a plastics sales shop, MTN sales office, foodstuff outlet, a restaurant and a drycleaning shop.

The leader of the Federal Fire Service team that controlled the fire, Mr Jimmy Imewa, confirmed the fire the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a visit to the scene of the incident on Friday.

Imewa said that he “got a call around 4 a.m. from Karu Market

Children's having fund, at Abuja Millennium Park, during the Xmas celebration, yesterday.

alerting him of a fire outbreak from one of the shops in the market, which is close to the transformer near ECWA clinic.

He said that the Fire Service responded immediately to the call, but when they got there, about seven shops were already affected.

“This is our third round, the first and second could not put out the fire and we do not know the cause of the fire. We are, however, suspecting electrical fault because the building housing the shops is very close to the transformer,’’ Imewa said. (NAN)

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Christmas/New Year: Kwali First Lady to visit orphanage homes

By Usman Shuaibu

W

ife of the Chairman of Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Mrs. Saratu Shazin, has said that arrangements have been completed to use the period of the Christmas and New Year

celebrations to visit orphanage to distribute food stuff to orphans.

She also said that about 30 selected widowers/widows would be given gifts during the Christmas so as to put smiles on their faces.

Shazin, who disclosed this in an interview with People Daily in Kwali, said that the administration of the council has concern for the

less privileged in the area.

She appealed to the people of Kwali to continue to live in peace with one another irrespective of their religious inclinations and warned the residents to conduct themselves peacefully during the festivities.

She disclosed that her leadership is training about 80

women in skill acquisition programme to make them selfreliance.

The first lady, however, advised the married women to stop forcing their husband to purchase expensive clothes for them during the Christmas, said that the essence of Christmas celebration is to worship God.

Road side traders get ultimatum to quit Apo Mechanic village

•••200 motorcycles impounded

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

R

oad side traders at the Apo Mechanic village, have the next six days to vacate the area or risk facing the full wrath of the law.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Mohammed, who flagged off a security and environmental operation to flush out criminals, urchins, motorcycle riders, hawkers and other illegal operators within Abuja city and its environs, gave the road side traders till December 31, 2012 to vacate the road sides or else face the wrath of the law.

He told them that after that date, the bulldozers would be rolled in to demolish illegal structures there, adding that the exercise would be extended to the area councils and satellite towns.

Senator Mohammed explained that the operation is in the larger interest of the generality of the people adding that it would benefit all residents if the territory is sanitized and rid of miscreants, criminals and other perpetrators of illegality.

According to him, the timing of the commencement of the exercise at this Yuletide season was a deliberate move to strengthen security of lives and property in the entire FCT. Others who joined the Minister in the operation include the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Adenrele Shinaba and his squad, the Road Traffic Services, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the Development Control Department as well as the men and officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The operation which lasted several hours took the squad to many flashpoints within the city such as the Area One roundabout, Apo junction, Mechanics Village in Apo and Lokogoma – Galadimawa Road.

During the operation several miscreants, destitute and other illegal operators were dislodged and arrested while no fewer than 200 motorcycles were impounded.

Polio: Jikwoyi community records more than five years of zero infection

T

he Esu Jikwoyi, Dr Bawa Jetta, said Jikwoyi community had not witnessed any polio virus infection for more than five years.

The traditional ruler told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that residents of the area, had been educated on the importance of immunising their

children.

“We ensure that the people in the community are given proper information on their health, especially the need to immunise their children and we do this during community, tribal and town hall meetings’’, he said.

He urged parents to ensure that their children received the

necessary immunisations for protection against childhood killer diseases.

The Chief Clinical Health Officer, Primary Health Care Centre, Jikwoyi, Mrs Keziah Markus said the community did not witness non-compliance with immunisation exercises as parents were well informed of the benefits.

According to her, parents whose children were unable to receive the oral polio vaccine during immunisation plus days normally bring their children to the centre.

“We have the vaccine here at the centre and parents normally come here with their babies for vaccination,’’ she said.

The NAN correspondent, who

monitored the exercise in the community, reports that parents were seen bringing their children for the ongoing immunisation exercise in the community.

A parent and resident of the community, Mrs Blessing Jonah, thanked the Federal Government for making vaccines available.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 17

Man, 23, jailed for killing pedestrian A

INSIDE FCT COURTS Landlord jailed for breaking tenant’s window

Chief Magistrates Court sitting in Gwagwalada, has sentenced a 23year-old man, Abimbola James, to six months imprisonment for causing the death of one Abiodun Adebayo.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Lamido Kabir, said that James did not give sufficient reasons why he should not be convicted.

Kabir, however, gave the convict an option of N5,000 fine in view of the fact that he had no previous criminal record with the police.

James, a resident of

A

Karu Senior Magistrates Court in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) on Monday sentenced a landlord, Kwanben Goma, 69, to three months imprisonment for breaking the window of his tenant’s room and assaulting her.

Goma was earlier charged with joint act, criminal force, assault, mischief and theft.

The Prosecutor, Corporal Pascal Njoku, told the court that Goma and another person currently at large broke the window of his tenant, Fumilayo Obafemi, on September 7, 2012 and stole N50,000.

“When she asked him why he broke her window, he physically assaulted her,’’ the prosecutor said.

Njoku added that the offence contravene Sections 97, 262, 326 and 246 of the Penal Code.

At the mention of the case in September, Goma pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

However, during the judgment trial on December 24, Goma said “the woman is still owing me house rent from January 2012 to October 2012.

“All the accusations are false, I did not do them, all I want is for her to swear that I did it.

I will also swear that I did not do the things I am accused of.’’

The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Bolaji, however said that Goma did not convince the court that he did not commit the offence.

He said: “The testimony of the first defence witness completely contradicted that of the second defence witness. When given the opportunity to examine the nominal complainant and to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, the accused refused to explore it. I, therefore, find the accused guilty as charged.’’

He sentenced him to one month imprisonment with an option of N4,000 fine.

Bolaji also ordered that Goma should pay N50,000 compensation to Obafemi. (NAN)

Negligence: Court strikes out customer’s claims against Unity Bank

J

First Christmas tree, at Unity Fountain, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Agent defrauds client of N.33m

T

he Police have arraigned one Femi Samuel of Apo Resettlement Estate, Abuja before an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for breach of trust.

The accused is also standing trial for cheating, contrary to section 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Atteh Effiong, told the court that the matter was reported by one Emmanuel Olulola of Shelter Studio, Crystal Palace Hotel, by Port Harcourt Crescent, off Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja

Guinness Junction, Kubwa, Abuja, was arraigned on onecount charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Police prosecutor Iliya Maji had told the court that James drove a Toyota Sienna with the registration number XA 779 ABC in a dangerous manner and caused the death of Adebayo, a resident of Mpape, Abuja.

Maji said the accident occurred along KubwaGwagwalada road on November 29, 2012.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the Court for leniency. (NAN)

on Nov. 15.

Effiong said the accused fraudulently collected N330,000 from the complainant with an agreement to secure a ‘self-contain’ apartment for him in one of his buildings.

The prosecutor said the accused failed to honour the agreement and had also refused to refund the money to the complainant.

Effiong also said that the accused intentionally issued Zenith Bank cheques twice to the complainant even when he knew he did not have enough money

in his account.

The prosecutor said that when the complainant presented the cheques at the bank, they bounced.

When asked by the court if the allegations were true, the accused denied them.

The Magistrate, Mrs Vera Tokura, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300,000 with a surety in like sum who must be a civil servant.

She said the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and adjourned the case to January 10, 2012. (NAN)

ustice Yusuf Halilu of a Federal Capital Territory( FCT) High Court has struck out a case of negligence and claims for compensation filed against the Unity Bank by a customer, Mr Shiaba Jiya.

Justice Halilu in his judgment, held that for a plaintiff to succeed in an action on claims of negligence, he must be able to state and establish the duty of care owed him by the defendant.

The suit was filed by Mr Shiaba Jiya against the Unity Bank on April 19.

Counsel to the Plaintiff, Mr. Moses Dangana had told the Court that N1.82 million was fraudulently withdrawn from the plaintiff’s account from the Bida, Niger State branch of the bank on March 5, 2010.

The said amount was negligently paid out to one Nurudeen Bello, the presenter of the plaintiff’s “stolen and forged cheque”.

Dangana argued that the bank ought to have discovered that the cheque presented by the said Bello was forged.

He said that the beneficiary of the cheque was not a co-signatory and the bank never contacted him for clearance before paying out the said money.

He prayed the court to compel the bank to pay the plaintiff the sum of N1. 82 million being the sum paid to a third party without clearance.

He also asked the court to award to him the sum of N10 million as general damages, as well as 10 per cent on

judgment, until same is finally liquidated.

In his reply, however, the defendant’s counsel, Mr Ogfaji Ejeh argued that there was neither fraud nor negligence on the path of his client (Unity Bank) in the said transaction.

He argued that it was the plaintiff, who was negligent, when he kept his cheque book carelessly.

Ejeh said that the bank was under a duty to honour a cheque drawn on it by any customer, who has sufficient fund in his account.

“Failure by a banker to honour cheque in such circumstances constitutes a breach of duty for which the bank will be liable,’’ he argued.

Halilu in his judgment held that the relationship between a bank and a customer was equal to that of a principal and an agent.

“The bank is bound to honour all cheques issued by the customer if the customer has enough funds in h i s account. Therefore, unless expressly stated on the mandate by plaintiff to defendant, the bank is bound to pay a cheque drawn on it by a customer.’’

Halilu said that the plaintiff did not prove to the court that the said cheque did not emanate from him.

“Therefore, when the evidence of the defendant is placed side by side with that of the defence, the scale tilts in favour of the defendant. I shall dismiss this action for want of evidence as this court shall not allow itself to be dragged into the domain of morality instead of law,’’ he ruled. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 18

NGO wants government to invest in orphanages

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roprietor of Christ Foundation Orphanage in Kuje, Mr Gabriel Oyekuta, has advised government at all levels to invest in orphanages to address child abuse.

Oyekuta spoke at the annual children’s party organised by the orphanage.

He said that it was necessary to support Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) who were often exposed to molestation and rights infringement.

According to him, if OVC are kept in orphanages, it will guard against child hawking and kidnapping.

“The OVC as human beings have rights and also need special care and protection,’’ Oyekuta said.

He identified inadequate funds and lack of access to quality education and health facilities as some of the major challenges facing the management of private orphanages.

Oyekuta however observed that the Federal Government did not provide for OVC in its 2012 budget.

“Orphanage is a channel that can be used to protect the OVC from the dangers of child abuse and molestation. The children who are in the streets suffer molestation by hoodlums and also lack basic home training but if trained in orphanages, such abuses will be addressed.

“Governments should invest in homes through funding and creating the enabling environment for them,’’ he added.

Oyekuta said that children at the home were abandoned babies and homeless children found in the streets.

According to him, there are 72 orphans in the home made up of 32 males and 40 females, and that only two of them are above one year old.

Oyekuta said that 69 of them, aged between five and 20 years, were in primary and secondary schools, while only one was in the university.

NAN reports that the children’s party attracted many friends of the home. (NAN)

Residents of Mararaba decry poor state of environment S

ome residents of Mararaba in Nasarawa state, have decried the poor sanitary condition of the environment as they prepare for the Christmas celebration.

The residents made their displeasure known in Mararaba, near the Federal Capital Territory, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Mrs Temidayo Aluko, one of the residents, decried the apparent neglect of the environment by the local government authority. ‘’See how filthy the whole place is ; refuse everywhere; people dumping refuse on the

express was, especially the traders. They boldly do this without recourse to how this refuse is affecting the environment.

I wish something can be done about this situation and I hope it is done very fast,’’ Aluko said.

Mr Michael Tamuno, another resident, advocated that people should be made scapegoats to deter others from causing havoc to the environment. I do not know how we got to this state but it is a reality we have to face. ‘’People have become so unfriendly with the environment that dumping of refuse by the road has become

common place. I think the government should send out a task force to arrest and prosecute anyone found dumping refuse in unauthorised places. ‘’This is the only way the indiscriminate dumping of refuse can be curtailed, there is just too much insanity going on,’’ he said.

However, Mr Jerome Effiong, also a resident, said the blame should go to the government for not providing dump sites. ‘’It’s just like a situation when you refuse to give a child food to eat and still tell the child not to steal. If you don’t want

people to dump refuse carelessly, then it behoves you to provide them a site to dump it. ‘’Government should wake up to its responsibility and start thinking of turning this situation around through efficient waste management with a view to creating creating jobs and generating revenue,’’ Effiong said.

NAN recalls that Mr Hashiru Gurku, the Chairman Caretaker committee of Karu Local Government Area, had said that plans were under way to provide a designated dump site in the area. (NAN)

Passengers of both these vehicles miraculously escaped death in an accident, yesterday along Gosa Airport Road, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Kwali First Lady wants youths to participate in sports

By Usman Shuaibu

W

ife of the Chairman of Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Saratu Shazin, has called on the youths to participate in sports

competition in the area.

Shazin, who made the call during the final under 13 female football cup competition in Kwali, said that she would continue to organize football competition among females in the council.

She said that she was impressed with the performances of the players and urged them to keep it up.

She advised the losers of the football competition not be discouraged, noting that in any game there must be a winner

and a loser.

The first lady commended the sports unit of the council for its contribution towards the competition.

At the end of the competition, Kwali Central defeated Yebu United by 2-0.

FCT board amonishes residents on good hygiene practice

T

he Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), Dr Rilwanu Muhammed, has urged residents to maintain a healthy environment to tackle the spread of infection and other airborne diseases.

Muhammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in

Abuja that a healthy environment would facilitate efforts to reduce the disease burden in the country.

He said that globally, some percentage of deaths and the total disease burden could be attributed to environmental factors.

“The issue of communicable disease is mostly caused by dirty environment; clean environment will help control

diseases such as diarrhoea, polio, Lassa fever and malaria, among many others.

“The problem with Nigerians is that we have failed to adhere to environmental sanitation which is key to disease prevention.’’

According to him, poor environmental quality has its greatest impact on people whose health status is already at risk.

He, however, said that

environmental health must address societal and environmental factors that increase the likelihood of exposure and disease.

Muhammed noted regrettably that some people were in the habit of disposing waste in unauthorised places, thereby creating stench in such areas.

He advised against dumping refuse into gutters and

walkways and ensure that the gutters were always kept clean to prevent mosquito infestation.

Muhammed attributed the increase in cases of child mortality to poor environmental hygiene, adding that eradicating malaria and other diseases would be successful, if Nigeria could be serious about environmental sanitation. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Capital market: Operators attribute lull to end of year activities

Mob: 08033644990

Firm drags Customs, FIRS to tribunal over non refund of N3.5m VAT

A

n Abuja-based company, Ochid Nigeria Ltd., has dragged the Nigerian Customs Service and the Federal Inland revenue Service (FIRS) to the Tax Appeal Tribunal, over non-refund of N3.5 million VAT. The company, in an appeal filed through its counsel Miss Ijeoma Ofodile on Monday, alleged that the first and the second respondents, erroneously charged the VAT on the Advance Simulator Systems imported for the training of students at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom.

It averred that under the first schedule of the VAT law No. 102 of 2007 (as amended), books and educational materials were exempted from VAT. The appellant stated that upon clearing the items, it was erroneously charged VAT to the tune of N3.5 million contrary to the provision of the tax law.

The company’s counsel claimed that the respondent’s position that VAT exemption could only be granted by the president was against the provision of the VAT law with respect to items for educational purposes.

The firm sought for full refund of the N3.5 million paid as VAT and N1 million being interest accrued as well as general damages.

The Nigerian Customs Service did not have any legal representation, while FIRS was represented by Miss Deborah Tarfa.

In his ruling, the Chairman of the Tribunal, Mr Nnamdi Ibegbu (SAN), adjourned the case to Jan. 10, 2013 for hearing and ordered that hearing notices be issued to the NCS and FIRS. (NAN)

Africa has more mobile phones than U.S.

T

he World Bank says the Africa continent has more mobile phones than all of North America and Europe.

According to the World Bank, Asia is the only place in the world with more mobile phones than Africa. There are currently 650 million subscribers in Africa. The market has grown 40-fold since 2000.

It shouldn’t be a big surprise that they’ve boomed in popularity over the last decade or so. Landlines are expensive because they require a wired infrastructure; cellphones only require towers.

(Source: news.discovery.com)

Customers queue at First Bank, on Monday in Gwagwalada, Abuja.

FCT NIPOST records decline in mails posted in 2012

T

he FCT branch of NIPOST delivered 1,067,994 mails in the first half of 2012 compared to 3,575,823 mails it delivered in the corresponding period of 2011, showing a decrease of 2,507,829.

The Area Postmaster, Alhaji Aliyu Mahmoud, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that number of local mails posted in the period under review as 696,774 as against the 2,026,549 were recorded in 2011.

He said that about 371,220 foreign mails were also delivered in 2012 compared to 1,549,274 delivered in 2011, adding that NIPOST recorded a decline in physical mails and attributed this to the growing rate of use of ICT in the country.

He said that the rise in the level of technological advancement had reduced the number of personal mails. “Private mails have reduced drastically because people now make use of their phones to send text messages. Parcels, business letters and business proposals are on the increase but the personal letters have dropped”, he stated.

Mahmoud also told NAN that NIPOST usually experienced its highest patronage in December every year as more businesses were made and transacted this period.

(NAN)

Photo: NAN

Foodstuff prices surge this yuletide

By Muhammad Nasir, Ibrahim Kabiru Sule & Adamu Saleh ood prices rose astronomically a few hours to the Christmas day. This was attributed by the sellers to the haste in the purchase of foodstuff before the holiday.

Peoples Daily’s survey at Utako market showed an increase in prices of commodities of 20%, 30% and in some cases, up to 50%. Most of the dealers interviewed blamed the trend on the relative cost of transporting the foodstuff to the market and point of sale during this

F

yuletide season.

Further survey at the vegetable section of the market revealed that a basket of tomatoes that was sold at N500-N600 before is now being sold at N700-N800, which is the same price for pepper. A basket of onions which sold at N700 before this period is now being sold at N1,500.

