Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday 27, February, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 43

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Rabiul Akhir 17, 1434 AH

N150

How Nigerian leaders Nine PDPgovs Why Anenih emerged wasted oil money, ready to join APC, BoT chair — PDP

by Clinton says ANPP >> PAGE 3

>> PAGE 37

>> PAGE 40

Gunmen, JTF kill 20 in Taraba, Yobe, Borno

Top Boko Haram commander affected From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

I

t was another black day for residents of Taraba, Yobe and Borno states in the north eastern part of the country yesterday when about twenty

people were killed in separate attacks and operation in the three states.

In Taraba, gunmen unleashed terror yesterday, killing 10 persons in Wukari including two policemen, just as reports from

Yobe state said that unknown gunmen also attacked Ngelzzerma town in Fune local government area, killing seven people.

In Borno State, the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) said

yesterday that its operatives stormed a hide-out for suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, killing a top commander of the insurgents and two others.

Eyewitness accounts in Taraba said that the gunmen

attacked and killed seven persons at Gidan Idu, about 11 kilometres from Wukari town, on the Wukari - Jalingo highway.

The two policemen, according to reports were killed at a separate Contd on Page 2

Pupils of Amameena Memorial School, Kaduna state, visiting the on-going 34th Kaduna International Trade Fair, yesterday in Kaduna. Photo: NAN

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

here was unprecedented drama in the State House yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan signed the 2013 national budget without the usual media presence.

After months of anxiety and anticipation, President Jonathan finally appended his signature to the budget in an untraditional manner.

After waiting patiently for the commencement of the ceremony

Drama as Jonathan signs 2013 budget behind closed doors with the arrival of key stakeholders like Senate President David Mark, House Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Affairs, Joy Emordi, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, DG, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okogu as well as Minister

of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, newsmen were asked to leave the entrance to the President's office.

Even the NTA crew and other broadcast stations as well as photo-journalists were not allowed to witness the ceremony.

Efforts to speak to the major

stakeholders who witnessed the signing proved abortive as the duo of Okonjo-Iweala and Okogu declined to take questions from pressmen. Senator Joy Emordi also refused to respond when asked why journalists were barred from covering such an important Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

25th Feb., 2013

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.74 236.22 203.87 0.2964 41.26

SELLING 155.74 237.75 205.18 0.3164 41.52

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 208 254.50 42 157

SELLING 210 257.50 43 158

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

Property

24-27

Motoring

28

Arts

29-30

Giving Benue’s tourism a lifeline, Page 21

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

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

NANS, rights groups condemn Nasarawa Varsity killings O From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

utrage, condemnation have continued to trail Monday’s killing of four students of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi by soldiers.

While the Human Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) demanded immediate investigation of the matter, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS asked the relevant authorities to order the dismissal of the commandant in charge of the Army Barracks in Keffi, Nasarawa state.

The students had trooped out in large numbers protesting scarcity of water on campus in the course of which soldiers reportedly fired at them, killing four students.

According to NANS in a statement signed by its National Vice President, National Affairs, Ahmed Jubril, “the commandant in charge of the soldiers should be dismissed immediately because he lacks professionalism in his call to duty.”

In its reaction, HURIWA in a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Emmanuael Onwubiko, and the National Media Director, Zainab Yusuf, described the killing as, “crime against humanity which must not go unpunished.”

Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-makura The group therefore called on the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria (NHRC) to immediately commence independent investigation of the circumstances surrounding the deployment armed soldiers by government to unleash a regime of violence on peaceful protesting students who were exercising their democratic and constitutional rights including the fundamental freedoms of association and movement to attract government attention to their plight.

The statement said, “this is a sad commentary on Nigeria’s

democracy and marks a turning point which signposts that government may be plotting to emasculate the fundamental freedoms belonging to the citizenry that are inherent and inviolable especially as tension builds up over the excruciating economic condition in Nigeria brought about by corruption and mis-governance by all levels of government in Nigeria.

On its part, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC) called for the immediate removal of the university’s Vice Chancellor and dissolution of the management of the institution for allegedly

inviting soldiers into the campus to confront protesting students.

The ERC National Coordinator, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, in a statement yesterday also demanded the arrest and trial of the soldiers.

Also reacting to the incident, the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) described the decision of the students to protest the lack of portable water as legitimate but noted that, “we are shocked at this barbaric action of the university authorities, especially deploying military officers to employ the use of excessive force to quell civil protest by armless students.

“The CLO condemns the lawless and primitive actions of the authorities of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi and calls on the CPC-led government in Nasarawa state to urgently set up a commission of inquiry which will include students’ true representatives, members of credible civil society organizations, the NBA, NUJ and National Human Rights Commission to probe the crisis in order to get to root of the mayhem and punish the perpetrators in line with the laws of our land.

Nigerians, civil society, and human rights groups have vociferously condemned the clamp down on the students.

Drama as Jonathan signs 2013 budget behind closed doors Contd from Page 1 national assignment.

The delay in signing the N4.99 trillion budget has generated a lot of heat in the economy with stakeholders asking why the President had not signed the budget.

There has been a long drawn battle between the Executive and Legislature over some grey areas of the budget while several meetings have been held at the instance of the President to find an amicable solution to the disagreement.

The lawmakers had recently mulled a possible overriding of the President's veto of the bill, basing

it on the fact that the statutory 30 days for any bill to stay in the custody of the President had lapsed on February 14.

Even while yesterday's signing was reportedly sequel to a truce reached with the leadership of the National Assembly at the last meeting in the Presidential Villa, the secret nature of the signing raised suspicion that there may still be issues that are yet to be resolved.

A statement by Presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati confirmed the signing of the budget, saying: "Following consultations and an agreement between the Executive and the

Legislature on the 2013 Appropriation Bill, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today signed the bill into law."

The statement continued: "President Jonathan wishes to reassure all Nigerians that the consultations have been in the best interest of the country, and in pursuit of understanding and mutual cooperation between both arms of government.

As part of the understanding reached with its leadership, the observations of the executive arm of government about the Appropriation Bill as passed by the National Assembly will be further considered by the National Assembly

through legislative action, to ensure effective and smooth implementation of the 2013 Appropriation Act in all aspects.

The administration remains fully committed to the positive transformation of the country, and effective and efficient service delivery for the benefit of all citizens.

All ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government have therefore been directed to work very hard to ensure that all the services, projects and programmes contained in the budget are successfully delivered on schedule in spite of the slight delay in its enactment."

Gunmen, JTF kill 20 in Taraba, Yobe, Borno Contd from Page 1 incidents in Mutum-Biyu, the headquarters of Gassol local government area of the state by unknown gunmen.

A resident of Mutum-Biyu, Prince Paulinus, told our reporter that the policemen were on patrol duty when unidentified gunmen attacked them, along with a passerby identified as Emmanuel Cletus.

The Police Public Relations Officer at the Taraba state Police Command, DSP Amos Olaowe, confirmed the incident saying his men had commenced investigations.

Meanwhile, the state Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar, has appealed to the people of Wukari to embrace peace for sustainable development.

Speaking when he received a delegation from the Wukari people at the Government House Umar noted that Taraba state belongs to all and urged the people to live together in peace assuring that the security situation in the state was under control.

The JTF in Borno alleged that the suspects killed by its men were among the gunmen responsible for the recent attacks in various

parts of the state.

Spokesman of the JTF, Lt-Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen, saying three other insurgents were also arrested in the operation, which was conducted in Kasuwar Kaji area of Maiduguri metropolis.

"Following a tip-off, a cordon and search operation was conducted between 2.05pm to 5.50pm at Kasuwar Kaji in Maiduguri Metropolis.

"The operation was intended to arrest a top Boko Haram coommander and his group, believed to have come to

Maiduguri from Kano to cause havoc. During the raid two lost their lives during an exchange of fire, while three others were arrested and are in JTF custody undergoing interrogation", the statement explained.

According to the statement, no casualty was recorded on the side of the JTF or civilians. Items recovered comprised of three AK47 rifles, two dane guns, three magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

Others were two bows and 18 arrows and assorted improvised explosive device, (IED) materials.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 3

CBN to extend cashless policy to two more states from July 1

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has concluded plans to extend the cashless policy to Rivers and Ogun States from July 1.

The decision to extend the cashless project to these states was made at the last Bankers’ Committee Meeting held in Abuja.

The CBN had earlier announced that the policy would take off from July 1 in four additional states after the Lagos pilot scheme. The states are Kano, Anambra and Abia States as well as the Federal Capital Territory

(FCT).

CBN’s Head, Shared Services, Chidi Umeano said the aforementioned states and the FCT were chosen because of the large volume of cash transactions in some of their major cities such as Aba, Kano, Port Harcourt and Onitsha among others.

The cashless policy, whose implementation began in Lagos in January, last year, is aimed at reducing the dominance of cash in the system.

The policy specifies penal charges for individuals and corporate organizations that want

to withdraw or lodge cash above prescribed limits. Under the policy, the CBN pegged the daily cumulative cash withdrawal or deposit limit for individual accounts at N500,000 per day and N3 million per day for corporate accounts.

Umeano explained that the policy earlier planned to be implemented in other states in January 2013 was deferred due to some infrastructural challenges.

He said the CBN is also being careful to ensure that it makes use of resources in a smart way.

This was corroborated by the CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Mr. Tunde Lemo who explained: “When we talk about nationwide roll-out, we are also being careful to ensure that we make use of resources in a smart way. Cash doesn’t flow in the same volume in every state of the federation. What we will do in July is to look at those other market clusters where large volumes are transacted and add them to Lagos”.

The Deputy Governor added: “It is cheaper that way because resources needed to cover the

entire 923 square kilometres in Nigeria are huge. But you can achieve almost the same thing by looking at the pattern of cash distribution and you can cover about 90 per cent of that by adding about more locations to Lagos.

“That is basically what we want to do. We would get those clusters and add them to Lagos.

When we add those locations to Lagos, then we would have covered about 90 per cent of the cash volume. We would see how far that goes and once we perfect that, we then begin to look at contiguous.”

Kano: Police vow to fish out killers of Mopol commander From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

L-R: Director General, Budget Office, Dr. Bright Okongu, and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The duo refused to answer questions from journalists after President Goodluck Jonathan signed the 2013 Budget, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

How Nigerian leaders wasted oil money, by Clinton From Ayodele Samuel, just back from Abeokuta

T

he 42nd President of United States of America, Bill Clinton took a swipe on the Federal Government insisting that benefits from the nation’s oil revenue are wasted.

Speaking at the 18th edition of THISDAY Newspaper Award yesterday in Abeokuta Ogun state capital, Cliton said the growing rate of poverty in Nigeria if not reversed, portends a great challenge to the country since the country has not managed resources realised from oil money effectively.

Present at the event themed "Celebrating Teachers" were former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, his Delta State counterpart Dr. Emanuel Uduaghan among international diplomats.

Clinton while commending the 18 teachers who were awarded two million naira each

by the newspaper said "the poverty line in the whole of Africa has taken a very alarming dimension calling on leaders to salvage the situation through proper education and empowerment of the youths.

With qualitative and efficient education, the Continent could be liberated and empowered through the use of different technology that are evolving daily.”

"And then, you have to empower people with education so they can succeed at home as well as around the world so that all these political problems and religious differences, and all the rhetoric of Boko Haram, could be surmounted "I would say you have challenges. First of all, like 90 percent of countries who have one big resource, you haven’t done well with your oil money. You should have reinvested it in different ways, You don’t do a better job of managing natural resources".

Attributing the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northern Nigeria to extreme poverty, Clinton said, "the truth is the poverty rate in the north which is three times greater than what it is in the Lagos area, and to deal with that, you have to have both powerful stake in the local governments and a national policy that work together.

"There has to be a way to take the staggering intellectual and organisational ability that Nigerians exhibit in every country in the world in which they are immigrant and bring it to bear here so that the country as a whole can rise.

"One of the people on my trip with me today who unfortunately could not come up here because he had to go visit his family is young Nigerian-American named Nnamdi, He is an all proquarter back footballer for the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s a wonderful man; he does great work in America for poor kids

in Arkansas City and he became a friend of mine.

Both his parents have PhDs, his sister has a PhD; he often says ‘I’m the failure in my family and I only have a university degree and I play football.’ My point is: there are Nigerians who are like this all over the world! What you have to figure out is how to keep those people in Nigeria and how to ensure their success leads on into the rest of the country".

“I think solving the economic divide that is in your country will help the political divide; making better use of your resources, advising that the country should invest more on infrastructure.

"Nigeria is trying to set up an investment fund where the federal government will set it up and the governors are being consulted so that they can concentrate the capital. That is the problem in India. They have unbelievable entrepreneurs but they are not very good at collecting capital and investing it in infrastructure so that they can unite the poor part of the country with the rich part.

That’s what you have to do", Clinton said.

ano state police command has vowed to get the killers of the Squadron leader of the Nigeria police force Mobile squadron , (MOPOL 9) Superintendent of Police (SP) Dahiru Ibrahim Majia who was killed by unknown gunmen on Monday night in Kano.

The command said it has made “some arrests” in connection with the death of Majiya on Monday night at his residence in Sabuwar Gandu Quarters of Kano metropolis.

State police commissioner, Alhaji Musa Daura told reporters yesterday evening that ‘’after the incident, policemen were immediately deployed for cordon and search in the area as a result of which some suspects were arrested and are now undergoing investigation and screening’’.

He said the deceased officer left the command after their normal meeting to maintain peace, but unfortunately, unknown gunmen ambushed him while returning home from the office.

The commissioner stated that the assailants opened fire sporadically on the officer, “ a young man who is very hardworking and dedicated officer”.

Mr. Daura said “the command will thoroughly investigate the matter with a view to fishing out the perpetrators of this dastardly act”.

He also declined to state the number of suspects arrested, however assured that innocent ones among them would be released, while urging members of the public to continue to cooperate with the command in its battle against terror and criminal activities in the state by providing relevant and timely information.

“Any information pass to us will be treated with utmost confidentiality and we cannot sit down and fold our arms while innocent people are being killed.”

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY, 27, 2013

Jonathan attends ECOWAS summit in Cote d' Ivoire *Congratulates Shagari @ 88

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan will join other leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Yamoussoukro, Cote D'Ivoire, today for the 42nd ordinary session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments.

A press statement by the presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, explained that ongoing efforts to restore peace, democracy and political stability to Mali and GuineaBissau in which Nigeria is playing key roles will top the agenda of the two-day summit at which a new ECOWAS chairperson will also be elected.

According to the statement, Jonathan and participants will also receive and consider the 2012 annual report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission as well as the report of the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.

The statement said that, "at the conclusion of the summit tomorrow, President Jonathan will, at the invitation of President Alassane Ouattara, embark on a three-day state visit to Cote D'Ivoire, accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Isa Hassan, Hon. Nkiru Onyejiocha, Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of State (Foreign Affairs), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and other officials of the Federal Government.

"Various agreements aimed at fostering trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Cote D'Ivoire will be concluded and signed in Abidjan before the end of the visit.

President Jonathan, whose entourage also includes representatives of the Nigerian private sector, will also meet with Nigerians resident in Cote D'Ivoire before returning to Nigeria on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Jonathan has congratulated former President Shehu Shagari on the occasion of his 88 birthday anniversary.

In a separate statement signed by Abati said that Jonathan expressed appreciation to Shagari for remaining steadfast in supporting the efforts of all governments to improve the lives of Nigerians.

While wishing Shagari good health and more years of service to Nigeria and humanity, the statement also noted that, "President Jonathan recalled Alhaji Shagari's leadership during Nigeria's Second Republic and his contributions to the growth and entrenchment of democracy in the country."

L-R: Publisher, Thisday Newspaper, Mr Nduka Obaigbena, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikule Amosun, and Former President Bill Clinton of America, during the 18th Edition of Thisday Newspaper Award, yesterday in Abeokuta.

Photo: NAN

Audu's son, arraigned, remanded at Kuje prisons over N18m scam *As court orders re-trial of Akingbola

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin, Abuja & Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned Mustapha Audu, the son of the former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu before an Abuja High Court for allegedly obtaining about N18 million under false pretence.

The anti-graft agency arraigned the former governor's son along with his wife, Zahrah M. Audu, and their company, Constructor Guild Limited on a three-count charge.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges, following which their counsel, Kingsley Akpokona, moved an application for their bail.

The bail application was however vehemently opposed by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Samuel Ugwuegbulam, who asked the court for time to respond to it.

However, the trial judge, Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar, ordered that Mustapha be remanded at the Kuje prisons but allowed his wife, to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted her by the EFCC. He adjourned the matter to February 28, 2013 for hearing of the bail application. and, in Lagos, EFCC yesterday re-arraigned the

former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Erastus Akingbola, over a N47 billion bank fraud.

Akingbola's arraignment along side Bayo Dada, before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo followed the promotion of the former trial judge, Justice Habeeb Abiru to the Court of Appeal.

Akingbola was arraigned before Justice Onigbanjo on a 22count charge of allegedly defrauding his former bank while he was the Managing Director.

Akingbola allegedly transferred the bank's 8.5 million pounds into his domiciliary account.

Mr Abdulraheem Jimoh, Intercontinental Bank's Chief Inspector, alleged that Akingbola converted the money for his personal use.

Jimoh who was being led in evidence by the EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), told the court that the illegal transfers were made between March 16th and May 13th 2009 . He alleged that Akingbola used Inter-Capital Market Limited (ICML), a subsidiary of the bank, to carry out the transaction by unilaterally increasing its lifeline from N2 billion to N5 billion.

According to the witness, "they had a lifeline of N2 billion which as at the time of this transaction had been completely used. On March

11, 2009, ICML applied for an increase from N2 billion to N5 billion.

"The application was made for the Executive Director, Investment and Strategy (Intercontinental) and the request was recommended and approved by the ED." He said that the normal process was for the bank's Board Risk Committee to ratify and approve such a request.

"In this case there was no approval or ratification," he added.

He explained further that it was from this increase that ICML gave N2.1 billion to another company, Regal Investment Company Limited, owned by Dr Raymond Obieri, the Chairman of Intercontinental Bank.

Jimoh alleged that the N2.1 billion was distributed to six bureau de change operators who converted it to foreign currencies by selling it to their customers.

He said that the bureau de change operators later paid the money back into the bank's InterDepartmental Suspense (IDS) Account. He said that the sum of 8.5 million pounds was paid by a lady called Loveth into the account of Fulgher, a United Kingdom-based company in charge of leasing Intercontinental Bank offices and subsequently paid into Fulgher's account with Royal Bank of Scotland.

The witness said the money was later transferred to Akingbola's domiciliary account describing it as an irregular banking practice.

He said: "what we observed is that as at the time of the transfer of the 8.5 million pounds to Scotland, Akingbola did not have sufficient amount in his domiciliary account.

"He had only 10,043 pounds in his account. Ordinarily, banks do not transfer fund to customers whose accounts are not credited and Intercontinental Bank does not transfer funds from its NOSTRO account either."

Jimoh claimed that Intercontinental Bank had no transaction with Fulgher on such an amount and therefore the transaction was not a transaction of the bank.

Earlier, Akingbola's lawyer, Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, had brought two applications dated July 15 and July 19 respectively, before the court.

Fagbohungbe asked the court to discontinue the trial pending the hearing of the applications.

This was opposed by the EFCC, who claimed that the defence was trying to frustrate the trial and asked the court to dismiss them.

Abiru, however, ruled in favour of the prosecution and ordered that the trial should continue because the applications could still be heard any other time.

Insurgency : 20,000 orphans, 10,000 widows in Maiduguri, says Borno First Lady

By Maryam Garba Hassan

A

ctivities of the Boko Haram Muslim sect in Borno state have so far rendered 20,000 children orphans with 10,000 widows, as at June 2012, in Maiduguri metropolis alone, according to Hajiya Nana Shetima Kashim, wife of the governor.

She noted that her foundation, Support for Women, Orphans and Tsangaya (SWOT), has since undertaken the footing of medical bills of indigent patients in hospitals, paying of school fees for the orphans as well as providing clothing, foodstuff and other learning materials for tsangaya pupils and various forms of assistance to the widows.

However, according to her, "there is still need for other NGOs and philanthropists to complement the foundation's efforts by contributing towards alleviating the suffering of these groups.

"One of the major challenges the foundation is facing in the course of discharging its duties is how to differentiate between

the married women and the widows as all of them cry for help.

"Another major challenge is also the issue of proper evaluation of performance of those women engaged in petty trading as they move from one business location to the other due to security threats."

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

2015: PDP can't lose elections in Nigeria, Akpabio boasts

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he newly crowned Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswil Akpabio has said the ruling party cannot lose any election in the country in spite of the formation of the merger party, All Progressives Alliance (APC).

Akpabio, who paid a courtesy visit on the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) chaired by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur yesterday said the opposition would be daydreaming if it habours the feeling that it could wrestle power from the ruling party in 2015 and beyond.

The PDP Governors Forum chairman said his party remains the only truly national party in the country where no single individual or group dictates to its members. He added that the PDP remains the only party with presence in the 774 local governments in the country and in all the wards nationwide.

Speaking about the rationale for the formation of the Forum in spite of the existence of the Nigeria Governors' Forum, Akpabio said the body was formed because the party was facing a novel challenge posed by the newly formed APC. According to him, the PDP Governors Forum is charged with the responsibility of sanitizing the party and identifying traitors early so as not to jeopardize the success of the party. He said the Forum is not to serve as an alternative to the NGF but to further strengthen it as such would ensure that decision are reached with dispatch.

Akpabio said the PDP Governors Forum would act as a political bloc that would be attending the NGF with positions on national matters. He disclosed "The formation of the PDP Governors' Forum is not new; there are so many caucuses in the NGF. We have ACN Governors' Forum, ANPP Governors' Forum, CPC Governors' Forum and even APGA's Governors' Forum in the NGF." He added that the formation of the group is to prevent the minority from imposing their ideas on the majority in the NGF even as he cautioned that the NGF should not be seen as fighting the Federal Government whose party has the majority in the Forum.

Akpabio said "Our job is to encourage the Federal Government to work with the party in order to deliver the best to Nigerians."

He however pointed out that the activities of the ruling party are not being properly reported because it has no power over the machineries of propaganda like the opposition. The PDP Governors Forum boss insisted that no government in the last 50 years has fought corruption the way the ruling party is doing nor has there been any government that has brought succor to the lives of the citizens as done by the ruling PDP in the last fourteen years

PAGE 5

22 years old Nigerian invested N.75m in drug trafficking From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

A

22 years old Thailandbased Nigerian, Ilechukwu Ejikonye Jude has confessed to have invested N750,000 into drug trafficking after he was apprehended with 1.295kg of substances found to be methamphetamine on his way to Thailand.

The suspect, arrested by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA had

hidden the drug inside his luggage and was detected during the screening of passengers on Ethiopian Airline flight at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.

The agency's commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar said "Like several factory modes of drug concealment, we had to practically cut the bag open to detect the drugs. Ordinarily when you open the bag you will

not see the drug. We found two brown parcels of drugs weighing 1.295kg" During his confession, Ilechukwu said he was lured into the drug deal by a friend he met in Thailand where he was made to contribute the said amount as he was focused on the profit.

NDLEA told reporters that a 36 year old suspected drug trafficker, Akpata Martin Chukwudi also received 800 dollars for ingesting 20 wraps of cocaine.

He was said to have ingested the drug in Brazil and before being caught at the Lagos Airport.

The suspect tested positive to drug during the inward screening of passengers on Qatar Airline flight.

He allegedly excreted 20 wraps of cocaine weighing 350 grammes after being placed on examination. NDLEA Chairman Ahmadu Giade said the agency would investigate both cases and bring drug criminals to justice.

L-R: President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Chief Kola Jamodu, Managing Director, Access Bank, Mr. Aig Imhokuede, and Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, during the Economic Management Team Meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo Joe Oroye

A'Ibom commissioner admits ignorance of hard drugs in schools

By Mike Etim, Uyo

T

he Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Eunice Thomas has claimed ignorance of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA report that 29 schools in the state were den and outlets for hard drugs users.

The visibly shaken commissioner sat awe-struck as principals, headmasters, headmistresses, of the indicted

schools narrated their ordeals at the hand of stubborn students at an emergency meeting summoned by her in Uyo after the NDLEA report was made public.

The NDLEA report issued by the state commander, Mrs. Josephine Obi has hinted that the situation in Akwa Ibom schools were becoming worrisome, thereby prompting her command's official notification of the commissioner for education to mashall steps to

check the deteriorating situation in the schools.

Mrs. Obi maintained that more schools may have become outlets for distribution of hard drugs but the agency made arrests in the 29 indicted schools.

Speaking further Mrs. Obi emphasized "using schools to market the hard drugs was likely to threaten performance of innocent students and bring government free and compulsory education to ridicule".

Laying credence to the NDLEA report, a principal of one of the schools said a primary 3 pupil in her class was caught sniffing cocaine with a straw, and when she enquired on how he got it, the boy explained that he buys the stuff for his father from one of sellers around the school and pinch some for himself.

One principal said he arrested four students who were smoking Indian hemp in the school and called the police to pick them up.

Cynthia Murder: Court hears testimony of second witness From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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ustice Olabisi Akinlade of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja has refused moves by the defence team to stall the trial of the suspect in the murder case of Cynthia Osokogu as he took the testimony of the second prosecution witness, Miss Vivian Amuneke, a receptionist at Cosmilla Hotel and Suites, Festac Town, Lagos where Cynthia was killed.

Counsel to the second defendant [Ezike Chidera Olisaeloka], Mr. Olukayode Dada, moved an application for

" an order of the Honourable Court staying proceedings on this charge pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed by the applicant'.

Dada argued that by section (6) of the 1999 constitution, the State High Court has powers to hear and determine an application for stay of proceedings.

Responding, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who led the prosecution team, in a counter affidavit, said that section 273 of the Administration of

Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State which provides that the application " shall not be entertained until judgment is delivered".

Ipaye also told the court that the second defendant had constantly deployed all forms of tactics to delay and truncate proceedings on the matter and urged it not to grant the application but proceed with the trial.

He noting that the court in its ruling on February 5, 2013, refused a stay of arraignment/ proceedings considering section 36 (4) of the constitution of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria which stipulates a hearing of a criminal charge within a reasonable time.

In her ruling, the presiding Judge, Mrs. Olabisi Akinlade, said the application for stay of proceedings would unnecessarily delay the court and " therefore dismissed".

Vivian, in her testimony identified the first and second defendants as those who came to lodge in the hotel with a female guest on the day of the incident.

The case was adjourned for further hearing till March 22, 2013.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Alleged certificate forgery: APC youths demand Akume's resignation

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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L-R: Chief of Army Staff, lt.-General Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, and Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, during the Naval Retreat, on Monday in Uyo. Photo: NAN

FG’s good governanace tour ill-conceived-fashola From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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agos State Governor Babatunde Fashola on yesterday said that the Federal Government's good governance tour was ill conceived saying the ruling Peoples Democratic Party PDP is mismanaging the country.

Speaking at ceremony marking his 2100 days in office at the LTV Blue roof, he said ,"that in an attempt to appear busy , they have embarked on an ill- conceived Good Governance tour in Lagos , because they have no project to inspect. The question to ask is, whether Nigerians need a tour to know good governance to know that they are well governed?

"We do not need Good Governance Tour in Lagos before citizens know that their lives are improving.

Completed projects such as the Ibeshe

‌ says PDP mismanages Nigeria

Road in Ikorodu , the mother and child care centre in Amuwo Odofin and Alimosho , the completed school of nursing are examples of good governance . The progressing road projects from Mile 12 to Ikorodu , Yaya Abatan/ College Road , Okota Ago Palace way , Ejigbo Ajao Link Bridge and road network are examples of good governance" Fashola stressed that the Federal Government controlled by PDP cannot point to a 100 kilometer road that connects two states in the country.

In the criticism trailing the recent visit of former United States of America President, Mr. Bill Clinton at the dedication of the Eko Atlantic city projects, I thought I have seen the worst our opponents have

produced, they seem never to be ashamed to roll in the mud, they have shown amateurism again and like they are behind global trends".

Fashola explained that Clinton launched an initiative after he left office to tackle environmental issues, noting that the Eko Atlantic City projects won an award in New York in 2009 and the visit was a confirmation that Clinton was in touch with global projects across the world. He said because the performance of the Lagos State Government revealed the inefficiency of the political opponents, "especially in the way that our national economy has been mismanaged by their party, they have the temerity to accuse us of fraudulently reporting

performance".

"The first is how over N2 trillion of our national budget of about N4 trillion in 2011 ended up being enmeshed in the most monumental fraud of fuel subsidy that has ever been recorded. Over 50 percent of a country's budget enmeshed in fraud and yet there are no answers. "It is understandable that our success will embarrass their party. We implemented 89 percent of a budget that had 53 percent capital content and 47 percent recurrent content and they have been unable at the national level where their party is in control, to implement a budget that has over 70 percent recurrent provision", he said.

Find something better to do- Groups tells Maku From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

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uman Right Activist Chief Gabriel Giwa -Amu, the Edo Consultative Forum and Alimosho World Media Forum have praised the Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomole who recently expressed his government desire not to use the state funds in wasteful ventures including the good governance tour that the Minister of Information Labaran Maku has added to his office routine.

In a chat with our correspondent in his office, Chief Giwa Amu said he agreed with the position of governor which could best be summarized as a refusal to engage in perfidious, irresponsible and wasteful spending.

He said the Minister should find good work for his hands instead of going on a frolic of his own and wasteful spending of government funds.

He said the Minister requires police investigation for soliciting and seeking to obtain public fund for a purpose that is not in tandem with good governance.

Amu urged Maku to visit the prisons nationwide from the budget allocated to the Ministry of Information instead of soliciting for fund in pursuit of a wasteful enterprise noting that for the first time, the Edo people have a

responsible government having survived the irresponsibility of the PDP government.

In a similar vein, the Chairman Edo Consultative Forum, Gilbert Oboh wants the Minister to tell Nigerians which of the State they had visited and courageously indicted the governor for wasteful spending in the face decaying and abandoned projects.

"What you hear from Maku is pass mark and praises to the high heavens

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

CACOL condemns good governance tour

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he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has condemned the Good Governance Tour embarked on by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku for the inspection of projects across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory .

Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, its Executive Chairman

Debo Adeniran, described the tour as a charade and another avenue to divert public funds into private pockets.

"This is another charade on the part of President Goodluck Jonathan and his men to cover up their ineptitude and divert taxpayers' monies into private coffers under the guise of serving the interest of the

of looters of the peoples commonwealth", he said. He wants the President to engage his Minister in more meaningful works.

The President Alimosho Media Forum Mr. Sunny Onyewosa in his contribution, expressed joy at the bravado displayed by the governor stressing that for once, someone has told government officials to stop playing on the sensibilities of the Nigerian people.

he Youth wing of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) yesterday took the case of the alleged certificate forgery against former Governor of Benue State and the Senate Majority Leader, Senator George Akume to another level, as youths staged a peaceful protest at the entrance of the National Assembly yesterday.

The APC youths had, in a protest letter addressed to Akume and copied the Senate President David Mark, National Leaders of ACP, General Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed and ACP Senators, called on Akume to resign his position as the voice of the opposition in the National Assembly to clear his name in the allegation raised against him before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Comrade Danelsi Momoh who addressed the gathering of the youths, said Akume's resignaton became necessary to give him enough time to save the image of the newly formed party from degenerating to what the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been known for over the years.

He said the newly formed All Progressive Congress was a virgin platform born to liberate Nigeria to the path of truth, honour and glory.

Therefore, Momoh said, harbouring such unholy personalities at its highest echelon would send negative signals to Nigerians that the much awaited alternative platform for the realization of their dreams was yet to arrive.

It would be recalled that Akume, the Senator representing Benue NorthWest Senatorial District of Benue state has been dragged before a Federal High Court, Abuja over alleged forgery of his West African Examination Council WAEC certificate.

The Plaintiff, Phillip Agbese is praying the court for a declaration that Akume did not possess certificate number SCO 39633 allegedly issued to him

by Government Secondary School Oturkpo, Benue State in1971.

Nigerian masses. What is good governance in the tour that would gulp billions of naira of our common patrimony that could have been used to provide infrastructural facilities for the Nigerian populace?

Instead of delegating a group of over 120 persons to do projects inspection across the country, can't the government think of a better

way to inspect its projects? The government has demonstrated it lacks understanding of good governance, which key ingredients are transparency and accountability. The inspection is another way to grease the palms of some government officials and those of their cronies," Adeniran averred.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin n Abuja High Court sitting in Zuba, Abuja will on March 20, 2013 resume hearing in the case of alleged fraud, unethical business practice and gross abuse of office filed against Alhaji Falalu Bello, the former Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc. In the suit CV/4312/12 in which Unity Bank Plc and MBS Merchants Ltd are joined as defendants, the plaintiff, Rich Flour Mills (WA) Ltd is accusing Bello of using his position to cause the company’s loss of huge sums of money in a business transaction which was driven by Bello’s personal interest, contrary to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines.

