Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday 27, March, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 63

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Jimadal Ula 16, 1434 AH

N150

I chose to serve one term only since 2011, says Sanusi

By Okechukwu Okoforadi

T

NYSC members cheering during the closing ceremony of 2013 Batch 'A' orientation course, yesterday at Wailo, in Ganjuwa local government area of Bauchi state.

Photo: NAN

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has shed more light on his decision not to vie for second term in office.

According to Sanusi, he intimated President Goodluck Jonathan way back in 2011 that he would not be interested in seeking second term in office at the expiration of his present tenure in June 2014.

“I informed the President as far back as 2011 that I would not be interested in serving for two terms,” Sanusi told Bloomberg, a multimedia corporation based in New York, adding that “the job has been done, largely.”

The CBN Governor who reechoed his stance on second term Contd on Page 2

Financial recklessness

INEC report indicts political parties PDP spends N4.35bn, ANPP N893.40m, ACN N464.69m, CPC N363.58m

By Agaju Madugba, with agency report

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report by external auditors appointed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

INEC, to audit the nation’s political parties has indicted 54 of them for not adhering to the accounting procedures in their operations in 2011.

Only the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Citizens

Popular Party (CPP) escaped INEC’s hammer as they were found to have complied with the Political Party Financial Reporting Manual 2011 and Political Party Finance Handbook 2011, online news portals said

yesterday.

According to the report, while some of the parties ignored the conventional books of accounts, others did not have membership registers at their headquarters during the year that the last

general elections were conducted.

Other lapses noticed in the operation of some of the parties include absence of self audit report (internal and external), nonexistence of fixed asset and Contd on Page 2

Muazu sues NGF indicts Anambra, S/African court jails Yuguda over Ekiti, 16 others over Henry Okah for LG polls embarrassing Jonathan N12bn indictment >> PAGE 9

>> PAGE 3

>> PAGE 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch

23

Property

24-27

Motoring

28

Arts

29-30

Why South African court jails Henry Okah

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South African court yesterday found Henry Okah guilty of terrorism charges leveled against him by the Nigerian government and sentenced him to 24 years in prison.

The judge, Neels Claassen, pronounced Mr. Okah guilty on all the 13-count charge for which he was arraigned.

South African authorities had in October 2012 opened the trial of Mr. Okah, former controversial leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MENDS), two years after he was arrested for allegedly masterminding the Independence Day bombing that killed more than a dozen people in Abuja.

Mr. Okah denied the 13 charges related to acts of terrorism.

But delivering his judgment yesterday in Johannesburg, Claaseen said, “having found the accused guilty in the 13-count charge of acts of terrorism, it is now

the duty of the court to sentence him, taking into account the position of the victim, the convict and the world community.”

Claaseen explained that the struggle of MEND, “is politically motivated and as a result a maximum sentence for Okah will be inappropriate,” as he noted that Okah and MENDs actions were to embarrass Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan.

The judge said South Africa being a signatory to the UN Treaty on Terrorism Acts allowed the convict to be tried in South Africa though the events took place in Nigeria.

“As a signatory, South Africa is duty bound to adopt the treaty and incorporate it into the laws of South Africa, in other words domicile the treaty,” Claaseen said.

He said it was the responsibility of the court in sentencing the convict to take into account the feelings of the world community and to make South Africa

unpalatable for terrorists to operate within the jurisdiction as member of the community of nations.

According to the judge, “the first event is the March 15, 2010 bomb attack where two cars bombs occurred at the venue of a political gathering which was being attended by the Delta State Governor in Warri, Delta state, where one person died and several others were injured.

“The second event occurred on October 1, 2010 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city where two car bombs exploded killing eight people with several others injured.

“Third event is the threat to the Nigerian government. All these three events were targeted at embarrassing President Goodluck Jonathan.”

He described the acts as very serious crimes which must be punished in accordance to the terrorism laws.

“The convict during the trial had never accepted any

responsibility nor shown any remorse in spite of the fact that overwhelming evidence linked him with MEND which claimed responsibilities for the bombings.

“It would, therefore, be wrong for the court to turn a blind eye to the fact that the struggle in the Niger Delta which led to the events is a political one.

“The group’s agitation for improved environmental situation and provision of infrastructure in the area is aimed at attracting the Federal Government’s attention to the plight of the people in the area.

“Though a good cause but it does not justify any act of violence and terrorism,” Claaseen said.

He said the court is obliged to impose life imprisonment which is the maximum sentence due to the political nature of the struggle, adding that the suspended sentence sought by the defence is inappropriate due to the nature of the crime.

INEC report indicts political parties

PDP and plots for 2015, Pages 38-39

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37

Sports

41-45

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 liability, and lack of fiscal control measures. The exercise was concluded in February 2013.

Among the major parties indicted by the Commission’s auditors are the People’s Democratic (PDP), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Labour Party (LP), among others.

ACN, in particular, was found to have maintained internal audit report and account as well as conventional books of accounts during the year under review.

The auditors also said that budget and budgetary control of the opposition party were in place and that the party has a well defined fixed asset register while its membership register was in place.

On PDP, the audit report said, “the party does not have a prepared internal audited financial statement for the year.

“Conventional books of accounts were not properly kept as required by Section 93 (2) of the Electoral Act and the Party did not

maintain fixed assets register both at the headquarters and zonal offices.”

According to the report, the PDP, lived up to its billing as the biggest party in the country as, according to the report, it expended a whopping N4.35 billion in 2011 for its activities even though it generated N647.41 million.

The auditors therefore asked the PDP to establish and maintain necessary records and accounts of its financial transactions in the states and zonal chapters so as to have a global view of the affairs of the party.

The ANPP was indicted for the same offences as the PDP but in addition, the report noted that the ANPP was discovered not to have maintained membership register even as it had no prepared budget for the year under review.

The report urged the party to “improve on the filing system by computerising its account functions for future transaction.”

It also admonished the party to maintain an effective internal control system and comprehensive fixed assets register and that

membership register should be introduced.

The CPC, according to the report, did not have budget and budgetary control throughout 2011, amongst other improper accounting procedures.

Accordingly, the report asked the party to “endeavour to write up all the relevant books of accounts from where its financial statements could be extracted for analysis and proper evaluation and monitoring.”

It also asked CPC leadership to open a membership register and endeavour to install a more effective internal control measure in compliance with the political parties finance manual handbook.

The report rebuked APGA for not maintaining a membership register at its headquarters and for not having internally prepared and approved audited financial statement for the year under review.

The PDP controls the government at the centre and 23 state governments and has about 75 senators and over 200 members in the House of Representatives.

ANPP came a distant second to

PDP with an expenditure of N893.40 million and an income of N786.59 million.

ACN and CPC, according to the report, followed with the expenditure of N464.69 million and N363.58 million respectively though they generated N670.24 million and N304.87 million, respectively.

APGA raked in N23.75 million but spent a total of N280.10 million in the year under review while the Labour Party, LP, generated an income of N129.25 million and expended N132.87 million.

Interestingly, the report says two parties, Accord and United Democratic Party (UDP) did not generate any income in 2011.

Although it claimed not to have derived any income, the UDP said it spent N4.4 million for its activities.

The Acton Party of Nigeria (APN) and Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP) did not submit their accounts to INEC for auditing.

Altogether the parties audited raised a total income of N4.75 billion but expended N8.95 billion in the election year, 2011.

I chose to serve one term only since 2011, says Sanusi Contd from Page 1 in a chat with Bloomberg on March 24, 2013 in Lagos, stated categorically that he would not seek renewal of tenure as he considers a single term enough to make a lasting positive impact in the financial system and the economy in general.

On the issue of retention of the 12 per cent Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) which serves as the benchmark for interest rate, Sanusi noted that, “my own inclination is to just hold and just continue doing what we are doing because it has worked very well.

“But I am only one vote in the Monetary Policy Committee and as you can see, the votes to ease are beginning to increase. More MPC members may follow by voting for rate cuts.”

The CBN governor further

cautioned on the quest for low interest rate saying that, “the impact of interest rates below inflation could be horrendous for economic stability, so in the short term the country has to live with high rates.”

Answering questions on inflation, Sanusi said that, “our forecasts do not show us getting back to the kind of 12 to 13 per cent levels we saw last year.

“Inflation is where we would like it to be, exchange rates are stable, reserves are heading towards and will soon cross $50 billion.”

On the foreign exchange market, he stated that, “unless there is some major external shock, the foreign currency market looks to me one in which we can have stability,” and noted that the Bank has enough reserves

to defend the naira and “keep it where we want.”