When our reporters visited rice section, there has however been a sharp increase in the prices, a 50 kg bag of stallion rice stands at N9, 700, Mama Gold, which is seen as the choice of top government officials, skyrocketed to N11, 000 from its previous

price of N10, 000.

The story remain the same in the meat market, where one piece of cow leg attracts a hefty sum of N1, 000 with a kilo of meat also costing the same price.

With the persistent fuel scarcity which resulted in long queues at filling stations, coupled with the expected hustles and bustles of the yuletide period, the cost of foodstuff, transportation has abysmally remained high, as corroborated by marketers.

For some Nigerians, purchases of foodstuffs like bags of rice had been made towards the ending of November to guard against the perceived increase.

patronage of customers as against the high volume of trading activities during the same period last year.

“There is a kind of set back in what we usually see in the previous years.

And I attributed this particular thing to the flood.

“Marine Modern Market was one of the markets affected by the flood; seriously, we were affected; and it really touched our goods. Then, talking about those in the rural areas,

farmers who sell their farm products and plough back the profits into mini-businesses like buying and selling during the Christmas.

“You see, they were all affected by the flood; their goods were destroyed by the flood. Those farmers are from Kogi, Benue, Delta, in the far inland places like in Anambra State like Ogbaru, Anam and all rest of Ayamalum areas.

“So in fact, right now, we have not seen many of them coming in as it used to be before.’’

The market leader urged the federal and state governments to ameliorate the plight of the farmers by providing them with posthabilitation assistance.

“They must be currently passing through some hard times and they needed the postrehabilitation aid now. We are also calling on the World Bank to redeem its promise by providing assistance to the traders affected by the floods’’, he stated. (NAN)

Christmas: Market leader in Onitsha laments low customers’ patronage

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hairman, Onitsha marine market in Anambra, Mr Vincent Ifeme has lamented the low patronage of the market by customers less than 24 hours to Christmas.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Onitsha, Ifeme attributed the low patronage to the recent flood disaster which ravaged most parts of the market.

According to him, the market has been recording low

Management Tip of the Day Get ahead without the corporate ladder

G

one are the days when you progress up the hierarchy at a steady pace, headed for corner office. There simply aren’t enough leadership positions to go around, and most people regularly switch jobs and organizations. With no ladder to climb, look at career moves differently: · Cast a wider net. Be open to

horizontal experience, not just vertical progression. If you’re a financial analyst, for example, consider analyst positions in other areas, perhaps in market research or sales. · Prove you can handle the responsibilities. Find ways to demonstrate your capabilities. Are you interested in taking on a

management role? Offer to help your manager by interviewing job candidates or training new people. · Grow your skills. Seek out opportunities to learn — and pounce on them. If no one in your company knows how to do something, take it upon yourself to master that skill.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY,WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 20

Standard Alliance’s gross premium grows by 23 %

COMPANY NEWS Standard Alliance Insurance

S

tandard Alliance Insurance Plc has announced a gross premium income of N4.765 billion for the year ended December 31st 2011, as against N3.883 billion in 2010, representing an increase of 23 per cent.

Underwriting income also grew to N4.253 billion from the 2010 level of N3.541 billion.

Besides, the company returned to profitability in 2011. Profit after tax for the year stands at N223.6 million compared to a loss of N8.6 billion recorded in 2010.

The chairman of the company, Alhaji Aliyu Yahaya Sa’ad, addressing shareholders at the 16th yearly general meeting held in Lagos on Thursday, said that your company had returned to profitability and “we are confident that it will continue in the coming years.”

Ecobank

A

s part of the bank’s end of year product campaign to reach out to its customers, Ecobank customers are to receive free gifts for any Rapid Transfer Transaction they carry out from now till the end of January, 2013.

The Rapid Transfer is an Ecobank proprietary send and receive money transfer product available in all Ecobank branches in Nigeria.

This unique product facilitates easy transfer and access to funds across the country and in all countries where Ecobank is represented.

Investments and Allied Assurance

I

nvestments and Allied Assurance Plc (IAA) shareholders has inaugurated a new board of directors for the company after the old board was removed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in February 2011.

The board of directors, which has Alhaji Aminu Nabegu, as chairman with Mr. Yomi Rufai, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr. Wilfred Erhahon, executive director and Mrs. Anasodo, company secretary.

At the yearly general meeting of the company held in Lagos, shareholders unanimously voted out the old board of directors. The shareholders mandated the new board to explore all avenues to revive the company by attracting investors to come and invest as the new board had taken a number of measures to restructure the company.

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

Traders waiting for customers, recently at Gwagwalada market, in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Capital market: Operators attribute lull to end of year activities

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o m e c a p i t a l market operators on Monday attributed the current lull in the nation’s bourse to the end of year activities by foreign and institutional investors.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that activities would remain low as most investors were preparing for 2013.

Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, the Managing Director, Trust Yield Investment Ltd., said that major investors were reviewing their investments ahead of 2013.

Yussuf said that the market would particurlarly experience low volume of transactions this week as a result of the Christmas and Boxing Day holidays. “It is only an exceptional development or policy statement that can alter the lull in the market this week,” he said.

The Managing Director of APT Securities and Funds Ltd., Malam Garba Kurfi attributed the lull to profit-taking by speculative investors.

Kurfi urged the Federal Government to ensure quick implementation of 2013 budget, which was passed on Dec. 20, to help capital market recovery.

According to him, most investors are waiting for the budget to be implemented before making investment decisions.

He said that its early implementation would determine the direction of the capital market and economic activities.

A stockbroker, Mr. Emma Ndu urged the Federal Government to invest part of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) in the stock market.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) index dipped by

1.02 per cent last week to close at 27,402.05 against 27,685.54 in preceding week.Also, the market capitalisation declined

by N90.95 billion to close at N8.76 trillion against the gain of N323.9 billion in the previous week to close at N8.85 trillion.

The turnover of shares traded also dropped by 33 per cent as a total of 1.29 billion shares worth N13.73 billion were traded in 20,503 deals.

This was against a turnover of 1.92 billion shares valued at N13.73billion traded in 22,650 deals in the previous week.

The Exchange during the period delisted Abplast Products, Udeofson Germent Factory and Hallmark Paper Products from the Daily Official List. This was due to their failure to comply with the post-listing requirement of the Exchange.

(NAN)

he Standard Alliance Insurance Plc has recorded an impressive performance as its gross premium income grew by 23 percent, from N3.883 billion written in 2010 financial year to N4.765 billion in 2011.

The firm equally recorded an underwriting income of N4.253billion in the period under review as against N3.541 billion achieved the previous year, representing an increase of 20.1 per cent.

Speaking on the financial performance of the company during the company’s 16th Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the chairman of the company, Alhaji Aliyu Yahaya Sa’ad stated that the company despite the harsh economic environment, its underwriting profit stood at N2.729 billion in the year under review when compared with N1.754 billion in 2010.

Sa’ad also revealed that Profit after Tax for the year stood at N223.6 million compared with a loss of N8.6 billion recorded in the corresponding year 2010.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Tom Imokhai said that the company had acquired a new sophisticated, robust and state of the art software package (Turnouest) in a bid to boost its insurance business in the country.

Imokhai also said that the company’s strategic focus is to increase the market share both locally and internationally.

On the future of the company, the Vice Chairman, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, expressed the company’s readiness to embrace and work with the new law from NAICOM, “no premium, no cover”, adding that the company is ready to take opportunities provided to boost its business.

He added that all outstanding would be recovered and all business from next year January will be cash and carry, adding that dividend in future was very sure.

Shareholders seek involvement in new complaint management framework

S

ome shareholders have advised SEC and the Nigeria Stock Exchange to carry investors along in the implementation of new framework on complaint management in the capital market.

The shareholders gave the advice in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.

NAN reports that the complaint management framework is to ensure complaints from investors are resolved quickly

within the capital market rather than investors seeking redress in courts.

The Zonal Coordinator of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Sunny Nwosu said that many shareholders were not aware of the initiative.

Nwosu said that investors should be involved in the scheme as they were the major actors in the capital market. He said that some investors had lost confidence in the market because of inability

of SEC to resolve complaints from investors speedily. He advised SEC to always give enough publicity and investor education to all its policies.

The President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie however, said that the new initiative would not change investors’ perception of the market.

Okezie said that the sudden nationalisation of Afribank, Spring Bank and Bank PHB without involvement of shareholders

would remain indelible in the minds of shareholders. “The commission should be proactive in its regulation and ensure investors’ protection to bring positive change to the market,” he said.

Another investor, Mr. James Osoka said that many investors did not know where to direct their complaints. Osoka advised that investors should be involved in the scheme to enable the framework address all the inadequacies of the past. (NAN)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Homemade gifts for everyone on your list This holiday season, make these easy, personalised handmade gifts for your loved ones.

Personalised tote Make a personalised carryall-

think names, pictures, sorority letters, and more-with iron-on silhouettes.

Pet pillow ll you need to make a soft pet bed for Fido or Fluffy is a foam insert and colorful dishtowels (plus iron-on

A

Chocolate bark This gourmet gift looks like more work than it actually is. Make

fasteners). Use fabric markers to write the lucky pet's name on one end.

All you need to make a soft pet bed for Fido or Fluffy is a

foam insert and colorful dishtowels (plus iron-on fasteners). Use fabric markers to write the lucky pet's name on one end.

Ribbon belt Use grosgrain or velvet ribbon and D-rings from the fabric store to make an eye-catching, adjustable belt that's a cinch to put together.

the recipe your own by using your favorite combination of dried fruit and toasted nuts.

Scented body scrub Make a homemade spa treatment for a fraction of what it would cost in a specialty store, with easily available ingredients.

Skateboard clock Your skater boy will love telling time with a one-of-a-kind wall clock made from the board.

Baby bib An easy dish towel project: A bib that's not only pretty, but large enough to be truly functional.

Car travel kit The new (or seasoned) drivers in your life will be pleased-as well

as prepared-with car essentials packed into a kit that can slide under a seat or be stowed in the trunk.

Pegboard organizer Make your favorite handyman's workspace

organized and efficient with this organizer. Part of the gift?

Your time to help set up shop.

Bejeweled barrettes Go from dime-store clips to boutique beauties by using super glue to attach colorful or sparkly beads.

Fun mittens Even if you can't stitch much, you can personalize store-bought

fleece mittens with a few sew-on additions, like the first and last initial of your friend.

(Source: Readers Digest)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 22

The Ribadu Report

Revenue losses in the Nigerian petroleum industry 5.1.

Overview his section of the report presents the Task Force's findings on the revenue losses in the industry, with a view to identify opportunity areas for major reform in boosting resources obtainable from the sector for national development.

Of these findings, losses arising from inadequate security and enforcement are significant. As a result, new enforcement initiatives have been developed and recommended as part of this report to combat revenue loss in the petroleum industry.

5.2. Security Issues and Theft in the Nigerian Petroleum Revenue Value Chain The illegal activity of hydrocarbon theft in the petroleum industry is both an organized and on-going enterprise.

The phrase "vandalization" should be expunged from the reporting of this activity because it tends to trivialize the purpose and severity of hydrocarbon theft.

Hydrocarbon theft is a major source of loss of revenue to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Accordingly, the examination of the incidence, recommendations for the protection against and the enforcement measure in respect of the organised robbery of this resource are within the terms of reference of the Special Task Force.

Hydrocarbon theft was found by the Task Force as being a major and chronic source of revenue loss to Nigeria. From the Task Force's review and briefings received, it was evident that small scale pilfering of crude and refined products, illegal refining, and large-scale theft involving barges and boats have been endemic

T

Minister of Petroluem, Diezani Allison-Madueke since at least the late 1990s. a typical larger-scale Niger Significant "over-lifting" at crude Delta oil theft ring: export terminals is also alleged, Past attempts to address theft as is theft from tank farms, have made only limited refinery storage tanks, jetties progress. Criminal prosecutions and ports. In these latter cases, to date have reached no higher submissions to the Task Force than the level of transport or alleged that officials and private operations. The recent arrest of actors disguise theft through 22 Ghanaians and five manipulation of meters and Nigerians caught stealing shipping documents.

25,000 MT of crude in two boats Bunkering operations can be is laudable, for instance, but law complex. Consider this sketch of enforcement efforts need to reach

Illustrative sketch of a typical larger-scale Niger Delta oil theft ring

much higher.

Protecting Nigeria's petroleum infrastructure from theft and sabotage presents a tremendous challenge. No one actor can secure everythingPPMC alone maintains 5120km of above-ground pipeline.

Difficult terrain, poor community relations, and high operating costs all complicate matters further. Yet there is also evidence that members of the security forces condone and, in some cases, profit from theft. The void in effective security likewise appears to increasingly hand over control of coastal and inland waterways to undesirable elements.

In view of the rising costs described below, a review of available policy options together with serious commitment to act is needed urgently.

5.2.1. Volumes of crude oil theft and associated revenue losses Theft of crude oil and refined petroleum products may be reaching emergency levels in Nigeria. The Task Force has received reports suggesting that volumes stolen have risen dramatically in the past 1218 months. The Royal Dutch Shell Company, Shell in its presentation to the Task Force stated that an estimated 150,000 barrels of crude oil are stolen per day (about 6% of Nigeria's total annual production) causing a revenue loss of $13.5 million per day (at $100 per barrel) which amounts to $5billion per year of lost revenue.

On the other hand, high ranking Officials and Executives in the Federal Government tasked with the management of the nation's strategic Oil and Gas assets have several times stated the existence of large-scale ongoing theft of Nigeria's crude oil.

This represents government acknowledgment of the magnitude of the loss. Mr. Leke Oyewole, a Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Maritime Affairs, disclosed to the media in March, 2012 that Nigeria loses about 40 million metric tonnes of petroleum products amounting to about $20 billion (N3 trillion) to crude oil theft and illegal bunkering; while NNPC has publicly stated that it spent $1.2billion in the last ten years on pipeline repairs.

Further to the above, the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources had also stated at a media briefing in May, 2012 that the country was losing about $7billion annually to crude oil theft in Nigeria, at the rate of 180,000 barrels per day. Indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan has acknowledged the scale and seriousness of crude oil theft in Nigeria as being incomparable to anywhere else in the world, describing the occurrence as being cancerous to the nation's economy. The Ministry of Finance

has taken a middle ground, stating theft claimed 17 percent of daily production nationwide in April. Overall, estimates of crude oil stolen or spilled reviewed by the Task Force ranged from 6 to 30 percent of production, with 35 percent claimed for one especially troubled area. Based on these estimates, the Task Force believes Nigeria could be losing over N1tn per year to crude oil theft.

The Task Force does not endorse any of the numbers it received as solely authoritative.

The bases for many were unclear, and the decentralized, secretive nature of oil theft makes it difficult for any one party to know the full extent of losses. There is a lack of consensus on the actual loss, naturally public records are not satisfactory in this regard but it could actually be as high as 250,000 barrels per day closer to 10% of daily productions.

However, submissions to the Task Force on oil theft suggest that the problem needs immediate attention.

NNPC and oil company data shows dramatic recent rises in theft and sabotage. For example, Shell claims it found at least 50 tap points on its 90km Nembe trunk line in January 2011 alone.

Shell submissions to the Task Force showed average total losses in its operational areas climbing from 10,000bpd in late 2009 to over 50,000bpd in March 2012.

Chevron reports 29 tap points for the year so far, and claims volumes lost from its operations in Q1 2012 exceeded losses for all of 2011. The NNPC put its total losses from 2009 to Q1 2012 at over 20mn barrels.

It appears small-scale theft and illegal refining are also becoming more decentralized and wide spread, though losses from such practices remain relatively small compared with the more sophisticated large- scale theft rings. In one striking example of rising costs, NNPC data shows the value of stolen crude along the 60km Forcados-Warri refinery supply pipeline was 600 percent higher in 2011 than in 2010.

Total losses were N60 billion from this pipeline alone-or N1bn of oil stolen per km of pipeline.

These incidences of crude theft also delay realization of revenues by deferring production. Shell has declared force majeure on onshore liftings five times since early 2011, all reportedly linked to illegal bunkering. One December 2011 stoppage, allegedly caused by two failed pipeline taps, took a month to fix and deferred over 4 million barrels. Damage to infrastructure also causes longterm production deferments.

Government data shows dozens of fields sabotaged before the amnesty still sit idle. Shell's onshore output-currently around 600,000bpd-is barely half of 2005 levels. In Delta State, Chevron still produces one third less oil than it did in 2008.

PEOSPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Report as at Monday, December 24, 2012

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

07055652553 udennaorji@yahoo.com

Industry operators list measures to deepen mortgage development Pg 26

Nigerians Hindrances to housing among development in Nigeria leading investors in Dubai property market Pg 27

Pg 27

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 25

Still on Christmas design tips Ever wonder what makes those designer rooms look so good? It's not always the expensive furniture or the brilliant vintage finds. It's the little touches that a designer adds that elevate a regular room to the living spaces you see on the pages of glossy home magazines. Here are some easy ways you can make your home really sparkle this Christmas season.

Look for the focal point. If a room has a fireplace, a stunning view or large bookcase, build your layout around it. If there is no natural focal point, pick out a spectacular piece of artwork or a dramatic piece of furniture. Arrange the future around the focal point.

You want your guests to see what you’ve decided should catch their eye.

Pillows come in pairs. Having one pillow in each corner of the couch or cropped up against a chair seems like something is missing. Use two pillows in different patterns, colors or textures. Balance is extremely important, when it comes to pillows, chairs, and table lamps.

The power of threes. Accessories look better in threes or odd numbers. If you're buying candles, picture frames or decorative vases, aim for three of each in different heights.

Don't overstuff. A big designer pet-peeve is overstuffed bookcases. A bookcase should have room for books and designer elements. Imagine books alongside an old typewriter, framed piece of art, vintage clock or a small potted plant.

Wallpaper works. Beautiful, modern textures and designs are making their way back to walls around the country. If you're still hesitant about using wallpaper, try using it small spaces, like a bathroom, the inside of a large closet, or on an accent wall.