Rich Flour Mills (WA) Ltd, a Kaduna-based company in a statement of claim recalled how it supplied fertilizer to Benue State which paid promptly and indicated interested of procuring same the following

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PAGE 7

Court to hear suit against former Unity Bank boss March 20 year.

The company asserted that having procured the contract the following year it resolved to import the product and in turn contacted Unity Bank for a loan of over N2 billion to execute the project.

Managing Director of Flour Mills (WA) Ltd, Alhaji Umar in his “Witness Statement on Oath” averred that Bello, the then Managing Director of Unity Bank told him that the bank would only approve the loan if he would drop the idea of importation and purchase the product locally.

He saided that he succumbed to the suggestion and withdrew his earlier application for the

“restructuring of the loan” on the January 16, 2009, consequent upon which MBS Merchants Ltd was contacted to supply the product. But by the time the fertilizer was made available, the supply deadline of the Benue State government had elapsed.

He informed the court that he thereafter warehoused the fertiliser in Kano in search of other buyers and the inventory of the product was taken based on the directive of the Managing Director of the Bank to ascertain that the products were not sold.

He averred that he was shocked when on the orders of the Bello, the officials of the bank took custody of the product by forcefully replacing his padlocks

on the warehouse with theirs.

He told the court that Bello later forced him to sell the fertilizer “far below its price” to MBS Merchants Ltd for the bank to recover part of its money.

“The cost of purchase handling (loading and offloading), transportation and storing of the fertilizer from the 3rd Defendant was N4, 159 per bag only for the same 3rd Defendant, with connivance and manipulation of the 2nd Defendant, to turn round and claim to purchase the same fertilizer at N3,600 thereby making gains when it sold and when it repurchased and causing a monumental loss of N559 per bag to the plaintiff”.

He concluded that on enquiry from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), he discovered the company was actually owned by Bello and his family members.

“That at all material times to the transaction with the defendants, completely unknown to the plaintiff (Umar), that the 2nd Defendant (Bello) acted in gross abuse of his office, frontal and fragrant breach of his fiduciary position and the prudential guidelines issued by the Central Bank, applicable to the 2nd Defendant”.

Defence counsel for Bello and MBS Merchants Ltd, Barr. B. Uwaifo, in his argument asked the court, presided over by Justice V. B. Ashi to refer the matter to an arbitration panel in line with the terms of the contract.

The case was adjourned for March 20, 2013 for further hearing.

Nasarawa SUBEB inaugurates c’ttee on science education From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia he Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), has inaugurated an implementation and coordinating committee for the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE), a project initiated by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Inaugurating the committee yesterday at the conference room of the board, Chimeize Agwuyi, representing the FME, said SMASE is a project aimed at enhancing the teaching of mathematics and science in our schools, through impacting positive change in attitude towards the teaching of the two subjects.

He expressed appreciation to the state for wanting to key into the project, stressing that the state implementation committee is one of the internal arrangements at the state level that would ensure the success of the project.

Earlier in his address, Executive Chairman of NSUBEB, Malam Abdulkarim Muhammed Abdullahi, observed that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura recognised the importance of SMASE and indicated interest in initiating the project through the board.

He explained for the success of the initiative, 13 staff of the board have been sent to the National Teachers Institute (NTI) in Kaduna, as master trainers, who will in turn train 200 mathematics and science teachers across the state.

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Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (right), decorating his ADC, ASP JafarYakubu (middle), with his newrank of DSP, being assisted by Commanding Officer 24 Police Mobile Force State House, CSP Mila Dantawaye (left), yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Girl child schools: FG directs consultants to submit reports

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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onsultants handling Special Girl-child schools across the country have been directed to submit full reports on the state of the projects.

A statement issued by Simeon Nwakaudu, Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of State for Education, Barr.

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike said the directive was given at Oginibo, Ughelli South local government area of Delta State while

inspecting the Special Girl-Child Model College in the state on Monday.

He said the reports would form part of the process for the handing over of the schools.

Wike said that the consultants in their reports should specify fully completed projects and also spell out projects that require direct intervention from the Federal Government to facilitate scheduled hand-over to states.

According to the minister, “These reports would assist us

in sanctioning contractors who have failed to meet scheduled time-lines for project execution.

On the quality of work at the Oginibo Special Girl-Child school, Wike regretted that though the project was nearing completion, it however had structural defects that must be addressed.

Speaking at the sites of library projects at Federal Government Girls College, Ibusa and Federal Government College, Warri, the minister urged the contractors to

expedite action on their work to ensure they hand over the projects to government by the end of March.

Responding, the Chairman, Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Pat Ejetoh assured the minister that the board would participate in monitoring contractors at the closing stage of the respective projects.

The Minister also visited the library project at the Federal Government Girls College, Benin, Edo State.

Agencies must unite to end insecurity, says Minister

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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he Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has blamed the difficulty in stemming insecurity in Nigeria on the lack of synergy among the various security agencies in the country.

“In our quest to achieve a considerable level of inter-agency collaboration, the formulation of a policy framework that reflects a shared security strategy will

create a good platform for effective response base on common value and the rule of law”.

Moro who made this known yesterday in Sauka, Abuja, while addressing about 50 participants of the 2013 course 6 class of the Executive Intelligence Management Course, added that there was urgent need for the security operatives in the country to bridge the gap and work towards stemming

insecurity in the country.

Speaking on the theme: Security Sector Synergy in a Democratic Culture, the minister insisted that for the economy to develop, there must be a viable security system to provide a serene environment for business to flourish.

“To provide internal and external security for the nation,our common effort to deliver on this shared mandate will ultimately contribute

positively to strengthening and developing Nigeria into a model society. More so, as economic advancement, growth and development cannot be achieved without first developing effective security measures”, the minister said.

He also called for the establishment of Information Communication Technology (ICT), to assist the security agencies in monitoring the waves of crime on the country.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013

L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abatti, Secretary,PDP Board of Trustees (BOT), Alhaji Walid Jubril and newChairman, PDP BOT, Chief Tony Anenih, jointly briefing journalists after thePDP BOT's meeting,on Monday night at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

A Hotel project abandoned for over 20 years in Jos, captured in this picture yesterday.

Photo: NAN R-L: Guc, 3 div, Major-General Ebibonna Awala, presenting equipment to Mrs Salamatu Abdullahi, during the official presentation of equipment to beneficiaries of the Defence Skills Acquisition Programme, yesterday in Jos. Photo: NAN

Assistant Comptroller of Immigration Service, Zone E, Mr Joseph Olaitan, inspecting guards of honour, during his working visit to Port Harcourt, yesterday. Photo: NAN

L-R: Lagos state governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, secretary to state government, Dr Oluranti Adebule, Lagos state ACN chairman, chief Henry Ajomale, former lagos deputy governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, and Asoju Oba of Lagos, chief Molade Okoye-Thomas, during the ceremony to mark governor Fashola's 2,100 days in office, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY, 27, 2013

NEMA gets ready for new flood From: Muhammad Adamu

Ahead of this year's rainy season, the Northwest zonal office of National Emergency Management agency (NEMA) met with the zone's state emergency

agencies and Dam managers to review the ravaging floods of 2012 in order to tackle this year's prediction of heavy rainfall.

The Nigerian Meteorogical Agency (NIMET) had predicted that rainfall in Sokoto, Kebbi and

environs are likely to be above normal in comparison to last year's rain.

North west zonal coordinator of NEMA, Musa Illellah appealed to participants not to repeat the mistakes of the past by turning

deaf ears to NIMET prediction.

Illellah reminded participants that climate change and the hazards it poses by it, are real, advising that, "as disaster managers we must therefore make conscious effort to plan,

prepare, mitigate and respond effectively to all disasters in the nook and crannies of our states".

He suggested the need to utilise renewable energy potentials of dams to boost technology.

Unions want EFCC to probe IAR&T boss From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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L-R: Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'I, wife of the Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, and Wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen David Mark, during the graduation ceremony of Aruera Foundation, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Democracy can't survive without Sustained LG admin -Gov Aliyu From Iliya Garba, Minna

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orried by the inability of some state governments to conduct local government elections, Niger state Governor Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu said that democracy will not survive in this country if local government administration is not sustained.

He made this known Monday in Minna when national officials of National Union of Local Government Employees paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House noting that the conduct of election into local government councils would help

to embed democracy.

According to him, the refusal of some governors to conduct local government election was unconstitutional.

He disclosed that the call for autonomy of local governments should be viewed from many perspectives saying that most of the proponents were only looking at the financial aspect of the autonomy without considering other variables that could run down the local government structure.

Aliyu said that if complete financial autonomy was granted to the local governments in the state, ten of them would go under

because they cannot perform their constitutional roles to both the workers and the electorate.

The governor stated that his administration did not interfere into how money in the joint local government account is shared stressing that the local government officials and relevant ministry officials carry out this assignment to the satisfaction of all.

He also said that council chairmen's election for two year term was not enough for performance, stressing also that local government staff with relevant qualifications should rise up to level 17, as their

counterparts in the civil service.

President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Aliyu has made a strong case for the autonomy of local governments in the country because most governors have turned the local government system "to a small unit in the governors' office".

Ibrahim maintained that NULGE will save the local government system from the "hands of corrupt and clumsy leaders saying that presently the local governments are handicapped under the leadership of majority of the governors, a situation that should not be so".

Judiciary reform: Lack of coordination fuels corruption, says Gummi he Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Lawan Hassan Gummi has said that lack of coordination of reform programmes by agencies involved in justice administration fuels corruption and inefficiency in criminal justice delivery in the country.

Gummi who sated this Tuesday while addressing a wider stakeholders' conference on speeding up criminal justice delivery in the Federal Capital

Territory, said virtually all institutions involved in the administration of criminal justice are currently engaged in one reform or the other.

"But these concerted efforts is lacking in coordination among these bodies, which I believe has led to missed opportunity and a hindrance to general improvements in the criminal justice sector. This lack of synchronized coordination and responses fuels corruption and inefficiency in criminal justice delivery", he said.

The CJ said his visit to Kuje

From Musa Pam, Jos

Plateau CP pledges to work with media for peace

he Plateau state police Commissioner, Chris Olakpe has pledged to join hands with the media in the state to find lasting peace across the state.

Olakpe who stated this yesterday in Jos while paying a courtesy call on the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, added that the police alone cannot fight crime

without the contribution of the public.

According to him, policing has now become a general duty to all worthy Nigerians especially with growing terrorism.

He expressed sadness when the international community brands some states, Plateau inclusive, as no-go-areas because of crime

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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T

Prison in Abuja opened his eyes to the on-going dispute between the police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution over who has authority to prosecute certain types of cases.

According to the Gummi, some of the unfortunate cases at the prison could have been avoided if agencies involved in the administration of justice work as a team, adding that trials are sometimes stalled unnecessarily because accused person had no legal representation despite the fact that the court orders the Legal Aid Council to provide.

saying this was unacceptable.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Plateau students (NAPSS) has appealed to Governor Jonah Jang and the Joint Unions of Plateau state-owned tertiary institutions to resolve their differences in order to save the educational sector in the state NAPSS national

He said: "So much can be achieved if stakeholders work together as a team and this where I commend the efforts of the DFID/ J4A and PRAWA for providing a coordinated approach to criminal justice delivery in the country.

"Our achievements will be unprecedented if we have clean court, professional investigations, effective prosecutors and hardworking and diligent defence lawyers all backed up by a national judicial policy that encourages active case management by Judges", he added.

president, Longyi Ayuba Moses who stated this yesterday in Jos, said students in the state had suffered for too long and had wasted so much time in the institutions without going for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as a result of the persistent strike actions.

abour Unions from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan, have requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate allegation of misappropriation of money totalling N192.5 million against the Executive Director of IAR&T, Prof.

Benjamin Ogunbodede.

The labour unions are Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRAI).

In a letter to the EFCC dated December 17, 2012 copies made available to journalists in Ibadan yesterday, the labour unions alleged that N177.5 million was withdrawn from the Institute's account by Ogunbodede for payment of staff hazard allowance which they claimed was never paid to them.

They also alleged that "the management claimed to have spent the sum of fifteen million naira meant for the Institute's research activities on harvesting of crop produced by the Institute when no such activities was carried out in any of the Institute's stations".

The union members who placed the blame on Ogunbodede and the Institute's Chief Accountant, Mr. Zacheus Tejumola, urged EFCC to investigate the allegations to ensure justice and restore probity, transparency and normalcy to the Institute.

In the letter signed by chairmen of the five labour unions in the Institute, namely Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ande (ASUU), Mr. Olawale Olapade (NAAT), Mr. Anthony Ilufoye (SSANU), Mr. John Ibiloye (SSAUTHRAI) and Mr. Emmanuel Oladeinde (NASU), they told the Commission of their willingness to submit necessary documents to support the allegations when requested.

They noted that the EFCC had not commenced investigation since they received the letter.

Meanwhile, chairmen of two of the unions, NASU and SSANU have called on the authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)supervising the Institute to adopt the report of a panel it set up led by Prof. E.A. Odu, to investigate the alleged financial mismanagement at IAR&T.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY, 27, 2013

Avoid money mistakes to achieve success

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or you to be financially independent and even make more money there is need for you to avoid costly money mistakes.

It is understandable that every kobo that you avoid throwing away on frivolities is a kobo available for reaching your financial goals.

A lot of people including the financial literate and the illiterate ones do not recognise that there are common money mistake that affect their financial life.

Some of the money mistakes you need to avoid this year include reckless spending, not having a savings plan, not tracking your finances, borrowing at high interest rate, Experts believe that the source of personal debt is spending more than you need.

They said going for shopping when you are bored may lead you into buying things you rarely need. Many people find themselves buying fashionable items they do not really need on credit and forgetting to save for the future.

The case of Phillip

Ikechukwu who invested all the money he earned from retirement into a business without proper plan and at the end of the day lost the business should teach a lot of people lesson. Instead of allowing the business to grow before he can reap from the profit, he was at the same time spending the money put into the business until the capital was eroded.

Experts advised that you

need to make clear plan for what you need to buy and what you need to avoid if you are prone to reckless spending.

Sometimes companies and banks embark on sales promotion that get you attracted to buy goods when you do not really need it.

You are not expected to be overexcited over buy "one and get two" tricks otherwise you will just start to accumulate

things you are never going to use.

Suze Orman, an expert in personal finance said you should avoid a variable annuity, especially for your retirement account. A variable annuity is basically a contract with an insurance company, and the money you invest is used to buy mutual funds within the annuity.

Experts also advised that you should not purchase life insurance on your children.

Life insurance has one purpose, which is to replace the income of the deceased if anyone is dependent on that income.

While losing a child is a tragedy, your child does not have an income that you depend on. So it makes no sense to purchase a life insurance in their name.

But you sure need to have a life insurance policy in your name because your kids and possibly your partner are dependent on your income.

They posited that if you want to avoid money mistakes, you should always make your budget. According to them, most people, even rich people,

live without a budget. But do not worry: You do not need a ledger or spreadsheet program to create a budget that works.

Simply draw a line down a sheet of paper. On the left side, write down all the money that comes in; on the right, all the money that goes out.

There is need to set financial goals and take them serious to avoid money mistakes. When people educate themselves about money, they start to see how the financial world really works and they start to explore their own financial potential.

Have a conversation with your spouse or a financial advisor to figure out how much money to save and what to do with it.

There are many questions that people can ask from their financial advisers. I think the most important thing is actually not choosing a financial adviser, but deciding that you are the person who is responsible for your money, no matter who you choose. If someone is helping you with your finances, you own responsibility for those finances.

Even with financial adviser, take responsibility for your money

I

n order to save money, cancel memberships for things you do not use. For instance, if you have a gym membership, but you never go to the gym, why do you need the membership? All that this is doing is costing you money that could be spent on more important things.

This might seem painful, but if you want to save money, cut out monthly unnecessary expense. This could save you some money yearly or more,

and it forces you to engage in more productive and healthy forms of entertainment again.

Go outside, read books and interact with your family for entertainment.

Don't throw away money on needless or hidden monthly recurring charges. You may be paying for services that you don't need or unknowingly agreed to. Avoid these types of charges by carefully looking over your bank statements every month. Look for and

eliminate any charges that you're unfamiliar with, or that you no longer need.

See if your employer provides you with discount benefits. Many times, if you work for a large company, they can pass their discounts on to you for various insurance plans or even your cell phone.

Think carefully before making any financial decision.

Don't make a decision based on fear or panic. It is okay for you to stop and take the adequate

amount of time you need before you make any kind of decision. That is especially true for large financial decisions. Now you just need to take a deep breath and do the right thing.

Learn to live frugally as a way of life. Consider going with only one car for your family. Your car is probably the second most expensive item in your budget, after your home. This can be a short-term strategy to help you catch up

on bills and build up your savings, or an ongoing lifestyle change.

Fees are something that you will have to deal with as the year goes on, so you should be conscious of them so that they do not add up. Try to be aware of any ATM fees and drive carefully on the road so that you do not receive tickets or fines from any government officials-LASTMA, FRSC, VIO, name it-which are unnecessary expenses.

grab them and take them with you if you have to leave the house quickly. Keep account numbers, phone numbers, passwords, and other information you don't immediately know safely locked away. Documents like passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and investment information can also be kept in these safes.

Think about what makes up your financial life, and make sure that the information is

protected. Even if you don't take it with you when you leave, you want it to survive the emergency so that you can come back for it.

Don't wait to prepare both your home and finances for an emergency. Get ready now, as you can never predict when a disaster will strike.

"Your words are the greatest power you have. The words you choose and use, establish the life you experience." - Sonia Choquette: Author Source: MoneyNing.

Are you ready for an emergency?

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ecently, the sky opened up and dumped a great deal of snow on my mountain valley town. While the snow piled up, we were fortunate enough not to lose power or run into other problems commonly caused by lots of snowfall. The potential for problems, however, as well as the memory of recent disasters, had me reviewing my emergency preparedness.

Here's how to figure out whether you're prepared for an emergency.

Do you have the necessities?

Even though the snow hasn't prevented us from going out for food and other supplies,

Quote

Sit down before fact with an open mind. Be prepared to give up every preconceived notion. Follow humbly wherever and to whatever abyss Nature leads or you learn nothing. Don't push out figures when facts are going in the opposite direction.

there's enough of it that going to the store hasn't been something I'm excited to do.

Luckily, we have a lot of necessities stored up here at home. Some of the things that we have in the house are: Canned food Water First Aid supplies Alternate sources of heat (propane heater, grill, camp stove) Plenty of bedding and clothes Personal hygiene items Various lighting options, including candles, flashlights, and a crank lantern Crankpowered radio Extra batteries We've been careful to build up our emergency supplies, so that if we do end up stuck in the house for days on end, we'll be able to survive. We even have board games and books to entertain ourselves if the power goes out and deprives us of TV and internet access.

Think about how you would fare if you were stuck in your home for a few days. Would you have enough food and water?

Would you be warm? We've already discussed which rooms in our home we would

congregate in to concentrate the warmth and light, and we've done drills about how to leave the house if the emergency is that severe. Our car has emergency supplies as well, and we keep the tank at least half-full so that we don't have to worry about gas lines if we go somewhere.

Are your finances prepared for an emergency?

Of course, it also helps to have your finances ready for an emergency. We have cash in the house, as well as credit cards that can be used in a pinch. And, of course, we have an emergency fund. Being financially ready for an emergency is as important as having other preparedness supplies.

It's also a good idea to have your vital account information and documents safely stored away in a waterproof and fireproof safe. There are even small-sized safes that are ideal for keeping documents. I like the smaller safes, since you can

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

T

Now that FG has signed the PHCN agreements

wenty four hours after President Goodluck Jonathan approved payment of N384billion for the settlement of outstanding benefits to Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN) staff, the Federal Government last Thursday signed transaction and industry agreements with PHCN successor companies, to formally mark the final take-off of the reforms of the electricity generation and distribution industry.

Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, who signed on behalf of the chairman of the National Council on Privatization (NCP), Vice President Namadi Sambo, said the first set of agreements was on power purchase between the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company Ltd (NBET), as Bulk Trader, and six legacy power plants.

Professor Nebo explained that NBET on its part also signed vesting contracts with the 11 distribution companies.

Some of the distribution companies that signed the agreement with NBET include, Kann Cosortium, handling the Abuja power plant, Vigeo Power consortium (Benin), West Power $ Gas (Eko), Interstate Electric Ltd (Enugu), Integrated Energy and NEDC/KEPCO in charge of Ikeja.

Although the privatisation process appears to be proceeding on course, all does not seem to be well. Of concern is that the preferred core investors chosen to acquire the nation's power generating and distribution assets are not keen on signing the agreement after

it emerged that even as the sale negotiations were on-going a number of issues still remained unresolved.

Another worry is why the office of Vice President Namadi Sambo, who chairs the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), is pushing for the signing ceremony, even when the

“

While lauding the government's attempt to advance the power sector through privatisation as a welcome development, we want to urge for diligent supervision of the process, with the National Assembly, civil society organizations and the media taking particular interest in monitoring the activities of the privatised power firms government has yet to put up the cash to cover the liabilities of workers of the companies being acquired by the core investors.

In addition, the core investors say they have yet to receive any certificate from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) granting tenure of licenses for the assets that are being sold to them.

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”

It is therefore unclear why the government rushed the signing ceremony when the core investors had warned that if they were stampeded into signing the agreement, they might not be able to turn them into credible and bankable bids, which they need for their bankers to extend credit to cover the asset purchase and rehabilitation.

A further worry is the financial and technical competence of the preferred winners. Well-known individuals and big businesses do not necessarily translate into successful management, as has been witnessed in the past where investors who bought into public enterprises ended up running them aground.

These fears, we dare say, are valid in view of the fact that while the nation is still struggling to go beyond the debatable 4,200 megawatts (MW), more serious developing nations have achieved or are on the brink of achieving self-sufficiency in power generation. South Africa, 40,000MW, Saudi Arabia, 51,000MW and 60,000MW for Iran, not to talk of Brazil, which counts its capacity in gigawatts.

While lauding the government's attempt to advance the power sector through privatisation as a welcome development, we want to urge for diligent supervision of the process, with the National Assembly, civil society organizations and the media taking particular interest in monitoring the activities of the privatised power firms.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 13

Nigeria and Jonathan: Rudderless Journey!

By Habu F. Dauda

R

ecent events and a cursory layman’s review have underlined the inextricable need for reducing poverty, increasing security, combating unemployment, providing health care and spreading the foundations for a democratic ‘rights-based’ society. We all agree that Nigeria needs a sincere, capable, competent, and focused leadership.

Many have said that the President has neglected his ‘selected’ mandate to govern and be a leader for all Nigerians.

He is mostly viewed as the leader of the PDP and the Niger Delta. The tendencies of a ‘worstthan-military’ dictatorial proclivities and brazen authoritarian behaviour are fingerprinted all over the actions of the president and his obsequious cabinet.

Many decisions taken by the federal government, or its principal partner the PDP, are suspect after careful examination.

Common sense is deeply lacking for those who assume we will accept the motivations of this government as honest; especially since it is the innocent citizens of Nigeria that continue to pay the very high price of a government that has failed to understand its role from day one. If Mr. Jonathan is serious, then his starting point must be to saddle up and lead ALL

By Ayo Sogunro

T

he Current Crisis: In the latest installment of the initiation of violence by a government against its own citizens, a mob of military men were deployed to forcefully dispel a protest for basic amenities by the students of Nasarawa State University. The use of the military in the circumstances was reprehensible in itself, and should, ordinarily, have given rise to a general hue and cry, but unfortunately, and much more gravely, four students were reportedly murdered by some of the soldiers when shots were fired by the military men at the protesting students. This is not just news, this is a crisis.

In a more civilized country, this wanton killing of unarmed students in such a fashion would be termed as the actions of terrorists, or of persons of unsound mind. In Nigeria, we call these instigators of violent murder “soldiers”—and by extension, “military men”.

The Democratic Experiment: A Nigerian child born in the year 1999, when Nigeria commenced its current democratic dispensation, would be fourteen years of age this year—a teenager, fully conscious of the responsibilities and characteristics of a democratic government. Our theoretical child would be able to identify the concept of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary as distinct arms of government. The child would understand the electoral process and maybe even the concept of a republican representative government.

It would, however, be difficult for such a child to understand

Nigerians! Most importantly he should be willing to ask and encourage all Nigerians to make substantial inputs. And I mean ALL NIGERIANS! Advice and criticism must be sought and welcomed at all times.

Most of the things that Nigerians want are easier to accomplish if the president behaves like a true Leader. No doubt the resources to meet our development goals are abundantly available and sufficient. From common aims in the fight against poverty, from concerted action on the decaying educational system, and from the provision of security to protect life and property, to the gigantic issue of providing gainful employment for all those who want to work; there is ample opportunity for this government to provide true leadership. Instead, the past two years have provided many examples of conceited and misdirected guidance from Aso Rock.

In Nigeria today, the belief that the democratic experiment needs a radical overhaul is commonplace among our people.

But the current drive for a constitutional amendment is a joke and outright dishonest. The principal actors are engaged just for themselves. No one is seriously doing it for the good of Nigeria. The rights and privileges of Nigerians are not even being debated. No guarantees of civil liberties are

being strengthened. The checks and balances inherent in a democracy are not being reviewed. All they talk about is how to divide the MONEY, how to deny the weakest tier, and how to create more states!

The most independent office in the world is the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria! No one except God can question what the president does today! Nothing else is independent in Nigeria today. The constitution amenders must busy themselves with how to make the presidency dependent and pervious to advice.

It is a mistake for our constitution to put the President next to God!! I agree with another writer who stated that “the gesture to have a truly people’s constitution is commendable, and even though a few Nigerians have been given the chance to have a say, they would not be present on the floor of the National Assembly when the final decision is made! And having a say will not amount to the people’s constitution; there wishes must be entrenched in it for it to be a truly “we the people of Nigeria” constitution.”

Nigeria as a federation has too many states! But to satisfy our selfish ends, it is likely that unless we have 774 states, there will be no way to make everyone happy. I submit that the best administrative boundaries of the old 19 states are probably the best

structure that unites enough of us to have a common destiny where no tribe can really feel cheated. But who can tell us what is good and right?

While Jonathan is busy making a fool of himself on CNN and other international news channels, and sounding like the ostrich with his head in the sand, the world is carefully examining the record of this government and other events in Nigeria. It is safe to say that Jonathan is not perceived as a capable leader around the globe. His friends in the US and elsewhere are now saying so in the open. In Nigeria’s media channels, we are reminded by the November 18, 2012 media chat where “the president treated us to a disappointing episode of selfconfessions, incompetence and helplessness. His answers were evasive, rambling most times and full of presidential lamentations”.

He assigned blame to everyone else but himself regarding the blatant and endemic levels of corruption in Nigeria today.

Now Mrs Oby Ezekwesili has shut the dirty mouths of Mr Doyin Okupe and Mr Reuben Abati! All she is asking for is a “full disclosure and accountability by the federal government on the issues of poor management of oil revenuesespecially the Excess Crude Account and the Foreign Reserve Account; a total of over $67 billion.” Instead the government

retorted by declaring they gave Mrs Ezekwesili N458 billion (1.9%) for education without justification. Wow! These fools forget that while the government can hold a minister accountable, it does not vitiate a citizen’s right to question his/her government.

The former Minister is within her rights to ask and most Nigerians support her.

Very cloudy is the prism through which the rest of the world views Nigeria today. The need for us to effectively change many of these legitimate and some mistaken perception rest with us all, but the greatest duty is on the current leadership to ‘man up’! The situation is really calamitous and unpredictable for us and for Nigeria. It is therefore delusional for any leader (including Jonathan) to think he or she can take Nigeria and Nigerians for granted. We are too big for that impertinence.

Unfortunately, majority of our ‘accidental’ leaders have failed to foretaste this big-picture in their constant vindictive posture over power at all cost; thus confirming to us that no one, has a clear conscience or clean hands. As for the arrogance we are witnessing from our ‘selected’ office holders of the day and the ‘anointed’ office holders of tomorrow, time suffers no fools.

Habu F. Dauda writes from Gwarimpa, Abuja

Enough of the military already? certain aspects of the Nigerian society as it fits into the democratic structure into which he was birthed and within which he has grown up. These unclear aspects of society would include, amongst other things, the relevance of a soldier in a civilian setting—not just because this idea has not been explained to him, but also because the military machinery and its attendant imagery will not exist harmoniously with the rudimentary democratic concept the child has already formed.

An adult may try to explain to the child that the military presence is necessary for security purposes, but the inquisitive child will ask: what then is function of the police? The adult may explain that the police is not well equipped enough, but the child will ask the logical question: why not equip the police instead?

However, the innocent logic of the child is lost on an adult Nigerian population that has lived, consciously, under the excessive force of military rule. To such an adult, the military was, is, and will always be a fundamental part of the governing machinery—either as a direct governor, or as an enforcement tool of the pseudodemocratic ruler.

The Psychological Damage: The interaction of the average adult Nigerian with the military has been one of oppression; rarely of security or protection. From the 1966 coup to the dictatorship of Sani Abacha via the Civil War, the military has had a forceful presence in the streets of Nigeria.

But unlike the policeman, who is bound (even if more in breach

than in observance) by a criminal code and its procedures of arrest and trial, a military man has no rules of interacting with the civilian in a combat—principally because the military man is trained to regard any person he engages as an enemy and to use deadly force against the enemy.

A military man has no rules of civil procedure. He is trained to shoot, and to shoot to kill.

Accordingly when the average Nigerian soldier goes on the streets, he sees the average civilian as a potential enemy — irrespective of citizenry or other factors.

Nigerians have learned this truth the hard way, and have managed to politely step out of the way of the military. The concept of “an officer and a gentleman” is reserved for Hollywood movies.

The best scenario is the current democratic dispensation, which involves an uneasy truce between the average civilian citizen and the military—and under which the civilian has the lesser bargaining power. For all is well with the civilian only as long as he keeps out of the way of the military man’s sirens and convoys. But what happens to a student in the university? What happens when a Vice-Chancellor calls in the attack dogs and a collision becomes inevitable?

The Legal Situation: Because the social psychology is biased in fear of the military’s arms, the legal provisions are little enforced and largely ignored.

Taking advantage of this psychological mindset, opportunistic democratic governments and their acolytes have continued to utilize the fear

of the military to force the execution of policies that are not legally permissible.

The facts of what happened in Nasarawa are unclear at the moment, but in a country where it is possible to hire a soldier for the price of a bottle of beer, it doesn’t take genius to figure out that someone with some form of civilian authority — whether the ViceChancellor, a local government chairman or even the state governor — called upon the nearest deployment of soldiers to contain the protesting students and consequently, had four students murdered in the process.

But is the current legal dispensation of Nigeria as fearful as the current psychological dispensation of Nigerians?

Thankfully, the answer is “No”.

Our Constitution is very articulate in describing why we need an armed forces and what it should consist of. Section 217 of the Constitution (a document still unfamiliar to most Nigerians) states that the armed forces would consist of an army, a navy, an Air Force as well as other branches the legislature may create.

The next paragraph of that section then describes the three functions of the armed forces: defending Nigeria from external aggression; maintaining Nigeria’s territorial integrity/securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air; and suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order “when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.”

Unfortunately, as discussed above, Nigerians have had more experience with the military in respect of this third function, than with any of the military’s other responsibilities.

Even more unfortunately, the innocent dictates of the Constitution regarding the internal usage of the military are widely disregard by both the government and private influential citizens.

The Constitution is quite clear: before the military is deployed internally, there should be three situations in place: (i) it should be in aid, and not the supplanting, of the civil authorities; (ii) the military exercise should be by the direct order of the President; (and iii) the exercise must have legislative backing.

Any internal deployment by the military within Nigerian territory which does not fulfill these constitutional requirements, is, from the logical interpretation of those provisions, an unconstitutional action, as well as an undemocratic one—the kind that merits the jurisdiction of a court martial and the imposition of severe sanctions.

The Future Is Now To Be Decided: Now, we have reached the lowest depths of the usage of the military within Nigerian territory. The Nigerian military has not just been incapable of protecting Nigerians; it has also continued to kill Nigerians. This is not just news, this is a crisis.

The tail continues to wag the dog.

Ayo Sogunro is a Lagos writer and lawyer. He tweets via @ayosogunro

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 14

Kick out siddon look in 2015, abeg

By Chiechefulam Ikebuiro

I

do not know Messrs Okey Ndibe, Pius Adesanmi and Tunde Fagbenle. I just follow their articles.These guys are an inspiration to me.Okey Ndibe, especially.