It would be recalled that the House of Representatives passed a resolution on February 20, 2013, ordering its committee on banking and currency to request the central bank lower its policy rate to below 10 per cent to encourage borrowing and investment.

Meanwhile, Sanusi has denied postings on the social media purported to have emanated from him, arguing that he does not have Facebook or Twitter accounts.

A statement signed by the CBN Director, Corporate Communications, Ugochukwu A. Okoroafor, warned that any such account, purported to belong to the CBN Governor, is fake.

According to the statement, “in the last six months, there have

been deliberate efforts by unknown elements to use the internet, with its social media extensions, to tarnish and malign the image and reputation of the CBN Governor.

“Efforts at tackling this menace have been yielding positive results as over 100 of these fictitious accounts have been closed with the collaboration of the Facebook authorities.

“Currently, there is a criminal case against one of the elements using these channels to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

“We therefore urge members of the public to disregard these fake accounts and their false and malicious contents as they are calculated to deceive the public, malign the reputation of the CBN Governor and cause disaffection in the country.”

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 3

Why INEC refused to register opposition merger APC - Official

By Lawrence Olaoye, with agency reports

It’s all PDP game — CPC

he Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umenger, yesterday disclosed that the Commission refused to register the opposition merger, All Progressives’ Congress (APC) because it they failed to meet all the registration conditions.

Umenger in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) disclosed that the parties seeking to adopt a new name had merely notified the Commission about their resolve to merge. He explained that they had yet to meet all the requirements as stipulated by the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended).

“Until they fulfill the requirements, including a formal request, then there is no talk of registration, because you don’t register what you don’t have an application for.

“Any two or more registered political parties may merge on approval by the Commission,

following a formal request presented to the commission by the political parties for that purpose,’’ he said.

Umenge pointed out that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), on behalf of the other three political parties only forwarded to the Commission a formal notification of a new name adopted by them as a mega party.

According to him, their letter was dated March 6, 2013 and was received March 7 addressed to the INEC Chairman entitled “Formal Notification of Name”.

The letter, he said read: “It would be recalled that on the 6th of February 2013 Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) met at Abuja.

“And held a world conference at which notice was sent to the world as it was widely reported in the media of our intention to merge under a new name: ‘All Progressive Congress (APC)’”.

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Umenge pointed out that the letter quoted did not represent a formal application for registration and withdrawal of their previous registrations of the separate parties. He said that the registration of the merger as APC needed to fulfill many more conditions than the members had done to realise their goal.

He noted that all the stakeholders involved in the merger are aware of the constitutional requirements for registration of a new political party just as he added that as stipulated by the law, any political party intending to merge shall each give to the Commission 90 days notice before the next general election.

He quoted the law as stating, “the written request for merger shall be sent to the Chairman of the Commission; and shall be signed jointly by the National Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for the time being of the different political parties proposing the merger.

Umenger explained further that the request shall be accompanied by a special resolution passed by the National convention of each of the political parties proposing to merge, approving the merger.

He said there should be proposal of a full name and acronym, constitution, manifesto, symbol or logo of the party together with the address of the national office and evidence of payment of administrative cost of N100,000 or as may be fixed by an Act of Parliament.

He said the Commission would then consider the request, and communicate its decision to the parties before the expiration of 30 days from the date of the receipt of the formal request.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Rotimi Fashakin, blamed the PDP for the conspiracy.

He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not above board on the matter and will soon be brought to justice.

Insecurity: 900 corps members re-deployed from Kano From Edwin Olofu, Kano

A

bout 900 National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members out of the 2413 deployed to Kano state for orientation have been redeployed to other parts of the country as a result of the spate of insecurity in the state.

However, the state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has assured the corps members of adequate protection of lives and property, urging them to respect the norms and culture of respective hosts.

Speaking with Reporters shortly after the passing out parade of “Batch A” held at Karaye camp, the state coordinator, Alhaji Bashir Yakasai, said prior to the last Monday’s incident of the bomb blast in Sabon Gari, very few corps members indicated interest to be redeployed after their orientation service.

However, soon after the bomb blast, many corps members indicated interest to be redeployed and their request was granted.

Despite the Director General’s intervention, the corps members insisted on their redeployment, pointing out that there was a directive that corps members should be redeployed to four key areas, which are, agriculture, rural infrastructure, education and health.

In his speech, Alhaji Yakasai appealed to corps members to utilize the skills acquired during their orientation, so as to achieve self reliance.

L-R: Leader of delegation, ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. Ouegraodo Part, in a handshake with President Goodluck Jonathan, during a visit by the Parliament members to the president, yesterday at the State House, Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

NGF indicts Anambra, Ekiti, 16 others over non-conduct of LG polls

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday indicted governors of Anambra, Ekiti and 16 others over non-conduct of local government elections in their states.

The indictment was contained in the report of the NGF Peer Review Mechanism conducted by the secretariat of the NGF which was unveiled in Abuja yesterday.

Anambra state Governor, Peter Obi, was singled out as the biggest culprit for not conducting local government election since he came into office more than seven years ago.

The report described Obi’s action those of other governors as undemocratic and against the spirit of Section 7 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), which guaranteed that there shall be local government elections in all the 774 local governments of the federation.

According to the secretariat of the NGF, there were no local government elections in 18 states out of the 36 states of the federation while no local government election has taken place in Anambra state since 1998.

Ekiti state which is also an opposition state was equally indicted by the report. Speaking at the presentation of the report, National Coordinator of the State Peer Review Mechanism, Dr. Afeikhena Jerome, advised the Anambra state governor to endeavour to conduct the local government election, as it is one of the conditions to assess the state on transparent and credible leadership.

“The Anambra state government needs to urgently set the machinery in motion and conduct credible local government elections”, the report stated.

Afeikhena, however, declared that Governor Obi blamed the nonconduct of local government elections on a restraining Court Orders.

The Peer Review Report faulted the state of federal roads in the state, and urged the state government to mount pressure on the federal government to resuscitate the federal roads in the state.

NANS protest over Tambuwal’s refusal to swear-in Reps member-elect

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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he speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has assured the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) that the House will ensure that justice is done in the battle to claim the seat of the Anambra East/West Federal Constituency.

The Speaker told the protesting students at the

National Assembly that the leadership of the House was taking its time to follow due process in order to ensure that both sides, Tony Nwonye and Ameke Chriscato do not suffer injustice.

According to Tanbuwal, “we are attending to both sides dispassionately and by the Grace of God we will be guided to ensure that right thing is done, though we will spend much time but it is

better we are cautious so that we don’t derail but do justice to the matter.”

The Speaker however commended the students for organising themselves to support Hon. Tony Nwonye who was once a NANS President, charging them to extend such gesture to every Nigerian whose rights is trampled upon by any arm or agency of Government.

Speaking during an audience with the Speaker and some members the body of the principal officers of the House of

Representatives, the National President of NANS, Yinka Gbadebo, stated that it was unfair for the leadership not to swear in Nwonye after he had been declared winner by competent court of jurisdiction and with an acknowledgement of INEC by the certificate of return awarded to him.

The Anambra East/West Federal Constituency seat has been subject of controversy since the court declared Nwonye winner and subsequently got INEC’s certificate of return.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Abridged version of INEC executive summary of external auditors reports on the accounts of political parties for the year 2011 S/NO

POLITICAL PARTY

AUDITORS COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS

CONTROL IMPLICATION

RECOMMENDATION

1.

PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)

The Party does not have a prepared internal audited financial statement for the year 2011.

Conventional books of accounts were not properly kept as required by section 93(2) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

The Party did not maintain Fixed Assets Register both in the Headquarters and Zonal offices.

The Party claimed that its income for the year amounted to N647,410,514.00 and it also claimed to have expended the sum of N4,352,209,555.00 for the year 2011.

Maintenance of incomplete record of financial transaction in State and Zonal chapters can lead to omission or mis-statement of financial information.

Lack of strong internal control procedures will result to operational inefficiency of the Party.

Lack of standard Fixed Assets Register will result to the Party not to be able to monitor and control its fixed assets.

The Party should establish and maintain adequate and necessary records and accounts of its financial transactions in state and zonal chapters so as to have a global view of the affairs of the Party.

The Party should also install an effective internal control system for proper operational efficiency and control by management.

Standard Fixed Assets and identification numbers should be kept and maintained by the Party.

2.

ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA (ACN)

The Party has an internal Audited Report and Account for the year under review.

Conventional books of Accounts were maintained.

Budget and Budgetary Control were in place and the Party have a well defined Fixed Assets Register and Membership Register were equally in place.