Think of color in layers. The flooring - whether it's carpet, tile or wood - is the first layer of color, followed fabric and window treatment colors, topped with wall and trim colors and if you want to add a bonus layer, the ceiling color. Don't ignore any of the layers.

Embrace whites and neutrals. You simply can't go wrong with a palate of whites and neutrals. Add color and texture through well-placed accessories, but consider keeping the basics, like walls, couches or fabrics some version of white, beige or grey. You can't go wrong with crisp white sheets and luxurious white towels. Always classic.

Pick your paint colors last. Find accessories and furniture that you love and build around those. It's easier to change your mind about a pillow or a chair than the colors of your walls. And, think about your future flooring choices, since changing out carpet is even more of a pain than repainting walls.

Lighting is key. Don't rely on your overhead light or a single lamp to light up a room. One of the things people miss when designing their rooms is correct lighting. Layered lighting with a combination of overall, task and accent lighting can take a room from elegant to exceptional. Overall or general lighting comes from overhead, task lighting is specified to one area, like a desk or table lamp and accent lighting shines on walls. Light at least three of the four corners of a room.

Don't fear painted furniture.

Natural wood is lovely, but not everything in a room can be brown.

A blue table can bring a room's design together in the way a plain wood table just can't. And, color can create a focal point where none previously existed.

Hang curtains near the ceiling. Don't hang curtains just above the window.

Hang them higher for a more elegant look.

In catalogues, you see them hung just above the window trim, but that's not where they're supposed to go - it's just cheaper to make them that length. Get ones that are too long and have them hemmed by your dry cleaner. It elongates your windows and makes them look much larger.

Think big with area rugs. An area rug should anchor more than just your coffee table. For the most chic look, the area rug should anchor your whole seating group. Here's another opportunity to create a focal point, while adding layers of texture, so don't be timid with your area rug choice.

Don't ignore the powder room. This tiny half-bathroom is a great place to experiment and take chances you wouldn't in other places of your home.

Paint the powder room a bold color or use a very graphic wall-covering. Add a very dramatic chandelier or sconces. Think outside the box. These are little spaces that if you tire of in a few years it won't cost you too much to change it up.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Industry operators list measures to deepen mortgage development

By Udenna Orji

M

ortgage banks and estate developers are currently holding meetings and presenting position papers to the federal government for approval that will enable them increase availability of funds for mortgages in Nigeria. On their sight is the nearly three trillion naira pension funds managed by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple has also been holding stakeholder meetings with operators in the housing sector to develop strategies for increasing sources of mortgage finance in order to ensure a successful execution of the federal government’s new Housing and Urban Development Policies which were approved by the Federal Executive Council last June.

Speaking on the quest by housing sector operators to tap from the pension fund, Mr. Mohammed Jibrin, Managing Director of Sun Trust Savings and Loans Limited said “the Pension Reform Act, 2004, has made it possible for people to have a contributory pension scheme in place. The pension industry has an estimated N2.4 trillion of pension funds under management. These are mostly long-term funds and are the most qualified to support the mortgage industry in attaining its millennium development goals. But these funds, understandably, are mostly locked up in government treasury bills and bonds. These (pension) funds have to be unlocked and made available for the real estate sector. This is because the funds are basically, as I pointed out, long-term and you may not have the problem we experience today in terms of mismatch in the maturity profile of the loans we grant, because mortgage loans are long term as against the deposits we take that are mostly short-tenured. If you do an actuarial valuation of the pension funds managed by the PFAs (Pension Fund Administrators), the minimum average number of years the money will remain with the PFAs is about 20 years. This is what we call long term money. This is the type of money you expect should go into the housing and mortgage sector”.

On whether the Primary Mortgage Institutions have been able to sell these ideas to policy makers, Mr. Jibrin said “there have been varied

FMBN boss, Gimba Ya'u Kumo meetings and position papers to this effect. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple has been holding stakeholder meetings with the sector. She has set up committees, she is doing a great job honestly and the Federal Mortgage Bank has been providing the necessary support to this effect. I am aware that the Minister of Finance and the Coordinator of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is committed to and looking at the housing sector as a catalyst for growth and employment generation. I know that the housing and finance minister have been working together to ensure that the housing sector is jumpstarted seriously this year. It is on top of their radar. The idea is to create jobs in the economy.

The Central Bank needs to get involved too by providing the necessary funds and credit guarantees to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria in particular and to the sector in general. The Nigerian housing sector is one of the most diagnosed sectors of the economy. The issues that are militating against its development are very clear” Adding his voice to mortgage development, Mr. Elias Ovesuor a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) and Managing

PenCom boss, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu Partner, U.K. Ovesuor & Partners has blamed Nigeria’s shortfall of over 16 million houses on “the deficient structures of the mortgage industry in Nigeria”.

In his words, “mortgage financing as an instrument for home financing for now, I can say we are having problems with it. Only a few people are benefiting from it. The housing shortage in the country is about 16 million housing units, but in the last ten years, we have not provided up to half a million housing units. So, to get the 16 million housing units that are in shortage, you will then appreciate the problem at hand in respect of housing provision. Mortgage in Nigeria, to be candid to you, is still as its infancy”.

As a way out of the problem, the Federal

Government has been called upon to develop mortgage policies that will encourage Nigerian banks to grant mortgage loans to Nigerians at a maximum of 9% per annum.

Government has also been urged to check the rising inflationary trend in Nigeria as the trend is causing a steady rise in the cost of building inputs in Nigeria, leading to high costs in property development and sales.

Speaking with Peoples Daily on how to boost homeownership in Nigeria and reduce the nation’s estimated 16 million units housing deficit, Group General Manager of mass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited, Mr. Geoffrey Ozoani appealed to government to “come up with very definite policies on mortgage. Definite

“

The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) loan is at 6% but if all our commercial banks are encouraged through attractive policies to offer mortgage loans at say 8% or 9%, Nigeria’s housing deficit will drastically reduce

implementable policies on mortgage that make it attractive for commercial banks to offer mortgage loans to Nigerians because most commercial banks are not providing mortgage facilities”.

He noted that “the fear of our commercial banks is how they can recover their money but a mortgage loan is the easiest loan to recover because the house serves as collateral and usually also rises in value over time. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) loan is at 6% but if all our commercial banks are encouraged through attractive policies to offer mortgage loans at say 8% or 9%, Nigeria’s housing deficit will drastically reduce. Even in Namibia where I recently returned from, the commercial banks pursue people to come and collect mortgage loans because their mortgage system works perfectly.

According to him, “there is also the burning need to create awareness to Nigerians about mortgages and Nigerian mortgage institutions. Even contributors to the National Housing Fund (NHF) do not know what they are contributing for. States and local governments should make land available to developers and encourage their workers to get loans from mortgage institutions to buy their own houses”.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

By Udenna Orji

E

state surveyors and real estate practitioners who concluded a two-day international conference on housing held at Lagos have identified the following as obstacles to housing development in Nigeria.

Low Income Nigerians have a per capita income of about $1000, about half our National per capital income in 1975. Despite the high oil revenue of the last three decades, poverty has remained with us in Nigeria.

Poverty in Nigeria used to be rural-based but between 1985 and 1992, the number of the poor in rural areas fell sharply from 25.3 million to 22.8 million while those in urban centers rose from 9.7 to 11.9.

A low income is a big constraint in accessing affordability because mortgage is all about the ability to service loan when due. For this reason the majority of Lagosians live in rooming houses (73 per cent) as tenants. Singapore which was our peer in the early sixties has managed to house up to 85 percent of its citizens in owner-occupied flats and houses.

Dearth of Long-Term Funds High rates of interest and inflation have been typical features of our volatile economy since the introduction of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986. The Naira has suffered extensive depreciation averaging 45 percent per annum between 1987 and 1993, from an exchange rate of N1.0 to $1.0 in 1987 to N120.0 to $1.0. Because most of our building materials have traditionally been imported, the effect of this depreciation has been a rapid rise in cost of construction. Interest rate has been similarly high at times as high as 72 percent in 1995: became stable around 18 percent after conclusion of the banking consolidation; but now on the rise again as a result of current global financial meltdown.

The combined effect of these has been a sharp rise on the price of homes. The inability of Nigerian banks to harness savings from the people has

PAGE 27

Hindrances to housing development in Nigeria been a major reason for the lack of long-term funds in the economy. The commercial banks have traditionally served only the mercantile class and lately the oil and manufacturing sector.

The Primary Mortgage Institutions and microfinance teams are recent efforts to harness savings from the masses but they are mainly urban based and operate more or less like banks with very high appetite for quick profit.

High Cost of Construction Our refusal to build houses with locally available materials has been a major cog in the wheel of housing delivery. A look at our urban centers will show that our houses are built mostly of imported materials (cement, iron rods, aluminum roof).

Low Level of Economic Activity Statistic recently release by Nigerian Insurance

Commission indicates that only about 15 million Nigerians are in regular employment. The vast majority are still employed in subsistence agriculture or in menial services like okada riding. The level of industrialization is low so also is commerce which is characterized by street trading. Though the oil industry is strong but it is unfortunately not linked to the local economy.

The combination of these factors is

that the disposable income of the average Nigerian is low to build a house or qualify for mortgage assistance.

Access to Land The main objective of the Land Use Act was to facilitate access to land by the generality of Nigerians. Unfortunately the act has had the opposite effect. Though it has made it easier for the elite to acquire land, it has made it much harder for the majority of Nigerians to access land.

A housing unit

Nigerians among leading investors in Dubai property market

D

ubai has long been the regional hub for the oilrich Gulf states, but the ambitious city state is never one to rest on its laurels.

The emirate has for years been touting itself as the central node for 2bn people, spanning the Middle East, the subcontinent, central Asia and eastern Africa. Now, even West Africa, an eight-hour flight away, is on its radar.

Paris and London have long been the hub for western African states, but Dubai is now giving these established centres a run for their money. Emirates airline’s Dubai-Lagos flight is renowned for constantly being packed.

Some banks, such as Standard Chartered, have chosen to cover some business lines in sub-Saharan Africa from its regional headquarters at Dubai’s financial centre.

Luring talent to the comfortable Dubai lifestyle is easier than some African postings, while reaching various outposts of the continent can be easier from the city’s thriving airport than other hubs, such as Johannesburg and Nairobi.

As Chinese and Asian firms chose Dubai for their regional headquarters, often these businesses are not only targeting the Gulf, but looking to use the city as a launch-pad

into sub-Saharan Africa as well.

And the investment flows are going both ways.

As Abu Dhabi based newspaper The National reports, Nigerians are flooding Dubai’s property market, especially as it starts to show signs of recovery after four years in the doledrums.

It isn’t exactly a new trend.

Even at the property market’s nadir, after the real estate crash wiped more than 50 per cent off average valuations in the autumn of 2008, Nigerians were known as likely buyers. One real estate agent said at the time that Nigerians were the only nationality buying properties as the market went into free fall.

And the Nigeria-Dubai property love-in is still going strong as the property market in general improves. Jones Lang LaSalle in a recent secondquarter report noted that villa prices in Dubai had risen by around 20 per cent over last year, while apartments in popular buildings are flat on the year.

For those seeking a bolt-hole away from the corruption and danger of Nigeria, properties in Dubai are a good option: few questions are asked of buyers.

As such, they are joining a long list of nationalities who have turned to Dubai as an investment haven, especially wealthy investors from unrest-

hit regions of the Middle East, such as Egypt, Libya and Syria.

In the past six months, Nigerians are registered behind sales of $52.5m, according to the Land Department.

Some real estate agents, however, place the size of investment in much greater figures, as much as $6bn over the past three years. Dubai property brokerage The First Group opened offices in Nigeria three years ago and now Nigerians account for 60 per cent of its sales.

It’s more good news for Dubai’s property market, which still needs a boost to help it recover from the slump. Source: Financial Times

PAGE 28

C

ompromise is usually a sad reality. Oftentimes we have to trade away some of one thing to get more of another. In an SUV those opposing forces are typically performance and practicality. Or more to the point - spirited acceleration and good fuel economy. But the 2013 Audi Q5 manages to defy that convention, providing both attributes with its trio of muscular yet miserly engine options.

Whether you opt for the base turbocharged four-cylinder, the new supercharged V6 or the new hybrid, there's plenty of pickup along with frugal fuel mileage -- up to 24 mpg city and 30 mpg highway with the hybrid.

The Q5 benefits from its A4 sport sedan-based platform by providing relatively athletic handling and an enjoyable drive.

That quality, along with the aforementioned energetic engines, makes the Audi Q5 one of the most engaging SUVs on the market.

Another key attribute for the sensibly sized 2013 Audi Q5 is its ample cabin and cargo space that optimize both comfort and utility.

Throw in one of the nicest interiors in its class and it's easy to see why the Q5 has such a broad appeal, being a favourite pick for active singletons and small families alike.

Naturally, there are other choices for a small luxury crossover SUV. Among the competition, the 2013 Volvo XC60 provides an even roomier interior and a few more family-friendly features. If performance is paramount, the 2013 BMW X3 largely matches the Q5 in terms of performance and handling. And if style is your thing, Land Rover's Range Rover Evoque is the most dynamic-looking of the bunch. But for an all-around small luxury crossover that does everything well, you'd be hardpressed to do better than the 2013 Q5.

The 2013 Audi Q5 is a compact luxury crossover available in five

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Audi Q5 provides athletic handling with enjoyable drive trim levels: 2.0T Premium, 2.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Premium Plus, 3.0T Prestige and Hybrid Prestige.

Standard equipment on the 2.0T Premium includes 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, automatic

wipers, roof rails, eight-way power front seats (with fourway lumbar adjustment), a tiltand-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a sliding and reclining 40/ 20/40 rear seat, a Multi Media Interface (MMI) and a 10-speaker sound system with a CD player, auxiliary audio jack and satellite radio.

Options on the Premium

include a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, Bluetooth and an iPod interface. These items are included on the 2.0T Premium Plus, which also gets xenon

package, which includes Audi Drive Select (four settings alter throttle response, transmission shift points and steering assist), adaptive cruise control and dynamic steering. Also available is the Comfort package (upgraded leather

comes standard with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0liter inline-4 engine good for 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.

In Edmunds testing, a Q5 2.0T accelerated to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, a performance on par with the Audi's peers.

The Audi Q5 3.0T gets a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

headgilhts, LED running lights, a power liftgate, auto-dimming and

seating, additional leather cabin trim, ventilated front seats and power passenger lumbar adjustment).

Both 3.0T models can be equipped with 20-inch wheels and the S line

An eight-speed automatic is standard, as is an automatic stop-start system that saves fuel

power-folding exterior mirrors and an auto-dimming interior mirror.

Nineteen-inch wheels are optional.

The 3.0T Premium Plus adds a supercharged V6 engine, 19-inch wheels, keyless ignition/entry and S line exterior trim. The top-shelf 3.0T Prestige adds adaptive headlights, a blind-spot warning system, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, a heated/ cooled cupholder, rear door sunshades and the Audi MMI Navigation Plus package (navigation system, digital music storage, voice controls, rear park assist with rearview camera, HD radio and centre-consolemounted MMI system).

The 3.0T Prestige can also be equipped with the Driver Assist

package, which adds different 20inch wheels, performance tires, adaptive suspension, Audi Drive Select, a sport steering wheel, shift paddles and brushed aluminum trim. A rear seat entertainment system is also available.

The Hybrid Prestige includes all the features of the 2.0T Premium Plus as well as 19-inch wheels, adaptive lighting, a blindspot warning system, keyless ignition/entry, the Bang & Olufsen sound system, the heated/cooled cupholder, rear door sunshades and the Audi MMI Navigation Plus package.

Many of the upper trims' features are available on the lower trims as options.

The 2013 Audi Q5 2.0T

by shutting off the engine when the car comes to a halt. In Edmunds testing, the 3.0T engine brought the Q5 from zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds, a very quick time for this class of vehicle. Fuel economy estimates stand at 18/ 26/21.

The Q5 Hybrid pairs the 2.0T's engine with an electric motor and battery pack to provide a total output of 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Audi estimates its 0-60 time at 6.8 seconds, while EPA fuel mileage estimates stand at 24/30/26.

Towing capacity with the 3.0T is above average, with a 4,400-pound rating when properly equipped.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 29

Yuletide: Badagry Slave Port hosts several tourists

T

he Boat Operators Association, Badagry Chapter, has said that the number of tourists visiting the Slave Port in Badagry, Lagos State for the yuletide has increased.

Mr Micheal Nonayo, the spokesman of the association, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that there had been an influx of tourists to the Slave Port.

NAN reports that the Slave Port was notorious because many Africans were taken through it and it was called: “Point of No Return’’.

Nonayo said that members of

the association had in the last few days witnessed increased patronage by tourists, a situation that had fetched them more money.

“A lot of visitors board our boats for us to ferry them to the tourist’s site called the Point of No Return.

“In fact, a boat goes for more than five times a day while there are many boats doing same rounds,’’ Nonayo said.

He said that the safety of passengers and that of the operators were always taken seriously, especially after the training organised by the state government for the operators.

He told NAN that the boat operators ensured that no operator exceeded the passenger capacity of every boat per trip.

“We ensure that operators follow the guidelines we learnt during the training.

“We have life jackets for everyone on board. There is First Aid box and the operators have better knowledge of how to relate with the passengers,’’ NAN quotes Nonayo said.

He said that, “tourist attraction sites are quite huge income earner for everyone and they expose even an uneducated person involved in the business’’. (NAN)

A cultural troupe performing, at the Menwara annual festival in Shani headquarters of Shani local government area of Borno state recently. Photo: NAN

Curator calls for establishment of art studios in Schools

M

r Richard Ahonkhia, a curator at the National Gallery of Arts, Benin, has urged the Federal Government to establish art studios in secondary schools to promote students’ interest in arts.

Ahonkhia told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday that there was the need to invest in arts and creativity in schools to instill the spirit of inventiveness in the students.

According to him, the

establishment of art studios in secondary schools will increase students’ interests in arts and create an enabling environment for both arts teachers and students to be creative.