There was something about the first article I read in 2013Shaping the future you want,by(whoelse)Okey Ndibe. Mr Ndibe no doubt is a seasoned writer.Very fantastic writer and has done some very fantastic articles over the years,but this particular article gave me an idea there was something coming.There was something about the tone of this particular article.I notice I shared something in common with Mr Ndibe,which is optimism about Nigeria.I have always believed that one day Nigeria will be a better place.I also have always believed that for Nigeria to be better,we the masses have to give up the siddon look attitude.

I also read Pius Adesanmi’s “I endorse you spectocrat,” which linked me to Tunde Fagbenle’s “Saying it the way it is,”articles that confirmed my suspicion that something was coming.

Now,these guys (along with some others) have decided it is time we held our destiny in our hands.They have decided to spearhead what some of us have craved .We just needed somebody(or people)to lead.Today a movement is born - Kick Out Siddon Look 2015.This is a movement of progressive minds,not tribalistic and religious bigots.No,not biased minds.The plan according to them is to collect 5million(or more) signatures from the reasonable minds amongst us,in support of a candidate for 2015. Now this movement is not interested in any of the suckers running Nigeria at the moment.This movement believes in Nigeria and the ability of (some)Nigerians to build a better

By Ifeanyi Uddin

L

ate last week, a young female friend walked into my office. It was early morning. Not unusual in itself, this visit. But her face, that day, was a study in unalloyed joylessness.

An ordinarily winsome character, the contrast, that morning between her countenance and the sombre hue of her hijab was all the more startling. In Yoruba, she managed to convey a sense of impending disaster. She works with a microfinance bank, and only the day before, “management” had informed “staff” of new deposit targets.

The new “metrics” require front office personnel to bring in N5m before end-April, while back office staff (my young friend falls into this category) should bring in N1.5m over the same period.

Sadly, I forgot to ask what the penalty for missing these targets are; although the chances of the penalties being anything but severe are rather slim.

My first take was that a lot is

us.Who says our Nigeria. votes cannot It is time we count?

Votes started to realize count in other that the change Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text climes, don’t we need has to messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written they?

Those begin with contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 living in Ghana u s . O u r and other places a t t i t u d e s words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and where votes towards Nigeria a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed count are not and happenings to: aliens. They are in Nigeria has to people like you change to The Editor, and me. achieve the Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, In 2008,the change we 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

EFCC arrested a crave.

Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com politician over an T h i s SMS: 07037756364 N85 billion movement, I fraud when he believe is not was incharge of O c c u p y Nigeria. Its very different from why I wanted Buhari as president. one of the major parastatals.The that.Occupy Nigeria march was I pointed to the man’s credibility. same parastatal that has been a protest against an unpopular I referred to 1984(even though I used to compensate one 80year old government decision. It was not was 2 then) when there was man,by this current even led by the people,so to sanity in Nigeria, Buhari’s government.This particular speak.The NLC led the march and courtesy.The man is not politician was found guilty and once they were ‘sorted’ the protest corrupt.Nigeria will not be where subsequently sent to 30 months stopped and the same shit we she is today if we had men that in jail,although the total sentence wanted to avoid eating was were not corrupt at the helm of added up to 28 years the fact that shoved down our throats,albeit affair.

Buhari,would have it had to run concurrently garnished with ketchups.A brought his likes on board.Just to reduced the sentence to credible and humane mention a few because of 30months.He served his term, government will not make that space.When I threw back their and was released.The world did kind of decision-a decision that will question,Nobody had anything to not believe the fanfare that bring pain and sufferings to the say.Nobody!Nobody knew why followed this guy’s release.The masses.No!If a credible they were voting the present same Nigerians that were government was in charge in the president- A man they barely fleeced,the same Nigerians who do first place,there would have been knew.Everybody was just okay not know where their next meal no need to occupy Nigeria.That is with the fact that power was will come from, after they must what this movement is all about. remaining in the south.Nobody have spent the one thousand naira Credible leadership for a better had a single genuine reason to they were each given,celebrated Nigeria. vote the man that will rule over a criminals release from jail.

I have done articles in the past them for four years?Crazy!Some Some Nigerians unbelievably calling for a revolution even way people actually went as far as celebrated his release. There was before the Arab spring.During the saying ‘dem no wan know’.You no even a talk of the town Arab spring I did another article wan know?Seriously?That is our thanksgiving…in Church!Ever asking Nigerians if they were attitude as a people and that has seen a thief been celebrated?Its watching.I have always believed to change,if we want change. only here! that we the masses need to do We need to stop acting like During his trial in Nigeria, one something! Something at least,to governance is their(politicians former governor of one of the stop this mess we have had in and the elite)thing. Governance Niger delta states, had amazing place,called leadership. is our thing and should be our support from the same people(of Okey and co have started this thing. We need to take back what the state) who he nearly stole into movement and I have joined. is ours .We should be able to extinction.Thank goodness he is In 2011,I voted for control the way we are being chilling where he belongs;in a jail Muhammed Buhari.Almost ruled.It is time we determined cell, albeit abroad. everybody I know opted for the their fate,not the other way.They So many cases like these current president. They asked need to start being answerable to abound.Why do we choose to

WRITE TO US

celebrate corruption?Why do we encourage these guys to steal us blind?Its time we started protecting our future,not selling it for a mess of pottage.If not for our sake for the future generation.

Don’t you want a credible government that will make decisions that are humane?Decisions that will favour you? Don't you want a government that sincerely cares?A government that does not lie?That will provide for you? Give you constant power supply?I know you do not like it when people die on a daily basis because of bad roads?You definitely hate it when malaria kills your child, because the medical facilities are not just it .I know you feel cheated when your government officials are flown abroad for quality medical attention, while they leave you to rot in sub-standard clinics. You hate the fact that you have graduated and do not have a job for years now.You want a guaranteed future, that I know.I know you hate the fact that our politicians induce religious and tribal wars while they smile to the bank.They allow us kill each other with their families away in foreign lands lounging with your own resources;stolen from you!

You certainly do not like it when you hear a former president of yours was dancing to gangnam style in public after monitoring(and participating in)a flawed election just because he still roams the streets.Roaming the streets because you voted somebody who left him out there and not where he belongs.You know where.

Its time people.It begins with us.Let us be the change we desire.Lets do this.How about starting from somewhere-Join this movement. Join Kickout Siddon Look 2015.

Start by following on twitter @siddonlook2015.I just did.

Stand up for your love of country and let us work to make Nigeria great again.

Chiechefulam Ikebuiro thalynxis@yahoo.ca

Deposits and micro-finance banks wrong with this arrangement. To begin with, the average balance on accounts with this microfinance bank is less than N20,000.

This, incidentally, is as it ought to be.

Micro-finance is technically about providing formal-type financial services solutions to subprime segments of the financial services market. In the local case, it is also about mainstreaming the informal sector – persuading the market woman, the hawker of “Agege bread” (the one who offers you an insert of margarine as option), etc. to open “small form” bank accounts. This segment of the market spends and earns income in small bits.

The currency of its financial transactions is M1 (currency in circulation, and very near money; no cheques, no cards, no online payments, no quasi-money).

Moreover, because of each economic entity’s narrow base, and the smaller iterative nature of

transactions, the speed with which money circulates here is faster than in the formal sector.

When you think of it against the preceding background, an annual average balance of N20,000 per micro-finance account is large. It, however, also means that each front-office staff in my friend’s workplace will have to persuade 250 new and/or existing customers to add an average of this to their balance over the next two months. Same logic for back office staff, except that the number of customers they have to talk to is smaller. While this goal is not impossible to attain, the share difficulty involved in pushing the case for higher deposit numbers through 250 market women and bread sellers is an incentive to cut corners.

I share the section of my office with a richer (and financially wiser) colleague, who, incidentally, is also a mutual friend of my deposit-hungry

visitor. He offered to give her N1m at 11.5% (a part of his portfolio is held with a discount house, where he earned 12% until Friday; treasury bill yields are trending down, so he expects a review of this rate).

She left with a promise to get back to him on the acceptability of this rate. Because micro-finance bank customers fall into the subprime lending category, the industry’s loans are priced at a huge premium to the traditional fare. We expect, therefore that the response to the 11.5% rate on the offered N1m will be positive when she shows up today.

This leads to a very simple worry. A well-meant incentive may be inducing perverse behaviour. Marginal bank deposits feeding through to premium priced sub-prime lending is not necessarily bad. Reversal of this process (in developed economies) may have been the trigger for the last global financial and economic

crisis. However, that was only because the extant regulatory and supervisory frameworks overestimated the usefulness of the exotic risk management instruments touted then by the financial services sector.

In the current case, by far the biggest worry is that the absence of a transparent relationship between the formal financial services sector and its microfinance sub-segment may frustrate the effective discharge of the regulatory and supervisory function. This threat is the more so when a bank and a microfinance institution are part of a financial holding company.

Ultimately, a diligent supervisor may well see to it that the firewalls inside the holding company never come down (or are otherwise breached).

Still, inefficiencies in our system mean that such perverse (unintended) consequences will be its hallmark for a while yet.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 15

The ‘Hubris’ documentary and its future lessons

By Wumi Akintide

H

ubris – Selling the War on Iraq documentary recently aired by MSNBC and moderated by the one and only Rachel Maddow, is a big eye opener to America and the rest of the world. I know the documentary could be dismissed with the wave of hand by individuals like Dick Cheney and some of his cohorts on the extreme right of the political divide who still believe and argue blindly that the 9 year Iraq War was worth every dime spent on it and the toll in bloodshed and collateral damages.

Poor Saddam. He did not have a nuclear weapon and he was never a big fan or accomplice of Osama Bin Laden and his Al Qaeda terrorists as alleged by Bush and Cheney. Above all, the General did not pose that much of a threat to America as implied Yet Cheney and Bush using their power and influence, had found a way to make the whole world believe Saddam was guilty as charged.

They were using fabricated and unverified intelligence reports from anywhere they could find them while rejecting appeals from the United Nations at the time to make haste slowly and not rush to judgment on declaration of war.

Bush and Cheney had long made up their minds that taking out Saddam was going to be a cakewalk and that access to the limitless reservoir of Iraqi oil for years to come justify the effort The development is one more proof that the United Nations has

become a pawn in the Chess game of America when all is said and done. The UN could not stop Bush from dragging the whole world, so to speak, into a war of choice. This is not holding brief for Saddam who had made the same mistake the Iranian leadership is making today by refusing to let the inspectors in.

Saddam took that position because he wanted his neighbor countries in the Middle East in particular to believe he was actually stronger than all of them combined as falsely insinuated by American propaganda. The truth did not come out until Saddam was picked up from a hole where he was hiding and was paraded around, totally humiliated, tried and executed by his own people.

Saddam may have oppressed his own people at the height of his power but he was not quite as horrible as Bush and Cheney had said he was. I visited Baghdad long before the war as Secretary to the Joint Economic Commissions of Nigeria with the rest of the world and I knew for a fact that the Saddam Regime was not as terrible as the world was made to believe.

When Americans don’t like a leader, they find a way to demonize them like they did to Fidel Castro for years and like they are currently doing to Hugo Chavez to mention a few.

The American forces went to Baghdad only to find no nuclear weapon and to discover that Saddam did not have anything to do with the attack on the twin towers in New York in 2001. Bush and Cheney had merely called

Saddam a bad name like a dog in order to hang him and to destabilize Iraq just because they could. It was the same argument the same cabal in the Republican Party had once tried to use to take out Moammar Ghadafi who was a paper tiger than the lion America and its propaganda machine made him out to be. it is the same falsehood the same cabal would have used to drag America into another needless war with Iran and arguably Syria right now, if John McCain or Mitt Romney had won the presidency.

The neo-conservatives are happy to see the United States become the police man of the world because they truly believe that America can do whatever she wants as the only super power and they could care less about what such a burden was likely to impose on the American economy and her resources at home.

The Republicans always make the miscalculations that those countries would be easier to defeat than a country like North Korea which has openly admitted to having those weapons and have demonstrated the means and the capacity to deliver and deploy them in the event of any war with America or any of her allies in the Pacific, These war mongers on the extreme right who like to see America going to war at the least provocation hardly ever think of the horrible cost of war to both the victor and the victim country once the bombs start to drop..

They are much more concerned about their gains from those wars rather than the

collateral damages that such needless wars are bound to cause.

They completely forget the pains such wars are bound to cause for the the families of the soldiers that are bound to lose their lives or the thousands that were going to be maimed and forever crippled due to injuries sustained from those wars Those who fail to learn from the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them.

The hawks in the Republican Party are less concerned about the thousands that died in Iraq or any of the collateral damages and billions of Dollars in equipment wasted on that war or the number of people displaced in Iraq which still bears the scars of that war and the unavoidable instability and crisis of identity that comes with the war till tomorrow. They completely forget the lessons of Vietnam and the havoc those lessons have caused for America.

Iraq is worse of today than it was under Saddam Hussein, all things considered.

We need Governments the world over and the political parties that are integral part of those Governments to be more actively involved in promoting peace and development and not encouraging war and gridlock like we are now witnessing in America ever since America has had the courage to elect her first minority President who has been doing everything in his power to correct the mistakes of the past and to stabilize the country by promoting inclusion and not exclusion and by urging the country to pull together and to

recognize that America and yes the whole world have been going thru changes their people and political parties could not ignore or sidetrack in this era of globalization. The Republicans are killing their chances to ever regain power at the national level by deliberately putting obstacles on the current President’s way every step of the way even when they knew the great majority of Americans support him as they have clearly shown by electing him two consecutive times by a much wider margin than many of his white predecessors in that office. The man has got to be doing something right to find himself in that position.

It is now becoming increasingly clear that America may have started losing her qualitative edge as the shining city on the Hill and a beacon of light to the rest of the world because America is now doing the same kind of things she has often criticized the third world for in so many years. As a proud father of 2 young men currently serving in the US Military and as a strong believer in the two major party system in America with some room for smaller parties to always have their say, I feel totally disillusioned by some of the antics of the Republican Party which now believes that it can rebrand itself by not fundamentally changing her policies but by sheer semantics and cutting corners or using redistricting and other antics to their own advantage, or moving the goal post as often as needed

Will we ever understand what dark matter is made from?

By Matthew Francis

B

eautiful as it is, the Universe hides a great deal of its secrets from us. All the stars, galaxies, and other objects we see mask the presence of another substance that comprises 84% of all the mass in the cosmos. That substance, which in our ignorance we call dark matter, has proven annoyingly elusive for the better part of a century.

Detecting dark matter directly has proved to be tricky, but there is strong evidence for its existence, and it comes from a variety of sources. The first hint of dark matter's existence came in 1933, when Swiss astronomer Fritz Zwicky calculated that the Virgo Cluster of galaxies didn't have enough visible matter in the form of gas and stars to hold it together.

It must be embedded in a halo of something invisible, or else it would fly apart. In the early 1970s, American astronomer Vera Rubin demonstrated the magnitude of the missing mass problem when she showed that the outer regions of spiral galaxies rotated far too quickly unless the galaxies contained a lot more mass than could be seen.

In the intervening decades, the evidence for dark matter has only grown stronger. Galaxy clusters—including the iconic "Bullet Cluster" discovered in 2006 – clearly contain far more mass than is visible in stars and gas. On even larger scales, galaxies collect into clumps and long filaments, rather than falling into random

configurations, and surround regions largely devoid of matter.

So if dark matter does exist, what is it made of? Right now, a far easier question to answer is what dark matter isn't. First of all, the name is misleading: dark matter isn't "dark" in any usual sense of the word. "Invisible matter" is a better term: light shining on dark matter from any source passes right through without being absorbed or scattered, regardless of the type of light. This means dark matter can't be made of atoms or of their constituent parts; that is, electrons, protons and neutrons.

In fact, dark matter doesn't correspond to anything in the Standard Model, the best explanation we have for how the universe works. The Standard Model describes many aspects of ordinary matter as we know it, along with three of the four fundamental forces: the electromagnetic force, the weak force, and the strong force. (The fourth force, gravitation, lies beyond the Standard Model, it is governed by Einstein’s general theory of relativity.) It also includes a lot of objects that exist ephemerally –including particles made of exotic quarks that decay very quickly – or which are common but hard to detect, such as neutrinos. The final piece of the Standard Model may have been found last summer, with the discovery of something resembling the Higgs boson at Cern.

Dark matter is none of the above. In particle physics terms, dark matter doesn't interact with

the electromagnetic force, which governs light, and it ignores the strong force, which binds atomic nuclei together.

But understanding how it behaves gravitationally does offer some clues to its make-up.

The way in which galaxies collect into clumps and long filaments makes most sense if the Universe began as a nearly uniform cloud of dark matter, but with tiny fluctuations in density, where a little more dark matter than average would sit. That overdensity would attract more matter, creating lumps in some places and emptying out other regions. And thanks to people measuring the faint echoes of the birth of the universe – the cosmic microwave background – we know how much matter is made of atoms, and how much is invisible.

From these data, we can learn a few important things. First, dark matter seems to act like particles, based on the way it collects and behaves under the influence of gravity. Also, dark matter is "cold", meaning that it doesn't move very rapidly; dark matter that is too warm will resist clumping together as much as we observe.

That in turn places some limits on the lowest mass dark matter particles could have: if they're too light, they tend to move faster.

Neutrinos, despite being extremely numerous and not affected by the electromagnetic force, are too light and therefore too "hot" to be dark matter.

To keep things cold, dark matter particles must not collide

readily, either with each other or with ordinary matter. That's because collisions transfer energy, leading to higher speeds, and ultimately in warming up the dark matter. A lot of research is focused on testing how much dark matter can collide in particularly dense regions, such as near the centres of galaxies.

Observational evidence may have ruled out two of the three nongravitational ways that dark matter could interact with ordinary matter, but that still leaves one possibility: the weak force. In fact, several extensions to the Standard Model predict the existence of weakly-interacting particles, including a popular theory called supersymmetry (Susy, often pronounced SOOsee) – one of the cornerstones of string theory. The most promising dark matter candidate that encompasses all these possibilities is known as a Wimp: a weaklyinteracting massive particle.

However, that's a big category.

Worse still, models don't predict a specific mass for any Wimp candidate, leaving experimental physicists with ranges of possible values. (That's not a problem specific to Wimps, of course: the Higgs boson also lacked a specific mass prediction from theory.)

Despite all these issues, a variety of experiments and observations have helped trim down the Wimp mass range.

For example, the XENON100 experiment, located deep under the Gran Sasso mountain in Italy, contains a target of liquid xenon at -91C in a stainless steel cylinder.

As with neutrino detectors, putting dark matter detectors underground helps prevent cosmic ray particles from interfering with the equipment. If a Wimp enters the cylinder and hits a xenon atom, the atom responds by losing electrons. Electrically charged plates at the ends of the cylinder push the electrons to the top, where they are recorded, along with any light the xenon gave off as a result of the collision. Because they interact so weakly with matter, each Wimp is unlikely to collide with anything, so the XENON100 team looks for single collisions.

Anything more than that, and the collisions were probably another type of particle, such as a neutron.

In July 2012, the XENON100 research team announced that they had failed to find any Wimp signature above a certain mass limit, after operating for 225 days spread over 13 months. In particular, these data excluded several possible Wimp ranges from Susy, which is consistent with other disappointing results from particle colliders. The XENON100 results also rule out possible detections from other experiments, leaving dark-matter hunters gnashing their teeth.

However, the major dark matter detection experiments are upgrading, and new ones are in the works. The major goals in all of these efforts include reducing background signals (from cosmic rays and other particles) and increasing the sensitivity in mass ranges where various models predict Wimps may be hiding.

Source: NASA

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

FCTA flags off 70 hectares of 2012/2013 dry season farming

By Adeola Tukuru

T

Traffic gridlock on Olusegun Obasanjo Way by Wuse Zone 7 due to road rehabilitation in parts of Abuja Metropolis, yesterday.

Photo: NAN

Gwagwalada residents decry three days power failure

By Adeola Tukuru

R

esidents of Gwagwalada area council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has decried over a three days total blackout by the Power Holdings Company of Nigeria (PHCN),calling on the Chairman of the council ,Hon Zakari Angolu Dobi and other relevant agencies to come to their aide in restoring the light.

Some residents, Mrs.

Grace Ayanwu spoke to Peoples Daily lamented that the power failure has disrupted some of their trading activities in the area.

“I sell frozen foods like Turkey, Fish and Meats and I use the light to froze them,since the total blackout I have relying on my generator to ensure that they don’t get spoilt”, she said.

Another resident, Stella Ojebor stated that weather

in the council is very hot and pleaded on the PHCN to assist them.

According to the Business Manager, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Gwagwalada Unit,Engr.

Aminu Bello explained that the three days power outage in Gwagwalada was as a result of technical fault on Abuja Electricity Distribution Company installation.

The Business Manager

said the Power outage was due to technical fault that occurred along Apo – Airport road.

The Business Manager therefore assured to the residents that the current shortage of supply experiencing in the axis would be a thing of the past as soon as ongoing project at Shiroro is completed.

The areas affected include: Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji area councils.

PHCN denies collecting money for special line

T

he PHCN in NyanyaMararaba on Monday in Abuja denied knowledge of any service line on which customers paid N150, 000 to be connected.

The Business Manager, PHCN, Nyanya-Mararaba, Mr Mussani Nuhu, made the denial in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

“Well, this is not the first time we have heard of this kind of allegation. Some people come to get approval

to install transformers in their places or their communities.

“As you know, government is not able to provide transformers to all customers.

So, when they install this transformer, they start to collect money from customers,’’ he said.

Some residents of the areas alleged that PHCN contractors were connecting customers to low tension lines, otherwise known as

“24 hours’’, and charging N150, 000 per house and N10, 000 per room.

Nuhu said that PHCN management was not aware of this but vowed to stop it wherever it existed.

He stressed that when a person or community bought a transformer, it became government property as soon as it was energised by PHCN. He promised to disconnect any illegal lines from the network, especially from the 33KV line.

He said that the Abuja Zonal Office had recently declared that no approval would be given to customers to connect to the 33KV line.

“The absence of 11KV line in some places led to the concession given to contractors. Contractors are now misusing this privilege.

“All our customers are given light. Anyone who has no light could be due to a fault either from their transformers or their lines.’(NAN)

he Federal Capital T e r r i t o r y Administration (FCTA) has flagged off 70 hectares 2012/2013 dry season farming, titled, ‘Women in Agriculture value chain’ in Kutunku area of Gwagwalada area council.

Minister of state for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, in her keynote address said, the system has made food products in FCT and neighbouring states affordable.

“Dry season farming have made products such as maize, pepper, okro, amaranthus, ugu (telefeira) to be accesible and affordable in FCT and other neighbouring states” “As part of FCT Administration support to stimulate” the farmers to enhance their production, 2 tractors, 15 irrigation water pumps and accessories, 60 metric tons of assorted fertilisers were distributed to the farmers at subsidised rate.

Adding that, “the administration would put in place water harvesting infrastructure such as micro earth dams, ponds, dykes, risers among others.”

Akinjide, charged unemployed youth to explore the window of job opportunities in dry season farming.

In her address, Secretary, FCT Agric and rural development Secretariat, Mrs. Olvadi Bema Madayi, said, the dry season farming was conceived, implemented and managed by 6 women groups and 3 men groups, to ensure all year round “accessibility and affordability of food”.

“The Kutunku plain which is hosting the 2012/2013 dry season farming flag off is about 70 hectares. The farmers on this site provide job opportunities on a daily basis to at least 300 men, youth and women engaged in land preparation, weeding, pest control, fertiliser application and harvesting.

However, she said, more has to be done as assistance in the areas of more access to tractor, fertilisers and quality plantable seeds.

Chairman, Gwagwalada area council, Zakari Angulu Dobi, said the dry season farming is important in order “to ensure food security in the household”, while thanking the minister for choosing Gwagwalada area council for the flag off.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 17

INSIDE FCT COURTS Man bags 2 years for attempting to pick commuter’s pocket

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he Kubwa Upper Area Court on Monday sentenced a 25-year-old man, Samson Ottobong, to two years imprisonment for attempting to pick a commuter’s pocket.

The Presiding Judge, Malam Munir Lawal, however, gave the convict an option of N10,000 fine, and warned Ottobong to be of good behaviour.

“At the expiration of your sentence, I advise you in your own interest to desist from crime and get something meaningful to do with your life,’’ he advised.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Echendu Kelechi, told the court that the convict was arrested at Galadima Bus Stop, Abuja, by the Divisional Patrol and Guard Team, led by Asp. Amuta Gabriel.

He said the patrol team caught Ottobong when he was attempting to pick the pocket of an unsuspecting commuter at the bus stop.

Kelechi added that the offence was contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code.

The convict had pleaded guilty to the charge. (NAN)

Court remands man, 40, in prison for alleged cheating

A

Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates Court in Abuja has remanded one Joshua Sunday, 40, of Bauchi State, in prison for allegedly cheating a woman of over N14 million.

Police prosecutor Francis Tanko told the court that the accused collected 78,000 litres of diesel valued N14 million from one Hajiya Rabi Yunusa of Nafiat Estate, Phase 4, Kubwa, Abuja.

“The deal, which took place between September and November 2012, was for him to supply the d i e s e l to Etisalat Communications and pay Yunusa within 21 days after supply,” Tanko said.

He told the court that after the accused was duly paid by Etisalat, he failed to pay Yunusa.

“Cheating is an offence because it contravenes the provisions of Section 322 of the Penal Code.’’

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and his counsel, George Halliday urged the court to grant his client bail.

The Senior Magistrate, Aliyu Shafa, said that in his oral application, Halliday did not furnish the court with good reasons why the accused should be granted bail.

Shafa, therefore, directed that the accused should be remanded in prison and adjourned the case to March 25 for hearing. (NAN)

Two people died on the spot while two others were rushed to the National Hospital when their vehicle was involved in an accident along Umar Musa Yar'adua Express Way, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Man bags 6 months imprisonment, 12 strokes of cane for stealing onions

A

Zuba Grade 1 Area Court has sentenced a 19-yearold man, Salisu Magaji, to six months imprisonment for stealing 11 baskets of onions.

Police prosecutor Momoh Ibrahim told the Court that

Magaji of Dankogi, Abuja, stole the onions belonging to one Abdulhamidu Lawal of Fruit Market, Zuba, in the FCT. He said that only six of the 11 baskets were recovered from the convict, who pleaded guilty to

charge and begged the court to temper justice with mercy.

The Presiding officer, Alhassan Kusherki, sentenced Magaji to six months imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane. Kusherki, however, gave the convict an

option to pay N10,000 fine and N7,000 as compensation to the complainant.

He said the sentence was not harsh because the convict, who pleaded guilty to the crime, was a first time offender. (NAN)

Police arraign 2 for alleged criminal conspiracy

T

he police in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, on Monday arraigned two men before a Senior Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and theft.

The men are Moses Louis, 19, of Angwan Katsinawa in Mararaba, and Kingsley Irom of Sharp Corner in Mararaba.

Police prosecutor Samuel Okoro told the court that the matter was reported by one John Abah at the Sani Abacha Police

Station in Mararaba on Feb. 10.2013.

Okoro said Abah had on Jan. 19 entrusted his Bajaj motorcycle without registration number, valued at N165,000, to Louis to hire for use for commercial purpose.

He said on Feb. 10, however, the accused conspired with Irom, who claimed to be his friend, to sell the motorcycle to an unknown person.

“Louis then went on to call the complainant on phone to inform

him that he gave the motorcycle to his friend Irom to use on his behalf for half a day.

“He came back later to say that the motorcycle had been snatched by a thief from his friend, a story which Abah did not believe,” Okoro said.

The prosecutor then prayed the court not to grant the accused bail, saying that they would interfere with investigation.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Senior Magistrate H. A. Abundaga

granted them bail in the sum of N200,000 each with one surety in like sum.

He said the sureties must be reasonable and responsible persons residing within the court’s jurisdiction and must deposit two passport photographs with the court.

Abundaga also said if the bail condition was not met, the accused should be remanded in prison.

He adjourned the case to March 11,2013 for further hearing.

(NAN)

Court discharges sales boy who allegedly stole 18 bags of cement

A

Karu Senior Magistrates Court in Abuja, has discharged a sales boy, Ifeoluwa Adekoya, 18, who was standing trial for allegedly stealing 18 bags of cements.

Adekoya of Prayer Road, Jikwoyi Phase IV, Abuja, was arraigned before the court on Jan. 21.2013.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was granted bail, but when he could not meet up the bail conditions, he was remainded in prison.

The police prosecutor, Sgt. Stephen Eimoga, said Mrs Nwibe Victoria of House 3, Road 122, FHA Karu, reported the matter to the police on Nov. 12, 2012.

On Oct. 26, 2012, Victoria employed Adekoye as sales boy to sell cement in her shop.

“On the same day a trailer loaded with 600 bags of cement was handed over to him.

On Nov. 12, a stock taken was carried out and 18 bags of

cement valued at N30, 600 were discovered missing.

“During investigation the accused told the police that he sold only 5 bags and used the money to solve his brother’s problem,” he said.

The prosecution said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 289 of the Penal Code.

During the hearing on Friday, Victoria told the court that she and Adekoye’s mother had discussed and reached an

understanding to withdraw the case.

“However, I would like him to change his bad ways because it will never help him,” she said.

The Magistrate, Mrs Sharon Tanko, discharged the accused.

“Due to the understanding by the plaintiff and the accused person’s parent, I hereby discharged the accused and the First Information Report terminated”. (NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Addressing refuse disposal problems in FCT area councils

By Uche Bibilari, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

T

he committee on “Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative’’ was set up to fast-track the environmental cleanliness of the area councils and satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). FCT Minister of State Olajumoke Akinjide, who spoke during the inauguration of the committee on Aug. 23, 2012 stressed that the FCT Administration (FCTA) would not tolerate filthy environment in the area councils.

“I want us to mark today as the day when we begin to change and transform the minds of people who live in Abuja to know that we will no longer tolerate filth in the city,” she said. Akinjide listed the committee’s terms of reference to include: cleaning up the satellite towns and highways, building sustainable enforcement strategies in the satellite towns, greening the satellite towns through designed tree planting and vegetation control strategies.

She pledged that the FCTA would assist the area councils to remove wastes in satellite towns and regional road corridors.

The minister noted that Abuja city centre was largely free of refuse, pledging that the FCTA would ensure cleanliness in the FCT and its six area councils. “We want the satellite towns and the area councils to ensure that the same standard of cleanliness and waste management which we have in the FCT is extended to the area councils,” she said.

Akinjide said that the FCTA had taken over the cleaning of the satellite towns and the regional road corridors that were made up of Gwagwalada, Bwari, Nyanya and Kubwa. “We will clean all the dirt; accumulated wastes will be cleared and taken to properly identified dumpsites, while the dumpsites will be properly managed,” she added.

The minister also said that every area council would have a dumpsite so as to avoid a situation where wastes were simply transferred from one area council to another.

Akinjide, however, stressed that the project was not a city initiative, adding that it was particularly designed to bring about the cleaning of the area councils, as part of efforts to tackle the problem of accumulated filth in a holistic way.

The minister stressed that

FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide the FCT would use schools, community leaders, union leaders and the media as conduits to educate the residents on the importance of living in a clean environment.

“Our goal of attracting investment as well as making Abuja a global tourism destination will remain a lipservice if our intentions are not matched with a culture of cleanliness, conservation and greening,” she added Akinjide said that in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda, the FCTA was determined to confront all the challenges militating against of the cleanliness of the environment. Besides, as part of efforts to improve the

environmental sanitation of satellite towns, the FCTA established the “Village Community Sanitation’’ programme.

The minister said that the main aim of the programme was to educate the community on the need to imbibe good sanitation habits as part of their everyday culture. “The aim is to teach and show the community good sanitation practices that should be imbibed as part of their everyday culture,” Akinjide said.

Going from the general to the specifics, the Satellite Town Development Agency (STDA) recently embarked on massive evacuation of wastes in the satellite towns, as part of the Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative. Alhaji Tukur Bakori, the Director of STDA, who spoke during the simultaneous evacuation of refuse heaps at Nyanya, Karu and Kubwa, said that those who violated the extant sanitation laws would be prosecuted. He, nonetheless, stressed that the clearing of refuse was the responsibility of the area councils, warning that the FCTA would start charging the councils for not doing what they ought to do.

“They have this provision in their votes, we will start charging them fees whenever we intervene to clean up the satellite towns,” Bakori said.

The Head of Information and Outreach Programme of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB),Mr Joe Ukairo underscored the commitment of the board to ensure the cleanliness of the FCT. He said that as part of the

“

In those transfer stations, there will be a mini sorting plant whereby wastes, such as bottles, plastics and papers will be sorted out for recycling; what finally gets to the dumpsite may not be bulky

strategies put in place to achieve this goal, the board would establish environmental sanitation clubs in secondary schools across the FCT. Ukario said that the project would involve both public and private schools, adding that it was particularly aimed at promoting the culture of clean environment, environmental health and basic hygiene among the students.