The Party claimed that its income amounted to N676,248,437.00 and it also claimed to have expended the sum of N464,699,974.00.

The financial statement of the Party can be said to be true and fair and the Account can be relied upon.

A budget in place indicates there is solid financial plan on ground.

Adequate improvement on the preparation of the necessary financial documents for future transactions with the use of current information technology is equally recommended.

The preparation and key actors in budget implementation and monitoring should be more involved in the Party activities in ensuring compliance.

3.

ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY (AD)

The Party does not have an Internal Audit Report and Accounts for the year 2011.

Conventional Books of Accounts were not kept and maintained.

Internal Control Procedures were not adequately maintained.

Budget and Budgetary Controls were not put in place.

The Party did not maintain its Fixed Assets and Membership Registers.

The Party claimed that its total income for the year 2011 amounted to N14,692,035 and it expended the sum of N12,778,009 for the year under review.

The Financial Statement cannot be said to be true and fair since the Party's Accounts cannot be relied upon.

There is no solid financial plan due to absence of a Budget for the year.

Accounting for Fixed Assets and Membership Register will be adversely affected if not properly maintained.

The Party should establish and maintain Bank Accounts for necessary Records and Accounts for its Financial Transactions.

The Party should endeavour to prepare its subsequent Annual Budget and ensure it operate within the prepared and approved Budget.

4.

ALL NIGERIA PEOPLES PARTY (ANPP)

The Party does not have an Internal Audited Report for the year 2011.

Conventional Books of Accounts were kept and maintained by the Party.

Internal Control procedures were weak.

Both Fixed Assets and Membership Registers were not updated. Budget for the year was prepared and maintained.

Its income for the year amounted to N768,587,384.00, while it expended the sum of N893,404,420.00.

The Party's Financial Statement can be said to be true and fair and can be relied upon

The Party should improve on the filling system by computerization of the Accounting functions for future transactions.

An effective Internal Control System should be maintained and a comprehensive Fixed Assets and Membership Registers be introduced.

5.

ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE (APGA)

The Party does not have an Internal prepared and approved Audited Financial Statement for the year 2011.

Conventional Books of Accounts were not properly kept and maintained by the Party.

The Party did not maintain Membership Register at its Headquarters. Its Fixed Assets maintained is without identification codes.

Internal Control procedures were not established and Budget for the year was not prepared.

It is pertinent to note that PAY-AS-YOU-EARN (PAYE) taxes and Withholding taxes were not deducted and remitted to the appropriate authorities during the year under review.

The Party's Income for the year amounted to N23,750,000.00 while it expended N280,102,367.

Poor Accounting Record of financial transaction may lead to loss of vital information and the possibility of ascertaining the accuracy of financial position of the Party.

Non-existence of Internal Control System leads to mismanagement and misappropriation of funds and lack of budgeting may lead to weak financial planning and expenditure control by management.

The Party should establish and maintain adequate and necessary Records of its financial transactions.

It should install an effective Internal Control System for checks and balancing and endeavour to maintain a comprehensive membership Register and Remittances of all deductions to the necessary Agencies.

6.

CONGRESS FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE (CPC)

The Party does not have an Internal Audited Report and Accounts for the year under review.

Conventional Accounting Records were not kept and maintained by the Party.

The year's budget and budgetary Control were not in place.

The Party does not maintain Fixed Assets and Membership Register for the period under review.

The Party claimed that its total income generated amounted to N304,874,536 and it also expended the sum of N363,570,485.00

When proper Accounting Record are not maintained, the actual true position of the Party Financial Statement may not be easily ascertained.

Weak Internal Control System could lead to misrepresentation and operational inefficiency of the Party's activities.

Without adequate Budget there is no basis to monitor and evaluate operational efficiency of the Party's Financial transactions.

The Party should endeavor to write up all the relevant Books of Accounts from where its financial statements could be extracted for analysis and proper evaluation and monitoring.

The Party should maintain a Membership Register and endeavour to install a more effective Internal Control measure in compliance with the Political Parties Finance Manual and Handbook.

7.

LABOUR PARTY (LP)

The Party does not have its prepared and audited internal financial statement for the year 2011.

Conventional Books of Accounts were maintained by the Party.

The Budget for the year was not in place. The Party maintained a fixed assets register without index identification number.

The Party claimed that its income generated for the year amounted to N129,252,100.00 and its expended the sum of N132,868,488.00 for the year 2011.

The financial statement can be said to be true and fair.

Lack of preparation of yearly budget by the Party mean lack of planning and consequently leads to lack of proper monitoring and evaluation of the Party financial position.

The Party should continue to maintain an adequate and necessary records and accounts for its financial transactions.

The Party should ensure that its subsequent annual budget is prepared and ensure it operates within the prepared and approved budget.

8.

PROGRESSIVE PEOPLES ALLIANCE (PPA)

The Party does not have its prepared and audited internal financial statement for the year 2011.

Conventional books of accounts were not properly kept and maintained by the Party. The Party did not maintain membership register and its assets register were not made available. The Party budget for the year under review was not prepared. The Party claimed its income for the period amounted to N289,073,041.00 and it expended the sum of N265,213,325.00 for the year 2011.

If proper recording system is not put in place, vital information may be lost, thus, making it impossible to ascertain the accuracy of the financial position of the Party.

The Party should introduce code to all their transactions to enhance proper classification of transactions.

It should install an effective internal control system and endeavour to maintain a comprehensive fixed assets and membership registers.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 5

Bishop slams CAN for linking North's politicians with Boko Haram T

he Wusasa Bishop of the Anglican Church in Northern Nigeria, Rt.Rev Ali Buba Lamido, has blasted the Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor-led Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for alleging that 90 percent of politicians in the north are members of the militant Boko Haram group.

Bishop Buba, who signed a press release sent to SaharaReporters's New York office , said that CAN is being used to champion interests that are in no way advancing the core mission of Christianity.

Referring to the press statement credited to Mr. Sunny Oibe, the spokesperson of CAN for the 19 Northern States of Nigeria in the aftermath of the recent bombing in Kano, the Bishop joined in condemning the unnecessary killing of innocent Nigerians, which he described as barbaric and an act of savagery.

"I agree that the government must change its tactics in order to put a stop to this bestial cruelty in our land. I pray God to comfort those who lost their loved ones", he said.

He however, dismissed the statements made by Mr. Oibe as not only a highly-creative conjecture, but also libelous and capable of whipping up the emotions of religious faithful towards premeditated and surreptitious reprisals.

"The manner in which Mr. Sunny spoke to the press does not portray him as a mature Christian leader. It came to me as a rude shock that a Christian leader could make serious and despicable allegations... there is no way Christians in the "core north" will paint such apparitions of Armageddon with such words that brook no decorum. I am surprised how CAN, Northern States will come out with such a totally misguiding notion or even allow such representation."

He wondered how a Christian leader could come up with the conjecture that 90% of the politicians in northern Nigeria

L-R: Chairman, Northern Economic Summit Group G20, Professor Jerry Gana, members, G20 Caucus Leadership Team of the Northern Economic Summit, Senator Ibrahim Ida, and Senator Barnabas Garmade, during a press conference on the forth coming Northern Economic Summit, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo are either members or sponsors of Boko Haram, questioning how he arrived at the statistics.

"Are Christian politicians in the North also in Boko Haram?

Will he be willing to vouchsafe the names of these Boko Haram members and sponsors to the President who still feels that Boko Haram members are ghosts?

"Mr. Sunny threw decorum to the wind when he called for the intervention of the International Community to deal with "these animals once and for all". Some of us who are Christian leaders in the North are embarrassed by this egregious vulgarity displayed by Mr. Sunny Oibe.

He was probably speaking for himself and not for Christians in the north who desire peaceful coexistence with our brothers and sisters."

On Oibe's claim that the

latest attack has exposed the hypocrisy of the people calling for amnesty for Boko Harram members, the Bishop asked, "What does Mr. Sunny understand by Amnesty? Is he saying that the 90% politicians in the "core north" are really hypocrites? Will Christian politicians and Spiritual leaders in the "Core north" turn against themselves and their region?"

He described the statement as the greatest disservice to logic and common sense, adding that people who do not know the north should be quiet.

"If they cannot proffer positive solutions to our problems, they should stop inciting and causing further injuries to all people. Mr. Sunny should know that the call for Amnesty was not only

by Muslim politicians, but also

by mature Christians from the core north," he pointed out.

"For the records, both Christian and Muslim leaders in the North are unanimous on Amnesty to Boko Haram," Bishop Lamido said, adding that the insurgency which has almost brought the North to a complete stand still.