He said: “the learning of fine arts is declining in most Nigerian schools as a result of lack of art instructors and arts studios.

“The government should make it compulsory for every private and public secondary school to have arts studios just like

having a science laboratory.’’

The curator said that a functional arts studio would expose students to continuity of arts practice and empower them with skills required to achieve growth and mastering of their artistic expressions.

Ahonkia encouraged parents to give the needed support to children who showed great love in the arts, stressing that the learning of arts was needed for a child’s development. (NAN)

me with his commitment toward fulfilment of the people around him.

“He is a fertile soil, who by the grace of God will grow trees endowed with good fruits,” she said.

Mr Rotimi Martins, popularly known as Alariwo of Africa, a musician described Ayefele as a living legend, who would forever be appreciated and celebrated.

“This man is not my friend as people say but a brother. He is an enigma and a living legend who deserves our appreciation at all times,’’ Martins said.

Earlier in his remarks, Ayefele said it was not the first time he would be empowering people around him, adding they needed much love.

Ayefele, a holder of the prestigious national award of the Member of the Order of Niger (MON), said he did not only empower the beneficiaries but has employed them.

NAN reports that the album launch was attended by eminent personalities and artistes including Gboyega Lawal, a former FIBAN President, Shola Allynson, Muyiwa Ademola.

(NAN)

Gospel musician empowers 8 physically challenged persons

A

Gospel Musician, Mr Yinka Ayefele, in Ibadan has empowered eight physically-challenged persons during the launch his 14th album “Goodness of God”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ayefele empowered them with cash and motorcycles.

Mrs Kemi Alao-Akala, the wife of former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, described Ayefele as a hard working young man, adding she was impressed.

“Ayefele is a hardworking man, who will not seize impressing

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

Another season of thanks

T

his has been another tough and rough year.

Another wasted year of lost hopes and unfulfilled dreams but this is another year of thanks for us as an arts organization. The year started on a very horrible note what with the ill-advised fuel price increase which ushered in the year 2012.

The country is yet to recover from that ill-timed and hasty decision.

However, there is a lot we have to be thankful for. In a tough and rough year, we managed to pull off a landmark 6 th Jos Festival of Theatre in the city of Jos in February. This featured five plays alongside workshops in directing, salsa dance and arts management. The seven days festival which was well received happened in an atmosphere of bombs and insecurity. Three other plays were to follow in the city of Abuja.

We eventually ended the year with a landmark production of Wale Ogunyemi’s Queen Amina of Zazzau. This was alongside our radio drama series titled Common Ground with our partners Search For Common Ground. The radio drama series is currently in its 42nd episode.

You see why we are thankful? We also met a lot of wonderful people who have been very supportive of our work.

They have continued to be our back bones in an environment devoid of good and inspiring news. These people who either made our programs happen, who contributed to our financial and mission well-being, who came to watch our performances, who contributed to save and give some of our less fortunate colleagues a lease at life continue to inspire and push us towards working harder.

We are thankful. To the legion of actors who continue to work despite very difficult odds. Those who continue to work hoping for a silver lining in the sky and who we know will ultimately get the gold lining – working with young people can sometimes be very daunting. There are times one walks away with a sense of failure but there are those who continue to inspire one – who continue to share their young dreams of a tomorrow which will be better than our today. We are thankful.

We are thankful for the work we continue to do. We are thankful for those who continue to acknowledge the value and

inspiration we add to their lives and their work. We are thankful for those who continue to donate their hard earned money to our cause. To those who made promises and failed, we know definitely that you do not owe us a contribution but it will make a whole lot of difference when and if that extra contribution comes.

We are thankful. For all the drivers on our bad roads who continue to travel with us. We are thankful for their patience and resilience. We continue to thrive and we continue to be visible despite the rough roads we travel.

We are thankful. For an extra-ordinary year. For a year full of promises within which we have tried to live while utilizing each failure as a victory and counting the little victories as magnificent moments of triumph. It was a year within which at a point it became so difficult to dream or even plan as one was so busy with the daily grind of day-to-day living. I am sure that I was not alone in this but we are thankful. We are thankful for the little victories that we claimed. A year of disappointments but also a year of infinite possibilities. Oh what a year! We are sure glad that 2012 is coming to an end.

We are also thankful for this.

IN THIS SEASON OF AGONY...IN THIS SEASON OF DEATH Just as I was trying to tidy up this article, news came of yet another crash which took the lives of both passengers and crew – The Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and General Owoye Azazi were amongst the casualties. Our hearts go out to their families, their people and the entire Nigerian nation.

What can you say to these people whose dreams have been cut short? What can you say to those who moments ago were smiling? What can you do to compensate their families, friends and associates? May their souls find rest and peace.

What a tough way to end a very tough year! We mourn and we pray with our hearts in our mouths.

Patrick-Jude Oteh is the Artistic Director of the Jos Repertory Theatre and a 2009-2011 International Fellow at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington DC

PAGE 30

BOOK REVIEW

By Ikhide R. Ikheloa (Nnamdi) Forgetting is the final instrument of genocide. To witness genocide is to feel not only the chill of your own mortality, but the degradation of all humanity… even the most brilliant photography cannot capture the landscape of genocide.

- Simon Norfolk

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Of Writers, Writing on Conflicts and Wars in Africa

T

he writers Okey Ndibe and Chenjerai Hove are two of Africa’s finest thinkerwriters. They are awesome wordsmiths, word cannon balls boom fiercely out of their fecund minds pulverizing their targets with uncanny accuracy. They write with an uncommon sensitivity to the issues that Africa faces. This they do with respect and compassion and one is taken by the honesty and industry that they bring to their craft. They have just co-edited a slim volume of essays, Writers, Writing on Conflicts and Wars in Africa, published by Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd. It is a largely academic but highly accessible treasure trove of reflections on war by an army of mostly African writers who have been affected by Africa’s myriad wars and genocides. In about 200 pages and sixteen chapters (including the introduction), the reader comes face to face with the anxieties, nightmares and dreams of sixteen diverse and eclectic artists. These are issues covering past and present wars all over Africa; Biafra, Zimbabwe, the hell delta of Nigeria, Darfur, the Congo, South Africa, etc. Kudos to Ndibe and Hove for ensuring that these writers are a judicious mix of the known and unknown. The resulting essays are refreshing and filled with uncommon candor. The references alone are invaluable. I wrote down passages in the book that spoke to me and then I walked among the words, talking to them. I was shaken to my soul’s roots. Even the cover is evocative in what it does not say.

It is an image of beautiful children born into wars they did not ask for. There are all these children mugging for the camera with Africa and decay as a surreal backdrop.

As an aside, this compilation of essays came out of a workshop attended by the just-departed poet-warrior Dennis Brutus. In the book, Ndibe and Hove recall his spirit with eerie nostalgia: “Dennis Brutus, the South African poet whose back bears the scar of an apartheid bullet, lent a measure of revolutionary gravitas and hard-earned moral capital to the workshop. When Brutus spoke or read his poems, his voice, though slightly enfeebled by age, still rang out with stunning range and power.” (p11) This book is several conversations burning at once.

The writer Yvonne A. Owuor starts the conversations rolling in a piece she admits is a rant. It is a rant pregnant with profound gems. She questions why the West glorifies its own wars with stories of valor and views Africa’s wars as savage and barbaric,

pointing out that there have been equally gory examples to draw from in the West. Again, Chinua Achebe, in his seminal volume of essays Home and Exile, reminds us of the proverb: “Until the lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will glorify only the hunter.” I agree. Africans must tell their own stories or risk the total annihilation of their humanity by the other. We should write about our own humanity, for war is about the sorting of individuals into bins of identity and differences and the hunting down of those anxieties that lurk behind ancestral masks.

This book is a defiant ode to the power of the word and Hove captures it neatly: “Those years of war… gave me scars and smiles. Scars because real bullets pierced and tore apart the bodies of real women, children and men.

Smiles, for, in the midst of death and pain, I saw children, women and men who proudly showed human resilience even in the face of death as they fought for the restoration of their dignity.” (p38) The last chapter, Reflections on Inyenzi is an evocative essay bearing a conversation between the writers Karin Samuel and Andrew Brown. Brown wrote the book Inyenzi: A Story of Love and Genocide based on the Rwandan genocide.

That chapter alone is worth the price of the book. It brings to great closure several issues engaged by the other writers in the book. In simple, almost clinical prose that flogs the reader’s conscience wide awake, the writers weave fascinating images of war and

one is reminded of the starkness of images of apartheid’s war housed in South Africa’s Hector Pieterson museum.

This is a slim book bearing weighty reflections on conventional wars in Africa.

Wars still rage on in Africa, most of them wreaking havoc below the radar of our uncritical eyes.

Every day alien religions wake Africa up and rape her with impunity and send her to bed sobbing inconsolably.

Capitalism marches through Africa unchallenged reducing her millions of victims to needy supplicants to the God of more and more. We should reflect on why Africa is in this condition.

The book does not. It is not a criticism; a book can only do so much. Africa is enduring many wars and while this book focuses on conventional wars, I propose that today’s most devastating wars are the unconventional. If we don’t focus on those we may be writing our way to irrelevance. Why is the world indifferent to the travails of Africa?

In the book, Lauryn Arnott’s drawings are harrowing in their detail and they nicely complement the writing. But it is not enough. In the age of the Internet, the book is dying a long slow death and it is no longer a robust medium for expressing the horrors of war or the joys of triumph over adversity. I dream of creating a virtual museum dedicated to Africa’s suffering – a total convergence of all media and all voices singing with one earth-shaking voice of the horrors that we have seen and heard. And the griots Ndibe and

Hove would be the leaders of that mother of all projects.

Let’s accept some responsibility. Owuor makes this profound observation: “This war, this violence is ours. Ours is the hateful thing – a roaming stain that prowls through the society and sows seeds of chaos – that thing that appalls our withinness. And horrifies us with the blood it wastes.” (p21) However the book is virtually silent on the crucial question: Why are things the way they are in Africa?

There are many questions folded into that question. What is it with Africa and conflict? Why are we constantly forced to question and justify our humanity? What is the role of the writer in shaping events in today’s Africa? Why do some of our writers turn Goebbels on the people? What is the best medium for forcing the people to focus brightly on the fires that burn so fiercely all around Africa? Is this generation of African writers self-absorbed and narcissistic and why? Has the African writer deserted the role of the writer as the land’s conscience, priest and towncrier? We must seek answers to the why even though it might frighten us.

The Internet, that new world that holds the promise of liberation from hell on earth, is right now busily retrieving Africa’s brightest and best minds from Africa and dumping them in Europe and America.

Virtually all of Africa’s best thinkers are writing about Africa from the outside looking in.

Thanks to technology, sadly, this exodus includes those writers who physically live in Africa.

Hope Eghagha in his essay evokes the spirit of the poet-seer Christopher Okigbo using lines from Okigbo’s Hurrah for Thunder: The smell of blood already floats in the lavender-mist of the afternoon The death sentence lies in ambush along the corridors of power; And a great fearful thing already tugs at the cables of the open air, A nebula immense and immeasurable, a night of deep waters – An iron dream unnamed and unprintable, a path of stone This poem was written four decades ago; one could argue that it seems prophetic today only because the situation in Nigeria is heading South fast and the future is certainly frightening.

But then the question is why this constancy of turmoil. Okigbo would not know; he was murdered by Nigerian troops on Biafran soil in a war he did not ask for. This book is one more compelling proof that the sacrifices of Okigbo and other African thinkers hunted down and slaughtered for owning words have not been in vain. I salute Okey Ndibe and Chenjerai Hove.

Source: Africanwriter.com

PEOPLES POEM OF THE WEEK Title: Land of lava and volcanoes

By Abigail George It's nice out, sunny even While dark clouds gather If it weren't dangerous I'd Walk around the church With my father.

For too long now I have used Being and nothing as a crutch.

Waking, feeling prehistoric I can feel the lightness in you It's a soft love light.

I sit and write about mummy And daddy, tears that came and Went like a cold waterfall Staring right through me as it Floods my mind's eye.

A child's fists painted with Mud pies, adults with their bleak Smiles swimming out of reach Moon people do not have to speak Of the volume of their loneliness.

If only loss were pintsized.

If only a brother was not locked In the mists of rehab childhood Has no walls only infinite space.

Watch me detach myself From that thing, that skin Of a telescope, its core's pulse Why are you sullen, something Flawed on the other end of the Line leaving me an uninvited Guest like dark to fathom You out, the sun of your rare Soul-pieces - a deluge is Wrung out, washed out pale Like mysticism's shroud.

QUO TE UOTE “The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it intuition or what you will, and the solution comes to you and you don't know how or why."

– Albert Einsten

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

ANALYSIS

By KS Dakshina Murthy

F

or the second time in two years, India has witnessed an upsurge of spontaneous public protest. If the earlier one was against the all-pervasive corruption in public life, this time the anger has been directed at the government's inability to check increasing number of rape cases across the country.

The blood-curdling gang rape of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student on a quasi-public transport bus in New Delhi last week proved to be the tipping point, with students, officegoers and the normally political reticent sections of the middle-class striding out on to the streets of the capital city in disgust over the inefficiency and insensitivity of the federal administration.

While incidents of rape by themselves have always occurred, what is new is the wide coverage of these cases on 24/7 television news channels, bringing the gravity of the crime into the living rooms of the otherwise cocooned middle-classes.

Preceding the Delhi rape have been a series of similar high-profile cases in the neighbouring state of Haryana and in major metros, including Kolkata, Mumbai and Bangalore, which had possibly acerbated the feeling of insecurity and helplessness among large sections of the people.

The underlying desperation in the protests in New Delhi reflects a worrying factor over not just the security of women, but an overall slide into a state of administrative vacuum. For instance, the gang in the bus robbed a traveller some time before the physiotherapist and her male friend boarded it. The traveller who was robbed complained to the police, but they did not bother to act on his complaint. If they had done so, the rape could have been averted.

One should not be surprised if there are no real reasons for the police inaction other than one of disdain, or, in popular lingo a "chalta hai" attitude.

That public endurance is giving way to anger can be seen by similar protests in tandem against other instances of rape in the north-east state of Manipur and in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. In Manipur's capital Imphal, a journalist was killed when police opened fire during a street protest against the sexual assault on a film actress by a separatist Naga militant. In Tamil Nadu's capital Chennai, popular film stars led mass protests over the rape of an 11-year-old girl in Nagapattinam district.

One needs to juxtapose the issue of rape and the perception of state inaction with the near-absence of governance and rampant corruption to understand the latest upsurge. Add to this the notoriously slow pace of the judicial process and you have an explosive cocktail.

Not only that, in the New Delhi mass protest, people do not seem to have a clear idea on where to head next or what mass action to take in the absence of a leadership of any kind. No wonder there have been a slew of emotional but extreme demands, ranging from castration to death penalty for rapists.

The New Delhi gang rape may have been the lowest point in recent memory in the context of gender

PAGE 31

Something is rotten in the state of Delhi

The underlying desperation in the protests in New Delhi Delhi reflects a worrying factor over not just the security of women, but an "overall slide into a state of administrative vacuum". justice in the country, but there have been several instances preceding this.

In July this year, a girl was molested by a mob on a busy street in Guwahati, the capital of Assam in India's north-east. The act was uploaded on social media sites by the perpetrators who made no effort to hide their identities. The state administration had to be goaded into acting against the accused.

Earlier, in February, when a woman in the eastern city of Kolkata was raped and she went to the police to complain, the state government turned against her. The then newlyelected Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, termed it a conspiracy to besmirch the reputation of her government. In a number of rapes that followed, the Banerjee government coldshouldered the complaints alleging that it was a conspiracy by the opposition Left parties.

Indian women are being targeted in other ways too. In several parts of the country, there is an increasing trend among college managements to restrict jeans and T-shirts and force students to wear traditional attire.

In 2009, in the southern city of Mangalore, a mob affiliated to the right-wing Hindutva parties attacked women in a pub on the grounds that it was against Indian culture.

In the northern state of Haryana, the traditional khap panchayats (council of village elders) have ruled against women in several instances of marriage, cohabitation and on occasions even attempted to rationalise rapes.

In one case, a state minister said it would be better for women to be married off at 16 (under Indian law, for women 18 is the minimum age for marriage) to make life safer for them. He withdrew his comments after widespread protests.

The Indian ruling establishment, meanwhile, cornered and cowering over the widespread criticism it has had to face from civil society, media and activist organisations like Anna Hazare's Anti-Corruption Front, has not reacted to set right inefficiency that has plagued its governance, but against those who have managed to bring it to public notice.

In the first such acts of intolerance,

“

in June 2011, the Delhi police in a midnight swoop broke up a proposed peaceful mass demonstration and hunger strike against corruption at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi. The judiciary later indicted the police for the use of excessive force on a peaceful democratic protest.

A couple of months later, the Delhi police arrested the anti-corruption icon, Anna Hazare, on the eve of his hunger-strike only to find that the move had boomeranged badly. The police and by extension, the government, was lampooned in the media for their bumbling ways.

But the state did not seem to have learnt its lessons. Earlier this year, police in high-profile Mumbai city arrested a cartoonist, Aseem Trivedi, for drawing cartoons mocking the functioning of Indian democracy.

Sharp protests forced the government to release the cartoonist and drop all charges against him.

More recently, the police in Thane, a Mumbai suburb, arrested two girls for posting a comment on Facebook, criticising the closure of the city following the death of Bal Thackeray, chief of the local Hindutva-affiliated

In one case, a state minister said it would be better for women to be married off at 16 (under Indian law, for women 18 is the minimum age for marriage) to make life safer for them. He withdrew his comments after widespread protests.

party Shiv Sena. Again, following an outcry, the girls were released and charges against them dropped.

Interestingly, the intolerance within the establishment runs across the country irrespective of which political party is in power. In July, in Mangalore, where the pub attack had happened earlier, Naveen Soorinje, a journalist for a regional television news channel, filmed a brutal attack by a mob affiliated with the rightist Hindutva parties on a group of unsuspecting girls and boys celebrating a western-style birthday.