“We discovered that we need to develop the society from childhood; the culture of clean environment should be inculcated in our children’s lives, right from the kindergarten to the high school. “Our children need to be exposed to the importance of a healthy environment, environmental management and basic hygienic principles,” he said.

Besides, Ukairo said that the board planned to build three waste transfer stations in different parts of the territory to facilitate evacuation of wastes. He said that the transfer stations would serve as temporary dumpsites for waste disposal contractors. Ukairo further explained that in the transfer stations, there would be a mini-waste sorting plant where wastes, such as bottles and plastics, would be sorted out for recycling.

“In those transfer stations, there will be a mini sorting plant whereby wastes, such as bottles, plastics and papers will be sorted out for recycling; what finally gets to the dumpsite may not be bulky,” Ukairo said.

The assurances notwithstanding, the residents of satellite towns want the FCTA to prevail on the chairmen of the area councils to put in place measures that will facilitate effective refuse disposal. They also note that the dearth of well-coordinated waste management activities is largely responsible for the dumping of refuse in waterways.

Civil Servant, 41, arraigned for joint act and cheating

T

he Police have arraigned one Adamu Mohammed, civil servant, 41 of Mararaba Wazobia Zone B, No 6 Nasarawa state and Salisu Wasa of Maraba now at large before an Upper Area Court in Karu for joint act and cheating.

Police Prosecutor, Njoku Pascal told the court that on May, 29, 2012, one Mrs. Hamila Olamoyegun of Jukwoyi police station and reported against the accused.

Pascal further noted that

two accused collected the sum of one million one hundred and fifty thousand naira (1,150,000) to the complainant and they fraudulently and dishonestly converted the money toothier own use.

He said that during police investigation they confessed and three hundred and ninety thousand was recovered from them. They also deposited their vehicles to the police station.

They also wrote an undertaking to pay the remaining money but they did not.

He noted that the offence contravene the provision of Sections 79 and 320 of the Penal Code.

However the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Acuused counsel, Chukwu Obute said that the alleged offence is bailable quoting section 36 sub 5 and 6 of 1999

constitution. He also said that the accused has promise not to interfere with police investigation and will not jump bail.

The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko granted the accused bail with the sum of one million naira and a reasonable surety who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He also ordered the police to arrest the second accused person before the next adjourned date.

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

ICT Minister inaugurates Incubation Governing Board

Mob: 08033644990

FG to stimulate 1000 jobs with new job fair

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

A

s part of measures to reduce unemployment in the country and create jobs, the Federal Government yesterday set up a committee to deliberate on the proposed job fair and come up with ideas on how to make it successful.

The committee is made up of representatives from the United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO), ministries of labour and productivity, women affairs, education, youth development, trade and investment, as well as Industrial Training Fund ( ITF), Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BOI), National University Commission (NUC) and National Board of Technical Education (NABTEC) Other members of the job fair committee include National Employment and Consultative Council (NECA), Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Cooperatives, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and National Committee on Job Creation.

Inaugurating the committee yesterday in Abuja, Minister of state for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom lamented the fact that employment rate in the country stood at 23 percent with the tendencies to go up as a result of unstable economical situation.

He continued: “The job fair being initiated is therefore meant to address all the identified barriers to job creation and sustainable livelihood in the country. It will support industry by creating sustainable working and knowledge sharing platforms and networks which will link the job seekers to the employers by identifying and

facilitating hiring needs and options for local businesses, companies as well as the needs and options for job seekers.

The minister who was represented at the inauguration by the Director of Industrial Development in the ministry, Olakunle Shogboola , added that : “ it will also highlight inherent

benefits for young individuals who have decided to be entrepreneurs and equally showcase ones with goods and services deigned locally and competitive globally and not less than 1,000 jobs will be created at the first instance from the exercise.

The terms if reference for

the committee include to produce an action plan for the job fair with cost and timelines and arrange venues, date, time, programme, invitees, training session, targets industries, companies, schools and youths.

The committee is also expected to build and launch a

L-R: First Secretary, Office of High Commissioner of India, Lagos, Mrs Rani Malick, representative of Lagos state Deputy Governor, Mrs Folasade Ogunnaike, and India High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Mahesh Sachdev, admiring one of the fabrics, during the official inauguration of Indian textile exhibition, yesterday in Lagos.

Photo: NAN

$1.56bn not loan but ‘Forward Sales’ arrangement- NNPC GMD

By Etuka Sunday

T

he management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has said the so called $1.56bn loan the Corporation is alleged to be proposing to obtain is actually not a loan but a forward sales arrangement to offset accumulated legacy liabilities incurred as a result of crude oil and product losses, pipeline vandalism and demurrage on

products in the strategic reserve stock.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Engr.

Andrew Yakubu, stated this on Monday while making a presentation to the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Aids, Loans and Debt Management and Justice in Abuja.

Engr. Yakubu maintained

that the Corporation import invoices is contractually obligated to be paid 45 days after laycan but extended to over 360 days after laycan in recent time, due to obvious cash flow challenges.

“The non-reimbursement

by Federal Government of the Petroleum Products Price Differential to NNPC has gradually led to accumulated and unpaid petroleum products invoices of about US $3.5bn,” Engr. Yakubu revealed.

US oil imports from Middle East increase

T

he US was more reliant on the Middle East for its oil imports last year, underscoring the critical importance of the politically unstable region for the country despite the growing energy independence its shale gas revolution is bringing.

That domestic production boom has triggered intense debate over whether the US would still guard the world’s critical sea lanes, such as the Strait of Hormuz in two decades’ time – or whether China, whose dependence on Middle Eastern crude imports is rapidly rising, would replace it.

However, recent oil import trends from the Gulf region suggest why the US might continue to play a critical security role in the region.

web platform for entrepreneurship and job fair where employers can put online job openings and job seekers can directly register online.

The committee is also mandated to build a database for the teeming unemployed youths and showcase successful entrepreneurs.

While domestic production increased the most in 150 years last year, Washington will confirm later this week that oil imports from the Gulf region continued to rise.

By the end of November the US had already imported more than 450m barrels of crude from Saudi Arabia, more than

it imported from Riyadh in the whole of 2009, 2010 or 2011, according to figures from the US energy department. For the first time since 2003, Saudi imports accounted for more than 15 per cent of total US oil imports. The Gulf as a whole accounted for more than 25 per cent, a nine-year high.

Other Gulf exporters are also seeing unusually strong US demand. By the end of November, Kuwait had shipped more oil to the US than in any year since 1998. Analysts are expecting annual figures to be released later this week to confirm the trend seen up to November.

Management Tip of the Day

S

Write your first draft fast

ometimes the hardest part about writing a memo, report, or proposal is getting the words on paper.

The key is to write all of your thoughts down before you can overthink them. Then decide how to best structure them.

Once you’ve done that, rapidly write your first draft. Don’t wait for inspiration. Write against the clock, giving yourself 5-10 minutes for each section.

Resist the urge to perfect as you write. Save the editing until the draft is finished. If you

find yourself stumped, move on to a section you’re more comfortable with and come back to the problem area once you’ve found your flow.

Source: Harvard Business Review

He informed that petroleum products importers have become agitated over the nonpayment of their petroleum products invoices some of which were over three years old adding that the exposure of domestic banks is about US $1.5bn, and default of this magnitude of exposure could lead to another round of banking crisis.

The NNPC GMD stated that the continued delay has dire consequences ranging from major negative impact on the sovereign credit rating to costly litigation against the Federal Government in Foreign Courts disclosing that some of the importers are already in foreign court with the NNPC. He posited that for the NNPC to honour its obligations while addressing the risk of sovereign default and potential banking crisis that could ensue, the NNPC Board of Directors approved the forward sale structure as an alternative for petroleum products import stressing that the arrangement was not a loan but sale of crude oil to be produced in the future.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Petroleum Resources Upstream, Hon. Muraina Ajibola stated that the committee was investigative in nature and requested the NNPC to submit all the documents demanded from the Corporation to enable it carry out its assignment.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS NAHCO Aviance

T

he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCOAviance) has explained that increasing cost of doing business globally which is also affecting the company’s business has led to the increase in handling charges of over 100 percent.

The handling charges of one kilogramme of cargo has been increased from N24,000 to N48,000, a difference of about 300 percent.

Cargo clearing agents under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) said the charges are also taken toll on their businesses.

Main One Cable

M

ain One Cable, said to be the first submarine cable company offering open access and wholesale broadband capacity in West Africa, says it is now set to play big in Nigeria’s oil/gas region with what it calls a tested broadband solution package.

To begin action, the company has slated an ‘Awareness Creation’ event in the garden city of Port Harcourt recently, at one of the exquisite hotel venues in the oil capital, Golden Tulip.

Sources at Caritas, the public relations team behind Main One in Nigeria , have said that the event had already taken place in Lagos , Abuja and Accra ( Ghana ), and that plans were underway to carry the new message to the doorsteps of other business centres in Nigeria and other West African countries.

Nestle Nigeria Plc

N

estle Nigeria Plc has said it will invest N100 billion ($635 million) in the country, in a move aimed at tripling its sales in Nigeria to N350 billion ($2.2 billion) in 10 years as the consumer market for food and cereals booms, Martin Kruegel, chief financial officer told Reuters that the local unit of Swiss company Nestle SA, the world’s biggest food group, would make this investment over the same period to achieve its sales target.

Brian computer systems to launch tablet phones

By Chris Alu

B

rian Integrated Systems Limited, one of Nigeria’s certified indigenous system builders has announced it’s readiness to launch its tablet phones.

Mr. Tunji Balogun, managing director and chief executive officer of the Company explained that the company has been monitoring the market and has

discovered that very soon laptops and desktops will be replaced by touch button and touch screen phones.

“So, we do not wish to be left behind. Our tab is a bit different and higher than what is obtainable in the market today. Some of them come in wireless form with USB provision.

Most tabs in the market now do not have USB spaces and that limits the user who cannot pair an additional or his personal

software with the tab”, he said.

Also Olaide Balogun, Managing Director, Balog Technologies, the driver of the project described the tablet as will give foreign brands a run for their money; hence the features are user-friendly and related to Nigerian environment.

She said: “Our Company is a forward looking one and with the current trend; people are now looking forward to

t o u c h - c e n t r i c communication (phones) gadgets. That actually spurred us to move into invention of tablet. It’s a 4.1" tablet with clear camera dimension. On a special note, it has USB some popular brands do not have. That has been a limitation to the end-user, but we are cutting off that barrier.

“The tablet is light weight, portable and various colours. It also has WiFi-3G, so no limitation;

the user will always be on the go,” she said giving a brief description of the tab.

Olaide added, although, most Nigerians have aligned themselves with foreign products Brian Computers is optimist that this will sell. “We are leveraging on our name and brand. Secondly, we trust what we are putting out. A lot of works have been put into it and now we are ready to unveil it.

Nigerians are going to love it,” she stated.

TCN promises improvement on power grid soon

By Udenna Orji

T

he Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has promised that the nation’s transmission grid would soon “be more robust and stable”.

According to a statement signed by TCN spokesman, Dave Ifabiyi, this stability would be achieved upon the completion of the on-going Alaoji-Owerri-Onitsha; Alaoji-Ikot Ekpene-UgwajiNew Haven and UgwajiAliade-Makurdi-Jos as well as Osogbo-Benin 330kv transmission lines projects.

Meanwhile, the new

second 330kv transmission line from Benin in Edo State to Onitsha in Anambra state was successfully energised recently from the Onitsha end with an initial load of 131MW. Ifabiyi said that by this commissioning, Benin and Onitsha transmission substations have been linked with a double circuit transmission line for the first time.

“This landmark achievement of meeting the International N minus 1 (N-1) criteria means that apart from the ability to wheel more power, the grid system will remain stable

ICT minister inaugurates incubation governing board

By Chris Alu

T

he minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson has inaugurated the Governing Board of the National ICT Incubation Programme tagged IDEA (’Information Technology D e v e l o p e r Entrepreneurship Accelerator) .The National ICT Incubation programme is an initiative of the Ministry conceived to support Nigeria’s growing startup community.

Performing the ceremony the Minister said that the incubation centres will be initially established and funded by government through the National Information Technology Development Fund (NITDEVF), they will subsequently be funded and managed independent of government through a special purpose vehicle under the guidance and supervision of the Governing Council. And also offer support to promising ICT entrepreneurs through ICT incubation centres established in a selected number of cities with the first two located in Tinapa,

Cross River state.

The members according to Mrs. Johnson are required to provide overall strategic support and leadership to the National ICT Incubation Programme, commission and evaluate the strategic plans and key performance indicators at the national and individual incubation centre level, guide the establishment of the centres and provide management oversight functions ,approve policies and procedures including tenant admission and tenant exit processes, select and recruit management staff for the incubation centres; and review performance of management staff.

Members of the Governing council inaugurated include: Mr. Adedotun Suleiman of Arian Capital, Pius Okigbo Jr. of Infosoft, Osayi Alile Oruene of Fate Foundation, John Obaro of Systems Spec, Teemu Kiijarvi of Nokia, Wiebe Boer of Tony Elumelu Foundation, Juliet Anammah of Accenture, Mohammed Balarabe of Fidelity Bank, Vincent Olatunji of NITDA and Aristotle Onumo also of NITDA

in the event of loss of one of the lines. This feat, he said, will further enhance the nation’s grid stability and wheeling capacity”, he said.

In the same vein, one of the 2 x 150 MVA, 330/ 132kv transformers in Calabar was energised on February 17 by turning in and turning out of the Itu-

Calabar 132kv transmission line into Calabar 330/132kV transmission sub-station to energise the 132kV busbars.

DHL Express riples its Network in sub-Saharan Africa

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HL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, has expanded its network of DHL Service Points in Sub-Saharan Africa from the initial 300 to over 1000, in just a few short months.

The move is an aggressive expansion into

the market which is aimed to further cement the company’s leading position in Africa but also to offer local consumers and small businesses an efficient, convenient way of shipping overseas.

The logistics and express company, which is present in 52 SubSaharan Africa markets,

has been looking to improve access for cash and account customers, creating enhanced accessibility for customers and increasing connectivity between African markets and the over 220 countries that DHL currently serves worldwide.

(Source: AfDB)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Giving Benue’s tourism a lifeline

By Miriam Humbe

B

enue state is strategically and centrally located in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria between the north and the southern axis of the country.

With this advantageous position, therefore, the state is favorable for tourism activities as it acts as a stop-over venue for travelers from the north down to the south and those moving upward towards the north from the south. The people are friendly and hospitable; so also is the weather.

W i t h i t s headquarters in Makurdi, Benue state boasts of being home to the best dances in the country, like Swange, Ange and Oglinya. Most of these dances have made Benue a tourist’s destination. Kwaghhir, a puppet theatre entertainment industry has taken the state’s contingents to several parts of the world where they won awards of i n t e r n a t i o n a l recognition. Stories of these and lots more make other people long to visit the state at the slightest opportunity.

The state is popular for the variety of foods such as yams, water yams, cassava, different varieties of cereals and fruits in commercial quantities. These all combine to naturally bestow on Benue the acronym of ‘Food Basket of Nigeria’. The fingerlicking food and cuisine such as pounded yam and bush meat are always a tourist’s delight.

With an estimated population of

Benue dancers 4,780,389, going by the 2006 census projections, the state is made of several ethnic groups: Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Abakpa, Jukun, Hausa, Akweya and Nyifon.

Most of the people are farmers, while the inhabitants of the riverine areas engage in fishing as their primary occupation. The people of the state are famous for their cheerful and hospitable disposition as well as rich cultural heritage.

Benue is also famous for the popular and historic River Benue which flows into the River Niger at a confluence in Lokoja.

It shares boundaries with five other states namely:Nassarawa to the

Food Basket

north, Taraba to the east, CrossRiver to the south, Enugu to the south-westand Kogi to the west.

The state also shares a common boundary with the Republic of Cameroun on the south-east.

Other important cities and t o w n s include Makurdi, Gboko, Katsinaala, Vandeikya, Obi,Ugbokolo, and Otukpa.

There are a range of arts and crafts in the state such as traditional cloth weaving and the traditional architectural thatched round hut which are a wonder to most visitors.

V a r i o u s t o u r i s t attractions will steal away the heart of the first time visitor. The Ikyogen hills exude wild weather conditions which ensure steady green vegetation and a round-the-year grazing of animals in the area which is also known as Ikyogen Cattle Ranch.

Dajo Pottery located along Makurdi-Gboko road is a centre where pots are made locally. The methods and art of traditional pot making which have made this centre a viable tourist attraction are shown to tourists who indicate interest.

T h e A n w a s e Abande Ranges: Located in Kwande local government area on Nigerian-Cameroon border and stretches adjoining the Obudu-Cameroon range, this place features temperate climate and beautiful scenery of forests, dissected hills, dykes, dozens of fast-flowing streams

Governor Suswam and incised valleys. It is a beautiful place for camping, sight-viewing and picnicking.

Ushongo Hills: The place also offers climate weather conditions that make a most fulfilling spot tourists and adventurers; It is a picnicker’s haven.

Ikwe Holiday Resort: This is one of the topmost destinations in the state where visitors can enjoy most of their time undisturbed. The resort offers touris an opportunity to have a firsthand experience of the work of nature.

While speaking on a Radio Nigeria programme, “This Land Nigeria,” penultimate Sunday, Benue state commissioner for

ITB Berlin Fair: Nigeria’s stand to sit on 60 square metres

By Miriam Humbe

E

urope’s biggest tourism fair, ITB Berlin is set to open early on March 6, in the German Capital Berlin and Nigeria, through the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation NTDC), has acquired a 60 square metre space on which its

stand would be erected.

Nigeria and at least 149 countries are expected to participate in the yearly fiveday exhibition, which is likely to bring thousands of buyers, sellers and visitors to the Messe Berlin Fair Ground.

H e a d o f t h e Nigerian delegation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who

is also the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, told newsmen in Abuja that a new design for the Nigerian stand would be unique this year.

“You may recall that we have never used the same design each year, it has been a new design for each year since 2007”, he said.

According to the NTDC boss, the stand design was carefully done to reflect the traditional and cultural values of a typical Nigerian setting.

At the Nigerian stand, travel agents, transportation providers, mostly airlines and marine operators as well as hoteliers, are expected to attend.

tourism, Mrs. Comfort Ajene rightly said that the tourism potentials of the state remained largely untapped. The private sector in particular, will find the state’s untouched tourism potentials a worthy investment capable of generating jobs for lots of unemployed persons.

Mr. Cletus Akwaya, the Special Assistant on Media to the state governor, Gabriel Suswam, who also echoed his response to questions posed to him by the “This Land Nigeria” crew, assured of the state government’s readiness to ensure security of lives and property for investors.

But the state’s tourism potentials are yet to be harnessed by both the public and private sectors. It has been accurately argued that investment in the tourism sector should not be limited to government alone.

Tourism and its activities are said to be better driven by the private sector. The state government must, as a matter of urgency, give the sector a lifeline by fully engaging the private sector in concerted efforts at developing tourism in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 22

Top 10 most affordable cities in the U.S. Manhattan is the most expensive metropolitan area in the U.S., according to the Council for Community and Economic Research. The cost of living in the New York borough is more than twice the national average, and home prices -- rentals included -- are through the roof.

The findings are drawn from the Council's quarterly cost of living index, which measures regional differences in the cost of consumer goods and services around the country. Those items include housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services.

Following are the 10 least expensive metropolitan areas in the U.S. as of the third quarter of last year, according to the Council: 7. Muskogee, Oklahoma

M

uskogee has a little something for everyone. Named after a Native American tribe, Muskogee has a rich Native American history. The city is home to the Five Civilized Tribes Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the art, history and culture of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee (Creek) and Seminole tribes. The median sale price for a home in this Oklahoma city is $89,000 (N 14.2 m).

McAllen, Texas

Idaho Falls and the spire of the famous Idaho Falls Idaho Temple, the tenth operating temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints 10. Idaho Falls, Idaho

T

he city of Idaho Falls has it all. It's a business hub and is home to a variety of art galleries, museums and theaters, but offers access to every outdoor activity

imaginable. There's whitewater rafting, fishing, hiking, biking, golf and more. The median home sale price is $104,368 (N16.7 million), according to Trulia.com, and well within range for many middle-income families.

M

cAllen is located in Texas' Rio Grande Valley and offers residents a blend of U.S. and Mexican culture. Many of its museums and restaurants reflect the city's close relationship with northern Mexican states, and many Mexican residents come to shop and dine in McAllen. Homes are affordable, with the median sales price hovering around $54,000 (N8.6 m).

Local residents enjoy kayaking on the spring-fed San Marcos River 8. San Marcos, Texas San Antonio, so residents get to an Marcos is home to Texas enjoy the cultural and economic State University-San benefits of those cities in addition Marcos and appeared on to their own. With a median Business Week's "Best Places to home price of $43,000 (N 6.9 Raise Your Kids" survey in 2010. m), San Marcos is an inexpensive It's located 40 minutes from alternative to larger Texas Austin, Texas, and an hour from cities.

S

4. Pueblo, Colorado

O The Old Main clock tower at the University of Arkansas 9. Fayetteville, Arkansas

H

ome to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville is a city that loves sports.

In 2010, the town was ranked the seventh-best college sports town in the U.S., and the eighthbest city for business and

careers. Fayetteville is a great mix of college town, business center and cultural hub. Home prices are surprisingly affordable for a city with so much going for it -- the median home sales price is $170,000 (N27.2 m), according to Trulia.com.

Gaylord Hall at the University of Oklahoma 2. Norman, Oklahoma orman is the third-largest city in Oklahoma and is home to the University of Oklahoma. Sports are big in this college town, and 80,000 people regularly attend college football games. The city is also one of the most tornado-prone in the U.S., sitting directly within tornado

N

alley. Fittingly, the National Weather Center is located on the University of Oklahoma's campus. Residents are willing to deal with the threat of severe weather every few months to enjoy all that Norman's neighborhoods have to offer. The average listed sale price for homes is $213, 268 (N 34.1 m).

nce known for its steel mills, Pueblo has blossomed into a modern city with a lot to offer residents.

Nature lovers can enjoy the Nature and Raptor center, which is home to rescued owls and eagles, or do some boating or fishing in Lake Pueblo State Park.

After working up an appetite, locals can head to a local restaurant to get a taste of another one of Pueblo's claims to fame -- Mexican food. According to Trulia.com, the median home price in Pueblo is $115,000 (N 18.4 m).

3. Ardmore, Oklahoma

A

rdmore isn't a huge city -as of the 2010 census it had just over 24,000 residents -- but it has a lot going for it. It's home to a variety of museums, theaters and convention centers as well as Lake Murray State Park, where residents can enjoy the outdoors on horseback or on the golf course. Residents can expect to pay around $157,000 (N 25.1m) for a home in Ardmore, the median home sale price.

Historic Sun Studio, where artists like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their early songs.

5. Memphis, Tennesse emphis is home to Elvis Presley's famous Graceland estate and the historic Sun Studio, where music legends such as Jerry Lee

M

Lewis and Johnny Cash recorded some of their most popular hits.

The city remains a haven for music lovers. Home values are reasonable, with a median home sale price of $73,700 (N11.8 m).

Raul Esparza Sanchez's mural, "The History of Mexico and Mankind," in Centennial Park in Harlingen, Texas 1. Harlingen, Texas

H

arlingen is the most affordable city in the country, with a median home sale price of just under $100,000, (N16 million). The city is a great place to enjoy fishing, hunting, biking and hiking. Creative residents enjoy

the Harlingen Art Forum, which operates an art gallery in the historic downtown area and sponsors classes for local artists.

Harlingen is located on a migratory bird path and is home to a World Birding Center site, making it an international birding destination.

(Source: MoneyWatch)

PEOSPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Report as at Tuesday, February 26, 2013

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More design tips for 2013 As we enter into the new year, part of making the year really new is to redecorate our homes; the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, patios; indeed to have the entire home oozing out a new look that enables our minds to function afresh and open to us new thoughts and fresh ideas that will have us approaching challenges with well-thought out winning strategies. Want to make 2013 really different? Then try out these design tips in your home.

Mirrors Work Magic A kitchen with a mirrored backsplash as in this picture gives the illusion of more space. The kitchen opens up to the living room on one side and the family room, where we eat and watch TV, on the other. The idea is that it should be an extension of both of these spaces.

Think Upward

Go Dark Dark walls do the opposite of what you'd expect: They make a small room feel bigger.

The designer of this small kitchen extends the kitchen upwards to ensure accommodation of stuff and to avoid clutter. Home Depot designer Emily O'Keefe added cabinetry with period charm to this small kitchen. "Since space was tight, I went up, stacking the cabinets," she says. "The ceilings are 11 feet high, but not every cabinet touches the ceiling - that way they look more like furniture." Its a smart idea worth trying in your own kitchen.

An open cabinet is more interesting than a closed one. Let people into your secret world.

The fastest way to make over sliding closet doors is to wallpaper them, like Melissa Warner did to turn a bedroom into her office.

Leave Cabinets Open

Wallpaper Is Easy

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

L-R: Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms Amal Pepple, Permanent Secretary, Mr Ibrahim Mahe, Chairman, Board of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Chief Bisi Ogunjobi, and Managing Director, FMBN, Mr Gimba Kumo, during the inauguration of the board of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Recapitalization heats up competition in Nigeria’s mortgage sub-sector

By Udenna Orji

T

he gale of change blowing through Nigeria's growing mortgage sub-sector has begun to heighten as mortgage banks enter the final lap of their consolidation exercise in 2013. The Central Bank of Nigeria had last year increased the capital base of mortgage banks from 100 million Naira to 2.5 billion Naira for mortgage banks that want to operate within a state and 5 billion Naira for those that want to operate nationwide.

The increase quickly sparked off a flurry of activities and unease in the industry as some weak mortgage banks have since been in search of funds to recapitalize or partners to merge with.

The intensity of the battle to recapitalize has further been increased by the plan of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to announce a housing roadmap early this year. The coming roadmap is expected to boost homeownership in Nigeria and drastically reduce the nation's rising deficit of over 16 million housing units.

The roadmap is expected to put pressure on the mortgage banks as the expected increase in the construction of housing units will require increased and well-packaged

mortgages to be accessed by Nigerians. As much as this will lead to a virile and thriving mortgage subsector, the current economic slowdown in Nigeria is making fund-mobilization for recapitalization by the mortgage banks a daunting task.

The housing sector is expected to be very active in 2013 as the Bill on Social Housing, newly-approved National Housing and Urban Development Policies, mortgage banks recapitalization programme and many housing bills at the National Assembly all come up for implementation in the new year.

In readiness for the expected revolution in the housing sector, Nigeria's sole secondary mortgage banker, the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has launched an electronic collection platform to drive its National Housing Fund (NHF) collection from contributors and NHF designated banks.

Tagged "NHF e-Collection Platform", the product is designed to among other things check sharp practices within the mortgage industry and enhance fund mobilization under the NHF scheme.

This is coming soon after the recent increase in the capital base of mortgage banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Market watchers say more innovations and changes are expected in the industry as the Federal Government prepares to execute the new Housing and Urban Development Policy approved last week by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) The Managing Director of the FMBN, Mr. Gimba Ya'u Kumo while commenting on the new product said "the ecollection platform will address a number of problems facing the NHF scheme such as refusal of some employers to deduct their employees' NHF contributions, failure of some employers to remit NHF contributions after deducting such contributions from their employees and failure of some employers to provide remittance schedules to FMBN. All these sharp practices enable some unscrupulous employers of labour to misappropriate NHF monies or even embezzle such funds" How does the new FMBN e-collection platform work?

As soon as an employer instructs a designated NHF collection bank to pay the monthly salaries of its workers into the workers' individual bank accounts and the bank makes the payments, the NHF ecollection platform will automatically deduct 2.5 % of the basic salary of each

worker (being the NHF component of the salary).

The deducted component (i.e. the 2.5% NHF contribution from each worker) is also automatically and instantly channeled into a dedicated NHF collection account generated by the e-collection platform.

Equally generated are details of each worker's contribution history, including the worker's identity and amount contributed so far. FMBN instantly credits each contributor's NHF account with the amount remitted for the month.

Explaining further, Mr. Kumo said "the platform, for example, will make it easy for NHF contributors to check their NHF contributions using the NHF e-cards on any ATM machines nationwide, the amount of money they have contributed to the NHF scheme and thus be in a p o s i t i o n t o k n o w i f their employers are making the appropriate NHF remittances as and when due".

A top executive at mortgage bankers, Resort Savings & Loans Plc, Mr. Aliu Oshoke told Peoples Daily that "What FMBN has done is to turn the usual pass book into an electronic card. Though you cannot withdraw with this card, with it you will know details of your contributions unlike before when you did not have any

details. With this new card, you can go to any ATM or computer with internet access, log onto the FMBN portal and see details of all your contributions".

He added that the e-collection platform would help in mobilizing more funds under the NHF scheme as it would check sharp practices by some stakeholders.

Mr. Geofrey Ozoani, Group General Manager of mass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited while hailing the new NHF ecollection Platform said "it will create more awareness of mortgages among Nigerians.

There is a burning need to create awareness to Nigerians about mortgages and Nigerian mortgage institutions.

Even contributors to the National Housing Fund do not know what they are contributing for".

The NHF Act No.3 of 1992 which set up the National Housing Fund scheme stipulates that a Nigerian worker earning the minimum national wage and above per annum in either the public or private sectors of the economy shall contribute 2.5% of his/her basic monthly salary to the Fund. The Fund provides long-term loans to mortgage institutions for on-lending to contributors to the Fund for the purpose of building, purchasing and improvement of residential houses.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 27

El-Salem commends subscribers M

ass housing developer, El-Salem Nigeria Limited, developer of the Cooperative City Garden, Pyakassa, Lugbe, Abuja has commended all those who have completed their financial obligations and are already living in the company's estates and thanked Nigerians for always choosing El-Salem Nigeria Limited for purchase of quality and affordable homes.

The company has also assured all subscribers to its estates of the safety of their investments.

Executive Director of the company, Dr. Michael

•Assures them of safety of their investments Onyebuchi, who made these known in Abuja yesterday assured "subscribers to our Cooperative City Garden who have paid their equity contributions and are yet to receive their houses that their houses are on ground and will be delivered to them as soon as such subscribers complete full payment for their houses".

"We wish to re-emphasize that El-Salem Nigeria Limited delivers houses only to subscribers who have made full

payment for their houses either outright, installmentally or through mortgage. El-Salem does not deliver houses to those who have not made full payment for their houses. The delay in handing over buildings to some subscribers is due to the fact that such subscribers who made equity payments of 20 - 30 percent of the cost of the houses are yet to make full payment or complete their mortgage arrangements for full payment to be made to El-Salem Nigeria

Limited", Dr. Onyebuchi said.

He pointed out that "although only equity payment has been made by some subscribers, El-Salem has developed the properties far beyond the equity payment made by such subscribers and is assuring all those who have not been given their houses that such houses will be handed over to them as soon as their mortgage processing is completed and full payment made to El-Salem".

"El-Salem Nigeria Limited is committed to ensuring that Nigerians have access to quality and affordable housing and assures all subscribers to our estates of the certainty of purchasing high quality homes at affordable prices. We call on intending house owners to feel free to come to El-Salem offices and sites to choose houses of their choice as the company has the capacity to meet the housing needs of Nigerians" Dr. Onyebuchi said.

Spain reels over home foreclosures Foreign Markets

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ome foreclosures in Spain, which disproportionately affected lower-income immigrants after the real estate bubble burst, are spreading to formerly well-to-do families and businessmen as they run out of ways to pay mortgages in a deepening recession.

Spanish business people, upper middle class families and their loan guarantors, typically parents of first-time buyers, now account for 60 percent of foreclosures in Madrid, according to AFES, an association that advises homeowners facing repossession. Three years ago, 80 percent of foreclosures were on the homes of immigrants, usually the first to lose jobs and fall behind on loan payments in a souring economy. They now comprise 40 percent of the total, according to AFES. "Repossessions are encroaching further into the city centers, like an overflowing river," said Emilio Miravet, head of real estate finance at the Spanish property unit of advisory and investment firm Catella AB. "At the beginning of the crisis, it was homes in the periphery areas belonging to the less affluent that were being foreclosed upon."

Loan guarantors, often parents who used their houses as collateral to help their children become homeowners when real estate was booming, now represent a fifth of foreclosures, AFES data show. Bloated prices had forced thousands of first-time homebuyers to seek parental help to get a foot on the property ladder, according to Jose Luis Ruiz Bartolome, author of "Adios Ladrillo Adios," which means "Goodbye, Real Estate, Goodbye," a 2010 book on the rise and fall of Spain's property market.