He said that people in the North are determined to overcome the insurgency and are looking for men and women who are ready to work with them to achieve it.

"It is either you partner with us or allow us do it. Please we could do without people inciting groups to take up arms against one another.

I strongly feel there is need to overhaul CAN to make it achieve its purpose, otherwise it will continue to cause more problems than solutions."

disclosed plans to hold its 2nd Northern Economic Summit on June 6 in Kaduna.

Gana, who heads the group comprising of the 19 Northern states and the FCT, appealed to the northern leaders and governors to use all their inner resources to end the menace and restore the desired peace to the region.

According to him, the emergence of authentic leaders would greatly facilitate meaningful dialogue towards the granting of amnesty and eventual peace. " We urge both the federal and state government to pay greater attention to the resolution of security

challenges facing the North, since our people live in communities, we call for the restoration of community governance and genuine dialogue for peace and harmony.

"As was in the case in the resolution of the Niger Delta crisis, we urge trustworthy elders to initiate reliable contacts with leaders of militant groups in the North with a view to achieving peace conferences and negotiations with government, the emergence of authentic leaders will greatly facilitate meaningful dialogue towards the granting of Amnesty and eventual peace."

Gana said, "amnesty cannot be given in absentia, there should be transparency so that other groups do not emerge later. We are in touch with Northern youths and religious leaders, we are constantly in touch with security agencies, peace must return to the North."

He cautioned the elders not to use the plan as a moneymaking venture, admonishing both sides not to betray each other.

The NESG Chairman however disclosed that G20 was doing its part to prevent reprisals, adding that the group was in full support of amnesty.

Jonathan wants political role by ECOWAS commission

By Abdurrahman Abdurraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has challenged the Economic Community of West African States' Commission not to limit its activities and energies to economic cooperation only, but should strengthen its regional political stability role.

President Jonathan was speaking to ECOWAS Commissioners, led by the President of the Commission, Mr. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, at State House yesterday.

He said, 'the founding fathers established an economic union, but current realities dictate that your efforts to ensure political stability of the region is in the right direction and should be strengthened'.

President Jonathan commended the Commission's prompt action to ensure that the sub-region's voice is heard at the meeting of the United Nations' Security Council on Mali, scheduled for today in New York.

The President appreciated the Commission's efforts to restore peace and security in Guinea Bissau, and its pre-emptive action to prevent instability in other countries in the sub-region.

President Jonathan also said building a Nigeria - Cote d'Ivoire Senegal highway and railway would be a more effective and faster approach to economic integration, as these forms of transportation would facilitate easier movement of goods and people in the sub-region.

Earlier, the ECOWAS Commission president, Mr. Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, told President Jonathan that they were focused on peace and security, free movement of persons and goods, infrastructural development, food security, human resources development and institutional reform.

Mr. Ouedraogo thanked President Jonathan for sending Nigerian troops to Mali and mediating the crisis, and briefed him on the situation in Guinea Bissau, the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, and reviewed customs tariffs in the sub-region.

Fire guts Kano Make contacts with Boko Haram, NESG urges Northern Elders House, Abuja

By Abdulwahab Isa

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Northern Economic Summit Group, also known as G-20, has called on Northern Elders to establish necessary links with leaders of the Boko Haram in same way the Niger Delta elders did during the days of militancy in the South-south zone.

This, according to the Chairman of the group, Prof.

Jerry Gana, would hasten the peace moves being made by the government with a view to achieving negotiations with the insurgents.

The group in a press conference yesterday in Abuja

A

fire incident ignited by spark in air conditioning close circuit has damaged some part of the building of Kano State Liaison office in Abuja .

The building commonly referred to Kano House, houses several corporate organisations including the corporate head office of Jaiz Bank Plc, Nigeria's first fullfledged non-interest bank.

The Zonal Officer of Federal Fire Service, Central Area, Abuja, Mr. Francis Agbonivare who briefed media representatives yesterday attributed the cause to a spark in the short circuit compartment housing the air conditioning system.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Senator backs Sultan over amnesty for Boko Haram

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

S

enator Mohammed Maccido has demanded unreserved apologies from a member of House of Representatives, Hon.Bitrus Kaze, over his recent attack on the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III over his call for amnesty for the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

Maccido in a reaction insisted that the monarch was not alone in the proposal for amnesty, but only expressed the views of other leaders in the north.

According to him, the Sultan only conveyed the position of a group of people and would therefore

take exception to the attack on him

by Kaze.

Maccido, who is prominent member of the Sokoto Caliphate, urged Kaze to apologise over his outbursts at the weekend linking the Sultan to the sect.

Hon. Kaze, who represent Jos South /East of Plateau state, was reported to have attacked the monarch over his demand for amnesty for the Boko Haram.

The lawmaker, in his reaction to the Sultan's reported request said, "discerning minds now know better why Boko Haram has continued to thrive with impunity".

Hon. Kaze in the remarks, concluded that "they (Boko Haram)

have mentors in very high places".

But the Caliphate, in a reaction yesterday through the Chairman, senate committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Maccido, described the outburst by Kaze as an attempt to malign the character and the person of Sultan.

"As far as I'm concerned, that statement is mischievous because Hon Bitrus Kaze should not be speaking to the Sultan in such a manner. The Sultan of Sokoto is not his age mate; he should not come out and say that the Sultan is one of the sponsors of Boko Haram because that is what is implied in that statement.

I disagree with him and I'm telling him in strong words that he should either retract his words or he should apologise in person to the Sultan because this is personal. I would also repeat it that he should be careful with his statement".

Senator Maccido told journalists yesterday that the monarch only conveyed the demand by certain group of people in the north.

According to him " this is not a statement made by the Sultan alone; it's an agreed statement, unanimously agreed upon by a certain group of people in the northern part of this country. He sat with emirs, he sat with ulamas and at the end of it, they deliberated

on it and discussed and concluded and agreed that, yes, it is the right thing to do. He came out and aired it as his view.

But my problem is the fact that somebody, an individual, who has, of course, the right to say what he wants to say as a Nigerian said he disagreed with the Sultan in totality; that is his right as a Nigerian. But to come out later in the same statement to say that, that goes to mean he's tying the Sultan to Boko Haram; implying that the Sultan is one of the sponsors of Boko Haram. I don't agree with him and he should be very careful with what he says", he said.

The end has come for Boko Haram - Defence Chief

By Joy Baba

T

L-R: Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, presenting a gift to Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigdier- General Nnamdi Okorie-Afia, during the latter's visit to the governor, yesterday at the Government House, in Minna.

INTERPOL pledges to tackle cross-border crimes in Nigeria From Lambert Tyem, Abuja

N

igeria and the International Police O r g a n i z a t i o n (INTERPOL) have agreed to improve on their collaborative efforts towards tackling crossborder drug trafficking and corruption related crimes.

This was the fall out of the meeting between officials of the Ministry of Police Affairs led by the Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade and a delegation from the organization led by its President, Mrs Mireille Ballestrazzi who visited the Ministry as part of her visit to Nigeria.

According to the INTERPOL President, such collaborative efforts, which would be powered by timely and accurate exchange of information between the country and the organization, would be aimed at achieving effective law enforcement, especially among member countries.

Mrs. Ballestrazzi said the organization was concerned about Nigeria's security

challenges, but assured the Minister of INTERPOL's commitment to fight against terrorism and the achievement of relative peace globally.

Welcoming the delegation earlier, the Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade commended INTERPOL on the successful hosting of the 81st Inter-Ministerial Meeting held in Rome in 2012 which, according to him, recorded great achievements especially in the renewed war against

international terrorism and cross-border crimes.

He welcomed the revitalized collaboration between Nigeria and the Organization which he said, would impact positively on the security situation in the country.

He also called on INTERPOL to assist Nigeria in setting up a National Crime Database to improve policing in the country and assured that Nigeria would continue to honour her obligations to the organization.

In a related development, the Minister also received officials of the Diplomatic Security Services from the United States Embassy in Nigeria led by the Regional Security Officer, John Bray.

Highlights of their discussion was the need to increase American assistance in the training of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force on Intelligence, especially with the recent commissioning of the Force Intelligence School at Enugu.

Gov Ahmed distributes 13 ambulances to hospitals From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

T

he Kwara State Government has distributed 13 new ambulances to 13 Specialist and General Hospitals as well as hospital equipment, Roll Back malaria drugs to 43 primary health centres across the State.

Speaking at distribution ceremony, the state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed said that the ambulances and drugs were purchased in fulfilment of

his administration's commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in the State.