The police did not stop at arresting the accused. They promptly prosecuted the journalist too alleging that he instigated the attackers. At the moment, the journalist is in jail and his appeal is pending before a local court.

Interestingly, irrespective of the politics and the ideology of political parties, the government at the centre and the ruling dispensation in several states are finding themselves on the defensive. And, without exception, they are using the police to put down dissent with totalitarian force.

In the latest instance, the violent reprisal by the police on a large spontaneous peaceful protest of well-meaning students of the capital's prestigious universities and colleges is a confirmation of the perception that "something is rotten in the state of Delhi", to quote one tweet among many that have peppered the social media landscape.

Source: Al Jazeera

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Egyptian voters back new constitution in referendum Same-sex marriage crime against humanity, Tonye

O

ne of Cameroon's most senior Christian leaders on Tuesday called same-sex marriages a "crime against humanity", ramping up anti-gay rhetoric in the Central African state.

As in most African nations, homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon. But a number of incidents have highlighted the clash between a largely conservative culture backed by draconian law and youth for some of whom it is less of an issue.

"Marriage of persons of the same sex is a serious crime against humanity," Victor Tonye Bakot, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Yaounde, told followers at Christmas Day mass.

"We need to stand up to combat it with all our energy. I am particularly thankful to our local media that has been spreading this message of it as a criminality against mankind."

The comments follow a threeyear jail sentence handed earlier this month to 32-year-old JeanClaude Roger Mbede, who was found guilty of homosexual conduct because he sent a text message to another man telling him he loved him.

At least 12 people were convicted this year of being gay in Cameroon, where jail terms range from six months to five years.

Other African countries have seen fierce debate over anti-gay measures, which are often popular in societies where homosexuality is largely taboo but have drawn criticism from rights groups and threats of aid cuts from donors.

Ugandan politicians are seeking to pass an anti-gay law that initially sought the death penalty for homosexuals before it was watered down in the face of opposition.

Victor Tonye Bakot

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early 64% of voters in an Egyptian referendum have supported a proposed new constitution, the election commission has announced.

The result of the two votes held in stages on 15 and 22 December - was made public on Tuesday by the commission live on state-run Nile News TV. Elections must now take place within two months.

Critics say the document, which has triggered mass protests, betrays the revolution that toppled Hosni Mubarak.

But President Mohammed Morsi's mainly Islamist supporters say it will secure democracy and encourage stability.

Turnout was 32.9% of Egypt's total of 52 million voters, election commission President Samir Abul Maati told a news conference in Cairo.

He said that the new constitution was supported by 63.8% of voters over the two rounds of voting.

President Morsi

Mandela in good spirits, says Jacob Zuma

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elson Mandela is in good spirits and doctors are happy with his progress, President Jacob Zuma has said after visiting the former leader in hospital.

Mr Zuma said in a statement that Mr Mandela, 94, was happy to have visitors on Christmas Day. He was admitted to hospital in the South African capital, Pretoria, two weeks ago and has been treated for a lung infection and gallstones.

Mr Mandela spent 27 years in jail for fighting against the apartheid regime.

He served as South Africa's first black president from 1994 to 1999 and is regarded by many as the father of the nation.

Nelson Mandela

His health has been a c ause of concern for many years.

He first contracted tuberculosis in the 1980s while detained in Robben Island prison.

He has been admitted to hospital on three occasions in the past two years.

Mr Zuma said: "We found him in good spirits. He shouted my clan name, Nxamalala, as I walked into the ward.

"He was happy to have visitors on this special day and is looking much better."

Mr Mandela lives in Qunu, a small rural village in Eastern Cape province, where he says he spent the happiest days of his childhood.

He retired from public life in 2004 and has been rarely seen in public since.

Kibaki Pardons more 6,700 Prisoners

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resident Mwai Kibaki on Friday pardoned 6,700 prisoners to ease congestion in Kenya's penal institutions.

A statement from State House in Nairobi said that the president was acting on a recommendation to release selected inmates of various categories.

Among those released are 2,850 petty or minor offenders of good conduct that are serving sentences of six months and below.

Others were 2,586 first offenders that are of good conduct with a balance sentence of nine months or less to serve.

Another 1,277 ordinary prisoners of good conduct with a

balance sentence of nine months or less to serve will also be released.

Others who have benefited from the decree are 37 prisoners aged 65 years and above and confirmed terminally ill.

"I Mwai Kibaki, President and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by section 27 of the Old Constitution read together with Article 133 of the new constitution and the provisions relating to suspension of provisions of the new constitution under the Sixth Schedule, clause 2(1)(c) do hereby grant to the said: Remission of the unexpired portion of their sentences," read a dispatch from State House.

Inmates at the Meru Prison, which was built to accommodate 350 but now has more than 1,450 prisoners.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Asia and Middle East

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new wave of Syrian refugees who fled government bombardments in the central province of Hama have crossed into Turkey.

About 700 Syrians, mostly women and children, arrived in the the Turkish border town of Reyhanli on Monday, Turkish officials have said.

The Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency put the number of

PAGE 33

New wave of Syrian refugees flee to Turkey refugees who have arrived on foot or by car at 1,100.

The influx came a day after a government warplane attacked a bakery, killing scores of people in the rebel-held town of Helfaya, which is

in Hama.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said that it has collected the names of 40 men and three women killed in the assault in Helfaya.

One of the refugees who arrived in Turkey from Hama told the AP news agency that he and hundreds of others had fled airstrikes by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar alAssad.

"His [Assad's] pretext of bombing us with his missiles is that we are all terrorists, but he is launching and dropping his missiles on our children and women," said the man, who did not give his name.

Two killed and 11 injured in Burma emergency landing

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Camps built by the Turkish government.

t least two people have been killed and another 11 injured after a plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Burma, officials say.

The Air Bagan plane was carrying more than 60 passengers.

Two Britons are believed to be among those hurt.

It was on its way from the city of Rangoon to Heho airport in Shan state when it crash-landed about 3km (two miles) from the runway.

Reports say a fire in one of the engines may have caused the accident.

Burmese government officials have confirmed a passenger was found dead inside the plane.

A motorcyclist near Heho airport was also killed when the Fokker jet made its emergency landing in thick fog in a rice field.

The UK Foreign Office said it was working with Burmese authorities to establish whether two of the foreigners wounded in the crash were British.

"Our acting consul is en route to Heho Airport and the charge d'affaires has been deployed to Rangoon airport as we understand that some passengers involved in the incident are being flown there," a UK Foreign Office spokesman said.

Two pilots were also among the injured, who are reported to have

China school bus crash kills 11 children Site of the crash

Rescuer's at the pond where the van plunged.

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leven children have been killed when the van transporting them to school plunged into a roadside pond in a rural area of eastern China.

Chinese media reported on Monday that three children died at the scene of the accident and eight died later in hospital in Guixi city of Jiangxi province.

According to the Information Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, a Hong Kong-based rights group, emergency responders took 70 minutes to arrive at the scene.

The group also said that the van had been overloaded with 15 kindergarten students - its maximum capacity being only seven people.

Reports say that police detained the driver for questioning and are investigating the cause of the accident.

Another Chinese news agency reported that the van belonged to a kindergarten which did not have a government license to operate.

been taken to Sao San Tun Hospital in Shan's capital, Taunggyi.

"The cause of the accident is not clear yet. Only the pilots will know the cause, but we can't contact them yet as they have been sent to hospital," Air Bagan spokesman Ye Min Oo said in a statement.

Sources told AFP news agency a fire had started in one of the engines.

The plane broke in half when it crashed, eyewitnesses said.

Heho is the gateway to the popular tourist destination of Inle Lake in Shan state.

Iran 'fends off new Stuxnet cyber attack'

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power plant and other industries in southern Iran have been targeted by the Stuxnet computer worm, an Iranian civil defence official says.

But the cyber attack has been successfully rebuffed and prevented from spreading, Iranian media report.

Iran's nuclear enrichment efforts were hit hard in 2010 by the Stuxnet worm, which was also blamed for problems at industrial plants and factories.

Tehran accused Israel and the US of planting the malware.

Provincial civil defence chief Ali Akbar Akhavan said Iranian industry was constantly being targeted by "enemy cyber attacks" and companies in Hormozgan province had recently been infiltrated, the semi-official Isna news agency reported.

"The Bandar Abbas electricity supply company has come under cyber attack," he told a news conference. "But we were able to prevent its expansion owing to our timely measures and the co-operation of skilled hackers."

The Bandar Abbas plant, on Iran's southern coast in the Strait of Hormuz, is said to supply power to neighbouring provinces as well as Hormozgan.

Iran has regularly claimed success in defeating computer viruses, such as Stuxnet and Flame, which have affected its industries.

In April, a malware attack on Iran's oil ministry and national oil company forced the government to disconnect key oil facilities, including the Kharg Island oil terminal that handles most of Tehran's exports.

Late last year, Iran said some of its computer systems were infected by the Duqu spyware which was believed to have been designed to steal data to help launch further cyber attacks.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas Venezuelan President Chavez 'improves' after surgery

Lawmakers play waiting game with "fiscal cliff" deadline in sight W

ith only a week left before a deadline for the United States to go over a "fiscal cliff," lawmakers played a waiting game on Monday in the hope that someone will produce a plan to avoid harsh budget cuts and higher taxes

for most Americans from New Year's Day. Though Republicans and Democrats have spent the better part of a year describing a plunge off the cliff as a looming catastrophe, the nation's capital showed no

outward signs of worry, let alone impending calamity.

The White House has set up shop in Hawaii, where President Barack Obama is vacationing.

The Capitol was deserted and the Treasury Department - which

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enezuelan President Hugo Chavez has improved after a cancer operation and has started walking and exercising, the country's vice-president has said.

Nicolas Maduro told state TV he had spoken on the phone to Mr Chavez, describing the call as "the best present we could get this Christmas".

Mr Chavez underwent his fourth cancer operation on 11 December in Cuba but suffered a respiratory infection.

The president - in power since 1999 - won another term in October's election.

Earlier, Venezuelan Information Minister Ernesto Villegas said: "The patient has shown a slight improvement in his condition."

However, no pictures of Mr Chavez after the surgery have been released so far.

Mr Chavez, 58, is scheduled to be sworn in on 10 January.

The lack of any word from Mr Chavez for two weeks prior to the comments by the two senior officials raised serious concerns about his current condition and his ability to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Bolivian President Evo Morales was in Cuba over the weekend but did not speak to reporters and a Cuban government invitation for media to cover his arrival and departure was withdrawn.

Mr Morales is expected to issue a statement later on Mr Chavez's condition.

The country's constitution states that elections must be held within 30 days if there is an "absolute absence" of the president.

But National Assembly head Diosdado Cabello has said Venezuela will not call fresh elections if President Chavez is unable to be sworn in on 10 January.

Mr Cabello said the swearingin ceremony would be delayed.

"Since [President] Chavez might not be here on 10 January, [the opposition] hopes the National Assembly will call elections. That's not going to happen.

Commandante Hugo Chavez will continue to be our president," Mr Cabello said.

Supporters prayed for Mr Chavez at a Mass in Venezuela's capital, Caracas.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about the fiscal cliff in the briefing room of the White House in Washington December 21, 2012.

would have to do a lot of last-minute number-crunching with or without a deal - was closed.

So were all other federal government offices, with Obama having followed a tradition of declaring the Monday before a Tuesday Christmas a holiday for government employees, notwithstanding the approaching fiscal cliff.

Expectations for some 11th-hour rescue focused largely on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, in part because he has performed the role of legislative wizard in previous stalemates.

But McConnell, who is up for reelection in 2014, was shunning the role this year, his spokesman saying that it was now up to the Democrats in the Senate to make the next move.

"We don't yet know what Senator Reid will bring to the floor.

He is not negotiating with us and the president is out of town," said McConnell's spokesman, referring to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat. "So I just don't know what they're going to do over there," he said.

Two-day-old tweets on leadership websites told the story insofar as it was visible to the public.

Arsonist gunman kills two US firefighters

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wo volunteer firefighters have been shot dead and two others left wounded after they were ambushed by a lone gunman at a blaze apparently set as a trap in New York state.

Lieutenant Michael Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka were killed when 62-year-old William Spangler opened fire at emergency responders arriving at the scene of a house fire, shortly before 6:00 am local time (1100GMT) on Monday in the suburb of Rochester.

"This is still an active investigation, but I will say at first

blush that it appears that it was a trap, that there was a car in a house that it was engulfed in flames, probably set by Mr Spangler, who later waited and shot the first responders," said Webster police chief Gerald Pickering.

Spangler had spent 17 years in prison after killing his grandmother in 1981. He may have stolen the guns used in the shooting, said police.

"We have to keep in mind that Spangler was a convicted felon," said Chief Pickering.

"So he is not allowed to possess

weapons, so, did he legally possess these weapons? No, but we had all kinds of weapons larcenies, both in town and around the county, and in Wayne County as of late, so I don't know were those weapons came from, but we are certainly going to find out."

Spangler shot himself after attacking the firefighting crew, said police. He died on the scene.

"It's really heartbreaking, for these families and these people, and so close to a holiday where we're supposed to love each other," said one Webster resident.

Bunches of flowers and

handwritten notes have been left at the scene of the attack.

The two wounded firefighters, Joseph Hofsetter and Theodore Scardino, were listed in guarded condition at a local hospital, according to the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper.

More than 30 residents were evacuated as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.

The shooting in Webster comes 10 days after the shooting rampage at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, in which 20 children, aged six and seven, and six adults were killed.

themselves in an effort to prevent a vote on the budget, which they say will lead to excessive public debt.

SDSM said police detained four of its supporters.

Earlier, security guards had to evacuate speaker Trajko Veljanovski for his safety after opposition deputies tried to physically prevent him from announcing the vote, in a scuffle that left two injured including deputy Radmila Sekerinska.

Another four people including ruling coalition deputy Amdi Bajram were injured in a brawl outside parliament before riot police moved in to separate the protesters, local television reported.

Those injured were briefly hospitalised and their condition was stable, hospital officials said.

Immediately after the opposition deputies left the parliament building, the ruling coalition went ahead with the vote,

with 64 of those present approving the draft and four voting against it.

The 2013 budget forecast 2.7 billion euros ($3.5bn) in spending and 2.4bn euros in revenues. The budget is based on a projection of two-percent growth and an

inflation rate of 3.5 percent.

The opposition movement erupted late Sunday when the ruling coalition in the small Balkan country led by Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski approved a revised draft budget.

Macedonia budget sparks clashes

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lashes have broken out in front of Macedonia's parliament between opposition and ruling legislators over next year's budget, as rival supporters pelted each other with stones and bottles.

Six people, including two politicians, briefly needed hospital treatment for injuries from Monday's clashes.

"We are calling for civil disobedience... Macedonia will see a popular uprising," Brank Crvenkovski, leftist opposition party SDSM's leader, told his supporters outside parliament.

Crvenkovski said opposition deputies would refuse to take part in future sessions, though such a move would be merely symbolic as the party holds only 29 of the parliament's 123 seats.

Several thousand protesters flocked to parliament after deputies from SDSM party barricaded

Protester's in front of the parliament building.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 35

Woman weds dead sister's husband after death bed wish T

he sister of a terminally ill woman agreed to look after her children and marry her husband after a deathbed wish.

Jackie DeVita, a 42-yearold mother of three, was dying of cancer, when she removed her wedding ring and handed it to Colleen Leary.

Miss Leary agreed to take on her children, one of whom has Down's syndrome, but initially refused to marry her brotherin-law.

Three months after Jackie died however, in 2008, Colleen tied the knot with Richard after winning approval from the children.

"I know we have her blessing," Colleen, who lives in a ÂŁ8.5 million ranch in Venice, Florida, told the HeraldTribune.

Colleen and Jackie, who were born only 50 weeks apart, were best friends, and often mistaken for twins.

Colleen even introduced Jackie to her future husband Richard DeVita, a dentist working in Bradenton, Florida.

In 1988 Colleen began working in Mr DeVita's practice. When Jackie moved to

Colleen and Dr. Richard Devita, seated, with Richard's children, Mikey, left, Gabby, centre, and Richie, in the kitchen of Villa Devita on the family's 101-acre ranch.

Florida in 1993, she soon met Mr DeVita, began working with him and walked down the aisle a year later.

"From the time Jackie and

Richard met, we were constantly together, the three of us," Colleen said. "We hung out every week at the beach. I wasn't dating or anything, so I

Mall Santa stuns deaf boy, 3, by using sign to ask if he's been naughty or nice

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hree-year-old Cameron Sylvester, who is legally deaf, was too scared to sit in Santa's lap at a mall in suburban Boston, that is until Kris Kringle surprised him by asking in sign language if he was a good boy in a scene straight out of the holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street.

Like many other families, the Sylvesters recently paid a visit to Bass Pro Shops in Foxboro, Massachusetts, to have pictures taken with the resident Santa Claus.

While the three-year-old's sister, Arianna, ran to get in line to sit in Santa's lap, Cameron, who has a condition called auditory neuropathy, was too shy and stayed back with his parents.

'His sister Ari jumped right up there and Cameron just...he

Santa poses with boys family.

didn't want anything to do with it,' the boy's father told WCVB. That is when St. Nick, who was interacting with other kids at the time, spotted the blue hearing aids in Cameron's ears and took notice of how the toddler, who has been learning the American Sign Language, was communicating with his mother.

'The mother was signing a little bit, so I used the opportunity to sign to him,' the Santa told WCVB news. 'And I just asked him "are you a good boy?"'

Cameron was elated that Santa knew how to sign, and the boy's parents were touched by the gesture.

'I wanted to cry,' Cameron's mother said. 'A lot of people don't know sign language, and there's

Santa, and he knew what Cameron needed to see.'

The mall Santa meets with some 18,000 children each Christmas, making his attentiveness to Cameron's condition all the more special.

'It's touching, because it's nice to know that there are people still left in the world that care,' said Cameron's father.

The three-year-old and his parents were not the only ones who came away from the encounter in high spirits.

'It's wonderful,' the Foxboro Santa said. 'I live for moments like those.'