Ministers Meet Spain's worsening foreclosure crisis comes as ministers from all 27 nations in the European Union meet today. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy will have talks with French President Francois Hollande tomorrow in Paris after European finance ministers met in Luxembourg yesterday to discuss Spain's overhaul effort and closer banking

Three years ago 80 percent of foreclosures in Madrid were made on the homes of immigrants, normally the first to lose jobs and fall behind with mortgage repayments in a souring economy, according to AFES, an association that advises people facing foreclosure. Now just 40 percent belong to foreigners. cooperation as they seek to avert further turmoil and prepare for a summit next week aimed at easing the region's debt crisis.

Rajoy is struggling to cut a budget deficit and stem crippling borrowing costs while the country copes with its second recession since 2009 following a more than decade long property boom.

"Bank managers, who had aggressive targets to meet, did all they could to lend to those who wanted to carry on buying into the bubble," Ruiz Bartolome said.

"Asking for guarantors became another useful tool to spread their risk and allow them to continue lending right up until the bubble exploded."

'Saddest Cases' Carlos Banos, president of Madrid-based AFES, said parental guarantors "are the saddest of all cases" the association sees. "The kids lose their homes, go live with mom and dad and then mom and dad lose the home that they worked all their lives to pay for because it backed their children's debts."

At the peak of the housing boom in 2007, purchasing a home in Spain cost 7.7 times a family's annual gross income on average, compared with 5 times in the U.S., according to research

by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA (BBVA), the country's second-biggest lender.

Guarantors were rarely

aware of the consequences of backing mortgages. On top of losing their homes, some have had part of their pensions taken away to repay debts, according to Banos.

Spanish home prices have fallen more than 30 percent since the peak, according to Tinsa, Spain's largest homes appraiser.

That's left about a fifth of borrowers in negative equity, a figure that could reach 25 percent by year's end, according to Standard & Poor's.

Unemployment, already the highest in the European Union, rose to 24.6 percent in the second quarter, the highest since at least 1976, the year after the death of dictator

Francisco Franco.

'Massively Threatening' "The economic crisis is wiping out businesses and the finances of families that were comfortably off" and "foreclosures are now massively threatening businessmen and families in high income areas," Banos said.

"Unemployment is the root of all of this and the worst affected areas are Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Andalucia."

Banos said 22,000 small businesses have disappeared in Madrid alone since 2007.

Demand for the group's help from clients such as lawyers, dentists and tavern owners has surged more than sevenfold in the past three years.

PAGE 28

N

ot even BMW has been immune from the automotive industry's current trend of each model-year's successor creeping, growing or inflating nearly to the size of the next-larger class. That's why the 2013 BMW 1 Series is such a gem; at about the size of the original 3 Series, the coupe or convertible 1 Series just might be the last BMW that still upholds the nimble characteristics that once defined the entire BMW brand.

Under the hood there is more proof that the 1 Series is a genuine BMW. With the same superb set of inline-6 engines as the BMW 3 Series, the thrills are there for the taking. Transmission choices are also first-rate, with a choice of a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or a sophisticated seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual.

While Americans are still getting used to the idea of premium-branded compact cars, there's growing support for buying small, but buying well. The 2013 BMW 1 Series might seem expensive when compared to a Hyundai Genesis Coupe or 2013 Nissan 370Z, especially if you tick each of the option packages. But if you think of the 1 Series as the only rear-wheel-drive compact from Europe, then it begins to look rather exceptional.

Still, you owe it to yourself to cross-shop a few other coupe/ convertible models before making such a big decision. Consider an all-wheel-drive Audi TT, a front-

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

BMW Series is such a gem drive Mini Cooper, and even flex a little American muscle with a Chevy Camaro, Dodge Chealnger

o r Ford Mustang.

Compared to any of the above, we think you'll sense the extraordinary quality and dynamism of the 1 Series.

The 2013 BMW 1 Series comes in two-door coupe or convertible body styles, both of which are available in 128i, 135i and 135is configurations.

The 128i comes equipped with 17-inch wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, eight-way manual front seats, a tilt-andtelescoping steering wheel, premium vinyl upholstery, dualzone automatic climate control and a 10-speaker sound system

from a yet more powerful turbocharged engine, sport front seats, a sport steering wheel with paddel

with a CD player, HD radio, a USB/iPod interface and an auxiliary audio jack. The 128i convertible adds different-style wheels, a fully lined power-folding soft top and a special convertible mode for the climate control.

Aside from its more powerful turbocharged engine, the 135i adds a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, eight-way power front seats, adaptive xenon headlights, an aerodynamic kit, and (on the coupe) a sunroof. The top-tier 135is further benefits

shifters (when ordered with an automatic transmission) and specialized exterior and interior trim.

The Premium package adds keyless ignition/entry, autodimming mirrors, interior ambient lighting, satellite radio, leather seating, and to the otherwise lacking 128i coupe, it further adds the 135's power front seats and a sunroof. When the 128i is ordered with the Premium package, adaptive xenon headlights with auto-leveling are available.

The 128i and 135i Cold Weather packages include a heated steering wheel and front seats. The 128i and 135i M Sport packages essentially mimic the extra features that are standard on the 135is.

Finally, the Technology packages adds to all trim levels a navigation system, BMW Apps with online information services, smartphone integration, voice commands and BMW Assist (concierge).

Unbundled, stand-alone options available on all trims include rear parking sensors, automatic high-beams, BMW Assist and a Harman Kardon surround audio system. For the 135i and 135is, BMW's variableratio active steering is available.

The rear-wheel-drive BMW 1 Series offers a choice of three different 3.0-liter inline-6 engines. The naturally aspirated

128i produces 230 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic transmission is optional.

In Edmunds performance testing, a manualequipped 128i coupe sprinted from zero to 60 mph in 5.9

seconds. A convertible (300 pounds heavier), also with a manual transmission, posted a 6.7-second time. EPA-estimated fuel economy for the 128i coupe is 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined regardless of transmission. The 128i convertible earns 18/27/21 with the automatic and 19/28/22 with the manual transmission, however.

The 135i's turbocharged inline-6 engine produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. A sixspeed manual transmission is standard and a seven-speed dualclutch automated manual transmission (known as DCT) is optional. In our testing, a 135i coupe with the manual transmission sprinted to 60 mph from a standstill in an impressively quick 5 seconds flat and 5.5 seconds for a convertible.

However, that number rose to 6.2 seconds for a 135i with DCT. EPAestimated fuel economy is actually better than the 128i's, achieving 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined with the manual and 18/25/21 with the automated manual transmission. The manual-equipped convertible gets 19/28/22.

The new-for-2013 135is has a modified version of the 135i's engine that produces 320 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. Though we've yet to test it, we suspect it will easily run to 60 mph in under 5 seconds when equipped with the manual transmission. The sevenspeed DCT is also available.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY, 27, 2013

PAGE 29

In the Shadows of Unbridled Change BOOK REVIEW

By Ikhide R. Ikheloa

D

ISCLAIMER: I won't lie; I have a soft spot for the writer Jude Dibia. I have never met him in person, but there is something about his spirit that breaks my rugged face into a wide grin when his emails push through to my consciousness in the writer's listserv that we both belong to. He and a stealth army of young Nigerian writer-Turks fill me with hope about the future of Nigeria. These young people dash stereotypes of the Nigeria that I fled many years ago.

Possessing energy, passion and an undiminished sense of self-worth, they plug on relentlessly, against all odds. And they do good work. More importantly, they are not consumed by the despair and accident of their surroundings. They ride their lot stoically, sometimes triumphantly, and always with grace and charm. That takes guts.

These young men and women deserve our accolades and support.

In a real sense this is not really about Jude Dibia's two books, Walking with Shadows and Unbridled. It is really about managing change.

Yes, I have read both books.

Actually, I did read Walking with Shadows twice. I had gotten to know about the novel on Molara Wood's blog an increasingly invaluable and eclectic source of information on the creative arts that is focused on Africa and the Diaspora.

Molara Wood may be found holding court at Wordsbody and on a good day her pen's offerings are a delicious sight for sore eyes.

When I e-trekked to Lulu to order the book, I found it fascinating that there was also an option to buy a downloadable electronic copy. I ordered both. By the time the book arrived my home, I had already read the book, thanks to the downloaded file which I had printed. Several issues in the book kept gnawing at me and I found myself reading the book again, this time, the hard copy version.

As literature goes, Walking with Shadows is not great literature. In this book, we follow the adventures of Adrian, a gay Nigerian who struggles mightily to be both gay and married in Nigeria. Despite its structural flaws, it is an important book and I would recommend it for its innovation because it encourages debate about a subject we would rather not talk about homosexuality. From a technical perspective, Dibia's inexperience shows and it is not a sure-footed effort. It does not help that the book did not have the benefit of a good editor; grammatical errors nibble at the reader like annoying paper cuts, words are used inappropriately and the use of

direct dialogue among characters, some fairly inchoate, makes one wonder if the book started out originally as an attempt at a play.

Also, Dibia's passion and strength of conviction are overshadowed by the paucity of research on the subject of homosexuality in Nigeria.

If Dibia's book does not spark debate in Africa it is probably because that continent has a crushing burden of challenges that make the issue of homosexuality look trivial - akin to flirting with crickets while one balances an elephant on one's head. It is a matter of priorities. In terms of homosexuality, in the West, certainly in America, one

senses feelings of revulsion by a judgmental populace, feelings that are thankfully held in check by the long reaches of the laws of the land. However, the subject of gay rights is not exactly on Africa's plate right now. But I give Dibia an A+ for courage and candor and for encouraging honest debate about a subject that is the big gorilla in our continent. It is inconceivable to me, for instance, that one would write a story about Nigerian adolescents in a boarding school and ignore the gamut of sexual and sensual experiences that race through the dormitories in the dark and in the open. This is a subject that unfortunately has been avoided by virtually every Nigerian writer. Why? Call it denial, call it dishonesty, call it cowardice, or to put it diplomatically, call it a serious omission of fact. In this respect, Jude Dibia stands very tall in my book. I applaud Dibia for attempting to tackle a subject that has taboo! scrawled all over it.

Dibia has youth on his side and reading through Walking with Shadows, I found enough talent and energy that suggested to me that I had not heard the last of Dibia. Well, he is back with another production - Unbridled.

In Unbridled we follow the fortunes of Erika King (aka Ngozi)

as Dibia explores the subjects of rape, incest and female emancipation. Unbridled in my view, proves that Jude Dibia is capable of improving on his craft.

On a certain level, the book is a familiar tale of restlessness in a cesspool of longing - dashed hopes in a mirage of succor and prosperity. The book reads like pulp fiction and hardly ever rises above that level of the ordinary.

It doesn't help that historical inaccuracies in the book threaten its structure and credibility. As far as I can tell, the story starts in 1997 when Erika (or Ngozi) goes to London to meet a white guy she had been dating online for a period of time. We are told this courtship is consummated via digital resources like email accounts, chat rooms, cyber-cafes, etc. Any reader with a perfunctory sense of the history of the Internet would wonder how Nigeria began to have cyber-cafĂŠs in the mid nineties. It is certainly easy to prove that email accounts were not widely available even in the West in the mid nineties. It is a tiny detail but it wreaks havoc on the book's believability.

However, just, like Walking with Shadows, Unbridled is a courageous attempt at a dialogue on taboo topics like rape, incest and female emancipation. And there are strong hints of Dibia's strength and potential. In immersing himself in the main character Erika, he envelopes his readers with his warmth and sensitivity. His descriptions of life in Lagos and London bubble with the level of detail of one who is a keen observer of life. In the right hands, with the right publisher, and with the appropriate training, Dibia's current challenges as a writer would be easily surmountable. In the meantime, I give him major kudos for initiating courageous conversations about the mysteries of our being and our yearning for the invigorating rush of true freedom.

In his books, Dibia effectively makes the point that the sum total of our sexuality is alive and well in Nigeria, indeed in Africa.

Reading his book Walking with Shadows one senses that there is a thriving subculture of gays and lesbians in Nigerian and that they are able to thrive because for the most part they are middle class, highly educated and adept at abiding by the Clintonian mantra - do not ask, do not tell, for the consequences could be deadly.

Even in the West, one could be cheered in a particular neighborhood for holding one's lover close, but upon turning the corner, one could risk having one's skull crushed for doing the same.

The pleasures of affirming one's love for a partner are not worth the risk, even in America.

(Source: Africanwriter.com)

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

The stage in 2013/2014

T

he vibrations of the year 2012 were not only heard in the banking halls, we are still taking the statistics of arts organizations that folded up in 2012. Be assured they are many!

We have not noticed them because we are still not regular theatre enthusiasts as there are still so many concerns within the society that going to watch a play is the least of our worries!

An arts organization running aground? ....that is no earth shaking news. We are not talking about arts organizations that are privately run, we are also talking about arts organizations that are owned by the government. A lot of the privately run as well as government run collapsed this out-going year and some are on the casualty list.

We must realize that we are not the only ones affected. In other climes, the situation is not much different. But some are also still surviving and very well too. What have we done wrong? What are we doing wrong? What can we do differently?

The good news is that 2013 is a year for the re-vitalization of the live stage if we all take good advantage of the opportunities that will spring up in 2013. First, we must not forget that in 2013/ 2014, Nigeria will be celebrating its 100 years of existence.

Second, a lot of organizations will be rolling out the drums to celebrate not because there is really much to celebrate but because if you do not celebrate, your organization will look odd.

This is where we all come in we should all be poised to encourage most organizations to celebrate if only to foster the communal spirit inherent in celebrations.

We should start to package stage plays that will reflect the essence of our nationhood and we must all move fast. Corporate organizations work slowly as such proposals have to move from table to table.

We should not think that 2014 is still far away. Arts organizations that cannot do it alone should quickly team up to collaborate to do it together with clear agreements on what is expected of each organization in the collaboration.

Also, governments from the federal to state to the local governments will be straining to out- do each other in the celebrations. They will need our help otherwise it will boil down to the usual ad hoc arrangements when they will start planning at the end of September the events that will hold in October.

We need to emphasize on the need for early planning as this is key to the success of the entire celebrations that will usher in Nigeria into the era of NATIONS! This time around we should not agree to the usual refrain of "low key celebrations".

What about our marketing? For those of us who will not get the government patronage towards the activities surrounding 2014,

now is the time to set up a formidable marketing team that will start to source for adverts and seed funding towards 2014. We must all begin to market the arts as a product and if this succeeds, then the applause we get will be sweeter to the ears and our efforts.

If we do not do this, then a lot of us will simply vanish before the end of 2014 because the economy is not going to get any better but a lot of organizations are already putting aside resources for 2014.

We must make ourselves relevant.

For those of us who have taken a look at the plays that adorn our bookshelves, if you do not have any that catches the fancy of your organization, create a script or commission one to be written.

We should as much as possible try not to complain. If we are not satisfied with what is on ground, we should create what we will be comfortable with. Do something and let the stage arts flourish. Collectively we all will be better for it.

In planning for our work in 2014, we should not forget the individuals who do not have the millions but who have goodwill for us and are equally excited about our work....we must take them along in our plans.

Do we all realize what it means for one thousand people to contribute N1,000 each to our work in 2014? It definitely will go a long way and our work will be the better for it.

These are people who realize the need for the arts in the society, these are the people who know that beauty and grace can only exist in the society through the arts which make us look better than we really are.

They are a silent majority and oftentimes they go unacknowledged.

They are the ones we should all endeavour to celebrate in 2014 for our survival depends on them.

Individually they do not have the millions but collectively they can give us the millions we need to make our arts vibrant and relevant.

We must not lose sight of the fact that the arts are very expensive and most of us are dreamers ...... let us share these dreams for a more robust nation with our audiences.

The opportunities of 2014 are vast for arts organizations and we all must start running from January 1st, 2013.

If you cannot run alone, look for who to run and work with, if you cannot walk, look for a pair of legs in a sister organization. Whatever you do, just do not stand in one spot. For organizations that are already forward looking, we must be seen as partners who are willing to make other organizations succeed and look good within the community.

This is vital to us all. The stage is set for 2014.

What are your plans?

PAGE 30

BOOK REVIEW

By Dr. Usman Muhammad

T

o this, a Chinese commentator said: "in the process of TAZARA construction, China obtained the support of most countries from the first intermediate zone", smashed western countries blockade, represented by Europe and the United State and restored the lawful seat of the Permanent Members of the United Nations in the 26th Session of the United Nation conference on October 1971".

Chapter six from co-operation to strategic partnership opened up a literature of the hard and soft power of China in Africa. With the collapse of the mortgage institution in the US triggered by economic depression due to the execution of war on terror, the China-Africa relations on the other hand, started becoming more evidently pronounced.

Sudan, Malawi, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria etc.

China's demand for Africa's mineral resources reached 50% as Africa's Gross domestic product increased to 4.6%. China build an extra-ordinary conference hall in Addis Abba Ethiopia for the African Union. China today is in Africa's rich oil exploration, construction, technology, environment and job creation for the youths.

Writing in the special publication of the London based Economist Magazine, "The World in 2013", Nigen Finance Minister and Co-ordinating minister for the economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated that, in "2013, China will become the greatest influence on the continent as its new leaders deepen the strategic relationship with Africa beyond natural resources".

This chapter also, illustrated to us, how the world bodies in trade and investments help foster trade between China and African countries with illustrative statistics.

Chapter seven illustrated the challenges of co-operation between China-Africa. Economic, political and diplomatic spheres were analyzed by the author. Here, the author has demonstrated a capacity to forecast with hindsights the challenges of cooperation in most dependent capitalist countries, mostly monocultural, import dependent, low industrial based and with fratricidal wars in domestic affairs. While international world order keeps crystallizing and emerging smaller powers keep challenging big powers such as Iran-US relations, the consequences for the purchased of energy elsewhere in the world be contemplated by African countries.

China's oil imports from Africa according to World Bank report increased for more than 25%. "Among African oil producing countries, China imports oil mainly from Angola, Sudan, Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea with Angola alone accounting for 50% of oil import from Africa.

Challenges here have to do with export diversification in terms of products from Africa to China, the magnitude and expansion of poverty in Africa and the grave threat it poses to social, political and economic stability make a big challenge facing the region. Africa as at today comprises 32 of the world 48 least

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY, 27, 2013

China/Africa: Issues, Challenges and Possibilities(III) developed countries (LDCs) and 34 of the 45 lowest ranked countries for common development". The author further said:- deepening the gloomy prospect, "recent estimates put the number of poor people in subsahara African at 250 million, which is around 45% of the region's population. And poverty continues to spread in Africa at an alarming rate because of virtual stagnation of per-capital income growth (2.1% over 199195) and limited prospect for economic growth (4th on average, compared with 5.4% for

developing countries for the decade - 1997-2006 and 6%-7% for 2012-2020). Savings and investment ratios in Africa are the lowest of all developing regions and the foreign debt burden is on average twice as high as gross national income, reaching four times export revenues in some cases".

Health, education, nutritional standards are all law, and Africa has the highest morbidity and mortality rate in the world. All these are no doubt illustrated as huge challenge for Sino-Africa relations in the nearest future, not of course, forgetting the leakages of corruption, bribery, ethnic politics, religious violence and the very uphill task of climate change which has dramatically altered peasant faming and the entire likelihood of majority of the population in Africa that depend on agrarian peasant economy.

Chapter eight has captured some myths fallacies fantasies and realities of China-Africa relations, here, the author analyzed the political economy of Arica and its conquest by the West and how Africa was underdeveloped, his reference to Walter Rodney on How Europe Underdeveloped Africa. To this angle, come two strands of arguments. On one hand is the argument of the fallacies of China's entry into Africa at the turn of this century is to satisfy its unsatiable quest for its infant market economy and has little interest in Africa's internal problem", on the other hand, the 'state system in Africa and its economic foundation' is the actual root of the crisis and instability in the continent and

except that Africa manages in one way or the other to transcend the 'state system and its economic foundation, constructed by the West, its economic existential troubles and crisis would never cease. As such, the perennial crisis of the state in Africa and the instability and conflicts it engenders, essentially emanates from the structural integration of Africa into Western dominated international capitalist system as mere outlet for absorbing the shock of its worst contradictions.

These two strands of academic arguments essentially

have reinforced the fallacies, fantasias and realities of ChinaAfrica relations. As the author will us to believe. But the clash of Civilization and re-making of history by Samuel Huntington has also advanced justifiable arguments of the phases of SinoAfrican relation in many perspectives.

Chapter nine deals with Africa: from West to East.

President Robert Mugabe at the launch of Zimbabwe's "Look East" policy said "we are returning to the days when our greatest friends were the Chinese. We look again to the East, where the sun rises and no longer to the West, where it sets" Nigeria and South Africa have tremendous investments in China and since China has opened to outside world with aid and development assistance besides investments and international economic relations, the continent will be better for it. This is especially coming at a time of economic depression in the West coupled with intense climate change and fiscal and monetary challenges.

Chapter ten is the final one which analyzed the prospects and possibilities of China-Africa relations in contending world politics and international relations. The author even though has not unravel the cardinal principles of China-Africa relations in the next decades but made passing reference to China's global outreach strategy which is consolidated with an assurance of a dependable African partner.

The author opined: "AfricaChina trade has exceeded the 160 billion US dollar and China direct investment is expected to exceed

90 billion US dollars in 2012, China's aid to Africa currently stand at an estimated 10 billion US dollar, more than double the World Bank yearly average of 4.5billion US dollars. China is currently Africa's largest trading partner.

With the formation of ChinaAfrica cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, Africa-China cooperation has acquired tremendous vigor and momentum and became a crucial strand of contemporary international relations China had formidable economic, social packages for Africa that attracted most of these African countries that are heavily indebted and stifled down by structural adjustment programs imposed by IMF and World Bank for decades. This capitalist economic enslavement has made development a mirage in most African countries. With the arrival of China, their aid and economic relief packages, most of these countries are turning East where indeed the new sun rises.

Chinese leadership realize the importance of Africa-China relations since President Jiang Zemin has tremendous influence on Kenya, Ethiopia, Egypt, Mali, Namibia and Zimbabwe he delivered a keynote address at OAU headquarters, entitled "creating a new historical monument for Sino-African friendship and proposed a five point suggestion for the development of China-Africa relations, which included sincerity and friendship, equal treatment, reciprocity, strengthening consultation and looking to the future. In May 1997, Premier Li Peng visited Mozambique, Cameroon, Gabon and Zambia, South Africa and China establish diplomatic relations in 1997. President Jiang Zemin travelled to Africa twice, visiting Morocco, Algeria and South Africa, Lesotho, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Central African Republic, Senegal and Liberia severed ties with Taiwan and resumed diplomatic relations with Mainland China.

In conclusion, Africa-China as the author argued, have pulled through thick and thin, to arrive at a steadily developing and productive strategic partnership, this is as a result of mutual friendship and economic cooperation. China-Africa the author rightly maintainted, evokes a powerful symbol of the long cherished and fervently advocated South-South cooperation framework. As a new era of strategic partnership assumed an institutional character in the evolving dynamics of global multipolarism, the author's powerful conclusion can surely be re-echoed here as he said: "the framework of Africa-China relations have intervened decisively in Africa's most acute contemporary challenge of rebuilding and expanding infrastructure. This key element in any Africa's successful economic recovery plan has been tackled head long in the bourgeoning dynamics of ChinaAfrica cooperation. Given the practical issues that are central to the two sides engagement, Africa's recently proclaimed determination to renaissance would find concrete and substantive platform to promote and realize its goals Concluded

POEM OF THE WEEK Title: Lagos Slums

By Kayode Aderinokun Chartless mongrel, rejoicing within glades of famished aura, poised amidst a yam festival on delicate stiletto, perched on rivulets roaring to nowhere.

Chaos Incognito

W

hen the maestro swallows the verses, who consumates the music?

When the deity vomits poison, who stops volcanoes?

When the eyes of virtue are blinded, who appeases us with kindness?

When our hapless history bleeds, who prevents pestilence?

When the ink of nature dries up, who decorates the hibiscus?

When the felines stray away, who curtails pesty rodents?

When hunger ravages the stomach, who remembers incantations?

When the voice of the wind becomes hoarse, who serenades the valley?

When the sky refuses to weep, who gladdens the tomatoes?

When the wind Spins in skips, who springs the Sail-of-Life?

When the chicken roosts with glee, who sates the hyena's greed?

When all the sages slump, comatose, who Scripts our poetry?

When our shrine of taste is shut, who secretes saliva?

When the teeth of love drops, who grinds the grain of affection?

When the soldier's cannons choke us, who protects the land?

When the muezzin sounds war-cries, who mediates man and Allah?

When the catechists impale the devout, who anoints the promise of heaven?

When billows strangle the fire, who remakes our future?

When heroes hawk our faith, who conjures dreams for the foetus?

No related posts.

Source: Africanwriter.com

QUO TE UOTE

They had been brought up in the School of Hard Knocks.

George Ade

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

DIPLOMATIC CIRCUIT

PAGE 31

isaochako@yahoo.com 08091700949

U.S. Consulate General celebrates Black History Month I

n celebration of Black History Month, the U.S. Consulate General has partnered with the National Mirror to showcase a daily note entitled This Day in Black History.

The note will commemorate prominent black figures and recount historic events in African American History that have contributed to American progress. The theme of this year's national black history month as announced by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: the Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington. Read below to learn what historic event happened today in African American history.

February1:Onthisdayin1902ProminentAfricanAmericanPoet, Langston Hughes was Born!

Langston Hughes was among four principal writers who achieved major recognition during the Harlem Renaissance, which took place in New York City during the 1920s. The Renaissance was an outstanding phase of literary and artistic development for African Americans in the United States.

Hughes wrote in every genre on a sundry of topics.

Hughes was one of the first black men of literature who strove to make a productive and profitable career out of his writing. In addition to possessing an ability to write in every genre, he composed translations of his works and annually lectured and toured. And, not only was he a major literary spokesperson, he was also a promoter of black writers and an artistic historian of the African American community, whose ways, talks, gestures, dances, clothes, dreams, thoughts, frustrations and oppression he sought to capture with his pen.

February3:Onthisdayin1870Amendment XV Secured Voting Rights for African Americans!

The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits each government in the United States from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude" (i.e., slavery). It was ratified on February 3, 1870.

In practice, of course, it would be another 100 years before African Americans were really able to vote more-or-less freely and Jim Crow laws as well as anti-Black customs, ubiquitous in both "The North" and "The South," would prevent Black Americans from enjoying even second class citizenship for many decades to come.

February 6: On this day in 1820-Peabody Fund Established to Promote African Americans Education!

The Peabody Education Fund organized to establish a permanent system of public education in the South and to enlarge the number of qualified teachers in the region. The Peabody Fund allocated $2.1 million in to promote African American education and the establishment and growth of public schools for African Americans, and some whites, in the

prohibited African American tenants and dispossessed residents who had been active in the campaign to end racial discrimination. As the racial discrimination continued, lawsuits were filed on the basis that the project was public- or semi-public, and thus violated anti-discrimination laws for New York City public housing, which were rarely enforced.

One month later, the Brown-Issacs Bill became law in New York City, making racial discrimination in public housing developments a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine and prison term for the owner of any housing development constructed with public assistance to discriminate on account of race, color, or nationality. Thus, Stuyvesant Town, long a symbol of discrimination, was barred from using race as criterion in tenant selection.

February 12: On this day in 1909- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is Formed!

South.

February 7: On this day in 1945-Irwin C. Mollison is confirmed as First, Black Federal Judge!

Irwin C Mollison was appointed judge of the US Customs Court. With his appointment on November 3, 1945, Judge Mollison was the first African American appointed to a position in the federal judiciary that was posthumously converted into an Article III judgeship. Judge Mollison was also the first African American to serve on the United States Customs Court. He was appointed by President Truman.

February 8: On this day in 1865-Dr.MartinRobinsonDelany Becomes First Black Major in U.S. Army!

Dr. Martin Delany was a remarkable figure in American history. Born a slave in Charleston, Virginia, on May 6, 1812, his mother instilled the value of education in him at a young age and illegally taught

February 21: On this day in 1965 - Civil Rights Activist Malcolm X is Assassinated!

him to read; slaves were banned from reading or writing. His father purchased the family's freedom in 1823. Delany moved to Pittsburgh when he was 19 and after graduating from Bethel Church School, he began working as an assistant to a local doctor named Andrew McDowell.

In 1843 Delany became involved with the abolitionist movement and began publishing the anti-slavery newspaper, The Mystery. Four years later, Delany joined the North Star, Frederick Douglass' renowned antislavery publication. While continuing support for the abolitionist movement and the North Start, Delany attended Harvard Medical School and, after graduation in 1852, began practicing as a doctor in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

During the Civil War Delany joined the 104th Colored Unit and recruited soldiers for the Union Army.

In 1865 he obtained the rank of Major, becoming the first African American to receive a regular army commission.

After the war he worked for the Freemen's Bureau. Major Delany's extraordinary rise from slavery and commitment to social justice and public service is a testament to American military heritage.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was formed in 1909 in New York City by a group of black and white citizens fighting for social justice.

On February 12, 1909, a "Call" was issued by a collection of 60 signatures for a meeting on the concept of creating an organization that would be an aggressive watchdog of Negro liberties. Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard, William English Walling and led the "Call" to renew the struggle for civil and political liberty.

Today, the NAACP is a network of more than 2,200 branches covering

all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Japan and Germany. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, the NAACP is divided into seven regions and are managed and governed by a National Board of Directors. Currently the total membership exceeds 500,000. The NAACP is a notable example of how an organization committed to civic responsibility and political organizing can become a powerful instrument for social justice.

February 16: On this day in 1951- New York City Council Passes Bill Prohibiting Racial Discrimination in Public Housing Developments On February 16, 1951, the New York City Council passed a bill prohibiting discrimination against African Americans in city-assisted housing projects. The bill was directed mainly at the Stuyvesant Town housing project, which was a publicprivate partnership project owned by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and the City of New York.

Managers of the housing development

February 25: On this day in 1870First Black U.S. Senator, Hiram R. Revels Takes Oath of Office!

February19:Onthisdayin1919WEB DuBois Organizes First PanAfrican Congress On this day, the first Pan-African Congress, organized by W.E.B. Du Bois, was held in Paris, France in 1919. The Congress was a series of meetings held from 1919-1994 to address issues facing Africa as a result of European colonization. One of the demands of the group was to end colonial rule and racial discrimination.

Fifty-seven delegates from 15 countries attended the first meeting.

White representatives from France, Belgium, and Portugal defended their countries' colonial policies, while the U.S. representative William Walling (an NAACP cofounder) argued that changes to American racial policies were on the horizon. The resolution adopted at the congress tended more toward moderation and gradual reform than anything approximating a demand for immediate independence.

The purpose of the meeting was to unite black leaders worldwide to secure the internationalization of former German colonies in Africa.

The Congress adopted resolutions affirming the right of Africans to participate in their own government and charging the League of Nations to protect this right. These resolutions were presented at the Peace Conference.

During the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, Malcolm X gained national and international prominence. Often distancing himself from the movement's leaders, he was perhaps the most controversial leader of the period. Malcolm X's separatism and militancy contrasted with the desegregation efforts and nonviolent tactics of Martin Luther King, Jr. Historians credit Malcolm X as the spiritual father of the Black Power movement of the late 1960s.

At the time of Malcolm X's murder in 1965, his views and commitments were undergoing a great change. He was demanding unity and selfdetermination for black people, whose struggle he viewed in the context of oppressed peoples all over the world. He was also abandoning the hard-line anti-white prejudice of his early years.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Balloon crash in Egypt killing 18 tourists

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ritish, French, Hong Kong and Japanese nationals are among at least 18 tourists killed in a hot air balloon crash near the Egyptian city of Luxor.

The balloon was at 1,000 ft (300m) when it caught fire and plunged onto fields west of Luxor, officials said.

At least two people, including the balloon's pilot, survived, reportedly by jumping out of the balloon before it crashed.

Luxor is home to some of Egypt's most famous pharaonic-era ruins.

It lies on the banks of the River Nile in the south of the country, and has long been a popular tourist destination.

British tour operator Thomas Cook confirmed that four of its clients were on board the balloon - two had died and two were in hospital.

"We have a very experienced team in resort with the two guests in the local hospital, and we're providing our full support to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time," Peter Fankhauser, CEO of Thomas Cook UK and Europe, said.

The Chinese embassy in Egypt has confirmed that nine Hong Kong tourists died in the balloon crash.

Egyptian police have said the other tourists include four from Japan and two from France. At least one Egyptian also died.

Earlier reports suggested 19 people had been killed.

The crash happened on one of the

Guinea president picks ally to replace army chief

G Accident investigators at the scene of the crash. many dawn hot air balloon flights that give tourists an aerial view of Luxor's famous sites, such as Karnak temple and the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

The balloon's operating company, Sky Cruise, confirmed that a gas cylinder exploded on board the balloon, bringing it down in an agricultural area just west of Luxor.

Cherry Tohamy's balloon was landing when she heard an explosion and saw flames from a balloon above.