The governor recalled that the state government in 2011 purchased and distributed antimalaria drugs worth 47million Naira and Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits worth over N11.3 million He added that about 2million long-lasting insecticide nets have been distributed to households in the State as part of the efforts to strengthen the anti-malaria campaign in the

State.

The Governor assured kwarans that when the five general hospitals in Ilorin, Share, Offa, Kaiama and OmuAran, currently undergoing remodelling and three new General Hospitals billed for local government areas without secondary health institutions are completed, the capacity of the state's health institutions to cope with malaria and other life threatening diseases, would be strengthened.

he Director of Defence Information, (DDI) Brig.

Gen Chris Olukolade has said that the increased bombing by the insurgent group Boko Haram in recent times, is an indication of desperation and evidence that their end has come.

The DDI said, "the battle is hottest when it is about to end".

Olukolade stated this yesterday in Abuja while addressing journalist at a maiden brief after taking over as the DDI last week.

According to the Director, "it is not unlikely that this is the last fight but I can assure you that from all indications, from the way structures have been put in place, and from the way they(security forces) are working and responding to the expectations of the headquarters, the fight against terrorism is being won.

"We believe that shortly, everybody will witness to it.Whatever is happening at the moment is most likely an indication that the end has come for the trouble makers", he said.

Olukolade also refuted news by some national dailies and online reports that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ola Ibrahim has sought for permission from the presidency to voluntarily retire from active service noting that such sensational reports was capable of inciting insecurity in the country.

He said the CDS was in United Kingdom for most part of last week and presently in Cote D'ivoire in the bid to enhance the output of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities and firming up cooperation with his counterparts in other countries.

"The CDS has not tendered any such notice, neither is he ill as claimed in the spurious report" Olukolade added.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

PAGE 7

Reps summon Customs boss over non-remittances

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, receiving a speech from the National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Yinka Gbadebo, during their meeting with the Speaker over alleged refusal to swear in Comrade Tony Nwoye as member of Federal House of Representatives, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Alleged N103m contract scam: You have case to answer, court tells Ogbulafor

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

n Abuja High court sitting before Justice Ishaq Bello yesterday told the former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, that he has a case to answer in the alleged N103million contract scam preferred against him and one other person by the

Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Ruling on the application for “no case submission,” by Ogbulafor, Justice Bello said that, “it is my considered view that a prima facie case has been established by the prosecution to warrant the 1st accused person (Ogbulafor) file in his defence in the matter.

“On this note, the no case

submission failed, the 1st accused person should enter his defence,” and adjourned the matter to April 15, 2013.

The Judge also asked the second accused person, Jude Nwokoro, to be in court with his witnesses at the next adjourned date warning that he may be forced to remand him in prison custody throughout the duration of the trial.

Counsel to Ogbulafor, Joe-

Kyari Gadzama (SAN), while moving the no case submission had told the court that the prosecution failed woefully to establish a prima facie case against the former PDP Chairman.

According to Gadzama, the prosecution witnesses who gave evidence during the trial failed to link Ogbulafor with the offences for which he is being tried.

Alamieyeseigha: “Jonathan has legalised corruption” From Edwin Olofu, Kano

N

ational Chairman of Grassroots AntiCorruption Awareness Network Initiative, Comrade Muhuyi Magaji, has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of aiding and legalising corruption going by the recent pardon he granted a former Governor of Bayelsa state, Diepriye

Alamieyeseigha, and others.

Addressing reporters in Kano yesterday, Muhuyi explained that the country is sliding into oblivion without structured public service while condemning the presidential pardon granted to some corrupt people in the country.

According to Muhuyi, “the presidential pardon has instituted and further legalized corruption

besides causing detriment to the good image of Nigerians in the eyes of the international community.

“We regret for the inaction by the National Assembly on their failure to rescue the situation and for not exercising their constitutional powers by impeaching the President.

“The fear that Nigeria might be the next haven for terrorism in the world could soon come to pass.

“Security is seeing the worst era during President Goodluck Jonathan and can be directly attributed to the wide prevalence of corruption in the country.

“Look at the Boko Haram case, the way the Federal Government allows sentiment to meddle with the proper handling of the situation has cost the country and the world more than it can afford to pay.”

KRPC to undergo 100 per cent rehabilitation, says MD From Muhammad Adamu, Kaduna

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anaging Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petro-Chemical Company (KRPC), Bolanle Ayodele, said yesterday that refinery would undergo total rehabilitation by its original builders, Chiyoda of Japan, after which it would hit 100 per cent installed capacity from the 65 per cent.

According to him, the refinery will become “brand new” after the rehabilitation and will refine 60,000 barrels of Nigeria bonny light per day and 50,000 barrels per day of imported heavy crude, being the volume it was designed and built to refine.

Ayodele spoke at the commissioning ceremony of the office of KadunaState Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Kaduna.

Represented by the KRPC Manager, Public Affairs, Alhaji Idris Abdullahi, Ayodele said that, “the Federal Government has perfectedarrangements to totally refurbish its three refineries but it will be done in phases.

“That of KRPC will take place in June and end sometimes in September this year.

“The builders of the KRPC, Chiyoda of Japan, who have the license to its functioning, have been contacted and they have since gone into partnership with Saipen.

“They have done the scoping,

the design and procurement for the job which are the most difficult aspect of the project.

“By the time they are through with the refinery, what you will get is a brand new refinery.

“And there is nothing strange about this because refineries are not built to die.

“There are refineries that are 100 years old in Europe and they are still running but this one was built in 1978.

“When the rehabilitation finishes, we shall be comfortably refining 60,000 barrels per day of our local crude and 50,000 barrels per day of imported heavy crude which by product include wax and bitumen among others.

“The good news is that all the allied industries that feed on the by-

products of these refineries will bounce back to life.

“The KRPC is happy to partner with the Correspondents’ Chapel because we see you as the eyes of the public on this strategic government investment.

“There is no such corporation north of the Niger and Benue that is bigger than the KRPC and management believes that the people have the right to know what is going on there, whether we are doing well or not and the challenges we a facing.

The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Luka Binniyat, said that the correspondents decided to have its office to free them of what he described as encumbrances from the NUJ.

he House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts yesterday summoned the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Nde, to appear before it to answer to sundry queries on the 2007-2010 remittances to the Federation Account.

The committee described failure of Nde to honour its invitations as lawless and ordered that the Customs boss should make himself on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 to respond to the sundry issues raised by the office of the Auditor General of the Federation.

Chairman of the Committee, Solomon Olamilekan, said that, “we are not happy, the Comptroller General cannot be above the law.

“The Customs controls revenue and in charge of too much money does not make him above law.”

Reports said that Nde travelled to Ghana and had delegated his Deputy, AJ Atte, to represent the Service at the scheduled meeting yesterday, a development which incurred the wrath of members.

Reps honour Achebe

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives has unanimously adopted a motion urging the Federal Government to name the National Library headquarters under construction in Abuja after Prof.

Chinua Achebe who died last week.

During its plenary session yesterday, the lawmakers also observed a one minute silence in his honour and resolved to send a letter ofcondolence to the family as well as a delegation during the final burial rites for the renown author.

In his contribution, Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, described himself as a great beneficiary of Achebe’s works explaining that he received “Arrow of God” as prize for coming first in the English Language class when he was in form four during his days at the Teacher’s Training College.

Moving the motion earlier, Hon. Charles Odedo (PDP Anambra state), noted that, “Prof. Achebe brought honour to Nigeria with his literary works that included his novel ‘Things Fall Apart.’ “The novel which was written in 1958, over 50 years ago, has been translated into over 50 languages and has sold over 12 million copies worldwide.

“Prof. Achebe authored over 20 novels and he won many awards and prizes including the Nigerian National Merit Award, Man Booker International Prize 2007, Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize in 2010.

“He has also received honorary degrees from more than 30 universities around the world.

“In 1992 he became the first living writer to be represented in the Everyman’s Library Collection.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

L-R: Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Rufa'I Ahmed, Anambra state Governor, Mr Peter Obi, and Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, during their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

L-R: Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, and former Chief of Army Staff, General Abdulrahaman Danbazau (Rtd), during the latter's visit to President Goodluck Jonathan, recently at the State House, in Abuja.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Ibrahim Mahe, Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, and Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority, Mr. Tervie Gemade, jointly briefing journalists on housing recently at the State House, Abuja.

Photos: Joe Oroye

Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (right), buys a watermelon during his visit to the Oba market, yesterday in Benin City.