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hat's what German scientists are now working on: They are searching a way to ensure that the sensitive saplings of the popular Nordmann fir species grow into impressive specimens.

The fir is native to the Caucasus, but is often cultivated on massive plantations in Germany.

Biologist Kurt Zoglauer of Berlin's Humboldt University said Friday 40 per cent of trees don't make the cut when they mature after 10 to 14 years.

Some are stunted by frost, while others turn out the wrong shade of green.

Zoglauer's team therefore hopes to refine a method to clone particularly hardy and beautiful trees by 2016.

The project is supported by a German government grant.

was always the tag-along, but I loved it because I knew Richard and I loved Jackie."

When the couple were on holiday, Colleen looked after

the children, Richie, now 16, Mikey, 14, who has Down's syndrome, and Gabby, 12.

In 2005, Jackie was told by her doctor after suffering headaches she had a "mass the size of an orange in the back of your brain".

Colleen quit her job and moved in with the DeVitas. Jackie meanwhile got the best care in the country at Duke University's medical centre where her husband chartered private jets to fly her back and forth.

As her illness progressed, Jackie asked her sister to look after her children and tried to hand her wedding ring.

She told Colleen: "I want you to have this. I want to know that this is the three of us. Don't ever leave my kids."

Mr DeVita, 55, admits he initially found his future wife a "pain in the ass" but Jackie's illness brought them closer together and they married three months after Jackie's funeral.

He says that he believes it was "God's plan" that Colleen, now 46, remained unmarried.

She added: "Was I in love with him? No. Do I love him now?

Yes. He's a good man".

Judge blocks marriage of Argentina woman to twin sister's killer

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ictor Cingolani is serving a 13-year sentence for murdering girlfriend Johana Casas, a fashion model, in August 2010 but insists he is innocent and planned to marry her twin today in his prison in Santa Cruz province.

Cingolani said in that he and 22-year-old fiancĂŠe Edith Casas had been granted permission to wed in a civil registry in town but decided to do it in jail instead to avoid a media circus.

But the judge suspended the

wedding at the last minute, adding he would make a final decision by December 31 on whether they could marry.

The mother of the twins, Marcelina Orellana, had vowed to do everything she could to prevent Edith from going ahead with the nuptials, arguing that she was not in "full control of her mental faculties".

Edith insists that Cingolani was unjustly convicted, saying he is a "guy who would not hurt a fly".

German Scientists Working to Clone Perfect Christmas Trees

Zoglauer's team therefore hopes to refine a method to clone particularly hardy and beautiful trees by 2016.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

We’re all fatter than we think, with women underestimating their weight I

t will be little consolation to any woman who has stood in a changing room fretting about whether her bottom looks big – and any man who has desperately tried to convince her that it doesn’t.

We’re all fatter than we think we are, a study claims, and women are most likely to be guilty of underestimating their size.

It seems the average woman is actually 5lb heavier than she believes she is – and those in their late 30s are the most optimistic, convinced they weigh half a stone less than they really do.

Men, meanwhile, underestimate their weight by a more modest 3lb, the poll of 9,000 adults found.

Psychologists say it is all down to misguided optimism, with both men and women trying to convince themselves that they are not that far from the size they’d like to be.

Andrina McCormack, a chartered psychologist in Dundee, Scotland, said: ‘What is probably happening is that there is so much social pressure to be slim that everyone wants to be thinner.

‘So a woman may weigh

Both men and women consistently estimated they weighed less than they actually did

Struggling to fit into clothes? Most of us underestimate how much we weigh, a survey reveals

150lb, but she thinks that if she puts on a nice black dress and screws her eyes up she is closer to 140lb. It’s wishful thinking.’

And it seems this wishful thinking extends to how we look at our children, too.

The report found that nearly half of parents whose child was obese were convinced they were ‘about the right weight’.

The findings come from the Government’s annual health survey, which surveys some

8,600 adults and 2,000 children.

As part of the study they were asked how much they thought they weighed before being put on the scales.

Tim Straughan of the Health and Social Care Information Centre, which compiled the data, said: ‘This survey gives a brand new insight into how the average adult in England has a different idea of their weight compared to what the scales

actually show.

‘Women appear to misjudge their weight more than men with women in their late 30s in particular underestimating their weight by nearly 8lb.’

Nearly two-thirds of adults are overweight and one in four is obese, according to NHS data.

A fifth of children are obese by the time they leave primary school, with another 15 per cent being overweight.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Allergies, extra weight tied to bullying

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ids who have food allergies or are overweight may be especially likely to get bullied by their peers, two new studies suggest.

Not surprisingly, researchers also found targets of bullying were more distressed and anxious and had a worse quality of life, in general, than those who weren’t picked on.

Bullying has become a concern among parents, doctors and school administrators since research and news stories emerged linking bullying including online “cyberbullying” with depression and even suicide.

“There has been a shift and people are more and more recognizing that bullying has real consequences, it’s not just something to be making jokes about,” said Dr. Mark Schuster, chief of general pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School, who wrote a commentary published with the new research.

Studies suggest between one in ten and one in three of all kids and teens are bullied - but those figures may vary by location

and demographics, researchers noted.

The new findings come from two studies published Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

In one, Dr. Eyal Shemesh from the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York and his colleagues surveyed 251 kids who were seen at an allergy clinic and their parents. The

children were all between age eight and 17 with a diagnosed food allergy.

Just over 45 percent of them said they’d been bullied or harassed for any reason, and 32 percent reported being bullied because of their allergy in particular.

“Our finding is entirely consistently with what you find

A high school student (left) walks towards a group of female students chatting in front of a school in Tokyo recently.

with children with a disability,” Shemesh told Reuters Health.

A food allergy, he said, “is a vulnerability that can be very easily exploited, so of course it will be exploited.”

The kids in the study were mostly white and well-off, the researcher said - a group that you’d expect would be targeted less often. So bullying may be more common in poorer and minority children who also have food allergies.

But allergies aren’t the only cause of teasing and harassment by peers.

In another study, researchers from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, found that almost two-thirds of 361 teens enrolled in weight-loss camps had been bullied due to their size.

That likelihood increased with weight, so that the heaviest kids had almost a 100 percent chance of being bullied, Rebecca Puhl and her colleagues found.

Verbal teasing was the most common form of bullying, but more than half of bullied kids reported getting taunted online or through texts and emails as well.

Shemesh’s team found only about half of parents knew when their food-allergic child was being bullied, and kids tended to be better off when their families were aware of the problem.

He said parents should feel comfortable asking kids if they’re being bothered at school or elsewhere - and that even if it only happens once, bullying shouldn’t be ignored.

“We want parents to know,” he said.

“Start the conversation.”

“Parents whose kids have a food allergy should really be aware that their kids have the kind of characteristic that often leads to being bullied,” Schuster told Reuters Health. “They should be working with the school to handle the food allergy in a way that isn’t going to make it more likely that their kids will be bullied - and they need to be attuned to their kids.”

That’s the same for parents of overweight and obese children, he added.

“Kids need their parents to be their allies in these situations,” he said. “Their parents can help them still feel strong.”

Source: Reuters.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 37

Ilorin Emir urges Kwara to tackle cultism From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), has charged the Kwara state government to tackle incessant activities of cultists in higher institutions in the state.

The President of the union, Justice Saka Yusuf (rtd.) while speaking at the opening ceremony of IEDPU 47th national Annual Conference noted that the educational reform by the state government was a lofty and desirable programme which if properly implemented would make the state enviable across the

country.

“It is very important to specifically express our profound gratitude to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed for reducing the school fees being charged at Kwara State University, Malete. We commend the Kwara state government for offering free education at lower basic and upper basic classes in schools in the state, we appeal for same to our indigenes.”

Yusuf who expressed the opposition of the union to the holding of carnivals and other anti-Islamic activities in Ilorin metropolis, appealed to the state government to intervene and bring to justice

those involved in such activities.

He also called for the regulation of the operations of motorcycle riders and commercial taxi drivers in the state “because of their persistent roles in the perpetrators of crime in the state capital.”

In his remarks, Emir of Ilorin, Alh. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari stressed the need for the authorities concerned to bring to an end to the problems of roadside marketing and blockade of roads for social activities in Ilorin metropolis.

He urged Nigerians and the governments to always employ the use of dialogue in solving

whatever issues that might be agitating their minds.

The Governor, Alh. AbdulFatah Ahmed, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony, said the door of his administration was opened for consultation and dialogue on issues that would further enhance the development of the state.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State government, Alh. Isiaka Gold, said his administration was committed to the operation of an open door policy and implementation of people oriented programmes.

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Benue state Governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam, and Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, after their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, recently at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

S/West group endorses AMAC Chairman for second term

By Adeola Tukuru

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head of the FCT Area council election, the South/West political group in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) has endorsed the chairman of AMAC, Hon Micah Jiba for second term bid.

The former Supervisory

councilor for Special duties for AMAC, Hon Femi Sanusi, who is also the leader of the group, described the council chairman of AMAC as the people oriented leader.

According to him, Jiba led administration has remained committed in delivering effective services to the people of the council through provision

of motorable road and other social amenities in the rural communities in the council.

In his words “It is a collective decision for the South west PDP members ,FCT chapter, to clearly select Hon. Micah Jiba as our candidate and therefore urging every well-meaning PDP members who are aspiring for the AMAC

position to drop their interests and show support to the incumbent chairman because there is no vacancy in AMAC” he said.

Hon Sanusi further explained that his group had visited each project delivered by the leadership of the council to each wards of AMAC in less than 3 years.

300 PDP members defect to CPC in Danmusa LG, Katsina State

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hree hundred PDP members in Gurzar Kuka village of Danmusa Local Government Area in Katsina State have defected to the CPC, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Alhaji Gambo Musa, member of the House of Representatives, Safana/Danmusa/Batsari federal

constituency, in company of the local government CPC chairman, Alhaji Tukur Maigoro in Danmusa received the defectors who are from Danmusa B ward of the local government area.

Gambo said: ``we receive you as full members of our great party, the CPC and assure you of equal treatment with all members of the

party. ``We are happy that the people of the constituency have started to realise what is important and pray that more people will defect to CPC in the area.''

In his address, Alhaji Tukur Maigoro, the local government CPC chairman commended the

new arrivals for joining the party.

He also urged CPC members to strengthen their support for the party so as to ensure its success in future elections.

Earlier, spokesman of the defectors, Alhaji Awwalu Gurza said they had good reasons to defect to the CPC. (NAN)

Lagos Assembly summons LMDGP From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Lagos State House of Assembly at its plenary has summoned the Chief Executive Officer of the State Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP) over his refusal to appear before the Finance Committee of the House.

This was the resolution of the House when the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, formally lodges a complaint against him.

According to Hon. Tejuosho “the Committee has made an attempt to invite the management of LMDGP to appear before it on the budget review for the year, but the agency has refused to honour our invitation despite several calls and letters to the Agency”.

Contributing, the Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon Rotimi Olowo, also noted that his Committee also invited the Agency to appear before it but all to no avail.

The House therefore unanimously resolved that the management of the agency should appear before the House on Thursday to explain reasons for their failure to honour the invitation of the committee as mandated by the House.

In another development, the bill for the registration of land titles and consolidation of existing law has gone through the second reading and has been committed to the Land Committee for further deliberation. The bill when passed would help make transaction on the sale of land in the State stress-free.

Analyzing the importance of the bill, the Chairman, Committee on Lands and Housing, Hon. Bayo Osinowo, said that the bill would compel all land owners to register and regularize their land titles to avoid unnecessary re-allocation.

The bill is also expected to checkmate the excesses of land speculators, popularly known as ‘Omo Onile’, while it gives confidence to Lagosians engaging in land transactions.

In his contribution, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, explained that the bill would analyze all the laws of the state pertaining to land while Hon Saka Fafunmi said it would give a sense of belonging to all and consequently reduce petitions on land.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Xmas: Kwara Speaker sues for sober reflection From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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L-R: Kebbi state Governor, Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dakingari and Abia state Governor, Mr. Theordor Orji during the meeting of Nigeria Governors' Forum, recently at Rivers Lodge, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Saraki moves Senate forward through transparency, says Consultant From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he former Governor of Kwara State, and Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial district Dr Bukola Saraki has been described as a leader who had re-positioned the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly for effectiveness through his agitation for removal of oil subsidy.

A Human Resources Consultant and fellow of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, stated this in a statement

issued out in Ilorin and made available to journalists.

Abdullahi noted that the former governor during his tenure as the Kwara Governor ensured that the state allocation was utilised and this made him to recorded excellent achievements.

“As he moves to Upper Chambers of the National Legislature as a Senator, his impact is being felt not only by Kwara state but by all Nigerians in areas of transparency in financial management, arrest of environmental degradation and ecological disaster in

the country.

“His advocacy for the channeling of the nation’s resources to profitable venture that could enhance the nation’s economy and his activities in boosting the positive image of the nation within and abroad are noted in the polity,” he stressed.

Abdullahi who congratulatned Saraki as he marks 50 years anniversary described him as a dynamic public administrator who is committed to people’s empowerment and prudent economy.

he Speaker, Kwara State House Assembly, Barrister Abdulrasak Atunwa, has urged Christians in the country to use the occasion of Christmas celebration for sober reflection on issues threatening the stability and corporate existence of the country.

The speaker who made the call in his Christmas message said the insecurity in the country need a total cooperation of all Nigerians. Atunwa in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sanni, noted with displeasure that the security challenges bedeviling the nation called for concerted efforts of all Nigerians irrespective of religious, political and ethnic affiliation in ensuring that the nation surmounts problems.

Atunwa, who extolled the virtues of Jesus Christ enjoined Christians to continue to demonstrate high sense of tolerance, perseverance, sacrifice, love of one another and benevolence to the less privileged. He noted that what Nigeria requires at this trying period were love of one another, sacrifice, tolerance, perseverance, good leadership and followership to make her achieve an enduring democracy.

The Speaker commended Christians in Kwara State for ensuring harmonious co-existence with other adherents of other faiths in the state and charged them to sustain the tempo to further justify the slogan of the state of harmony.

He added that no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour and acrimony and enjoined Nigerians to continue to live together in peace and harmony. The Speaker assured that the Kwara State Government under the leadership of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed would continue to be more responsive to yearning of the people of the State to further make democracy meaningful to them.

Yuguda pleads for peaceful co-existence Yero seeks traditional rulers' support

From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state has pleaded with Christians to continue with the promotion of peaceful co-existence among their communities in the state.

The governor made the plea in his goodwill message to the people of the state on Christmas celebration saying that Jesus Christ had throughout his lifetime preached peace, honesty, and love for one another and above God all the fear of God.

According to Yuguda, people irrespective of their religious beliefs are enjoined to imbibe and put the teachings of Jesus into practice “We should use the occasion of Christmas celebration for serious stocktaking of our routine and spiritual performances in the last one year and pray to our Lord for better and prosperous years ahead. The Christmas period should be used to strengthen existing friendships and established new ones,” he said The Governor then reiterated his call

for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among the citizenry irrespective of religious, ethnic or political differences, calling on Christians to imbibe the spirit of love and forgiveness.

Yuguda pointed out that the primary objective of a responsible government is to ensure security of lives and property of its citizens stressing that with the support of people of the state his administration would ensure economic and social development.

Aliyu signs 2013 Appropriation bill into law

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ov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Monday signed the state 2013 Appropriation Bill into law with a call on all stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of the fiscal document.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Aliyu, had on Dec. 4, presented an appropriation bill of N83,798,860,360 to the state legislature.

The bill was passed into law last Thursday, Dec. 20, with an increase of N300 million, thus raising the size to N84,098,860,326.

The approved appropriation bill of N84 billion consists N46 billion for recurrent estimates and N37 billion for capital projects.

While assenting to bill, Aliyu said the record time with which the budget was passed the budget was an indication of the cordial relationship between all arms of government.

He said that every stakeholder was carried along in the preparation and screening of the budget. ``It is not the length of time taken in

the screening of the budget that determines its quality, but the seriousness attached to the issues by all those concerned. ``What has happened is an indication that the executive and legislature are working in harmony for the common good of the people of the state, `` he said.

The governor said the executive arm would abide by the amendments made in the budget and warned against corrupt practices that could thwart the yearnings and aspirations of the people. (NAN)

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ov. Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State on Monday solicited the support of traditional rulers to enable him serve the people better.

The governor made the call in Zaria when he paid a courtesy visit on the Emir of Zazzau and Chairman of the state Council of Emirs and Chiefs, Alhaji Shehu Idris.

Yero described traditional institutions as essential support base for the sustenance of peace and tranquillity of any society.

He restated his commitment to work for peace, unity and development in the state, and sought the support of the emir and other traditional rulers.

Responding, Idris assured the governor of the support of all traditional rulers to enable him succeed in the task of moving the state forward.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was the first to the place by the governor since assuming office on Dec. 16. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 39

Tackle corruption with renewed vigour, Ige's physician urges FG T he personal physician to the late Chief Bola Ige, Dr Wale Okediran, has urged the Federal Government to tackle corruption with renewed vigour.

He gave the advice on Monday in Ibadan while delivering a lecture entitled, "The Challenges of Political Leadership in Nigeria", at the 2012 Bola Ige Memorial lecture.

Okediran also called for strict enforcement of the ceiling on campaign donations for candidates vying for elective positions.

He argued that the enforcement would check donations by `` godfathers who would always cow those in elective offices to their whims and caprices to the detriment of the people they were elected to serve.''

"The problem with Nigeria is not the system of government: parliamentary or presidential, the problem is with us Nigerians,'' he said.

He said that all the people needed was for them to change their negative toward their leaders and offer constructive criticism to government to ensure genuine progress in the country.

Okediran, a former member of the House of Representatives, advocated a return to the six geopolitical zones of the country to ensure efficiency in governance.

On the late former Justice Minister and Attorney-General, Okediran described the deceased as a "courageous politician who was never afraid of telling his mind no matter whose ox was

gored.''

"He was a great mentor of the youths and somebody who strongly believed and fought for more people of good intention to join politics,'' he added.

The first daughter of the late politician, Mrs Funso Adegbola, said that her father `` did not

acquire wealth or build houses when in government but instead "built men.''