"Our pilot told us that the balloon had hit a high pressure electrical cable and a cylinder on board exploded," said Ms Tohamy, an

Egyptian living in Kuwait who was on holiday in Luxor.

"People were jumping out of the balloon from about the height of a seven-storey building."

She said ambulances were at the scene within 15 minutes.

Another witness, US photographer Christopher Michel said his balloon was just about to land when he "heard an explosion and saw smoke".

Hot air balloon crashes have happened in Luxor before. Two British women were among 16 injured when their balloon came down after hitting a communications tower in April 2009.

Balloons were grounded for six months after that crash while safety measures were tightened up and pilots were re-trained by Egypt's Civil Aviation Authority.

But, says the BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Cairo, since the 2011 revolution that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, the rule of law is not being respected in many aspects of Egyptian life, so it has been difficult for the tourism ministry to impose its authority on sites like this.

Luxor, like many other parts of Egypt, has seen a sharp downturn in visitor numbers since the uprising.

ICC prosecutors see Kenyatta trial delayed to August

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he trial of Kenyan presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta for crimes against humanity is unlikely to begin until August, international prosecutors said on Tuesday, a delay that would leave him freer to run in the election's second round.

Kenyatta is running neck and neck with Prime Minister Raila Odinga in

opinion polls ahead of the March 4 election. A secondround run-off would take place in April.

A former finance minister and the son of the country's founding president, Kenyatta is one of four accused at the International Criminal Court (ICC) of orchestrating tribal fighting that killed

1,200 people after the last vote in 2007.

He has pledged to attend his trial in the Hague.

His defense team says prosecutors have failed to disclose information relevant to the defense in a timely fashion, making it impossible for the trial to start on April 11 as planned.

"The Prosecution recognizes

that logistical constraints such as courtroom availability make a trial on 11 April 2013 unlikely," the prosecution said in a filing on Tuesday.

It said it did not object to a "reasonable" adjournment, acknowledging August as a workable target.

ICC judges have not yet agreed to any postponement of the trial.

Egypt opposition bloc to boycott electiona

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he National Salvation Front, the main opposition bloc in Egypt, announced that it would not participate in parliamentary elections scheduled to start in April, saying there must first be a law guaranteeing a free and fair vote.

"The decision of the front, unanimously, is to boycott the elections," member Sameh Ashour told reporters on Tuesday after a meeting of the coalition, which groups mainly liberal and leftists parties and movements.

The elections were called last

Hamdeen Sabbahi (M) led the front in a press briefing.

weekend by president Mohamed Morsi. The vote will start in April and be staggered over a twomonth period.

Ashour said the decision to boycott the vote was taken unanimously. The opposition has been calling on Morsi to defuse the nation's political crisis before calling for elections to pr e v e n t t h e country from plunging deeper into chaos.

"There can be no elections without a law that guarantees the fairness of the election process and a government that can implement such a law and be trusted by the people," Ashour said, adding that there must also be "real independence of the judiciary."

I t w a n t s a " n e u t r a l" government to replace the one led by prime minister Hesham Qandil, and for steps to be taken to ensure the

independence of the judiciary.

Divisions between Islamist parties and their opponents have widened since Morsi won last year's presidential election.

Tensions spilt into lethal street violence late last year when the president was accused of staging a power grab, an accusation dismissed by the ruling Freedom and Justice Party as propaganda.

Seeking to convince the opposition to take part, Morsi had invited them to talks on Tuesday to address concerns about the vote. The NSF said it would not attend.

"We tell President Morsi: talk with yourself and your party," Ashour said.

The parties involved in the boycott include the Popular Current, led by Hamdeen Sabbahi, a leftist who came third in last year's presidential election, and the Dostour party, headed by former UN nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei.

uinea President Alpha Conde named Brigadier General Namory Traore as head of the West African state's armed forces on Tuesday, replacing General Souleymane Kelefa Diallo who died in a plane crash with five other top army officials on February 11.

Traore is seen as a close ally of Conde's who will carry on a U.N.-backed reform effort to rein in the notoriously undisciplined and bloated Guinea armed forces, blamed for killings and coups since 1958 independence. "(Traore's) nomination can be seen as a move for continuity as far as the army reform effort is concerned," a high ranking army officer told Reuters on condition of anonymity, following the decree announced on state television.

Diallo was appointed by Conde after the latter won elections in 2010 in the world's top bauxite producer, and was an architect of the reform of Guinea's powerful military under which some 4,000 soldiers were forced to retire.

Traore had served as deputy head of the armed forces under Diallo.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the plane crash, which occurred near neighboring Liberia's capital Monrovia during a security mission.

Conde's government has been trying to organize legislative elections for May, the final step in the transition back to civilian rule after a 2008 coup and a prerequisite to unlock millions of dollars of frozen foreign aid.

But the opposition, alleging bias in the electoral authority, has withdrawn from poll preparations.

Conde's 2010 election in a vote hailed as the first free elections since the end of French rule was marred by deadly riots and opposition allegations of fraud.

President Alpha Conde

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Asia and Middle East

S

yria is ready for talks with its armed opponents, Foreign Minister Walid alMoualem said on Monday, in the clearest offer yet to negotiate with rebels fighting President Bashar alAssad.

‘Assad ready to talk with armed opposition’- Minister But Moualem said at the same time Syria would pursue its fight "against terrorism," alluding to the conflict in which the United Nations

Iran nuclear talks opens in Kazakhstan

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new round of talks between world powers and Iran over its controversial nuclear programme has opened in the Kazakh city of Almaty.

The discussions are the first since talks in July 2012 ended without a breakthrough.

Negotiators from Iran are meeting counterparts from the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany - the P5+1.

International powers suspect Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons - a charge Iran strongly denies.

Iran insists its purposes are purely civilian, asserting it needs enriched uranium to make medical isotopes.

Since 2010, Iran has been enriching uranium to a level of 20%, an important technological step towards being able to produce more highly enriched weapons-grade material.

Iran has repeatedly rejected

PAGE 33

Western calls to stop enriching uranium, insisting it is an inalienable right.

Western negotiators at the meeting are expected to offer Iran incentives to compromise.

"The offer addresses the international concern on the exclusively peaceful nature of the Iranian nuclear program, but it is also responsive to Iranian ideas,'' said EU spokesman Michael Mann.

"We've put some proposals forward which will hopefully allow Iran to show some flexibility.''

The proposals might involve easing some of the sanctions which have been imposed on Iran, in return for shutting its Fordo uranium enrichment plant, reports say.

Several rounds of sanctions have squeezed Iran's economy, with oil revenue slashed, a currency that has nosedived in value, and growing unemployment.

says 70,000 people have been killed.

His offer of talks drew a dismissive response from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who was starting a nine-

nation tour of European and Arab capitals in London.

"It seems to me that it's pretty hard to understand how, when you see the

Scuds falling on the innocent people of Aleppo, it is possible to take their notion that they are ready to have a dialogue very seriously," Kerry said.

Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem

China navy launches new said it would enhance stealth frigate the Xinhua country's ability to safeguard

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hina's navy has taken delivery of the first of a new kind of stealth frigate, as tension continues with neighbouring countries over maritime borders.

The Type 056 stealth frigate has a sleek design that helps it evade radar detection, and needs just one-third of the crew used by its predecessor.

The first ship was delivered to the Chinese navy in Shanghai on Monday, state-run news agency Xinhua said.

China said the new vessel is part of a systematic upgrading of naval hardware.

The frigate - one of 20 being built - will mainly be deployed on escort missions and for antisubmarine operations.

national security and defend maritime sovereignty.

The arrival of the new vessel comes at a time when China is in dispute with a number of neighbouring countries over national boundaries in the East and South China Seas.

Mostly recently Beijing has been arguing with Tokyo over the Senkaku Islands - known as the Diaoyu Islands in Chinese - which are controlled by Japan but also claimed by China.

Beijing is in the middle of a programme to improve its navy, launching its first aircraft carrier, Liaoning, two years ago, the BBC's Michael Bristow reports.

Chinese President Hu Jintao said last year that the country needed to transform itself into a "maritime power".

Representatives of the P5+1 and their counterparts from Iran at the meeting.

Sri Lanka Tamils 'raped in custody'

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ri Lankan security forces have committed crimes of sexual violence against ethnic Tamils in state custody, a new Human Rights Watch report says.

The study focuses on cases of alleged rape of men, women and minors detained between 2006 and 2012 because of their suspected links to Tamil Tiger rebels.

It documents 75 accounts of alleged sexual abuse and torture, saying most of them are backed by medical evidence.

Sri Lanka's government has dismissed the report as "rubbish" and "lies".

At least 100,000 people died during the 26-year war between government troops and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighting for a separate

homeland. The Tamil Tigers were defeated in 2009.

Both sides were accused of human rights abuses throughout the conflict and particularly in its final stages, when thousands of civilians were trapped in a thin strip of land in the north of Sri Lanka as fighting raged around them.

The report comes during a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, which is expected to discuss a resolution critical of Sri Lanka's human rights record and the army's conduct during the last phase of the war.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) says sex crimes committed by government security forces "sharply increased" following a ceasefire breakdown in 2006.

The frigate was delivered to the People's Liberation Army naval base in Shanghai.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas US court begins BP trial over Gulf oil spill

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early three years after a catastrophic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a multibillion dollar civil case against British Petroleum and the other companies involved is set to open in court.

As the case opens on Monday, US prosecutors are determined to prove that gross negligence caused the April 2010 blast that killed 11 workers and sank the BP-leased Deepwater Horizon rig, sending millions of barrels of oil gushing into the sea.

BP is equally determined to avoid such a finding, which would drastically increase fines against the company to as much as $17bn.

"Gross negligence is a very high bar that BP believes cannot be met in this case," said Rupert Bondy, the firm's general counsel.

"This was a tragic accident, resulting from multiple causes and involving multiple parties."

BP also hopes to shift much of the blame, and cost, to rig operator Transocean and subcontractor Halliburton, which was responsible for a faulty cement job on board the offshore drilling platform.

It took 87 days to cap the runaway well, which blackened beaches in five states and crippled the region's tourism and fishing industries in a tragedy that riveted the nation.

The first phase of the civil trial will determine the cause and apportion fault for the disaster.

The second phase, not expected to start for several months, will determine exactly how much oil was spilled in order to calculate environmental fines.

The US government on Tuesday agreed not to count the 810,000 barrels of oil BP siphoned out of the runaway well before it could spill into the sea.

But a complicated battle looms over the rest, as BP insists the government overestimated how much oil gushed out of the well by "at least 20 percent".

The third phase will deal with environmental and economic damages.

BP spent more than $14bn on the response and cleanup and paid another $10bn to businesses, individuals and local governments that did not join the class action lawsuit.

It remains on the hook for billions in additional damages, including the cost of environmental rehabilitation.

The British energy giant has already had to resolved thousands of lawsuits linked to the deadly disaster out of court - including a record $4.5bn plea deal with the US government in which BP pleaded guilty to criminal charges and a $7.8bn settlement with people and businesses affected by the spill.

Italy faces political deadlock after vote

I

taly faces political paralysis as near-complete results in crucial national elections have shown that no group won enough votes to form a government.

The uncertainty bodes ill for the nation's efforts to pass the tough reforms it needs to tackle its economic crisis and prevent a new round of global financial

turmoil.

With more than 99.9 per cent of returns in from polling stations, Monday's results showed the centre-left had scored a modest victory of around 130,000 votes in the lower house of parliament, enough to give it comfortable control thanks to a big winner's bonus.

But no party or likely

coalition won enough seats to form a majority in the upper house, creating a deadlocked parliament - the opposite of the stable result that Italy desperately needs to tackle a deep recession, rising unemployment and a massive public debt.

Grillo was set to become the biggest single party in the lower

Five Star Movement leader Beppe Grillo(R) and his wife Parvin Tadjik (L).

house, riding a wave of anger against waste and corruption by ageing political leaders.

The result was an extraordinary success for Genoese comic Beppe Grillo, leader of the populist 5-Star Movement, who toured the country in his first national election campaign hurling obscenity-laced insults against a discredited political class.

He polled more around a quarter of the vote in a stunning rise from the 1.8 per cent he received in his movement's first local political test in 2010.

The result was a humiliating centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani, who squandered a 10point opinion-poll lead less than two months ago against Silvio Berlusconi's centre right.

Berlusconi, the billionaire media magnate who staged an extraordinary comeback from sex and corruption scandals since diving into the campaign in December, came in a close second in the Senate race, with an estimated 117 seats.

With almost all results in, the centre-left was set to take 121 seats in the upper house, Grillo 54, and Monti languishing on only 22 after a campaign which never took off.

Colombia coffee growers on strike clash with the police

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housands of coffee growers in Colombia have gone on strike demanding greater subsidies to protect them against falling international prices and a strong local currency.

President Juan Manuel Santos called for a halt to the protest, arguing it was "unnecessary and inconvenient".

There were a number of clashes with the police, and the opposition criticised the government's stance on the crisis.

Colombia is the world's fourth biggest coffee producer.

Coffee is also one of its biggest exports, with more than half a million families reliant on the crop for their livelihoods. But last year's crop was its lowest for

decades.

Coffee growers blocked streets and motorways in a number of towns and some important cities, such as Medellin.

But security forces said they would not tolerate roadblocks, and some clashes broke out.

The opposition urged the government not to "criminalise" the protesters.

The producers are demanding greater government support, after coffee prices plummeted on the international market last year.

But the president says his government already pays growers subsidies of 60,000 pesos (ÂŁ21; $33) for every 125 kilograms of coffee and has said

he will consider extending the benefit created last July.

"The strike is not only inconvenient and unnecessary but also unjust," he said in a

speech broadcast on radio and TV. Colombia is the world's fourth biggest producer, behind Brazil, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The coffee grower's were seen on the streets of many cities in Columbia.

Russia wants U.S. to help foster dialogue in Syria

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ussia has urge the United States on Tuesday to press the Syrian opposition to hold direct talks with

Damascus, but fears "extremists" now have the upper hand among President Bashar al-Assad's opponents.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said before leaving for Berlin to meet Secretary of State John Kerry that the new U.S. top diplomat seemed to grasp the gravity of the crisis in Syria.

He said Washington should lean on the Syrian opposition to drop demands that Assad must leave power before talks can start.

"In our contacts with other countries that can influence the parties in Syria, we have noticed a growing understanding of the need to influence both the government and, first of all, the opposition so that they do not come up with unrealistic requests as preconditions for the start of dialogue," Lavrov said after talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans.

"This is what we will discuss with John Kerry today. During our latest phone conversation I had the impression that he has an understanding of the acuteness of the situation in Syria."

Moscow and Washington have been at loggerheads over Syria, where 70,000 people have been killed in a nearly two-year-old conflict that began with a crackdown on street protests against Assad's rule.

Russia has been Assad's staunchest ally and, with C h i n a , b l o c k e d t h ree U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at mounting pressure on him to end the violence.

Washington has sided with the Syrian opposition in seeking Assad's removal from power.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 35

Drunken thief stole primary school children's chicken then posed for pictures with it before posting them on Facebook

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Anthony Campen

drunken lout stole a school's pet chicken and posted pictures on Facebook of him posing with it at a houseparty.

Anthony Campen, 29, kidnapped the chicken from a nearby primary school before dragging it to a houseparty where he posed with it before releasing it into the wild.

Police used the pictures to force Campen to admit his crime after he posted a number of photos on Facebook.

A court heard how Campen had carried the chicken to a houseparty in his rucksack before he posed for pictures with the startled bird.

The partygoer then fed the chicken party snacks before releasing it into a nearby field.

Pupils at the Bishops' Church of England and Roman Catholic Primary School in

Chelmsford, Essex, had believed their pet chicken, called Olympia, had escaped before they began to suspect foul play.

The school has since released a heartbroken plea in their school newsletter for sightings of the chicken in Chelmsford to no avail.

Campen, from Chelmsford, Essex, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal sometime between January 26 and 28 this year 2012 when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on February 20.

Magistrates were told of the distress caused to young children at the school who had lost a much-loved pet which they had raised from a chick as part of a school project.

Campen was ordered to pay

ÂŁ130 compensation and ÂŁ85 costs.

Unrepentant Campen later tweeted: 'ÂŁ235 for a f*cking chicken. Right, i'm off for a kfc!!'

A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'Essex Police are pleased that Campen has admitted this offence and that he has been ordered to pay compensation.

'The chicken has never been found and it is highly unlikely it would have survived in the wild.

'Campen's actions were totally unacceptable and we hope he thinks long and hard about the upset and distress his loutish behaviour has caused.'

An RSPCA spokesman added: 'Caring properly for animals is a serious issue, and failing to do so because of drunken behaviour is no excuse.'

Compulsive liar is jailed for making her eleventh false rape claim in 9 years

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compulsive liar has been jailed for 16 months after falsely claiming she had been raped 11 times in nine years.

Elizabeth Jones, 22, made her first fabricated allegation to police in 2004 when she was aged just 13, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Police said that the young woman had accused at least one individual just because she did not like them anymore, putting innocent men through a 'terrible emotional experience'.

Jones' latest victim was arrested and quizzed for nine hours before being released without charge because CCTV footage disproved her claims she was forcibly taken to a property and raped.

They had an argument and she was angry with him, so decided to make her eleventh fabricated allegation of rape, police said.

It also emerged today that in 2009 she was given a ten month detention and training order for making up a sex attack.

Between 2005 and 2007 she had made eight other allegations, which police investigated, but she did not face court proceedings.

Police launched an investigation after Jones, from Southampton, Hampshire, instigated a friend to report she had been sexually assaulted.

She later went to the police station for a medical examination and repeated her allegation.

Prosecutor Jennie Rickman told Southampton Crown Court a man was arrested but he denied the rape allegation.

Man fakes robbery to avoid telling wife he blew $1k at strip club

Jesus Mata

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t's hard for a lot of guys to admit to their wives that went to a strip club, let alone spending $1,000 on the attractions.

Jesus Mata Jr., a 21-year-old from Texas, recently received a tax refund and decided to spend it at a strip bar called Whispers in La Feria.

After he spent all the cash, he concocted a titillating tale to police about how six gunmen in two truck robbed him at gunpoint with assault weapons, TheDenverChannel.com reported.

Investigators from the Cameron County Sheriff's Department and the Harlingen Police Department tried to track down the trucks, but got suspicious when no leads emerged, Houston.CultureMap.com reported.

When the detectives again questioned Mata, he admitted making up the story to hide the fact he blew the whole $1,000 wad, NewsFix reported.

Mata was arrested and charged with filing a false report, according to KWTX-TV. No word yet on how he will be punished . . . by his wife.

Best police report typo ever?

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Jailed: Elizabeth Jones, 22, faces 16 months in prison after making 11 false rape claims since 2004

ooks like Myrtle Beach Police Department will have to penetrate deep into Virginia to find editors for its cops.

South Carolina officer Mike Gavrilis responded to a Sunday report of theft from a motor vehicle, but his write-up of the incident -- obtained

by The Smoking Gun -- suggests he had more than justice on his mind.

Victim 1 stated, he opened the door and searched the vehicle and noticed Victim 2's purse had been stolen. The vehicle, bearing a vagina tag (WZY1047) was a black in color Chevy Silverado.

While this is the best error in a police report that we've seen, it's by no means the only hilarious misprint of the past year.

A sign prominently displayed at a southern Pennsylvania high school in September was intended to promote public education, but that's not what it ended up saying.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Three cups of coffee a day in middle age could add years to your life

By Rachel Reilly

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rinking coffee can add years to your life, scientists have discovered.

A study of almost half a million older people showed that the risk of death decreased the more cups they consumed.

Too much caffeine used to be considered unhealthy, but the study found that the more coffee consumed, the less likely people were to die from heart and respiratory disease, stroke, injuries, accidents, diabetes and even infections.

Dr Neal Freedman, of the National Cancer Institute in the United States - where the research was done - said drinking two or three cups of coffee a day reduced the risk of an early death by 10 to 15 per cent.

Enjoying coffee in middle age has been shown to offer significant health benefits

But he added that drinking more than two to three cups were of little benefit, because those who drank more - up to six cups - did not seem to reap any more benefits.

The participants, aged 50 to 71, were followed for 12 years and revealed a clear trend.

Dr Freedman said the main obstacle to coffee drinkers who wanted to increase their longevity was smoking.

'In our study, the participants who drank coffee were far more likely to smoke cigarettes, which is a very strong risk factor for death,' he said.

He added that coffee drinking is associated with many behaviours linked to poor health such as drinking too much alcohol, excessive red meat consumption and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

'All of those risk factors are usually associated with increased risk of death, which they were in our study too,' he added.

The research did not discover how coffee reduced mortality and Dr Freedman and his colleagues have called for more studies to identify the chemicals in caffeine that may stave off certain conditions.

'Coffee could be [working by] affecting blood pressure,' he said.'It is possible that different compounds in the coffee are important, too.'

Dr Freedman added that it was difficult to ascertain whether normal coffee was any more beneficial than the decaffeinated variety.

The study was published in the Journal of Caffeine Research.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Diet drinks don’t make you hungry

By Rachel Reilly

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ugar-free fizzy drinks are no more likely to make you eat junk food than water, say researchers.

Previously, a number of

Diet drinks will not affect appetite

studies have claimed that artificial sweeteners found in diet drinks wreak havoc with our hormones, causing us to feel hungry and crave sweet and fatty foods.

It was thought that

artificial sweeteners, due to their intense sweetness, disrupted hunger hormones and encouraged people to eat sweet food.

But new research from the University of North Carolina suggests this may not be the case after all.

'Our study does not provide evidence to suggest that consumption of diet drinks increases a person's preference for sweet foods and beverages,' said lead researcher Carmen Piernas.

The study followed 318 overweight and obese adults, all of whom drank at least 280 calories worth of drinks each day One third of the participants substituted two daily servings of sugary drinks with water and another third substituted with diet drinks, including Diet Coke.

After six months, the participants reported their food and drink intake over that period.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that water and diet fizzy drinkers reduced their average daily calorie intake at the start of the study from between 2,000 and 2,300 calories to 1,500 to 1,800 calories.

Six months in, the only differences were that those who drank water ate more fruit and vegetables and those who drank diet fizzy drinks ate fewer desserts, compared to beginning of the study.

'That's the opposite of what you would expect if consumption of diet drinks increased the preference for sweet food,' said Vasanti Malik, a nutrition researcher from the Harvard School of Public

The study found that diet drinks are not responsible for hunger pangs Health.

Although this will be good news to those regularly enjoy a diet drink, there are a number of other studies suggesting that they are bad for your health in other ways.

A recent French study, which appeared in the same journal, found that women who drank beverages sweetened with either sugar or artificial sweeteners were up to 60 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than those who stuck to water.

Last year, a study carried out by Osaka University in Japan found that drinking just one fizzy drink a day could increase a woman's risk of

suffering a stroke by 80 per cent.

And research carried out by a Lund University in Sweden has also demonstrated that a single fizzy drink each day could increase a man's risk of developing prostate cancer by 40 per cent.

However Ms Malik says there is no need for alarm over recent findings related to artificial sweetened drinks.

'I think diet drinks can be consumed in moderation, along with other beverages water, coconut water and sparkling water, for example,' she told Reuters Health.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 37

9 PDP governors into talks with APC, says ANPP BoT member From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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here are indications that the crises presently brewing within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)is a signal of how the biggest political party in Africa would dislodge itself even as about nine PDP Governors were already making moves to join the APC. This disclosure was made by Barrister Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Board of Trustees (BoT).

Stating this yesterday after an ANPP stakeholders meeting held in Dutse, Hadejia said their meeting was primarily to intimate people at the states level on the level of discussions presently going on in respect of merger with some political parties.

Hadejia, who was also a Jigawa Governorship candidate in 2011 said the PDP is a very intolerant political party towards anyone indicating his ambition in the presidential bid within the party and would do all it could to dislodge them.

“Even with the current fracas within the PDP Governors over whom to show their allegiance against 2015 is already manifesting in their utterances and the manner with which they wear gloomy faces after their meeting with the president on Monday”.

“We all know the PDP”s antecedent when it comes to internal democracy and we are only giving them just six months and we believe that the party will dislodge itself by itself now with the rift between the governors, the National Executive Council and the Presidency.

“When you look at the faces of the governors after they have formed the PDP Governors Forum, you will realise that all is not well considering the fact that some of them were shielded away from expressing themselves at the meeting and I have it on good authority from one of our men already discussing with the governors that already about nine of them have indicated interest to cross carpet”, he declared.

The ANPP stalwart said he was not disposed to reply to the Jigawa state governors calling them names rather to concentrate on the reply a fellow PDP Northern governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu. He added that whoever that ignores the APC merger is doing that at his own peril.

He added further that even after the governors meeting on

Monday, the new Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Mr Godswill Akpabio, categorically stated that the formation of the PDP Governors forum was as a result of the threat posed by the APC. He said “ the merger of political parties into APC goes beyond 2015 but the fact that the country has not known peace for the last 8 years; we have come to a stage that nobody is talking about roads or electricity but people are more concerned about waking up in the morning and surviving through to evening safe and sound”, he said..

“There is no day you wake up and you don’t hear of the killings of prominent people in the country; we are talking about putting back this country on the track of progress, stability and security which is the first item on the constitution of the country”.

L-R: National Chairman, Congress Progressive Change (CPC),Prince Tony Momoh, CPC Presidential candidate, General MuhammaduBuhari, and Nasarawa State Governor, AlhajiUmaruTanko Al-Makura, during the party's stakeholders meeting on Monday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Democracy won't survive until LG administration is sustained, says Aliyu From Iliya Garba, Minna

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orried by the inability of some state government to conduct local government elections, Niger state Governor Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu said that democracy will not survive in the country if local government administration is not sustained.

He made this known yesterday in Minna when national officials of National Union of Local Government Employees paid him a courtesy visit in Government House noted that the conduct of election into local government councils will help to embed democracy.

Aliyu affirmed that "local government is the foundation of democracy, if the foundation is bad the top will be bad' adding that if the local government is good there will be no rancor at the top".

According to him, the practice whereby some governors refused to conduct local government election was against the provision of the constitution which the governors have sworn to uphold.

"Our democracy is still growing we need to help to grow by removing all forms of ignorance and misinformation". He disclosed that the call for autonomy of local governments should be viewed from many perspectives saying that most of the proponents were

only looking at the financial aspect of the autonomy without considering other variables that could run down the local government structure.

The governor stated that his administration had not interfered into how money in the joint local government account is shared stressing that the local government officials and relevant ministry officials carry out this assignment to the satisfaction of all. He also opposed the present practice whereby council chairmen were elected for only a two-year term saying such a mandate was not enough to perform, stressing also that local government staff with relevant

qualifications should rise up to level 17, as their counterparts in the civil service.

President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Aliyu has made a strong case for the autonomy of local governments in the country because most governors have turned the local government system "to a small unit in the governors' office".

Ibrahim maintained that NULGE will save the local government system from the "hands of corrupt and clumsy leaders saying that presently the local governments are handicapped under the leadership of majority of the governors a situation that should not be so".

2015: Akpabio not eyeing vice president seat – Media chief From By Mike Etim, Uyo

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he Chief Press Secretary to the Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Anittie Ukpe, has dismissed as untrue news making round that Governor Akpabio was eyeing the Vice President Seat in 2015.

Ukpe, who was reacting to a question from a journalist in a media chat in his office, said that the recent influx of northern politician, religious leaders and other stakeholders in the state capital was an indication that the governor was meeting with them to position himself for the vice president spot on 2015, said that the insinuation was untrue affirming that the governor has said he nursed Senatorial ambition.

“I don’t know how the issue of wanting to be a Vice President comes about. The governor has said repeatedly that he would want to be in the senate and the issue of wanting to be a Vice President speculated by the people is arrant nonsense. It is illegal and also untrue” he remarked.

Emphasizing on the significance of the governor in the country’s polity, the governor’s aide said Akpabio has become a national and a reconciliatory figure in a country that is fragmented ethnically and religiously. To this end, he pointed out that the country needs a unifying personality in the person of the Akwa-Ibom state governor which he said has given rise to why Muslims and Christian leaders and other personalities were coming to the state.

He said the governor has continuously used his position as an unbiased Nigerian to forge understanding between different groups and religious bodies in the country.

On grounds that most of the awards given to the governor by various organizations were cash induced, the media chief dispelled it as untrue saying if the governor were to accept all the letters and invitations inviting him to receive awards, he would not be able to do his job.

On question bothering on the governor’s competence, the aide said the governor is a very competent administrator; a good team builder who has passion for excellence and a determined leader who wants to live a lasting legacy for the people of the state.

Vindicating the governor from his frequent overseas and local travels which has drawn criticisms from various quarters of the state, the Chief Press Secretary explained “The governor travels first because he wants to make the state better.

He travels sometimes to see models of other countries. Like his trip to Dubai was to see how he could apply the Dubai model in Akwa Ibom State”.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

BoT Chairmanship: Anenih emergence to foster peace unity, says PDP

L-R: Senate President David Mark, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, President Goodluck Jonathan, and Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, walking into the banquet hall, during the PDP Board of Trustees' meeting, on Monday night at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

By Lawrence Olaoye

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APC, a credible party platform for democrats – Lame From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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ne of the movers for the merger of four political parties into a political association, All Progressives Congress (APC) now seeking for registration by INEC, Alhaji Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, has disclosed that the merger has provided a platform for guinea democracy in the country.

Lame who noted that the past 13 years of the nation’s nascent democracy was characterised by insecurity, lack of accountability, unemployment t and total absence of focus orchestrated

by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Lame, a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said at a luncheon party organised for top notchers of the four merged parties in Bauchi at the weekend that the fusion of the four registered political parties, ACN, ANPP, APGA, and CPC would enable Nigeria to get out of the woods.

He expressed optimism that unlike in 2011 when the merger talks was botched, the successful merger of the four parties this time around would usher in a credible government

for the country that was in the past bedeviled by political, economic, social, and cultural woes.

The APC chieftain explained that the merger of the four political parties was acclaimed not only in Nigeria but globally especially the developed democracies of the World that shared the views that Nigerians needed to be salvaged from the untold hardships they were now experiencing.

He urged members of the erstwhile four political parties that merged into APC to discard alienating themselves

to the former abodes but rather sing the tone of the new party APC. Lame, who also noted that Nigeria was endowed with vast human and material resources, however expressed regret that the country was debacled by bad leadership that deprived its people of the much needed dividends of democracy.

He therefore appealed to members of the new political association to nurture the APC on the path of justice, equity, trustworthiness, patriotism and in the overall interest of the nation.

Opposition accuses GOSIEC for election rigging From David Hassan, Gombe

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he opposition parties yesterday in Gombe accused the leadership of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) for not performing credibly at the just concluded local government elections that took place last weekend in the state.

Speaking to our correspondent in Gombe, the chairman Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the state, Barr Abdu Baba Kwami, said the elections that took place last Saturday was marred with irregularities. He said the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state used thugs to snatch ballot boxes in polling centers in order to rig the election.

The chairman also stressed the need of justice to prevail saying their matter which was crushed a day after the election was to enable GOSIEC to

continue with their preparation to conduct the elections the next day in order to frustrate the opposition parties in the state.

He said even though PDP in the state had refused to allow citizens to elect candidates of their choice due to irregularities, the opposition parties would not give up as

they are ready to fight back in due course.

“The PDP which claimed to have swept the elected positions in the state did so in their selfish interest as there is no any free and fair elections that was conducted in the state,” he said.

Kwami also explained that as far as the CPC is concerned in the state, there is no party

that will intimidate it adding that their party has gone to advance stage to fight for justice in the country. “All the elected chairmen and their councilors across the state were not elected in last Saturday elections as government gave them automatic tickets to occupied their offices,” the chairman explained.

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the unanimous election of Chief Tony Anenih into the office of Chairman of the Party’s Board of Trustees (BOT) as a bold step towards ensuring peace and harmony within the ranks of the Party.

In a congratulatory message signed by the National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP expressed confidence that Chief Anenih’s antecedents as a mobilizer and consensus builder over the years will contribute to the long term stability of the Party.

According to Metuh, “Chief Anenih’s tireless participation and critical role in the formation of the PDP places him in good stead to provide wise counsel and direct the influential Board of Trustees to follow the noble ideals of the founders of the Party. His wealth of experience and acclaimed reputation as a democrat and consensus builder are assets that the Party needs at this critical point in our democratic evolution”.

The PDP spokesman pointed out that Chief Anenih’s unanimous election by all members of the Board of Trustees has disapointed opposition elements and doomsday prophets who expected the process to result in rancor and acrimony saying “this is yet another signal that the PDP is ever united and ready to overcome all perceived obstacles in our drive to provide focused leadership and service to the people of Nigeria”.

Chief Metuh called on all Party members across board to give maximum cooperation to the new chairman of the BOT who has himself pledged to broaden the spread of the umbrella to accommodate all tendencies.