L-R: Deputy Managing Director, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, 8-year-old youngest participant, Miss Anthonia Oluwaseyi, 1st runner-up, Mohammed Hassan, Winner, Edatanlen Moses, and 2nd runner-up, Alli Labbeb, during the UBA Foundation Mini Marathon for Prostate Cancer Awareness, recently in Lagos.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 9

Mu'azu sues Yuguda over indictments From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

F

ormer Bauchi State Governor Ahmed Adamu Muazu sued the Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda at Bauchi High Court1, Bauchi over his indictment by the judicial commission of inquiry and the white paper report of the state government that accepted the recommendations of the commission.

It would be recalled that Governor Isa Yuguda accepted the white paper recommendations that ordered the former Governor Mu'azu to refund over N2 billion to the treasury of Bauchi State Government and barred the former governor from holding any public office for 10 years.

The suit joined the Bauchi State Government, AttorneyGeneral and commissioner of Justice, Judicial commission of Inquiry, and Justice Bitrus Sanga, president of the judicial commission in the first term of the Yuguda administration The Presiding Judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammed Zango adjourned the suit to April 28 for ruling on the application on whether to join the NGO and Muhammad Gambo as the 6thand 7th defendants.

Counsel to Muazu, Barrister Mustapha Ahmed and Barrister

Nasiru Balan Malam, asked the court to set aside the indictments in the white paper and also for an order to set aside all the steps legal and otherwise taken by the government of Bauchi state against the former Governor.

Meanwhile, a Non Governmental Organization, Watch Dog on Leadership Development and one Muhammad Gambo through their counsel Barrister Sale Bakaro jointly filed application to be joined in the case as interested party in order to help the State Government defence pursuant to order 11 rules 3of the Bauchi state High Court procedure rule 1987.

Barrister Sale Bakaro told the court that they were interested because the Judicial commission of inquiry asked the former governor to refund N2 billion to the government which they believed, would have helped to address the socio economic development and security of the state if channeled into the government treasury.

Bakaro argued that the money would have also helped the government to stop the suspension of workers allowances under executive fiat which left many Bauchi state secondary school children at home due to teachers strike.

50 Kaduna youths for agriculture training From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Nehemiah Youth Empowerment Initiative (NYEI), a non governmental organisation, yesterday said that 50 Nigerian youths from Kaduna State are to benefit from its free mechanized farming project.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos, NYEI Founder, Mr. Tonye Cole said that the group felt the need to empower the Northern youths via the platform of agriculture in light of the recent security situations in Northern Nigeria. ``The 50 youth we selected from various communities in Kaduna state will be given parcels of land and equipped with the resources required to farm. ``The mentoring/tutoring for mechanized agriculture and financial support will last for three years after which they are expected to continue without supervision'', Cole said.

He said that the Nehemiah Initiative acquired the land and the necessary implements and that the beneficiaries would get them for free. ``All that is expected of them is the willingness to learn and thrive which is all they are to bring into the project. ``Our aim is to build agricultural entrepreneurs

who would in turn reach out to their communities in the state on the need to take up agriculture and de-emphasize white collar jobs'' he said.

He said that plans are ongoing to extend the project to other parts of the country. `` Once we have access to land as we got in Kaduna, we source for sponsors who donate equipment as well as bring in the expertise that will tutor those selected for the project'', he said.

L-R: Adamawa state Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yarima Ngama, and Chairman FORTE Oil, Chief Femi Otedola, during the Economic Management Team's meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Arewa group canvasses power shift in 2015 From Iliya Garba, Minna

C

oncerned Arewa Patriots (CAP) of Nigeria has appealed to elders, stakeholders and leaders of the North irrespective of their political affiliation to unite and rebalance the power sharing formula to the North come 2015 presidential election.

In a press statement signed by the National co-ordinator Mayaki Idris, the group stated that North was and still a political rallying point, adding that presidency to the North would afford the zone another opportunity to contribute positively to socio-economic and political emancipation of Nigeria including finding

solution to numerous security challenges.

According to the statement, "what is called the North comprises of 19 states with three geo-political zones carved out of the old and preindependence North for easy political arrangements and representation: they are North West, North East and the North central zones".

"We are seeking the cooperation of these three zones for realization of the truncated tenure of Northern presidency without resulting to situations that will give rise to suspicion, rancour and insecurity".

The statement also stressed that participatory

democracy where every segment is carried along, was a catalyst to unity, adding that CAP during its recent press conferences in some major cities in the North said, "we will bend backwards to the legacies of our founding fathers in order to chart an obvious way forward".

The group however said the next Nigerian president of Northern extraction, should be an unquestionable and selfless individual who can lead Nigeria to the promised land and possess credibility devoid of ethnic, political and religious sentiment; incorruptible, sellable, reliable and have track record of Nationalism.

Nasarawa SUBEB organizes workshop for 3000 teachers From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), has organised a professional development training workshop for Basic Education Teachers (BET) and school administrators on "Effective and Efficient Lesson Plan Delivery."

The workshop which held at the Ibrahim Abacha Youth Centre in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, saw over 3000

teachers; 1000 from Keffi, 1100 from Lafia and over 800 from Akwanga, taking part in the exercise aimed at impacting knowledge on the participants for maximum utilisation.

In an address at the occasion, the executive chairman of NSUBEB, Malam Abdulkarim Muhammad Abdullahi, said that with the series of workshops to be organized by the board, it is hoped that teachers would be more determined to inculcate

what they would acquire, to school children across the state.

He observed that even with the determination of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, in recently approving the construction of 231 blocks of classrooms, distribution of furniture in public primary schools and JSS, to uplift education and make it comparable to that of any other state, the students/ pupils may not achieve optimal knowledge, without

adequate training of personnel.

Malam Abdulkarim charge the resource persons handling the exercise to use their wealth of experience as seasoned educationists to impact the acquired knowledge on the trainees.

Earlier in a welcome address, Malam Isah Salihu, director of quality assurance at the board, warned that the board would not hesitate to blacklist trainees who fail to utilise the knowledge acquired.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Easter: FG declares Friday, Monday public holidays

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

T

he Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29 and Monday, April 1, 2013 as public holidays to mark the celebration of Good Friday

and Easter Monday respectively.

The Minister of Interior, comrade Abba Moro, who made the declaration on behalf of the government, congratulated Christians on the joyous occasion and

enjoined them to remain committed to the exemplary attributes of love, tolerance and peaceful co-existence which Jesus Christ exhibited on hearth.

A statement issued by the Director, Citizen and Business,

in the ministry, Adetayo Sode, urged all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs to use the occasion for sober reflection and pray for the continued prosperity and progress of the nation.

L-R: Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ahaji Mohammed Sani Sidi, Delta state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia, during the national consultative workshop on 2013 flood prevention/mitigation, preparedness and response, organised by NEMA, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

T

he first phase of National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) popularly referred to as 'Ihovbor Power Plant' located on the outskirts of Benin-City is expected to link the National grid in April.

The project which would generate 125 megawatts to the national grid has reached 98 per cent completion, according to Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Limited (NDPHC), owners of the NIPP, Mr.

Edo NIPP for national grid April

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin James Abiodun Olotu.

Olotu made the disclosure while commissioning the power injector sub-stations at Oluku where he assured that the power plant which has four units would boost power supply at Ugbowo and environs in Benin-City.

He also assured improved

service in power distribution among electricity consumers in the Benin zone of PHCN, comprising Delta, Ekiti and Ondo states when the second phase of the project would have ended in June this year.

According to him, the newly commissioned 2X 15 MVA 33/ 11 KV transformers stationed at Oluku, was capable of boosting

power supply to the community in Ugbowo axis whom he urged to assist in protecting the projects against vandals.

"In line with the transformation and power sector reform agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration, NIPP will deliver more projects this year and boost quality of power supply to Nigerians," he said.

Attah Igala vows to stamp out hunger from kingdom From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Attah of Igala, His Eminence, Idakwo AmeOboni, yesterday reiterated his commitment to eradicating hunger and starvation from Igala kingdom in particular, Kogi state and the country.

He gave the assurance when

he led some of his subjects to farm site for aggressive farming, noting that to achieve the set objective, everybody should embark on large scale farming.

Attah Igala who has 150 hectares of farm land at OjuwoOcha in Ofu local government area and 200 hectares at Oforachi in Igalamela, Odolu local government area of Kogi

state, stated that on his ascension to the throne, he prayed for the extermination of hunger and starvation from Igala kingdom, Kogi state and Nigeria.

According to him, his leadership was matching words with action and advocacy as part of a mufti-faceted strategy to ensure the success of his campaign.