She thanked the audience at the occasion for honouring her father and Okediran for taking care of Ige till the last minute.

Adegbola also thanked the

Chairman of the Oyo State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Gbenga Opadotun, and members of the union for organising the lecture at the centre.

Ige, also a former governor of Oyo State, was murdered in Ibadan on Dec. 23, 2001. (NAN)

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L-R: FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Malam Ahmed Ali Gulak, Head of Service, Alhaji Sali Isa Bello, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, during the Christmas Day homage visit to President Goodluck Jonathan, Photo: Joe Oroye yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

``I welcome you to the leadership of the government of Lagos; you applied to be considered as permanent secretaries. ``Clearly, nobody was compelled and these appointments were based on examinations and interviews that were conducted. ``I hope you know, what you have signed; you have signed on to enormous privileges and responsibilities. You have offered to serve the government and the people of the state conscientiously. ``By the oath of office, you have

committed yourself not to discriminate against the people you serve, either by tribe, by religion or by any form whatsoever," the governor said. ``Indeed, in this public space, even though you can choose who your friends will be, you cannot choose who you will serve. ``As you occupy this privileged leadership position, I expect you to be fair, just and do your work without hindrance,'' he added.

Fashola implored the permanent secretaries to keep official

secrets, warning that revealing them could undermine government`s decisions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that earlier the governor had inaugurated a sixmember Tribunal of Inquiry into chieftaincy matters.

The tribunal, which is chaired

by Justice Titilola Osho with Mr Akeem Giwa, Mr Shakiru Seriki, Mr Rabiu Oluwa, Mr Tunji Adams and Mr Fatai Oluwa as members, is to address conflicts arising from chieftaincy and Obaship. (NAN)

Gov. Oshiomhole urges politicians to fulfill electoral promises

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ov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo on Monday advised politicians against seeing their foray into politics as a means of enriching themselves, but as an avenue to serve the people.

The governor made the remark at Jattu, Etsako West local government area of Edo while inaugurating a market built by a state legislator, Philip Shuaibu.

Gov. Oshiomhole said the society would be better off if political office holders fulfilled their electoral promises.

According to the governor, campaign promises are like bond

By Abdul-Rauf Musa

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ational Vice Chairman, South East, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Colonel Austin Akobundu (rtd.) has commiserated with the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, over the death of his elder brother, Prince Chukwuemeka Ekweremadu.

In a statement in Enugu yesterday, Colonel Akobundu said he received the news of Prince Chukwuemeka's demise with sadness and a grieving heart. The National Vice Chairman described the deceased as a prominent community leader whose strength of character, wise counsel and forthrightness will be greatly missed by his people.

He urged the Deputy SenatePresident and the entire Ekweremadu family to take heart and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

He also prayed for the eternal repose of the soul of the late Prince Chukwuemeka.

Jonathan approves appointment of 2 new Perm. Secs

Fashola tasks new Perm Secs on service delivery

ov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Monday called on the 16 newly appointed permanent secretaries to discharge their duties in line with the service charter of the state.

Fashola made the call at the swearing-in of the permanent secretaries at the Government House, Ikeja.

He said the government look up to them to assist in implementing its policies and programmes, and urged them to submit ``completely" to the service of the people.

Akobundu commiserates with Ekweremadu over death of elder brother

between the governed and the politicians, which must be honoured.

He expressed regret that some desperate politicians made so many promises during electioneering campaign, and thereafter alienated themselves from the people after securing the mandate.

The former labour president described such an act as a great challenge to the nation's democracy, and called on politicians to jettison such deceitful act.

Oshiohole said: ``While we are happy that we have done well by keeping to the promise of

transforming the state, we acknowledge that more still need to be done. ``And we are now better positioned to do more in our second term in office.''

Oshiomhole, who promised to build more roads, schools, hospitals, and to complete other ongoing projects, said that the property law recently signed into law by the government would not impoverish the people. ``The aim of this new law is to take from the rich, to develop the state, and not take more from the poor, as being peddled by some

persons. ``We must build a state where children of the poor will have a bright future, and we can only do this by providing quality education, among others.''

The governor commended the lawmaker for embarking on the construction of projects that impacted positively on the lives of his constituents.

Earlier, the lawmaker, who is the majority leader in the state's House of Assembly, said he was inspired by the vision of the governor to transform the state.

(NAN)

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Dr Jamila Shu'ara and Dr Clement Illoh as Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Abuja, signed by Mr Tope Ajakaiye, the Director, Press and Public Relations, in the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.

The statement quoted Alhaji Isa Sali, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation as saying that the appointment of Shu'ara followed the retirement of the permanent secretary, representing the SouthSouth zone on Nov. 23. (NAN)

Ekiti appoints 8 new Permanent Secretaries

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ov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has approved the appointment of eight new permanent secretaries in the state civil service.

This was contained in a press statement issued on Monday in AdoEkiti and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode.

The new permanent secretaries are Mr Dele Agbede, Mr M. A. Owoseni, Mrs Funke Falodun, Mr Sesan Alabi and Dr J B Adeyemo The rest are Mr Kola Ajumobi, Mr E. O. Abegunde and Dr (Mrs) O. G. Olomojobi.

The statement said that the new permanent secretaries would be swornin at a date to be announced later.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 41

Busy Boxing Day for football fans Stories by Albert Akota

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able toppers Manchester United are looking to extend their four-point lead when they host Newcastle on a packed Boxing Day round of fixtures.

At the other end of the division, rock bottom Reading will hope for a much-needed win at home to Swansea while QPR face surprise package West Brom.

There is also a full programme of Football League and Scottish football matches to take in.

After a weekend for the Manchester clubs that began with a 92nd-minute winner against Reading for City and ended with United’s draw against Swansea, Boxing Day could see yet more twists in the title race with the teams separated by only four points.

Both clubs failed to win their respective fixtures last season, and managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini will demand there is no repeat.

On the back of the breathtaking 8-0 win against Aston Villa, Rafael Benitez takes his third-placed Chelsea side to Norwich safe in the knowledge that he possesses an excellent Boxing Day record as a Premier League manager of five wins from six games.

No team has drawn more festive Premier League fixtures

than Benitez’s former side Liverpool, and current boss Brendan Rodgers will be looking to buck that trend at Stoke.

Fulham will also be looking to redress a rotten run of form which has included just one win in 10 games when Southampton comes to Craven Cottage.

With Arsenal’s match versus West Ham postponed because of possible industrial action on the London Underground, Champions League qualification rivals Everton and Tottenham will look to build a lead in the table against Wigan and Villa respectively.

At the top of the

Championship, leaders Cardiff are at home to third-placed Crystal Palace, while Hull will hope to extend their four-match winning run when they host fellow promotion hopefuls Leicester at the KC Stadium.

Peterborough looked on course for the drop but surprise victories in the last fortnight against Cardiff and Bolton mean if results go their way they can climb off the foot of the table with three points away at Wolves.

Tranmere boss Ronnie Moore will be hopeful of some much needed festive cheer at Prenton Park against Crewe after the second-placed club in League

One fell to a stunning 5-0 defeat to Swindon last Friday. With leaders Sheffield United hosting second-from-bottom Scunthorpe, three points will be vital for the Wirral outfit to keep in touch.

The big game at the top of League Two sees fifth-placed Rotherham face second-placed Port Vale. Victory for the hosts at the Memorial Stadium will see the clubs go level on 40 points.

Only one point separates Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers in the relegation zone from Barnet, who face the unenviable task of travelling to first-placed Gillingham.

North of the border, Scottish Premier League champions Celtic have a great chance to extend their lead in the late kickoff when they travel to bottomplaced Dundee, who is without a win since 1 December.

The prospect of having to play three games in a week will test the strength of squads throughout the leagues as the hectic Christmas fixture list kicks into gear.

With so many points up for grabs, the rewards are clear.

Whoever has been top of the table on New Year’s Day has gone on to win the Premier League title in the last three seasons, while only three teams have escaped relegation in the last 20 years when placed bottom at the same time.

TODAY’S EPL MATCHES Everton v Wigan Fulham v Southampton Man Utd v Newcastle Norwich v Chelsea QPR v West Brom Reading v Swansea Sunderland v Man City Aston Villa v Tottenham Stoke v Liverpool

Boxing Day for football fans

Keshi open to Odemwingie talks

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Stephen Keshi

he Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has said that he is ready to talk to Peter Osaze Odemwingie “only if he shows interest in doing so.”

The 31-year-old West Bromwich Albion forward had accused the Nigerian manager and football federation of lying in order to omit him from the nation’s Africa Cup of Nations provisional squad via social media network, Twitter.

But Keshi, 50, has made it clear that he has no issues with the forward and will be ready to discuss with him.

“I don’t have any issue with him. I’m surprised with his comments but I believe he is angry with being left out of the team.

“Remember there are other players who didn’t make the team and they have handled it calmly. We are all different in our ways of handling issues. But we need to move on from this.

“I’ve got a job to do. There are about 150 million Nigerians or more waiting to see this team at the Nations Cup and that is my biggest concern now.

Like I said I am open to discussions with him or any other aggrieved player, only if he shows interest in doing so.

There’s still the World Cup qualifiers to play for next year. For now I’m focused on the Nations Cup in South Africa,” the former Mali and Togo coach said.

However, Odemwingie has continued to post comments via his verified Twitter account saying his

“anger is over.”

“Anger is over. Full focus on WBA season and next game. I don’t need any distraction, neither the (Super) Eagles camp. Both independent!

“There are more problems in the world than football. HAARP, Blue Beam, NWO, global warming, Nephelims, poverty and Baggies Europe ticket.

“Time will put everything in its right place. Gonna enjoy the NOW and do the required daily duties. Tomorrow is Christmas!

“Best gift my wife could give me is a son tomorrow haha two weeks to go still though.

“2012 would have been a special year to be born though,” wrote Odemwingie around 6pm local time.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

Nigeria can’t have Ameobi, says Newcastle boss

Mali name squad on January 9

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ali Coach Patrice Carteron has revealed he will announce his final 23-man for the Africa Cup of Nations on 9 January, CAF’s deadline day.

The Frenchman will name a provisional 27-man squad for the Eagles camping in the Malian capital of Bamako.

“We will meet on January 5 to Bamako. I will call twentyseven players, and I will announce my list of twenty-three on January 9,” Carteron said.

“We will play a friendly match against a local side on the 8 January and leave for South Africa the next day where we will play another friendly match on 15 or 16 January against a local club.

Mali opens their campaign in Group B Niger before playing Ghana and DR Congo.

The Eagles finished third at the 2012 finals co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

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ewcastle boss Alan Pardew will not allow striker Shola Ameobi to play for Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

The 31-year-old Ameobi, who once played for the England Under-21 side, had been named in Nigeria’s provisional squad by Coach Stephen Keshi for the tournament which gets underway in South Africa on January 19.

But Pardew insists the player is needed for the English Premier League campaign.

“Shola won’t be going to that, and the national team manager knows the reasons behind that, which I am going to keep to myself,” said Pardew.

Ameobi scored the winning goal in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over QPR on Saturday after making his Nigeria debut in a 3-1 friendly win over Venezuela last month.

Nigeria will take on defending champions Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso in Group C at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Alan Pardew

NCC builds sports facility for DBI students

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he Manager of the Digital Bridge Institute (a subsidiary of the Nigeria Communications Commission) Sunday Olanrewaju, said that the ongoing construction work at Oshodi in Lagos was a sports training facility for its students.

Olanrewaju noted that the facility, when completed, would be used by the personnel of the Information and C o m m u n i c a t i o n Technology (ICT) Unit, for

their leisure.

He added that the facility would be part of an integrated campus for its students when it officially opens in 2013.

‘What we are putting together is not just a stadium; it is a training institute of the NCC, for the training of telecoms and ICT students.

“The stadium is part of an integrated campus coming up next year. This used to be NITEL’s training school but it is now known as DBI.

“It is meant to train Nigerians in telecoms and ICT and the stadium is built with hostel accommodation to engage the students in sporting activities,” Olanrewaju said.

He added that a final decision had yet to be taken by the management on whether the stadium would be used by both students and the public.

“I actually don’t know what the management is up to, but I’m optimistic that the stadium will be available for public use, as

well.

“It is being built for the students but that doesn’t mean that outsiders can’t make use of it. I’m sure that management will give consideration to its corporate social responsibility in coming to a decision on the issue.

“Before now, Peter Rufai’s Academy used to come and train on the pitch, but since the construction work commenced, we’ve suspended the use of the pitch,” he added.

Prime FC on temporary setback, says Adeshina

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rime FC coach, Ademola Adeshina has said his side’s 1-2 loss to hosts, Gabros on NNL Matchday 1 in Nnewi is a temporary setback.

The Ogbomoso-based side edged forward but the home lads equalised through the spot kick and went ahead to grab the winner deep into the second half of the game.

Adeshina blamed his rookies for lacking the stamina to finish the game on high.

“Despite the loss which is a temporary setback I had a fantastic game. I scored first but my wards gave it out as the hosts rallied round to equalise through penalty and grabbed the winner deep into the game.

“We lost several scoring chances due mainly to inexperience of my lads.

“They showed fatigue and lacked the required stamina to finish the game in the second.

“I know we’ll get better as the season progresses. We started very late with only three to four weeks for me to gather the players and prepare for this encounter.

“They showed promises and received applauses from the fans including the proprietor of the winning side, Gabriel Chukwuma.

“We’ll bounce back and take it up from there in our next matches,” said the former Nigerian player to supersport.com.

Gabros’ boss, Chukwuma admitted that his charges were lucky to escape unhurt the onslaught of the invaders from Ogbomoso.

Eguavoen blasts ‘Bad example’ Okonkwo

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Chibuzor Okonkwo

harks coach Austin Eguavoen has said Chibuzor Okonkwo should not be part of the Eagles after the player absconded with his club’s cash.

Former Eagles coach Eguavoen said Okonkwo is a “bad example” for a national team player.

The former Eagles captain, who joined Sharks this season, has alleged that the bulky right back collected money from Sharks on the pretext he will play for the Port Harcourt club in the coming season and then absconded.

“Chibuzor has no business being in the national team.

He is a bad example for a national team player. Can you imagine that Chibuzor came to Sharks collected our money, signed and absconded?” a furious Eguavoen said.

“I have been calling him and he is not picking my call. Sharks no longer need him, so it is best he returns the club’s money.

Eguavoen added: “I have been trying to reach Keshi and let him know because personally I don’t think a player with such character deserves to wear the national colours.

Okonkwo, who last season played for Heartland, has been handed a last-ditch chance to be at next month’s Nations Cup, has impressed in training in Abuja and will now join the rest of the squad in Portugal.

Patrice Carteron

Paul downs Mighty Jets

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igawa Golden Stars’ striker, John Paul has described his club’s 1-0 victory over Mighty Jets in the Nigeria National League (NNL) was as good as omen.

The Golden Stars kicked off their campaign in Nigeria’s second tier football on a winning note. Paul, 17, came on as a substitute in the 85th minute and netted the winning goal for the Hadejiabased club at the death as a defensive gaffe from Mighty Jets’ defenders allowed him scoring from the right angle.

The striker, who has set a target of 12 goals for himself this term in the National League, expressed happiness as his goal helped Jigawa Stars secure their first victory this season over Mighty Jets.

“I wanted to start the game, but the coach said I should allow the new players to play. I thank God that it was my goal that gave us the victory,” Paul said afterwards.

Jigawa Golden Stars will now play their second game away at FC Taraba and Paul is optimistic that his side will triumph next Saturday.

“I would die if I miss that game next Saturday. I scored two goals against them two seasons ago at their home and it would be great to play against them again.

“We are wounded lions and we are ready to face any foe that comes our way. We must get back to the Premier League next season,” Paul explained.

Ambrose set to enter Eagles camp late

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eltic defender Efe Ambrose will join the late arrivals from the EPL at the Faro training camp on January 5. Officials have already disclosed that English Premier League trio of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi will be the last players to join the Eagles squad in Portugal on January 5.

“I cannot confirm right now on when I would hit camp because we have a game on January 2 after which I will discuss with the club,” he said. The central defender said he believes all the players on the 32-man squad deserve their call-ups. “Everybody on the list deserves to be there, that is why the coach invited them. I am happy I am on the list, but the most important thing is that we know what Nigerians want and we are ready to give a 120 per cent,” he said.

“As for those not on the list, I would like to say anything about that but the coach would have his reasons and like you know, the coach has the final say.

Efe Ambrose

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 43

Long heads Boxing Day field

Pakistan set to resume India cricket tour in Bangalore

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akistan is set to play its first cricket series in India for five years amid tight security.

The first bilateral series between the two countries since 2007, comprising two T20 matches and three one-day internationals, begins with a T20 game in the southern city of Bangalore.

Ties between the two countries’ cricket authorities were hit by the 2008 Mumbai attacks, in

which 175 people died.

India has left veteran left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan out of the series against Pakistan.

Sachin Tendulkar has retired from the 50-over format, but fellow batsman Virender Sehwag retains his ODI place.

Reports say a massive security ring has been thrown up outside a stadium in Bangalore, where the match begins on Tuesday evening.

Bomb squad officers, sniffer dogs and as many as 5,000 policemen have been deployed to maintain security, reports said.

Hardline Hindu organisations, including the Shiv Sena, have said they will hold protests outside all the match venues during the series.

The last series between India and Pakistan in either country was in 2007-2008 when Pakistan visited India.

The South Asian rivals

continued to play each other on overseas grounds, with their last match taking place in the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in September.

Correspondents say the move to resume cricketing ties is a sign of improving relations between the two countries.

In July, the foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan met in Delhi and the two sides discussed their willingness to have more sporting contact.

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Zaheer Khan

Murray’s Mother predicts more success in 2013 A ndy Murray’s mother Judy says her son can enjoy even more success in 2013, and has praised the impact that Coach Ivan Lendl has had on his career.

Murray enjoyed his best year in tennis, winning Olympic gold before lifting his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open, and was runner-up at Wimbledon.