Dankwambo swears-in 11 LG chairmen From David Hassan, Gombe

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ombe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has sworn in 11 newly elected local government chairmen in the state urging them to discharge their responsibilities to the best of their abilities.

While commending the outgoing Caretakers Committee chairmen of the 11 local governments for their

contribution during their short tenure in office, the governor said they did their best in uniting the feuding factions of communities in their respective areas of jurisdiction.

The governor noted that the newly sworn-in chairmen were elected in conformity with section 79 sub sec 3 and 4of the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission Amendment Law 2011.

He then commended GOSIEC

for ensuring free, fair and credible elections in the state, adding that contributions of the Royal fathers and religious leaders in the state brought sanity at the polling stations.

The governor also urged the newly elected chairmen to extend genuine hands of reconciliation and partner with those that lost out in the in the elections.

Responding on behalf of the elected chairmen of the 11 local

government areas, Gombe Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Sagir Ibrahim, Abubakar thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in the state promising that the newly elected chairmen are capable of carryimg every body along in their respective areas. He called on citizens to give them a maximum support in order to carry their legitimate functions effectively.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 39

Jonathan must contest 2015- ex Niger Delta militants, Ijaw leaders From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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ormer Niger Delta warlords among other Ijaw leaders yesterday announced their approval for President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the Presidency in the 2015 general elections.

A top Niger-Delta

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he interim national leadership and thirty six state chairmen of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday said the party was not party to the alleged merger between the opposition parties and therefore never bound to whatever agreement thereto.

In a communique jointly issued yesterday by

Community group Izon Ikemi chaired by Tony ‘Iprinye Uranta with members including former Niger Delta militants, Chief Tom Ateke, Ebikabowei Victor Ben (a.k.a Boyloaf), Paul Eris (a.k.a Ogunboss), Chief Kalaiti Jephthah, Chief Dere Biemgbo Ofokome, Sgt. Werinepere Digifa, Nigeria citizens of Ijaw extraction, within and

beyond the Niger Delta states insisted the Dr. Jonathan’s right to compete for the office of the Presidency according to the provisions of the constitution.

The group in a communiqué re-affirmed its commitment to the principles of rule-of-law, democracy, equity and justice as a precondition for the enthronement, and

sustainability, of good governance, peace, stability and progress in Nigeria.

“Izon Ikemi strongly reiterates President Jonathan’s right to contest for a second term in office as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should he desire to exercise that constitutional rights.

Democratic principles and

practices, alone, must be allowed to reign supreme, always, in determining who occupy elective public office; nothing else.”

The group called on Dr. Jonathan to jettison every dead weight in his administration that doesn’t serve the common good of Nigerians.

“Izon Ikemi calls, for the last time, on President Jonathan to expedite the

jettisoning of all deadweights in his cabinet and other FGN MDAs that are not serving the common good of Nigerians efficiently, transparently, accountably and patriotically, so as not to force Izon Ikemi to team up with any other agents of good governance to employ any legitimate means to rid this otherwise well-meaning administration of its bad eggs.”

APGA’s leadership disown merger the leadership of the party at both states and national levels, which was read by the chairman of APGA states chairmen’s forum, Isah Jega, from Plateau state, after a consultative meeting between the two leadership in Abuja, the caucus said that the party was never consulted nor participated in any discussion about any merger, alliance or

whatever union with any political party or parties.

The caucus further challenged the national leadership of the party to take immediate date to commence the process of new membership registration, as well as to review membership register and congress, which will herald national convention of the party which it suggested should

be held in Enugu.

They also resolved to admit without conditions, all former members who expressed genuine desires to return to the party, adding that all those who were previously sanctioned by the party are immediately pardoned to help rebuild the party.

While commending the policy thrust of the Maxi Okwu’s led interim

National Working Committee of the party, the caucus also said his idea of approchement, reconciliation, and reintegration could not have come at a better time than now.

Meanwhile, they commended the leadership role of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state as the Deputy National Leader of APGA, urging him to step

up his effort to salvage and reposition the party.

Earlier in his remarks, the Interim chairman of the NEC, Maxi Okwu, urged the former Chairman of the party, Victor Umeh, to join the train in rebuilding the party.

He said the party has mo other choice than to be moved forward,

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Gov Al-Makura a Religious Bigot? Far From It

By Danjuma Joseph

"I make bold to say that my campaign disposition has no coloration with regard to any particular religion. It is true Iam a Muslim but Iam going to govern a state where a substantial number of people belong to other religious persuasion and if youtruly want to be sincere and honest as a governor, you should be able to carry everyone along with you."

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've start with the above quotation from Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura on the occasion of an interview he granted journalists while he was vying for the office of the governor of Nasarawa state because it serves as a peg for this write-up. Ordinarily, one would have dismissed as laughable the notion that Al-makura is a religious bigot. But then these are no ordinary times, hence the compelling need to disabuse the minds of the people over a claim that is not only spurious but utterly baseless.

It is in the nature of our democracy for disgruntled elements to resort to character assassination and cheap blackmail with the aim of achieving narrow interests, not minding that this could engender misunderstandings and crises that may result in the loss of several lives. In their determination to attain their devilish purposes, such mean characters can go to any length, including smearing the name of an honest, down to earth gentleman, working tirelessly and selflessly to reposition the state and improve the lot of its people.

All those who know Al-makura as a person can bear testimony to the fact that long before he dreamt of becoming a governor, he had taken it upon himself to establish a rapport with members and leaders of the Catholic Church in Lafia, who have been his neighbours, a rapport that has blossomed over the years, solidified by visitations and exchange of pleasantries. That such a person could be termed a bigot is rather despicable, too far- fetched.

Even while he was still campaigning to become governor, and like the above quotation serves to explain, Al-makura, conscious of the fact that Nasarawa is a multiethnic, multi religious entity, made sure that for both intent and purposes, every segment of the society is carried along, irrespective of tribal or religious leanings.

With the above quotation as part of his response to the question as to how he intends to lead a state with such religious diversity, Al-makura explained further that he has already started on that by making sure that his campaign team comprised of people from both religions.

According to him, "even though I am a Muslim, you find out that the technocrats, the chief executives of my campaign organization comprises of more Christians than my fellow Muslims. Take for instance the directorate where I have one Director General and about five DDG's, two of are Muslims and the other three are Christians.

That is the kind of proportion we need to carry maintain even in the government when we are in power. We would give everybody a sense of belonging and a sense of love.

It is a state that is populated by both Christians and Muslims, so this must reflect in every of our actions, appointments and in every dividend we are going to give. In fact, we are going to make a very conscious effort to make sure that, whatever proceeds and dividends that will come out of our government, cognizance is taken of the fact of the religious divide in the state and the need to be just and fair to both sides. I am very, very serious about this because, I am saddened by the case of Plateau where, because of misunderstandings the state has not seen peace in the last five years. We don't want that situation to happen in Nasarawa state. We will make sure Christians and Muslims work together and understand that this is our state, we are each other's keepers, there is no way we can do without one another, it is a state that must be made to survive and excel through the efforts of both Christians and Muslims alike."

Al-makura's victory in the 2011 general elections put

Nasarawa State Governor

UMARU TANKO AL-MAKURE him in a position where people can judge can see and assess what he does and says and judge for themselves whether will deviate from his mission statement or keep his promise tocarry everyone along irrespective of religious leanings.

For the first time in the history of Nasarawa state, a Christian, Dr Amos B. Akawu, was appointed as the Head of the Civil Service, alongside seven other commissioners, a practical step to demonstrate his avowal to carry everyone along.

Since then, the governor has done everything in his power to sustain this initial effort and to cement relationships between the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the state, in a way that the diversities have become not a source of tension and conflicts but of strength. In addition to this, the governor, upon assumption of office, appointed permanent secretaries on a 50-50 basis between Christians and Muslims.

Even when tempers arose not long ago, when some miscreants took it upon themselves to trespass into the premises of First Baptist Church along Shendam Road in Lafia, the state capital, shortly after observing the Muslim Id prayer on a Sunday, while church servise was ongoing, disrupting the session and sending ripples across the state, Al-makura was quick to personally intervene

“

Since then, the governor has done everything in his power to sustain this initial effort and to cement relationships between the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the state, in a way that the diversities have become not a source of tension and conflicts but of strength. In addition to this, the governor, upon assumption of office, appointed permanent secretaries on a 50-50 basis between Christians and Muslims.

to douse tension.

After paying a visit to the Church to appeal to adherents on the need to maintain the peace, he quickly convened a meeting with Christian leaders across the state, where he appealed to them on the need for calm. He told them that the meeting was necessitated by the need for the two parties to interface on the state of affairs in the state and the nation in general, especially in view of the rising tension in the state and across the country.

He said as a r e s p o n s i b l e government, his administration has a role to play in sustaining peace, stability and the protection of lives and property within the state, towards which he revealed that he has had series of meetings with security chiefs in the state, traditional rulers and leaders of the Muslim community, urging them to call on the people to live in peace and harmony and to dispel any rumour that could unsettle their minds.

The governor then appealed to the Christian leaders to go back to their flock and urge them to participate in this initiative and to cooperate with government in disseminating the message of the need to sustain peace in the state, while assuring the entire Christian community to go about their businesses without any fear of molestation.

So it becomes a matter of worry, especially given the prevailing security situation in the state, for some unpatriotic elements to embark on a smear campaign in which Governor Al-makura is being portrayed as someone who has embarked on a religious vendetta against Christians in the state. This portrayal as a religious bigot is in sharp contrast with the actions, proclamations and personal and attitudinal disposition of the governor, who only recently publicly denied that the skirmishes occurring across the state have religious coloration. It is most unfortunate and a calculated attempt at falsehood.

It is clear that some vested interests are whipping up religious sentiments and exciting passions as a smokescreen for prosecuting their selfish agenda, without caring a hoot if innocent lives are lost in the process of realising their warped dreams. Nasarawa State citizens know that it is not the governor but these shallow people who are nursing and trying all they can to execute their narrow-minded and selfish agendas that should be blamed if things go wrong in the state. And the citizens know too that there is no truth or basis whatsoever in the rumours making the rounds that Governor Almakura is acting out a script written by his Muslim brothers. In all that he has been saying and doing as governor so far, he has been carrying everyone along, and there is nothing to suggest that it will be any different in the rest of his tenure. Such a leader is deserving of our support, not vilification.

Joseph, is the Director of Press to the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 41

Eagles list for Kenya out March 9

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ead coach of the Nigerian national team, Stephen Keshi has revealed that he will announce his list of players on March 9 for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying game against

By Patrick Andrew with agency report

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uper Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has revealed that he was to be sacked hours after the Super Eagles versus the Lone Stars of Liberia final AFCON qualifying game in Calabar, last October.

Keshi, who was elaborating on the issues which warranted his sudden resignation barely 48 hours after leading the Eagles to clinch the AFCON trophy in South Africa, said certain elements had prepared the sack letter believing that the Eagles would crumble against the Lone Stars.

Though the NFF had insisted there were no issues that could have led to the abrupt decision, Keshi insisted there were and noted that some elements within the NFF executive committee are in the habit of laying thorns and thistles on the path of indigenous coaches.

“I know for sure the letter was there, the letter was waiting before Nations Cup after we won 6-1 against Liberia in Calabar,” he said on the live television programme Monday night.

“It was not the entire federation that I had problems with: one or two members were very unprofessional and were meddling in matters that should solely be for the coach,” he said.

He listed these unprofessional conducts to include that he should have been on his feet shouting instructions to the players during the match against Zambia and that his substitutions were late in coming. He regretted that these arguments came from those who also believe that they are coaches.

Though he stopped short of pointing accusing fingers at the NFF technical sub-committee, Keshi repeatedly exonerated the NFF as a board but insisted that those involved had done similar thing in the past and had gone scorch-free.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that Keshi had clearly accused the leadership of the technical sub-committee of interfering with his job when the Senate President sought reasons for his sudden resignation.

Also, he averred that these elements had been in the habit of imposing players on him as well as determining

Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

The Super Eagles will face the Harambee Stars on March 23 at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar and Keshi has now moved to reveal the date he will name his troops for the crucial Group F

encounter.

“The list for the Super Eagles for that game against Kenya will be released on March 9, exactly two weeks before the game against Kenya so Nigerians can see who is in and who is out,”

Keshi said yesterday.

The ‘Big Boss’ however failed to reveal if there would be any surprises would be on the cards.

“Will there be any surprises in that list? Well, I guess Nigerians will have to wait to find out if

there are any surprises but we are still working on this team to see that it becomes the complete article,” he stated.

Nigeria currently top Group F of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying with four points from two matches. The group is comprised of Kenya, Malawi and Kenya.

My sack letter was ready in October, Keshi reveals

Keshi being carried shoulder high by players after AFCON trophy win

who he should or shouldn’t use especially players (domestic league players) he has worked with for some reasonable period as to determine their suitability or not to his plans.

“It wasn’t from my president, not from the board of the federation, but from one or two other people. We were not told directly but the speculations were all over the place for some time. I kept hearing the same thing at the Nations Cup,” he said.

Speculations had been rife that Zambia coach Herve Renard, who was first contacted for the Nigeria top post after the 2010 AFCON in Angola, was waiting in the wings to replace him.

In spite of the hiccups, Keshi insisted he enjoys a good working relationship with the NFF led by Aminu Maigari.

“For now, I have a wonderful relationship with my president, apart from one or two individuals (at the NFF). If I’m tired of staying here, if I don’t enjoy what I’m doing, I

walk.

“It’s not the end of the

world. Coaching Nigeria is not the end of the world. But you

have to give me the respect, the freedom to do my job,” he said.

CAF Champions League return leg

Pillars boisterous ahead of Bangui clash

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asking in the 5-1 thrashing of Olympique Real Bangui, Nigeria’s CAF Champions League flag bearers, Kano Pillars are exuding in confidence that they will repeat the same performance in the return leg in Bangui.

Head Coach of the ancient Kano City team, Mohammed Baba Ganaru, says that the team is in no mood to lower its guard and as such dismissed fears it will suffer some backlash in Central Africa Republic.

Baba Ganaru says that aside from their first leg form, the team are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they achieve a result that will be commensurate with their preparations and expectation.

“We don’t want to look at the result of the first leg. Yes we may have won with a high margin, but we are not going to rest on our oars.

“One thing I am sure of is that we are going to win the second leg game this weekend as we desire to play in the next round of the CAF Champions. I told the boys that it is not yet over because the second leg is still there to be played.

Gabriel Reuben, Pillars player

“And they listened to me and with the amount ot training we have been able to do, I am very sure we are not going to lose in the second leg.

“We had to train very hard because there are no matches in the Premier League to test our level of preparadness. I am confident that we have done all there is to do and we are already looking ahead to the next game in the competition.

“My players have shown good attitude during training and I don’t have any fear in me that we are going move to the next stage of the tournament.

“It is not as if I am underrating the team from the Central African Republic. They are a good side, but I don’t see how they can stop us,” Ganaru said.

Kano Pillars will depart Nigeria tomorrow afternoon for the match billed to be held on Saturday.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

Rotimi is Dolphins’ new captain as team host Bayelsa today

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ith the departure of long time player and former captain of Dolphins, Emah Godwin to Akwa United, former Super Eagles goalkeeper Sunday Rotimi has been named acting captain of the club.

Rotimi joined Dolphins in 2004 and has won the league

twice and two FA Cups with the team. He had been an assistant to Emah Godwin but will now serve in acting capacity with the departure of the former to Uyo. Head of the Dolphins technical crew, Stanley Eguma says Rotimi has already been acting as captain and will continue to do so until he is named substantive captain

Nigeria to host CIGEPS in Abuja, says Minister

By Albert Akota

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he Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has disclosed Nigeria’s readiness to host the two-day Inter-Governmental Committee for Physical Education and Sports (CIGEPS) scheduled for next month in Abuja.

Abdullahi, who stated this at the ECOWAS Sports Minister conference for SCSA Zones 2 and 3 in Abuja yesterday, said that the CIGEPS would foster sporting and socio economy development among its members.

The tournament has been scheduled for 5th and 6th of March, according to minister, the conference would focus on sport development especially re-position and

re-structuring of the supreme council for sport in Africa.

Abdullahi also used the opportunity to congratulate the Super Eagles at just concluded AFCON 2013, saying that it was worthy of notes that the West African sub-region produced seven out of the eight quarterfinalists and eventually all the four semi finalists.

“We need to review our performances and come up with plans and programmmes to forestall future occurrences. We also need to promote investment in sports and physical education and developing the basic skills needed in modelling physical education as well as providing schools’ needs, “he said.

He advocated for public investment in sports because of its economic benefits as well as the training and retraining of the sporting personnel.

Nadal to miss Indian Wells, Miami Open

R

afael Nadal will miss next month’s ATP World Tour Masters Series events in Miami and Indian Wells, the Madrid sports daily Marca reported yesterday.

The 11-time Grand Slam champion has only recently returned to the court after a seven-month injury layoff with a persistent knee problem but has decided to only play on clay courts as he prepares his bid for an eighth French Open title in May. Nadal, who begins his campaign at the Mexico Open in Acapulco later on Tuesday against Argentine Diego Schwartzman, won the Brazil Open in just his second tournament since his return a fortnight ago.

But he admitted on arriving in Mexico that his knee was still was not 100 percent.

“It’s better and I’ve been able to compete but it’s still bothering me. It’s better on some days and worse on others, which isn’t ideal for someone like me, because my idea of competing is based on giving it all at all times,” he said.

After his participation in Mexico the World No 5 is expected to return to play the Masters Series event in Monaco in April before also competing in Madrid and Rome before the French Open begins at Roland Garros in Paris on May 26.

A

a clean bill of health and has since resumed full training with his teammates.

Adamu has been sidelined for almost a month due to injuries sustained in an auto crash on his way to camp alongside defender Friday Njengo, early this month but his recovery rate has been incredibly steady and swift.

Dr. Deji Olarinoye, the team’s doctor, said Adamu is now in good medical condition hence the clearance to resume in earnest and the lad has been participating fully in all aspects of training including the strenuous

FAMILY ALIVE FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.

PASTOR PETER EBOJI PRESIDENT 2.

PASTOR MRS. ADA EBOJI VICE PRESIDENT 3.

PASTOR GREGORY ADINFONO MEMBER 4.

BRO. KOLAWOLE ADEBARI SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO HAVE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD 2. TEACH COUPLES HOW TO MAXIMISE THEIR MARRIAGES 3. ENSURE HEALTHY PARENTS-CHILDREN RELATIONSHIP 4. TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO MAXIMISE EVERY SEGMENT OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION SIGNED; S. M. YACIM & CO; SOLICITORS 08055070396,

EXECUTIVE SISTERS CLUB, IBADAN

Rafael Nadal

endurance test.

Golden Eaglets goalkeepers’ coach, Emeka Amadi, said Adamu’s return to full training is commendable given the trauma he experienced:”I’m very impressed with the fitness level of Adamu since he joined us in training,” noted Amadi, Nigerian goalkeeper at the 1989 Under-20 World Cup in Saudi Arabia.”Hardly can you notice that he has not been training for some time now and this is really good news to the team.”

Adamu, who kept a clean slate in the 6-0 spanking of Niger in

Calabar last September, is now in contention along with three other goalkeepers in camp.

In a related development, Golden Eaglets’ Dr. Olarinoye who was at the National Hospital in Abuja over the weekend to ascertain the current condition of Njengo informed that the defender is still under strict medical observation.

“I think sportsmanship is knowing that it is a game, that we are only as good as our opponents and whether you win or lose, to always give 100 percent.”-Sue Wicks.

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Golden Eaglets in build up for Botswana game today head of two i n t e r n a t i o n a l friendly matches against Botswana on March 3 and 5, the Golden Eaglets will tackle Bob Osim Academy at the famous Saint Patrick College in Ikot Ansa; Calabar today.

Last year, the Golden Eaglets won 11 and drew one out 12 practice matches and today’s game is certainly a rematch against Bob Osim Academy that suffered a 5-1 defeat in the hands of Coach Manu Garba boys.

Meanwhile, injured goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar has been given

of the side.

“Of course he has the qualities and that is why he was acting captain previously. Now we expect him to do a good job at leading the team this season,” Eguma said.

And as part of pre-season program of the club, Dolphins will take on Bayelsa United in a friendly match at the Port Harcourt Liberation Stadium on Wednesday at 3pm.

Media Officer of the club, China Acheru said yesterday that the pre-season camp in Nnewi and the strenuous first two weeks of the year were more about fitness and that the club’s coaches are now into more technical and tactical issues of the game.

“The game against Bayelsa United is one of those games that the results won’t matter but how well the players show what they have been taught on the training ground,” Acheru sad.

He said the coaches are targeting players’ peak in training just before the league opener against Akwa United.

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1. CHIEF (MRS) FOLASHADE AKINLABI - PRESIDENT 2. MRS ELIZABETH AGBOADE 3. PRINCESS BOLA OLUJIDE - SECRETARY 4. CHIEF (MRS) BUNMI SOYANNWO 5. MRS BILI ADENEKAN 6. MRS AFUSAT LAWORE 7. MRS. BIMBOLA AKINYEMI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO FOSTER FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION AMONG MEMBERS 2. TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT AND PROGRESS AMONG MEMBERS 3. TO ADVANCE THE SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND GENERAL WELLBEING OF ITS MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION SIGNED; A-ONE ASSOCIATES 01-7745173, 08023061414

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TRUSTEES 1. DR. ABUBAKR IMAM ALI-AGAN LECTURER 2. MR. ADAM TIJANI FARMER 3. BARR. AL-AMIN BAYO ADEWALE LEGAL PRACTITIONER 4. MR. BOLAKALE AHMED SIDIK FARMER 5. MALL. HASAN ISMAIL FARMER 6. MALL. SULAIMAN ABUBAKAR FARMER 7. MALL. MUSA MUSTAPHA GBADEJOKO FARMER AIMS 1. TO ENCOURAGE LARGE SCALE PRODUCTION OF FOOD FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COUNTRY 2. TO FOSTER UNITY AMONG THE MEMBERS 3. TO COLLECTIVELY SEEK THE AIDS OF THE GOVERNMENT IN PURSUIT OF THE OBJECT OF THE ORGANISATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR ABDULRAHMAN KUNLE, MOHAMMED

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

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ALHAJA SILIFAT ABEKE OLABISI MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

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THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.OLABISI JAMIU OLATUNDE 2.ALHAJA KAZEEM SHERIFAT 3.ALAO RISIKAT 4.ATERE RAMAT 5.OLABISI ABDULWAHEED 6.OLABISI YUSUF THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PROMOTE THE PROPAGATION OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: P.I. OYEWOLE, ESQ. 07035917022 (LEGAL ADIVSER)

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR OLADELE ERASTUS AKINMEYI 2.PASTOR MRS. OLUWATOYIN JOY OLADELE 3.BROTHER OYEYEMI DAIVD AJAYI 4.EVANGELIST VICTORIA IWEHA 5.PASTOR SAMUEL AKINMEYI 6.OLATUNDE AMOS E. 7.BROTHER OMOTOLA OMODELE J. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO POPULATE THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THROUGH THE PREACHING OF HOLINESS AND DELIVERANCE. 2.TO MAKE EVERY MEMBER OF THE CHURCH A USUABLE VESSEL OF GOD.

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SCHOLARSHIP AID INITIATIVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ADEBAYO OLUWATOSIN TEMITAYO (PRESIDENT) 2.ADEBAYO OLUWAFUNMILOLA REBECA 3.ADEROJU OLUWAKEMISOLA BOSEDE (SECRETARY) 4.ODUBELA OLUWABUSOLA OLUWATOSIN 5.AJIBOLA TEMITOPE IBRAHIM (FINANCIAL SECRETARY) 6.AJAJ OLANIYI (TREASURER) 7.ADEMIJU FEYIFOLUWA ROLAND THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO ASSIT IN THE ELIMINATION OF ILLITERACY IN RURAL AREAS. 2.TO AWARD SCHOLARSHIP TO BRILIANT STUDENTS FROM PRIMARY LEVEL TO TERTIARY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTYEIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MARIA IJEOMA EMMANUEL 2.BARR. FEMI OKEOWO 3.BARR. ELIZABETH OGECHI OGBAGA 4.BARR. SARAFINA NWADIUTO OJIMADUKA 5.HAJIA ZULAI MOHAMMED 6.RITA EDOCHIE 7.EMMANUEL KAYODE OLOYE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.RAISING VIRTUOUS WOMEN FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FAMILY AND LIBERATION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL VICES. INCULCATING ETHICS AND VALUES IN YOUTHS, WOMEN AND ADOLESCENT GIRLS. 2.ENCOURAGING CHILD EDUCATION THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS. EMPOWERING WOMEN AND YOUTHS ECONOMICALLY THROUGH THE VARIOUS IMPROVED AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS. HEALTHCARE AND DISEASE CONTROL IN WOMEN AND CHILDREN. 3.SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN AND YOUTHS TO REDUCE POVERTY. EXPOSING WOMEN AND YOUTHS TO NEW BUSINESS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: GODWIN I. IMAKHAI ESQ. PP: IMOESI CHAMBERS 08054145214

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR. SAM-AMAGA 2.DR. MRS. LOVE SAM-AMAGA 3.BISHOP JIDE 4.BISHOP SEGUN 5.BISHOP DANE ONIMISI 6.REV. DANIEL DAN-MAHA 7.BISHOP MESSIAH OPUSUNJU 9.COVENAT SAM-AMAGA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: (1)MISSION VEHICLE FOR GLOBAL OUTREACHES. (2)PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF MINISTRIES, THE WELFARE OF MINISTERS AND ARROWHEAD OF THE GLOBAL MISSION. (3)SPONSORING OF MISSIONARIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SALEM INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CENTRE, SAM AMAGA MINISTRIES AND OTHER SUCH MISSION ORIENTED ORGANIZATION. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. IJEOMA N. ALISI (SOLICITOR)

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PST. HEZEKIAH V. O. ASA -PRESIDENT 2. PST. JOEL OBIKORU -VICE PRESIDENT 3. PST SAMUEL OYUWE -SECRETARY 4. MRS MERCY ATOBARO ASA -TREASURER AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1. HAVING EXCELLENTLY TRAINED MEN THAT WILL MANIFEST DIVINE TRUTH IN THE SOCIETY 2. TO CARRY THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST ROUND THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH 3. TO GUIDE ALL MEN INTO SAFETY PROMISED IN CHRIST THROUGH TEACHING, PREACHING ETC. 4. RAISING SAINTS THAT WILL IN TURN MANIFEST THE GLORY OF GOD UPON THE ELEMENTS OF THE EARTH 5. TO ORDAIN, LICENSE AND OTHERWISE QUALIFY MINISTERS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND PROVIDE CREDENTIALS FOR THE SAME. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED BY: PST HEZEKIAH VINCENT ASA

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR ISAAC VICTOR MARK -CHAIRMAN 2.BARR. NNADI SOLOMON KELECHI -SECRETARY 3.PASTOR TONY UMEMEZIE 4.MRS. VIVAN OKONJI 5.MRS. DORA OVWIGHO 6.MISS. STELLA OPUTAH 7.DR. CHRISTSON UDEKWE 8.PASTOR CHRIS OKOH THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1.TO PREACH, PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS TO THE WHOLE WORLD UNTO SALVATION FOR ALL MEN. 2.TO CREATE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF GOD’S WORD IN PEOPLES’ LIVES. 3.TO TEACH MEMBERS TO LIVE BETTER CHRISTIAN LIVE IN ORDER TO FULFILL GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THEIR LIVES. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: PRECIOUS OREVA-OGHENE OKORO OPTIMA CHAMBERS, SUITE 210, HIS GLORY PLAZA, OFF ADETOKUNBO ADEMOLA CRESCENT, WUSE 2, ABUJA. 08037159423, 08098150952

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THE OLD RETAINED TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ARCHBISHOP SAM-AMAGA RETAINED 2.BISHOP LOVE SAM-AMAGA RETAINED 3.BISHOP BENSON JOLOMI RETAINED 4.REV. ISAIAH SAM-AMAGA JNR. RETAINED 5.BISHOP DAVE ONIMISI RETAINED 6.BISHOP DAVE MICHAEL RETAINED 7.BISHOP NORMAN JONAH RETAINED 8.BISHOP SEGUN AINA RETAINED THE OLD REMOVED TRUSTEES ARE: 1.REV. DAN OKAYI REMOVED 2.ENGR. ABRAHAM IGHALO REMOVED 3.DR. ISRAEL KUE REMOVED 4.BARRISTER O.S. MEGBELE REMOVED 5.REV. JOHN IHEUKWUMERE REMOVED 6.REV. TONY ITUEN REMOVED 7.REV. EMMANUEL ADAMAH REMOVED 8.REV. SEYI ADENUSI REMOVED. THE NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEES ARE: 1.BISHOP JIDE AYANGBESAN 2.BISHOP MESSIAH OPUSUNJU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: STILL REMAIN THE SAME. REASONS FOR CHANGES: MOST OF THEM HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH. ANY OBJECTION TO THE RE-REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. IJEOMA N. ALISI (SOLICITOR)

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.DR. OLULEKE OLUWOLE -CHAIRMAN 2.MRS. OLUFUNKE OLUWOLE AIMS & OBJECTIVES 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF RESTORATION TO THE WHOLE WORLD. 2.TO RECONCILE MEN BACK TO THE SAVIOUR. 3.TO RENDER GODLY SERVICES TO HUMANITY. 4.TO PROMOTE PEACE THROUGH PREACHING OF THE SOUND GOSPEL TRUTH. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET, P.M.B. 198, MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN TWENTY-EIGHT (28) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS PUBLICATION. RAPHAEL ADEOYE ADERAPH SOLICITORS, PHONE: +234-805-6381834, +234-809-7120020 WEB: WWW.ADERAPHSOLICITORS.COM EMAILS: INFO@ADERAPHSOLICITORS.COM, RAPHAELADEOYE@HOTMAIL.COM

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

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THE TRUSTEES ARE. 1.BAALAH PATRICK GARBA 2. MRS TOYIN PRIYE BAALAH. 3. MR PATRICK EDEKE. 4. ARC. EKERETE EFIONG AKPAN 5. MR JOHAH ECHE. 6. MADUEKE OKAFOR. 7. MR EDWIN OBETEN. AIMS AND OBJECT1VES ARE: 1. TO CAMPAIGN FOR NATIONAL REBIRTH. 2. TO ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO LIVE BY THE NATIONAL PLEDGE AND IN THIS REGARD DEMONSTRATE FAITH AND LOYALTY TO NIGERIA 3. TO EMPOWER DISADVANTAGED YOUTHS AND WOMAN IN NIGERIA.

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MAJALISAR MATASAN AREWA THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTER ACT NO 1.1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.ALH. IBRAHIM HABIB IBRAHIM 2.YAKUBU M. DALHAT 3.IBRAHIM WAIYA AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONG THE NORTHERN YOUTHS. 2.TO CREATE A DISCUSSION FORUM AMONG THE YOUTHS, DEVOID OF ANY SENTIMENTS, TO ENHANE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING TO ENSURE A PEACEFUL SOCIAL CO-EXISTENCE FOR SOCIOECONOMIC AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH AND NIGERIA AT LARGE. 3.TO INITIATE A PROCESS FOR YOUTH REHABILITATION, THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION P.M.B. 198, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESENT OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTER ACT NO 1.1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.EVANGELIST GRACIOUS AMARACHI ONYEULO 2.PASTOR SAMUEL CHINYEAKA ONYEULO AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST 2.TO TRAIN PEOPLE ON MORAL VALUE 3.TO TRAIN PEOPLE ON GOOD CHARACTER 4.TO WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION P.M.B. 198, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESENT OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGN: BARRISTER EMMANUEL KORTSE PHILIP SOLACE CHAMBERS, OPPOSITE BAHAGO PLAZA TUNGA MINNA 08060117521.

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CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS ADAMU AUDU ALABURA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS HASSAN AUDU ALABURA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. MISAU L.G.A., BAUCHI AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS CHIOMA MBAKWEM, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS. CHIOMA KEKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS LYDIA ILIYA SALEH, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS LYDIA ILIYA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. WARJI L.G., BAUCHI AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS MISS. IWEKA UCHE GRACE OF CHRIST PERFECTION MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL ANON PLAZA, ABUJA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS. AFOLABI UCHE GRACE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

SIGNED: BARRISTER ABDULKADIR RILWANU GIDADO

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS EUNICE JEGEDE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS ZAINAB MUHAMED. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. BAUCHI L.G. AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS OJO OYEDIJI GENERAL OVERSEER OF THE CHRIST PERFECTION MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL ANON PLAZA, ABUJA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS BISHOP OYEDEJI AFOLABI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

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CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS HADIZA ABDUL MSHELIA, NOW WISHED TO BE ADDRESSED AS MRS. HADIZA SARAH SULE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTICE.