Reps urge FG to construct more flyovers, bridges along Benin-Lagos road

By Umar Muhammad Puma

W

orried by the series accidents occurring daily on the BeninLagos road with the attendant loss of many lives and properties worth billions of Naira, the House of Representatives yesterday urged the federal ministry of works to construct flyovers and pedestrian bridges across the road, especially at Ore junction in Ondo state.

In a motion brought to the floor of the house, Rep. Akintola

Albert (PDP Ondo state) said this has become necessary because of the importance of the road to motorists, as it links the Benin-Lagos highway bypass at Ore and connects Okitipupa Irere, Ilaja, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, Ondo east, Ondo west Illegal Oluji/Oke Igbo local government areas of Ondo state, including the popular NNPC, PPMC depot (Ore NNPC depot) and several tertiary institutions and federal parastatals in Ondo state.

He stressed that the road

was notorious for heavy traffic and fatal accidents throughout the year, especially during weekends and festive periods.

He expressed concern that the loss of many man-hour caused by the delay in the vehicular movement has negative consequences for business and other road users.

"Similar flyovers and pedestrian bridges have been constructed at various accident points in our major highways across the country in order to save lives and properties", he added.

He urged all Igala sons to take up arms against hunger by farming and expanding existing ones.

"With the help of God, during my reign, food will be in abundance in the kingdom, in the state and in the entire nation", he stated.

He noted that government alone cannot meet all the demands of the people with scare resources, adding that with abundant arable land in the country, everybody should take up agriculture to compliment the effort of government.

Reacting to the Attah's call, Special Adviser to the Kogi state governor on Agriculture, Prof Abubakar Akpa, said the advocacy and assurance from the royal father on food security for Igala kingdom, the state and the country was a welcome development.

He said that the Kogi state government has taken the bold challenge of industrial breakthrough by ensuring that agriculture was the vehicle to achieving the dream.

Borno evicts occupants of teachers college quarters

T

he Borno Government on Monday directed all nonmembers of staff residing in teachers' quarters in schools in the state to vacate them.

Governor Kashim Shettima gave the directive when he paid an unscheduled visit to the Arabic Teachers' College, Maiduguri.

Shettima said that it was wrong for non-staff members of schools to occupy government quarters at the detriment of teachers.

He said the directives also became imperative to allow for conducive teaching and learning in the schools.

The governor said rather than stay in teachers' quarters, such non-staff members should seek accommodation in government estates across the state.

Shettima advised the school managements to put in more efforts to safeguard government's property in their care.

He said the government would strive to provide all the needed facilities for smooth teaching and learning in schools.

Shettima said the government was working on plans to provide free school uniforms and sportswear for students in boarding schools to boost their morale.

He said government would also provide computers and other facilities in schools to accelerate the teaching and learning of ICT. The governor said that government was looking at the possibility of assisting students with transport money to enable them to travel home during holidays.

He advised the students to take their studies serious in order to succeed in life. (NAN)

Gunmen kill policeman in Jos

G

unmen on Monday shot dead a police corporal, Munir Jibril, at Ganawuri village, near Jos, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state.

Mr Chris Olakpe, Commissioner of Police in the state, who confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos yesterday, said Jibril was killed while on patrol along with his colleagues. ``The incident happened around 2 p.m. on Monday when the patrol vehicle was attacked by the gunmen,'' he said.

The police officer said the corpse of the slain police man had been deposited at the Plateau Specialist Hospital for autopsy. ``There are no arrests as yet, but we are already combing the area in search of the culprits.''

Olapke described the incident as ``very sad and unfortunate'', but assured members of the public that the command would not be deterred in its effort to restore peace in Plateau.

The local government area has been a theatre of violence, resulting in lots of casualties in the last few years.

At one of the funerals for hundreds of villagers killed in Maseh of Bachit District on July 8, 2012, a Senator, Gyang Dantong and Plateau House of Assembly Majority Leader, Gyang Filani, died in a stampede when gunmen opened fire on the mourners. (NAN)

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Balancing living in the now with planning for the future

T

he latest buzz in retirement news is that most of us won't have enough money to retire. The recent market crisis has everyone feeling very pessimistic about pretty much everything: "Stocks aren't what they used to be."

"You can't rely on the market growing over time like you used to."

"Computer trading has ruined long-term investing."

These sound like new ideas, but they happen every time after the market tanks (which has happened many times before, regardless of how alarmist the news is).

The current state of retirement is a perfect way to analyze how and why we do the things we do when we try to balance the present and the future. (See also: Why Saving Money Is a Gift to Your Future Self) With all the panic and hoopla, everyday people like you and me who invest so that we can retire one day have decided to do one of two things: 1.

Give up investing altogether. If the experts are right and stocks aren't going to

help us retire because the whole system is "broken," then we might as well put our money under a mattress where we know it'll be safe. Others are even more pessimistic and just say the hell with it - I'm spending it all and will worry about retirement when I'm old.

2. Save even more.

Stressing out about being old and not having money will do wonders for some people's motivation. Many investors have decided they're going to max out their 401(k)s, max out their Roth IRAs, and then try to invest some money in handpicked stocks so they can have a shot at a decent retirement.

Both strategies, of course, are a little extreme. You need balance when you're saving for retirement, and the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle.

Live in the Now We all have to remember that life happens in the present.

Money comes and goes, but youth and time is something you can never get back. As poetic and mushy-gushy as that sounds, it's true.

If you save up the money to go on a trip to Greece when you're 30, it's going to be a very different trip than if you decide to wait and go when you're 65.

You won't be bungee jumping or skydiving; I can guarantee you that much.

Finding the Right Balance The right answer is to be so prepared for the future that you can enjoy the present without

feeling guilty about the things you want to do or panicked about retirement.

That means following some basic rules: "Contribute at least up to the match for your 401(k).

"Bump up your 401(k) contribution every time you get a raise.

"Put a percentage of your bonus into your Roth IRA and try to max it out every year.

"Invest for the long-term in your retirement accounts, ignoring the ups and downs.

"Don't take money out your retirement account early.

"Run the numbers once a year and adjusting as necessary to ensure you're on the right track.

"Minimize your expenses so you have more money to work with.

And if you want to enjoy spending your money today without feeling guilty, here are some tips: "Targeted savings - if you save ahead of time for a trip or a $200 pair of jeans, it'll be easier to spend the money because you "earned it."

"Enjoy the present, so you'll have no regrets in the future.

"If you get a bonus, take a percentage to treat yourself to something you really want.

"Reward yourselffor hitting your goals (like making budget every month or contributing to your Roth IRA).

"Create a bucket list to remind you of all the things you

Money Tip: Customer complaints can help Prepare for natural disasters, save your money, grief your company want to do in your life.

"Don't forget you could die tomorrow and all your plans for the future would be for naught.

"Write. Keeping a journal or writing letters to others is a great way to keep us grounded in the present and reminds us the

things that are really important.

The secret to living a balanced life is to be organized and strict about how you prepare for the future, so you can cut loose and enjoy the present without feeling guilty about it

make accessing such information much easier when the time comes: Create a log of all account numbers, toll-free emergency numbers, contact information and passwords for your bank and credit card accounts, loans, insurance policies, utilities and other important accounts.

Update it regularly and save copies in secure, offsite locations such as a safety deposit box or with a trusted friend living in another area. You can also email the list to yourself in an encrypted, password-protected file, save it on a CD or USB drive, or use a cloud-based storage service like Dropbox that will let

you access it from any internet connection.

Make PDF copies of tax returns, insurance policies and legal documents and save offsite in the same manner as above, in case your files or computer are destroyed by fire or flood. Also make digital copies of invaluable family photos, documents and memorabilia that money can't replace.

Document your possessions. If you should ever need to file an insurance claim or claim a tax deduction for lost, stolen or damaged property, it'll be much easier if you have an inventory of everything you own - photos or videotape are even better.

Make sure you fully understand what is and isn't covered by your insurance policies for natural disasters. You may need additional coverage for damage associated with hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes and other weather conditions. Also: Document any damage with photos or video before you start cleanup or repairs.

Keep track of expenses you incur to prevent further damage, for temporary housing or to move your possessions for safekeeping, as they may be reimbursable under your insurance claim.

Don't delay submitting your claim, since insurers often settle claims in the order filed.

Bottom line: Develop a family emergency plan now and make sure everyone knows what to do when disaster strikes.

H

ere's something most small business owners have probably never considered: Customer complaints don't have to be considered a problem. In fact, they can be a tremendous source of goodwill and business opportunity.

Make a friend: Deal with your customers with honesty and respect (and prompt answers) and you earn a loyal customer, not to mention referrals and positive reviews and social media postings.