The 25-year-old joined forces with eight-time major winner Lendl 12 months ago and the partnership has been a huge success, as Murray threatens to reach the top of the world rankings.

Murray, from D u n b l a n e , recently finished third in the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award and has been in Miami for his annual pre-

Andy Murray

Australia v Sri Lanka: Michael doubt as Bird debuts

Ryder Cup: Colin set to captain Gleneagles

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ustralia captain Michael Clarke is doubtful for the traditional Boxing Day Test because of a hamstring injury.

If Clarke is not passed fit to face Sri Lanka, all-rounder Shane Watson will lead the Test side for the first time, with batsman Usman Khawaja standing by to replace Clarke in the middle order.

As several pacemen are ruled out with injuries, uncapped right-arm seamer Jackson Bird will make his Test debut.

Bird, 26, gets his chance as leftarmer Mitchell Starc is rested.

He will play in a three-strong seam attack along with Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle as Starc, Ben Hilfenhaus, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Ryan Harris and Pat Cummins are all unavailable because of injury.

But Clarke will be given as much time as possible to prove his fitness, as coach Mickey Arthur says he is “clearly improving”.

The skipper’s hamstring problem surfaced during the first Test in Hobart, which Australia won by 137 runs.

season training camp, but will take a short break before flying east.

“He’s come home for Christmas for a couple of days for the first time in about four years. He leaves on Christmas night to go to Abu Dhabi to play in an exhibition event and then on to Brisbane for the warm-up tournament before the Australian Open,” his mother explained.

And Judy, who captains Great Britain’s Fed Cup team, feels there is a crop of young Scottish players ready to step onto the world stage.

Maia Lumsden, a 14year-old from Glasgow, beat fellow Briton Gaby Taylor, from Hampshire, in the final of the Orange Bowl event, considered one of the most prestigious in the world junior game.

ong Run heads a field of 10 horses declared for Boxing Day’s traditional King George VI Chase at Kempton Park.

The seven-year-old won the January 2011 race and was runner-up on Boxing Day last year to Kauto Star, who was retired in October and has now embarked on a career in dressage.

However, champion trainer Paul Nicholls has entered Kauto Star’s halfbrother Kauto Stone for Wednesday’s showpiece.

Clerk of the course Barney Clifford has described the ground as heavy, but perfectly raceable.

Meanwhile, David Pipe saddles two contenders in Grands Crus and Junior at Kempton Park.

Trainer Nicky Henderson has a second horse, Riverside Theatre, in the race, while Philip Hobbs’s hopes rest on Captain Chris, who finished third last year, after withdrawing Menorah and Wishfull Thinking at Sunday’s final declaration stage.

The field is completed by Champion Court, For Non Stop, Cue Card and last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up The Giant Bolster, who will be ridden

by Tony McCoy. Long Run’s owner Robert Waley-Cohen hopes his horse, the bookmakers’ favourite, can improve on last month’s defeat by Silviniaco Conti in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

C

Michael Clarke

olin Montgomerie has been linked with Europe’s captaincy at the 2014 Ryder Cup in Gleneagles.

The 49-yearold skippered the side to victory at Celtic Manor in 2010 and potential skipper Darren Clarke believes Europe needs a big presence to lock horns with US skipper Tom Watson.

Montgomerie, who did not lose a singles match in his eight Ryder Cup campaigns as a player, was not expected to be in the running for the 2014 event.

However, Clarke s a i d W a t s o n ’ s appointment for a second time may alter European thinking ahead of the tournament committee meeting in Abu Dhabi next month.

Clarke admits to mixed

emotions about the possibility of captaining the side at Gleneagles.

“If they asked me to do it, it would be a difficult decision to take. I’m still only 44 and it’s not that long ago that Iwon The Open (in 2011),” he said.

Colin Montgomerie

Clarke and Paul McGinley have been linked with the role, with Montgomerie describing both as “great candidates”.

Montgomerie learned last week that he is to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

2013 Nations Cup finals

Zambia coach tips Manucho to shine

Z

ambia Coach Herve Renard has said striker Manucho will be crucial in Angola’s push at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

Renard told National Radio of Angola in Lusaka that the Real Valladolid striker showed his class with his brace in a 3-2 home loss to Real Madrid on December 8.

“Manucho is a very good striker and I am sure Angola will do very well especially in the group of Cape Verde, Morocco and South Africa,” Renard said.

Manucho inspired Angola to

dramatic qualification to the 2013 finals with a brace at home in a 2-0 win against Zimbabwe to advance 3-2 on aggregate.

This will be the third Nations Cup of the former Manchester United striker, who scored a cracking goal against Egypt in the 2008 tournament in Ghana.

Renard coached Angola in 2010 for a six-month spell after his first stint as Zambia coach.

Meanwhile, asked whether he would like to face Angola in South Africa, Renard said: “Yes I would like to play Angola because we want to go far.”

Ethiopia snub exPirates striker for AFCON

E Manucho

Kalaba joins Zambia squad by New Year

R Rabiu Ibrahim

Rabiu dreams AFCON glory

S

hock Eagles call-up Rabiu Ibrahim has revealed his biggest wish for 2013 is to win next month’s AFCON with Nigeria.

Midfielder Ibrahim has struggled to establish himself at Scottish giants Celtic, but was handed a chance to make his debut for Nigeria at full international level after he was picked in a preliminary squad for the Nations Cup. “I wish to win the Nations cup with Nigeria next year and take it from there,” the former U17 and U20 star revealed.

“We have a talented team and I believe we will not disappoint the fans. We will do our best to make Nigerians proud.”

However, the former Sporting Lisbon playmaker will first have to make the final 23man squad to South Africa to make his dream come true.

“This is the time for me to showcase my talent and I have absolute confidence in myself,” he declared.

ainford Kalaba could be back to full team training by New Year’s Day, according to Zambia team doctor Joseph Kabungo.

Kabungo said that he will have another look at the influential playmaker when Zambia enter camp in Johannesburg on December 26.

Kalaba has been out of action since October 10 after sustaining a groin injury on CAF Champions League duty with DR Congo club TP

Mazembe.

“We will determine how well he progress in the next few days and he might actually be back sooner than you think,” Kabungo said.

“It (his rest period) was highly precautionary.

Rainford stayed out of action for such a long time and there was no way he could just join the guys who have been busy throughout season.”

Kabala has been doing light training alone since the main

NFF dismiss Newcastle claim Ameobi not for AFCON

T

Shola Ameobi

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have debunked a claim

by Newcastle that Shola Ameobi will skip next month’s AFCON and that coach Stephen Keshi is aware of this.

“We are not aware of such a thing about Shola (Ameobi), he is a FIFA-listed player for us.

“The federation is not aware, the head coach is not aware of this and that was why Shola was called up for the competition,” spokesman for the NFF, Ademola Olajire said.

“We will do all within us to see that Shola or any player picked by the coach for the Nations Cup is released to us.

The Kogi State indigene is on the 32-man provisional squad released by Eagles coach Stephen Keshi last week.

Pardew said: “Shola won’t be

Ghana Boye returns to training at Rennes

G

John Boye

team Zambia kicked off their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations preparation on December 15 in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Kabungo disclosed that defender Kampamba Chintu’s injury he sustained on his left leg against Tanzania before he was taken off in the second half on Saturday is not serious.

“It is a minor quadriceps strain and we will give him a couple of days to rest but he should be okay,” Kabungo said.

hana defender John Boye has returned to training, boosting his chances of playing at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The centre-back suffered a thigh injury while playing for Rennes in the French Ligue 1 against Troyes in early December.

However, the 25-year-old was excluded from the team which beat Ajaccio 4-1 on the road on Saturday.

“I resumed training on Wednesday and I believe I’m going to be fit for the UAE camping,” Boye said.

“But I don’t have to rush to get back. I must take the recovery step by step so that I would be available for the AFCON. Boye is set to make a second appearance at the Nations Cup finals after an impressive debut in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early this year.

going. The national team manager knows the reasons, which I am keeping to myself.”

Ameobi made an encouraging debut in a 3-1 friendly win over Venezuela last month, setting up the third.

Martins celebrates Xmas with orphans, mothers

x-Orlando Pirates striker Fikru Teffera has been left out by Ethiopia from a provisional squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ethiopia coach Bishaw Sewnet has drafted five players based abroad with Teffera, who also starred for Supersport United, the biggest omission.

Teffera, who now features for Vietnamese club Thanh Hoa, is not part of the team after playing for Ethiopia at the 2012 CECAFA Cup where the team reached the quarterfinals in Uganda.

Sewnet has instead called up key striker Saladin Said of Egyptian club Waldi Gelda and Sweden-based player Sala Yusef.

Germany-based Dawit Bisha as well as two USA-based players, Faud Ibrahim and Abdi Welimehamed, completes the five foreign call-ups.

Their inclusion brings to 31 the players in Ethiopia’s provisional squad who are currently heading into their third week of training camp in Addis Ababa.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia host Niger in a warm-up match on December 30 in Addis Ababa.

The Walia Antelopes will later host Togo on January 3, before flying out to the Persian Gulf to face Tunisia in Qatar on January 7.

The 1962 champions also have two yet to be confirmed January dates away to Tanzania and Morocco.

Ethiopia will at next month’s AFCON in South Africa be marking their first tournament.

L

evante striker Obafemi Martins spent the Christmas with visits to hospitals and orphanages in Lagos.

‘Obagoal’ will on behalf of his foundation give away gifts to three hospitals and orphanages.

Meanwhile, Levante fans are thrilled Martins will stay back at the Spanish club after he was not called up by Nigeria for the Nations Cup in South Africa.

The fans are delighted the 28-year-old striker will not miss any of the games in their La Liga campaign come the New Year.

Martins have been integral part of Levante after he scored six goals in 13 League matches with the club now sixth on the table.

Fikru Teffera

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 45

5

1

PICTORIAL 1] Matija Nastasic is already enjoying the prospect of a packed Christmas schedule, with the Serbian youngster keenly awaiting Manchester City's trip to Sunderland on Boxing Day. 2] Rafa Benitez is hopeful that Chelsea will be back in the race for the Premier League at the turn of the year after Sunday's 8-0 thrashing of Aston Villa

2

3] Pakistan is set to play their first cricket series in India for five years amid tight security, beginning with a T20 game in Bangalore.

4] Manchester United host Newcastle on an action packed Boxing Day, while rock bottom Reading hope for a win at Swansea.

5] Sir Alex Ferguson has likened striker Robin van Persie's impact at Manchester United this season to when Eric Cantona arrived at Old Trafford in 1992.

3

4

6] Australia captain Michael Clarke is doubtful for the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka because of a hamstring injury.

6

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2012

PAGE 47

Quick CrossWord (97)

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ACROSS 1 Fooling (7) 5 Part of a jacket (5) 8 Small bay (5) 9 Tempts (7) 10 Cookery writer Mrs Beeton’s first name (8) 11 God of thunder (4) 13 Reign (6) 15 Shirked (6) 18 Sir Thomas __, Tudor statesman (4) 19 Substance in food, essential for good vision (7,1) 22 Widely advertised (7) 23 Corpulent (5) 24 Irksome (5) 25 Shakes (7)

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SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Barry confident Manchester City can chase United for EPL title

G

areth Barry is confident Manchester City will be able to chase down Manchester United at the top of the table as the champions prepare to face Sunderland today.

Roberto Mancini's team has responded to their 3-2 defeat in the Manchester derby earlier this month with consecutive victories.

That loss to their bitter rivals increased United's lead to six points but second placed City managed to reduce the deficit to four over the weekend.

Barry scored in stoppagetime to secure a 1-0 win over a stubborn Reading side on Saturday before United dropped two points with a 1-1 draw at Swansea on Sunday.

England midfielder Barry, 31, acknowledges that United's home games against Newcastle and West Bromwich Albion over the Christmas period are easier than City's trips to Sunderland and Norwich.

But City overturned United's eight-point lead in the final six games of last season to win the Premier League title and Barry is adamant Mancini's side have a similar determination this time around.

City captain Vincent Kompany was on the bench for the win over Reading after a groin problem and he may be fit enough to return to the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light.

Italian striker Mario Balotelli could return from illness, while Mancini will be hopeful that left-backs Gael Clichy and Aleksander Kolarov can overcome minor injury problems.

Although United have the advantage at present, City's recent defeat to Alex Ferguson's side was their only loss in the Premier League this season and Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure believes the champions have already demonstrated they have what it takes to retain their title.

Sunderland winger Adam Johnson is a doubt to face his old club as City goes in search of their first victory at the Stadium of Light for almost four-and-a-half years.

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE This current administration rather than transacting its touted transformation agenda into impactful performance has hastened the transformation of most Nigerians into poverty, into a world of unemployment and insecurity.

— Bola Tinubu on Jonathan’s administration

Governor Yero's wrong start T

he crowd of grieving family members, State Executive Council members and other VIPs, including former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, must have cried "oh my God!" when the newly-installed Governor of Kaduna state went off-track throwing punches at imaginary enemies at the valedictory meeting of the government to honor his boss, the late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

In my mind's eye, he was like that foreman who removed his hat, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and removed his globes to launch a rain of punches on unsuspecting coworkers. It was unwarranted.

Speaking last week at that valediction, Governor Yero complained that some commissioners had almost succeed in getting the late Yakowa to sack him, with the plot indeed thickening just a few days to his former boss's death.

This is not so much in opposition to the new governor's choice of forum or occasion. But surely, a grieving moment such that the state was in did not warrant a flagrant display of triumphalism.

If commissioners under Governor Yakowa did not treat him with respect as deputy governor, what is new in that? This is something that is common to deputy governors and even vice presidents all over Nigeria. One governor, Chief Ezeife, then of Anambra state, dismissed deputies as spare tyres. A deputy governor under then Governor Umaru Musa Yar’adua of Katsina state, Tukur Jikamshi, had the courage of his conviction to resign from the position. He addressed a press conference thereafter at which he said the office should be abolished because it had become useless. In Akwa Ibom state, Nsima Ekere, the deputy governor until a few months ago, threw in the towel saying that there are better things to do with his time.

Editors on a mission to Enugu state then under Chimaroke Nnamani were shocked to see the governor ordering around his deputy asking him to fetch this or that thing. What happened in Kaduna is no news. That deputy governors and vice presidents are not respected is a fact. Not

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MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

Gov. Muktar Ramalan Yero only that, they are despised and looked down upon in all but a few State Houses. Governors do this deliberately because they are building a cult around their personality and sometimes family. Don't blame the commissioners who are merely used as pawns. The governor must be seen to be haughty, even imperious. He is authoritative, even authoritarian; decisive, even ruthless and strong, even invincible. These are the ingredients of cult personality.

Some governors, as you move around the country are manifesting a form of endowment with muscular virtues.

Didn't Governor Ohakim beat a journalist and at another time a priest inside the State House?

The single-mindedness which some endeavour to project themselves as supreme leader does not give room for a commissioner to divide his loyalty between a governor and his deputy. In the period he was governor, Patrick Yakowa singly wore the crown. It was not on shared heads. Ibn Khaldun, the Maghreb philosopher addressed this issue very well nearly a thousand years ago. The crowd, all of the people follows the crown, not the man. If the crown moves from one head to another, they will follow it wherever it goes. Given that Nigerian

democracy is cultured in a single political leader, there is nothing unique in what happened to Muktar Ramalan Yero as deputy governor.

Late Yakowa rode to power three years ago amidst an avowedly anti Hausa-Muslim mantra among his people in the southern part of the state, as well as deep fear and suspicions of him by the Hausa in the Northern and the Central senatorial districts. Yakowa walked a tight rope. He won in 2011 chanting a soothing, development mantra although the anti Hausa-Muslim tirade in the south was muted but not altogether absent. This was the background to the post-election violence which tasked the late governor and it took his kind of humility, hard work, experience and sincerity of purpose to earn the trust and confidence of Muslims and Christians alike. The new governor's challenge is to match that record even if he does not surpass it.

There is something dreadful about the new Governor's subtle manifestation of triumphalism and vengeance and a sense that he has outwitted all his rivals and the "seat is now mine".

Should that happen to be the case, it will be reckless and insensitive of the new Governor.

It is the wrong way to go about it. Governor Yero didn't make himself Governor. No, it is Providence that made him so.

To that degree, he should not think that he has won against anyone. He must not seek vengeance but rather lower his head and be humble.

Any attempt to suggest that he won by outwitting his rivals or appear seeking vengeance will be a grave mistake. That would suggest trouble for the cabinet members and the ruling party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in that volatile state. It could also be an

eye-opener for those who play tribal, religious and regional/ sectional cards to survive in politics. I don't know the new Governor's brand of politics. But it would be graceful of Governor Yero to embrace all of the commissioners and advisers the former Governor left behind, both the ones who loved him and the ones who despised him alike.

He should then strain every nerve of his to impose himself on the whole state and ensure that all the cabinet falls in line.

This may be easier said than done, but don't forget that Kaduna is on a slippery slope.

Nobody should play games here.

If he fails to get the government behind him, he will face a bigger huddle of uniting the divided state, which even Yakowa did not fully succeed in doing, in spite of his track record as administrator-per excellence. A failure to unite the government could also spell doom to the tenuous hold of the PDP in that and many other states.

When he took power from the late Shehu Kangiwa in the Second Republic in Sokoto state, the new Governor at that time, Garba Nadama faced a somewhat similar situation to Yero's in his relationship with other cabinet members.

Nadama as Deputy Governor had suffered years of denigration in silence. He had been mostly ignored and despised under Kangiwa. Death came and it took away the dashingly youthful, ambitious and well-educated Governor.

Nadama thought exactly as Yero did from day one. He felt he had to sack the entire cabinet to replace them with loyalists of his own. The party, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which also governed at the center warned him to desist from doing so or else the state risked being lost to the opposition. Governor Nadama took this advice. He carried all commissioners along and led the party to another round of victory in 1983. When he reconstituted the cabinet after the election, nearly all the commissioners made it back to office, reason being that each of them had a chance to prove their loyalty and capability to the new governor. Yero should avoid hasty and vindictive decisions.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 805 727 9862. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141