CITY OF THE NOBLES CHURCH

PEACE WORSHIP INT’L MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROPHET SAMUEL AUDU -PRESIDENT 2. PASTOR SAHEED LAMINA 3. MRS FAITH AMINA SAMUEL -SECRETARY 4. MR. ANDY EZEDIUNOR 5. DEACONESS COMFORT AFOLABI 6. MR JAMES OGBEBA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD 2. TO ORGANIZE CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, CRUSADES AND OTHER GOSPEL OUTREACHES. 3. TO PLANT LOCAL CHURCHES AND TRAIN MEMBERS AS MISSIONARIES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL. CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET. PMB 198, MATIAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION. SINGED: SECRETARY.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTER ACT NO 1.1990 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.PASTOR (MRS.) IYORE DEBORAH ODIGIE -PRESIDENT 2.PASTOR CHRISTOPHER EDIONWELE ODIGIE 3.ANDREW OSARUME OGBOM 4.MRS. IBHAGBOSORIA COKER 5.OROVWIGHODUA OSEGUA 6.PATIENCE ONAIWU 7.PASTOR NOSAKHARE EDOKPOLOR AIMS & OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST JESUS ALL OVER THE WORLD. 2.TO TAKE CARE OF THE LESS PRIVILEGE (ORPHANS) AND TO CARE FOR WIDOWS.

SIGNED: PRESIDENT

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL COPIES OF LANDED DOCUMENTS. 1. YB10269 DISTRICT JABI CADASTRAL ZONE B04 PLOT NO. 222 ABUJA. 2. FILE NO. Kg12490 DURUMI DISTRICT, ABUJA. 3.FILE NO. KG30662 BLOCK 16 FLAT 2, IKOT-ABASI CLOSE, GARKI ABUJA BELONGING TO DR. SANI TEIDI SHAIBU. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.

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TEN BROTHERS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

HOUSE OF TOPAZ INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OHIREMEN UTEBI -CHAIRMAN 2. AJIBO ISRAEL -SECRETARY 3. EKENE AGWA -VICE CHAIRMAN 4. IMHAFUEGBE MARCUS 5. THEOPHILUS OGBU 6. CHINONSO NWEKE 7. DESTINY UTEBI 8. NONSO NWATU 9. AGBU JOSHUA 10. COSMAS UGWOKE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY, PEACE, COOPORATION AND DEVELOPMENT AMONG MEMBERS. 2. TO ENCOURAGE HARDWORK AMONG MEMBERS AND THE SOCIETY. 3. TO PROMOTE BROTHERLY LOVE, SELF-SACRIFICE, DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT AMONG MEMBERS. 4. TO COLLABORATE WITH ANY OTHER LAWFUL ASSOCIATION EITHER AT HOME OR ABROAD FOR THE PROMOTION OF PEACE AND HUMANITARIAN AID TO THE UNDERPRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BALA YAKUBU ESQ LEGAL PRACTITIONER 08102888846,08059799927

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR BABAFUNMI ODUBANJO 2. MRS. ABOSEDE ODUBANJO 3. MRS. MODUPE THOMAS-OWOSENI 4. MR. BOLANLE ODUNTAN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROPAGATE THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALL OVER THE WORLD LUKE 1;17; 2. TO ORGANIZE SEMINARS, CRUSADES, OUTREACHES, SYMPOSIA AND OTHER CHRISTIAN PROGRAMS AIMED AT PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN FAITH AND TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS AND THE LESS PRIVILEGED(EPHESIANS 4:11-16);.

3. TO PREACH SALVATION AND WIN LOST SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 4. TO RAISE THE FOUNDATION OF MANY GENERATION, REPAIR THE WASTE PLACES, COMFORT THOSE THAT MORN IN ZION, AND REPAIR ALL BROKEN BREACHES (ISAIAH 58:12 AND ISAIAH 54:11-14); ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

DIOCESE OF EKITI WEST LIFE SUPPORT MINISTRY

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISION P.M.B. 198, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESENT OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28TH DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: MR. ONYEKA ONAH ESQ UDOCHI IHEANACHO & PARTNERSHIP 13TH FLOOR ELEGANZA HOUSE, 15B JOSEPH ST. LAGOS.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. RT. REVD. SAMUEL OLUDARE OKE - CHAIRMAN 2. HON. JUSTICE (MRS) OLUWATOYIN ABODUNDE 3. GBOLAGA AJAYI ESQ 4. MR. DELE PAYNE 5. MR. TOSIN OSUNDAHUNSI 6. REVD. CANON JOHN AYOBANJI OMOTOSO - SECRETARY 7. HON. DAVID AYODELE OJO BORISADE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO FOSTER UNITY PEACE AND LOVE AMONG ITS MEMBERS & GENERAL PUBLIC. 2. TO ASSIST THE WIODOES & THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED UDEGBE NKEIRU ESQ 08064710287

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PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

THE PARADISE GLORY ASSEMBLY INTERNATIONAL

DOUFAM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

DISTRICT CENTRE EXTENSION RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION, KUBWA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. JOSHUA EYANFIKUMOH JOJO - GENERAL OVERSEER 2. MRS. VICTORIA ODEPAGHA JOJO (PASTOR) 3. MR. AARON JONATHAN IKIOUKENIGHEN - SECRETARY 4. MONDAY EBIERITEI JOJO -TREASURER 5. ABRAHAM EBIKPOGBA MONE - FINANCIAL SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE, LEADING THEM TO A PASSONAL FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOUR AND LORD (JOHN 3:16) 2. TO SEE INDIVIDUAL HEALED EMOTIONALY AS THEY GROW IN FAITH TOWARDS GOD AND IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WORD. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MISS RACHEL NEYE 2. MS PATRICIA MAJEMITE 3. MR. OLUSEYI ADEYEMI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BY SUPPORTING BUSINESS RETENTION AND PROVIDING ENTERPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT PROGRAMMES. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTRE HAS APPLIED TO CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MR. DAVID ORU 2. MR. PETER OFOKANSI 3. MRS. OLASUNBO OSOGBUE 4. PROPHET JOSHUA IGINLA 5. ALH. BASHIR YUSUF 6. PASTOR IKECHUKWU VINE OHAMME AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE GOOD NEIGBOURHOOD AND UNITY AMONG MEMBERS. 2. TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS. 3. TO PROMOTE ONENESS, UNITY AND LOVE AMONG MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420,TIGRIS CRESCENT, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED BARR. FIDELIA OSUMAN 08035974751

SIGNED KINDNESS A. J. 08062425175

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF NAME

CROSS OF SALVATION MINISTRY

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS EZE NKOLIAMAKA ANNASTANSIA, NOW WISHED TO BE ADDRESSED AS MRS. NKOLIAMAKA ANNASTANSIA ANI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ANAMBRA STATE UNIVERSITY AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTICE.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DIVINE BROWNSON PRESIDENT 2. DR. (MRS) CHRISTABEL DIVINE BROWNSON -VICE PRESIDENT 3. MR. FAVOR CLEMENT BROWNSON GEN. SEC. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE: TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS EBUKA OBOEGBUNAM MICHAEL, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSES AS OBOH CHUKWUEBUKA MICHAEL HAMS. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

SIGNED EMMANUEL O. ILO ESQ EMMA O. ILO & CO SUITE 18 ZM PLAZA AREA 11, GARKI, ABUJA

PUBLIC NOTICE

YOUTH CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT & SKILLS ENHANCEMENT INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

OYEJOLA AKINBO 2.

OLUWARUNA NIYI 3.

KUNLE MOMOH 4.

DEBORAH OYENIRAN 5.

ODEWUNMI OLATUNJI SECRETARY AIM TO AID ENHANCEMENT OF SKILLS AMONG THE YOUTH AND DEVELOPMENT

I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. HELEN AGADA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSES AS MRS. HELEN ONYINYECHI NWACHI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. THE NIGERIAN IMMIGRATION SERVICE, ECOBANK PLC, UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

SUPER DYNAMIC FRIENDS CLUB

BAVARIAN MOTOR WORKS CLUB NIGEIA

TRUE GOSPEL REDEEMER’S MINISTRY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE 1) AKHUETIE OSEYIME ANDREW 2) EDEMA-SILLO LLOYD JP 3) FRANCIS ERNEST ABOYOWA 4) OCHIA CHUKWUDI JAMES 5) EMELIKE CHARLES NWABUEZE 6) USENBOR JOSHUA AIMS TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF ORPHANS AND WIDOWS IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: OSEYILI OKOOBO

TRUSTEES 1. KENNEDY NJIDEOFOR PRESIDENT 2. PAUL OBIM SECRETARY AIMS 1. TO INTERACT, SOCIALIZE AND NETWORK THINGS PERTAINING BAVARIAN MOTOR WORKS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: UGAR UGAR & ASSOCIATES

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

HEADQUARTERS OF PRAISE INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

INITIATIVE FOR SUPPORT AND

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE SAM-WEALTH ESECHIE CHAIRMAN 2. BASSEY BLESSING 3. PASTOR PEACE ESECHIE 4 . AKHIGBE DOMINION SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ROUND THE WORLD ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR SOLOMON AKHIGBE.BENIN CITY.08037257296

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. PASTOR PRECIOUS IROGBETIN 2. PASTOR (MRS) GRACE IROGBETIN 3. MR SAMUEL IRABOR 4. MRS STELLA OSEMWEGIE 5. PASTOR EHIKHAMHEN GIDEON AIMS 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. 2. TO SERVE AS A PLACE OF WORSHIP FOR WBELIEVERS IN CHRIST JESUS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: IZE OMORUYI ESQ

PUBLIC NOTICE

GREAT SENATE CLUB OF LAGOS

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

OLAWOYIN ABAYOMI OLUSEGUN 2.

FAKOWAJO OYEYINKA OLADIMEJI AIM CANVASSING FOR THE COURSE OF CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. MORUFU KOLAWOLE SALAMI 2. MONSURU BALOGUN 3. TAJUDEEN OLUSOLA SALAKO. 4. FEMI FADUMILA AIMS 1. TO FOSTER UNITY, LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP AMONG MEMBERS. 2. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: SECRETARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PROMOTION OF CUSTOMERS’ RIGHT

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

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CHADASH PHOENIX WOMAN FOUNDATION

YOUTH REBIRTH INITIATIVE

THE BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL YOUTH FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

MRS. OFONMBUK ESTHER EKONG 2.

MRS. JUMMAI YUSUF 3.

MRS. CORNELIA UKUK SECRETARY 4.

PASTOR (MRS) CATHERINE ONITIRI 5.

MR. UWEM EKONG 6.

MRS. HANATU OCHEI 7.

OBONGAWAN DORA EBONG 8.

EVANGELIST BARR. MRS. MALOR ODEBALA AIMS 1. TO ASSIST INDIGENT WOMEN IN SELF DEVELOPMENT 2. TO REAFFIRM WOMANHOOD BY HELPING WOMEN EMBRACE THEIR SEXUALITY AND COME TO TERMS WITH THEMSELVES INSTEAD HIDING UNDER THE GUISE OF WOMEN LIBERATION 3. TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCES OF WIFE ABUSE, PROSTITUTION AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BY EDUCATING WOMEN TO VALUE THEMSELVES 4. TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER AND BETTER PLACE FOR EVERY WOMAN ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: UCHE CHIZOBA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

FAREEDA IBRAHIM 2.

LAURETTA ONOCHIE 3.

CHINEDU EKEKE 4.

OLUMIDE OLUMUYIWA 5.

FEHINTOLU OLAOGUN 6.

ZAINAB AIYELESO AIMS 1. TO RAISE AND PROPAGATE DEMOCRATIC IDEALS AMONGST NIGERIA’S BURGEONING YOUNG POPULATION 2. TO ACT AS A GOOD GOVERNANCE ADVOCATE BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND THE LED 3. TO BUILD A NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG LEADERS ACROSS ALL CADRES OF THE SOCIETY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

WHOLE COMMUNITY OF OWODEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

ODALO ALURIE SOCIAL CLUB

GOD OF DANIEL MINISTRY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CLUB HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

OKOH SUNDAY 2.

AIKORE EMIATOR 3.

ANETOR FRANCIS 4.

USIHOLO FESTUS 5.

ANENIH AYEMERE AIMS 1.

TO PROMOTE SOCIO-ECONOMIC INTEREST OF MEMBERS 2.

TO ENCOURAGE AND FOSTER UNITY AMONG MEMBERS 3.

TO MOBILIZE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR ITS MEMBERS 4.

TO ENCOURAGE MUTUAL SUPPORT AND CORPORATION AMONG ITS MEMBERS ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: E.O.ISIBOR, ESQ. 08023464728

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

OBASI DANIEL ULONNAMUFELA 2.

EMEKA HENRY UMUNNAKWE 3.

DANIEL LOVELYN NWANYIEZE 4.

MRS. RITA CHESA OGBA 5.

MISS ULOMA OBASI 6.

GARBA ISIMBABI 7.

MRS. MERIT GORDON OGBUA 8.

MRS. AMAKA OBIAJUNWA AIMS 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS 2. TO BE USED AS A FORUM TO ENCOURAGE MIRACLE AND RELIGION 3. TO ENCOURAGE THE STUDY, UNDERSTANDING AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF BIBLE TRUTHS IN EVERYDAY LIFE. 4. TO ORGANIZE PRAYER MEETINGS AND CONDUCT OPEN CRUSADES AT ANY PLACE AS DEEMED FIT AND IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHURCH. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ADI HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE

ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA CUSTOMS BROKERS

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

MR. DEBO OBANIGA CHAIRMAN 2.

DR. JOEL ADEMISOYE SECRETARY AIMS 1. TO FOSTER UNITY AND DEVELOPMENT AMONG OWO COMMUNITY MEMBERS 2. TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OWO COMMUNITY ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

PALM OIL DEALERS ASSOCIATION BWARI

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR CHANGE OF ITS TRUSTEES UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

ULOMA ENODIEN RETAINED 2.

AZUKA OKONJI REMOVED 3.

CHINNY IREOGBU APPOINTED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THIS CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

SIGNED: BAR. MERCY ODOZI 08039350104

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

MOHAMMED NURUDEEN A. ELIJAH 2.

MOHAMMED ADIZETH OMOSHOKE 3.

UGEH OBIDI AIMS 1. TO PROVIDE GOOD HEALTH CARE TO THE COMMUNITY 2. TO PROVIDE A HIGH ASSURANCE OF GOOD QUALITY GOVERNANCE IN HEALTHCARE SERVICES AND DELIVERY IN NIGERIA IN LINE WITH CURRENT WORLD STANDARDS 3. TO ASSIST AND COOPERATE WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS TO MEET GLOBAL HEALTHCARE OBJECTIVES IN NIGERIA THROUGH EFFECTIVE MONITORING, EVALUATION AND SUPERVISION OF THEIR PROGRAMMES. 4. TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A BETTER AND WELL ARTICULATED ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE SECTOR WHICH IF ADOPTED AND ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITIES WILL RESULT TO A BETTER AND HEALTHIER LIVING IN NIGERIA. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

DR. BASIL C. NWOLISA 2.

CHIEF OPEYEMI ESO 3.

MRS. AMAKA T. OBINALI 4.

ALH. BELLO HAYATU AIMS 1. TO TAKE CARE OF THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS 2. TO EDUCATE MEMBERS ON CLEARING ISSUES 3. TO ENGAGE IN HUMANITARIAN ACTIVITIES ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED: CECILIA IME PHILIPS 08037007717

SIGNED: OKUWA MAUREEN

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

MOTOSAWN WOOD-PLANKS PRODUCERS & MARKETERS ASSOCIATION IJEBU

HEDGE OF PROTECTION PRAYER MINISTRY

CATTLE DEALERS ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

MR. ISAIAH ODOH 5.

MR. BASIL NWOSU 2.

CHIEF BEN UGWU 6.

MRS. JUSTINA PETER 3.

MR. MICHAEL OKEJE 7.

MRS. PRISCILLA ABU 4.

MR. ALLOYSIUS EZE AIMS 1.

TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO HAVE THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM IN UPLIFTING THEIR BUSINESSES 2.

TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF INDIVIDUALS AND THE ASSOCIATION FROM INTIMIDATION OR ANY FORM OF MOLESTATION DEVOID OF THE RULE OF LAW. 3.

TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATION WITH SIMILAR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 4.

TO ENCOURAGE THE MEMBERS TO SELL AT A PRICE THAT WILL BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MEMBERS AND CUSTOMERS. ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BARR. OKORIE J. 08055422117

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1.

MR. OLANREWAJU SUNDAY OLUWOLE 2.

MR. ADEKOYA OLUSEGUN 3.

EVANGELIST OLOWOLAYEMO OLUWATOSIN 4.

EVANGELIST ISAAC OLUSEGUN 5.

MR. OYEMADE IDOWU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.

TO ENHANCE THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS 2.

TO ENSURE THE PRESERVATION OF OUR FOREST TREES THAT NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BAIYEKUSI NAOMI O.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

TRUSTEES 1. PASTOR TEMITOPE OLAYINKA OLUNEYE PRESIDENT 2. DEACONESS OLUWAFUNMISI ATINUKE HOPE OLUNEYE 3. BRO. ISRAEL MICHAEL ABIODUN AKINNUGA SECRETARY 4. BRO. OLUMIDE OGUNKOYA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO PREACH THE GOSPEL ANY OBJECTION TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: BAIYEKUSI NAOMI. O 08056402948

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR RESIGNATION/ APPOINTMENT OF A NEW TRUSTEE UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALH. AUDUN KALLA RETAINED 2. ALHAJI GURUNA MALIMA RETAINED 3. KABIRU MODE RESIGNED 4. ALH. ALI ALPHA RETAINED 5. ALH. GARBA YARO SULEIMAN RETAINED 6. ALH. MOHAMMED GONI RETAINED 7. ALH. BUKAR GADUNE RETAINED 8. ALH. MOHAMMED YA’URI RETAINED 9. ALH. AMADU DAN TAMBUWAL RETAINED 10. ALH. ISAH MADU RETAINED THE NEW TRUSTEE ARE: 1. ALH. DANLAMI NA SARKIN PAWA APPOINTED AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMAIN THE SAME ANY OBJECTION TO THE CHANGE SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT MAITAMA, ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

PAGE 47

Did radio create Boko Haram?

I

waited a week to see if the spirit of crusading journalism for which I knew the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku stands for will triumph over doubt, expecting that he would ask the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC to reverse their suspension of the operations of WAZOBIA radio in Kano but nothing of that came from him.

The closure of the radio, was done on the heels of the controversy arising from the tragic killing of nine Polio Immunization workers in Kano city. The Station was accused of airing a programme that is alleged to have incited unknown gunmen to go on the killing spree.

Equally curious is the stunning silence on the radio ban issue by the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Forget the Nigerian Broadcasting Organization, NBO. NBO is government establishment. Government is unlikely to investigate itself and if it does, I fear they will only return a verdict of not guilty.

My opinion is that this brutal, disturbing and distressing action by the NBC is uncalled for, and clearly manifests a medieval-era mindset in the regulatory organization. First of all, it is wrong for anyone to suggest that the media, by merely making a pronouncement on an issue can make people to do things that ordinarily they are not inclined to doing. These thoughts belonged to the earliest days of the radio when it was mistakenly thought that they wielded so much power to the extent that a theory called the “bullet effect” reigned for a while.

Media effect studies were later to prove that audience members did not present themselves in a state of “psychological nudity” as to be swayed one way or another by mere pronouncements on radio,

MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in TV or the print press. To that extent, I feel sorry for the NBC that thinks that rape, torture and killings in a complex society such as we live in are instructed by radio or movies seen on TV. If this were the case, NBC needs to come up with explanation why Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt, cities which are the most saturated by the media in Nigeria do not witness crime on the scale we have seen lately in Northern Nigeria.

NBC should tell Nigerians why heinous terrorists who kill civilians and bomb Churches and markets are most prevalent in Borno, Yobe and Plateau States, which are less served the media.

Which radio, TV or newspaper is behind the gruesome killings in Borno, Yobe and all these other attacks that have happened in Kano? Which radio or newspaper gave rise to Boko Haram in the first instance?

It is precisely because of the lack of clear professional and ethical answers to these questions that many people have turned to politics to find the explanation for the harsh and unwarranted closure of the station.

From the beginning, the government of Kano State tried to make an issue of the illegal conversion of a private residential premise into a commercial one serving as offices for the now – suspended station. The Syrian owner of the radio station is a

money dude. To him, the radio is just a cash cow. He cares not about the philosophy of broadcasting which is oriented toward public service. He didn’t just violate the code governing building regulations. When the Station literally came under fire over these polio broadcasts, he, without consultation with staff and management went on his knees and entered into a subservient agreement with the authorities.

From that agreement, it was clear that he was focused on his investment and other business interests, unconcerned certainly with the professional standing and well-being of the staff and the station. This, then, naturally led to those resignations at the top-level management.

The NBC which is becoming increasingly notorious for double

tongue and double policy needs to reflect on their rapidly deteriorating public standing. The sense most people have of the longstanding conflict between the WAZOBIA radio and the authorities in the state since the coming of the new administration is that the station, or at least some of its political programmes tended to be sympathetic to the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. The NBC on the other hand is under the PDP-controlled federal government. They, in the light of this alone should not have rushed into judgment warranting the closure of the station.

In some places where political contest is at its fiercest, the broadcast media as members of the community in which they are found, have one way or the other been drawn into it. In the case of Adamawa, the NBC faces the enormous challenge of proving that they don’t oppress private broadcast stations just to please sitting governors.

The privately-established Gotel Communications Limited in Yola get queried and fined for the tiniest of infractions but the government-owned radio, the Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation, ABC which thrives in

“

Under the military that founded it, the NBC was never such a brutal organization. They didn’t do shameful acts such as we are witnessing today. This shouldn’t happen now that we are under a government that claims democratic legitimacy and adherence to international charter on human rights

libel and defamation, hurling daily personal attacks and insults on the state’s most prominent citizens is left alone to do just they wished.

Yet without the private broadcaster, Nigerians will on a daily basis be duped and deprived of their due fare of news and entertainment. The last time the Adamawa State legislature tabled a motion of impeachment against the Governor, no state-owned broadcast station, state or federal carried the story. They pretended that this did not happen. The independently-owned Gotel radio did this to the delight of the teeming population. Government on the other hand did not find this amusing.

Government-controlled NBC has a duty to treat all stations, public or private in the same way because if they kill private broadcasting through political manipulation, the whole country including its government loses.

The way to ending terrorism in Nigeria is through the use of both carrot-dialogue – and the stick. The police should go after the gang of criminal terrorists who routinely kill and blast civilians and service personnel at public places for four years non-stop. The radio is just a mirror image of what the society is. If you don’t like your face that you see in it, the solution is to change, not not smash-up the mirror.

Under the military that founded it, the NBC was never such a brutal organization. They didn’t do shameful acts such as we are witnessing today. This shouldn’t happen now that we are under a government that claims democratic legitimacy and adherence to international charter on human rights. Minister Maku should end this joke by reopening Wazobia radio today.

Why LEADERSHIP publisher is fixated on Yobe officials Contd. from Back Page resources and publicity needs dictated. We thought this was a straightforward business transaction where supply was dictated by demand. We didn't know we had struck a raw nerve.

Just two days after this encounter, LEADERSHIP started a scurrilous campaign of purposefully packaged disinformation and libel against the governor, government, and people of Yobe State. The first in the series of this editorial campaign of smear was a sponsored article titled "Yobe's State of Paralysis" where the paper published all manner of falsehood against us.

LEADERSHIP followed it up three days later with a front page comment titled "A Word for Yobe's Functional Functionaries" where the same smear campaign was sustained against us.

Since then, LEADERSHIP has

made a career of publishing downright falsehoods and mendacious propaganda against the government and people of Yobe State. But we chose to ignore the paper because we believed we had more urgent issues of statecraft to attend to than to respond to every hate-filled untruth written against us.

For instance, the LEADERSHIP publisher had strained himself at every opportunity to suggest that Yobe is a 'failed state'. Actually this is not a term applied to a unit of a country in development and scholarly circles. It is only applicable to a nation-state according to the Fund for Peace.

Even so, there are countless people in Yobe today who can testify to the numerous social services that the Gaidam administration is providing and also attest to the lies in Sam NdaIsaiah's statements - the same people he'd derisively asked to

relocate from Yobe.

But Mr. Nda-Isaiah's choice of the unfortunate death of three Korean doctors to fight an old battle has compelled us to take the trouble of letting the public know the truth and how he has selectively targeted us. For instance, Chinese, Indians, and other nationals working in government institutions or on government contracts were unfortunately and condemnably killed, kidnapped or abducted in other states but the LEADERSHIP publisher has not used his column to accuse the governors of those states of being personally responsible for such deaths or kidnap or write of them with the same hatred that he writes about the person and office of our governor.

As a government, we recognize the media's responsibility to alert us to our duties. That is why, as a policy, we do not regard all negative stories about our administration as

declarations of hostility or as a slight on our persons. Some negative stories can be constructive and redemptive. But there is a world of difference between critical journalism and blackmail journalism. It is blackmail journalism when a publisher abuses the privilege of his medium to traduce and manufacture lies against people simply because they refused to place adverts in his or her news medium.

Of course we recognize the importance of advertisement to the survival of the news media.

As a government accountable to God and the people, we spread our adverts as best we can within the resources available and the possibilities of local consumption.

There are many national dailies which are happy to receive adverts from us but would never resort to blackmail if they did not.

The relationship between advertiser and medium must

necessarily be based on trust, not blackmail, coercion or extortion.

With the foregoing, we believe the people of Yobe State and Nigerians who have followed the bizarre and unbelievable saga between LEADERSHIP and the Yobe state government are now better informed about the context in which the newspaper picks and targets the state government and its officials in an unfair and unprofessional manner.

We therefore ask the public to discountenance any future insults or campaign of disinformation against the Yobe government or its officials that LEADERSHIP may engage in. Anyone who sees such libelous material from the newspaper should recall the above historical background and know that there is more to what the newspaper writes than meets the eye.

Bego writes from Government House Damaturu

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Inter fined •50,000 for Balotelli’s abuse

I

nter Milan have been fined •50,000 for their fans' abuse of AC Milan's Mario Balotelli during their Serie A game on Sunday evening.

Reports in the Italian press claimed that inflatable bananas were waved at Balotelli by Inter fans, while in the second half of the game the Italy international was seen to raise his finger to his lips in their direction.

A statement published on Gazzetta.it confirmed that Balotelli has also been fined 10,000 euros (£8,600) for directing a vulgar gesture at the Inter fans when leaving the pitch at the final whistle, with Milan receiving a 10,000 euro fine for unveiling "insulting banners".

Inter were recently fined •20,000 (£13,200) when a section of fans were heard singing racist songs about Balotelli during a Serie A match against Chievo.

Lazio face UEFA stadium ban

U

EFA has charged Lazio fans with offences of a racist nature for the fourth time this season, with the club now facing the prospect of playing a Europa League tie behind closed doors.

The Rome club has been charged for the 'throwing of missiles and/or fireworks' and for 'insufficient organization.

The offences occurred during last Thursday's 2-0 Europa League win over Borussia Monchengladbach.

The German club will also be charged after their fans lit fireworks in the stadium as their team crashed out 5-3 on aggregate.

Lazio fans have been found guilty of similar offences in ties in the Europa League against Tottenham and Maribor.

UEFA suspended the behindclosed-doors sanction for a probationary period of two years but it could be imposed when UEFA's control and disciplinary body meet today.

If the sanction is imposed it will mean the Stadio Olimpico will be empty for Lazio's secondleg tie with Stuttgart in the last-16 on March 14.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE Once we are able to cleanse the judiciary of corruption, then our fight against corruption in its entirety will take a firm root and will be on its way to success.

— President Goodluck Jonathan

Why LEADERSHIP publisher is fixated on Yobe officials W

e are writing to call the public's attention to the disturbingly unethical practices of Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, publisher and chairman of Abujabased LEADERSHIP newspaper.

Since November 2011, we have been victims of Mr. Nda-Isaiah's blackmail. As you will see shortly, he has committed grave ethical infractions that strike at the very core of the integrity of the journalism profession. We feel obligated to state the facts because we are concerned that Mr. NdaIsaiah's brand of journalism will expose the entire profession to ridicule.

The LEADERSHIP publisher has decided on a deliberate editorial policy to fabricate barefaced lies against us, to ridicule our institutions, to pillory our achievements, and to maliciously libel our functionaries all because we refused to yield to his unceasing demand for advertisement patronage. For the past few weeks, he has invested enormous editorial energies to malign and tell outright lies against the government and people of Yobe State-and it is likely that he will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

In the space of one week, LEADERSHIP wrote an editorial titled "Yobe And The Murder of Korean Doctors" (LEADERSHIP Wednesday 13th February 2013) where it tendentiously accused the Yobe State governor of being responsible for the regrettably cold-blooded murder of three Korean doctors in our state (about which the security agencies with the support of the state government are working tirelessly to unravel). We wrote a rejoinder (Daily Trust, Blueprint, People's Daily and Nation Friday 15th February 2013) calling attention to the untruth of the editorial's claims and pointing out the many inaccuracies that informed its conclusions. A few days after our rejoinder, Mr. NdaIsaiah again dedicated his personal column, under the title "Yobe Governor Should Be Held Responsible for This" (LEADERSHIP Monday18th February 2013), to hurl coarse invectives at us and to repeat the same false statements against us.

He called the Yobe State governor a "sadist" and his media adviser a "thuggish underling," among other unsavoury insults. That is

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GUEST COLUMNIST Abdullahi Bego

Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam clearly beyond the pale.

He also claimed that the Yobe State governor and his deputy live permanently in Abuja and only 'pay day-time visits' to Damaturu and that the Yobe State House of Assembly operates from Kano instead of the state capital.

These are far from the truth.

We want to state for the record that the Yobe State governor, his deputy, and other principal officers of the state government live and have always lived in the state capital. They had never left the state capital in the past nor will they do so in the future because of the security challenges that face the state; challenges that have fortunately subsided considerably in the past few months due to the efforts of the

state government and the security agencies and the support and prayers of ordinary citizens.

In addition, at no time did the Yobe State House of Assembly relocate to or operate from Kano.

Nor will such a time ever come Insha Allah. All this exist only in the imagination of Mr. NdaIsaiah and his LEADERSHIP. The LEADERSHIP publisher also said that Governor Gaidam, his deputy, all state legislators and all functionaries of the state government had abandoned the state and travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. This is also patently untrue.

Governor Gaidam and his deputy did not attend the Hajj last year. They stayed back to attend to the security challenges which were at their worst at the time. Most other senior government officials also stayed away. In any case, it is none of the LEADERSHIP publisher's business had these officials decided to carry out their religious obligation.

So, why is Mr. Nda-Isaiah so fixated on Yobe state and its officials? Well, it is because we have had occasions to spurn his entreaties for advertisement patronage, and he seems unwilling to accept the fact that it is absolutely our decision to choose which media to patronize with our advertisements.

As a state government, we do place advertisement in the media

“

So, why is Mr. Nda-Isaiah so fixated on Yobe state and its officials? Well, it is because we have had occasions to spurn his entreaties for advertisement patronage, and he seems unwilling to accept the fact that it is absolutely our decision to choose which media to patronize with our advertisements

from time to time. We do so because we think it is the best way to record our achievements and inform our people at home and elsewhere about our programmes, projects and policies. In doing this, we are guided by the imperatives of availability of funds and the reach and relevance of the media we patronize. We have in the past had occasion to place advertisements in LEADERSHIP when we thought it was appropriate to do so.

For instance, in late 2008, the Yobe state government paid ten million naira to LEADERSHIP to publish special supplements on the state. This followed Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah's visit to Damaturu where he met our late governor, Senator Mamman Ali. But the project did not even go half-way when the late governor passed on.

LEADERSHIP stopped the supplements following Governor Mamman Ali's death and to date there is no explanation as to why this was so or what happened to the balance of the money they collected.

This, however, did not stop us from placing adverts in the paper whenever we saw the need to do so.

But on almost all occasions we have had reason not to patronize the paper; we never fail to receive harassing calls from Mr. NdaIsaiah or some members of his staff.

In August 2011, because of the exigency of funds and the specificity of our outreach goals, for instance, we placed an advertorial on a new salary table for government workers in the Daily Trust and People's Daily.

But as soon as the adverts appeared, Mr. Nda-Isaiah called personally and expressed outrage that we excluded his paper.

Not long after this incident, we also had occasion to place adverts in newspapers that didn't initially include LEADERSHIP. This was an eight-page pull-out on projects that Governor Gaidam had approved for local governments.

As soon as the adverts came out, Mr. Nda-Isaiah's personal assistant called on his behalf to ask why LEADERSHIP did not get the adverts. We told the assistant that, as always, we would patronize them when and if our Continued on Page 47

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