Learn something important: Complaints just might alert you to important changes you need to make to your products and services which in turn can lead to more growth for your small business.

Quote "Business is a game, played for fantastic stakes, and you're in competition with experts. If you want to win, you have to learn to be a master of the game."

- Sidney Sheldon

N

atural disasters are i n e v i t a b l e , unpreventable and often come without warning. No part of the world seems to be spared, whether it's a hurricane, earthquake, tornado, drought or flood. Even though such catastrophes can't always be predicted, their likely aftermaths often can, including property loss, power or water service disruption, scarcity of food and supplies or overtaxed relief organizations.

Super storm Sandy was a powerful reminder of why it's vital to develop a family disaster plan. By planning ahead and knowing what you might need

under dire circumstances, you can save yourselves a lot of time, money and grief.

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers great suggestions for developing a family emergency plan, building an emergency supply kit, and learning what to do before, during and after emergencies - even a plan for family pets.

Once your physical safety has been assured, you'll inevitably need to access important financial and legal records, whether to file insurance claims, apply for loans or simply withdraw cash.

Taking these few steps now will

Share your Money Tip do you have a business/money idea, and you want to share with it with our dear readers? Then, send it to: ikabirsule@gmail.com or (text it to 08091904890). Thanks a million!

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

T

Zimbabwe’s historic constitutional referendum

he result of the March 16 referendum on the new constitution of Zimbabwe is about the only news of political significance that, for a very long time, has enjoyed the consensus of the country's fractious and quarrelling elite. That country’s new constitution is something of a revolution, having introduced some far-reaching changes. However, some civil rights societies berate the new constitution as having catered only for the elite, particularly the governing class and the opposition.

The new constitution, which was approved by an overwhelming 95 percent of the votes, is reported to have had a larger turnout than any other polls in the country since its independence in 1980. First, the new document contains a clear term limit for the president, pegging it at two terms of five years each. This means that Zimbabwe would never again be stuck with a figure as durable and divisive as the incumbent President Robert Mugabe, who has spent a staggering 33 years in power and is positioning himself to stand for another election in July, at the age of 89.

Secondly, the new constitution contains a Bill of Rights which is expected to protect the people’s freedom of speech. The document would also curb the president's power to veto legislation. And, lastly, in a provision that would assuage the land hunger of many Zimbabweans, the new constitution bars any legal challenges against land distribution.

In announcing the results of the

referendum, the chairman of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Lovemore Sekeramayi, said that an overwhelming 3,073,966 representing 94.5 percent of the electorate - voted in favour of the new constitution, with 179,489 representing 5 percent - voting against while 56,627 ballots were spoilt and recorded as invalid. Significantly, the

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Zimbabwe needs to move from the circus of its political and economic gridlock. At independence in 1980, the country held out universally acknowledged prospects and potential; but at a time the potential was expected to mature, the country nearly descended into anarchy government and the opposition have hailed the results, with President Mugabe dubbing it a people's constitution.

The new constitution, which has come into effect but not retroactively, will be the framework for the general elections scheduled for July.

The seemingly western-favoured opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), had

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”

mounted a vigorous challenge against Mugabe and Co., but came short of ousting the ZANU PF. The two parties agreed on a coalition government in the past four years, but paralysed by bickering and mutual suspicion, Zimbabwe has remained largely in political limbo. The new deal is expected to break the gridlock and recapture the country's earlier political dynamism. With political paralysis, the country, formerly the sub-region agriculture power house, has fallen into disillusion.

We definitely agree that Zimbabwe needs to move from the circus of its political and economic gridlock. At independence in 1980, the country held out universally acknowledged prospects and potential; but at a time the potential was expected to mature, the country nearly descended into anarchy.

Western vindictive sanctions have for so long literally immobilized the country, but with the fresh air of the new constitution, we urge for lifting of the sanctions, more so as we believe that sanctions hurt the ordinary people more than regime henchmen.

The new constitution approved overwhelmingly by Zimbabweans has given hope of an evolution of a new type of politics, that could be more tolerant and focused on the welfare of the people. While a constitution itself, no matter the wonderful provisions it contains, is not a guarantee of purposeful politics as experience has shown in several parts of Africa, we hope that the new Zimbabwe constitution will point to a future that is different from their recent past.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM ACTING EDITOR, DAILY HAMEED M. BELLO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 13

Chinua Achebe: An iroko has fallen

By Thompson Ighalo

W

hen a great person dies, the world trembles. And so it was on 21 March, 2013 when it was announced to the world that Professor Chinua Achebe has passed into the great beyond. In its coverage of the demise of Achebe, Aljazeera news channel referred to Achebe as the father of African literature.

Achebe was way ahead of his contemporaries in respect of his literary works. He produced literary works that were ageless and timeless. For me, the flagship of his work was Things Fall Apart; it was a book that captured the African strugglethe struggle of the African for identity in a rapidly changing world. It was a work that sought to answer the question of whether the African can hold on to his culture and traditions while embracing western civilization. Each of the characters faced different challenges with the advent of the Christian missionaries. It indeed makes for an interesting and thrilling masterpiece.

Despite all the changes around him, Okonkwo strives to define his success as a man with the African concept of wealth-that a man can be counted truly wealthy when he is able to farm

By Bayo Oluwasanmi

O

n March 21, the intellectual world lost one of its most distinguished members when Chinua Achebe died after a brief illness in his eightysecond year. Since the news of his departure invaded the airwaves, the world has been struggling to keep up with the volume of tribute that streams in daily.

Achebe needs no introduction to the general reader. His pen was active for more than over half a century.

The sentence of his prose is like a polished gem. In our generation, few writers have been celebrated as Chinua Achebe. In high school, Things Fall Apart was our treasured companion. We carried it wherever we went. Achebe was the prime force behind African Writers Series (AWS). My literary world and others of my age was formed, nurtured, and shaped by the talented story tellers of AWS. With six novels, eight short stories, six poetry, eight essays, and four children's books, Achebe's writings traveled a range of thought as wide as the scope of political, social, and economic issues that plague our nation.

Achebe's position on those great varieties of problems he wrote about was far reaching and breathe taking. Few modern

his land and provide for his household whereas the white man came with a new God and a new concept- that a man without western education cannot be counted relevant in the society.

But it was not just Achebe’s many works that stood him out as a great man.

He had great love for this country irrespective of what some of us may think, Achebe was principled and stood for what he believed, despite the opportunity to drink from the honey comb of the nation. He believed that it was wrong to receive benefits from the system which in his opinion has failed to provide the basic necessities and improve the welfare of its citizens. Twice,

he refused national honors for what he clearly perceived as a moral dilemma for him; the dilemma of benefitting from a system which to him had failed to address the many challenges facing its people.

Whether we accept Achebe argument or not, something stands out, he stood for what he believed him till death came calling for him. He was a man of conviction and principle. Indeed, we need more people like him who are principled and will not sell their patrimony for position.

It has been said in some quarters that it was unfortunate that Achebe was not awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. For me, that does not detract from the

greatness of the man. His works are a permanent legacy of his literary skills and craftsmanship. Generations unborn would read his works and attest to his greatness.

Anyway, do we need a foreign award to be able to appreciate one of our own-certainly not!!!

Let me finish by making some comments on Achebe last published works "There was a Country". It is said that a writer's work is a reflection of how he views the world.

Literature is meant to entertain, encourage and then help cause change in the society. As his last published work, it shows that the state of the Union was something he must have reflected on a lot.

While There Was A Country has

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It has been said in some quarters that it was unfortunate that Achebe was not awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. For me, that does not detract from the greatness of the man. His works are a permanent legacy of his literary skills and craftsmanship. Generations unborn would read his works and attest to his greatness

drawn some flak from many quarters, we must not lose track of the kennel of the work.

It was an attempt to identify where the Nigerian experiment started to go wrong. For Achebe, the civil war and the role of the many actors contributed to the debacle that we face today. By using the past tense in giving a title to his last published work, the "was" in "There was a Country" carries with a lot of significance, Achebe may have come to the point where he reasoned that the Union is not worth saving.

For me, while the Union may be lopsided and amoeboid in structure, it is still worth saving, worth fighting for. For as long as there is a Nigeria, it is possible to save it. We owe it to those who have gone before us and the generations yet unborn to fight for whatever is left of the Union irrespective of its state. We have to fight for it and not give up until we get to the point when we can boldly say "There is a Country", only then can will make sure that the labors of our heroes past is not in vain-that Achebe's principles and love for this country really counts. Rest well Professor Achebe.

Thompson Ighalo is reachable on ighalo.thompson@yahoo.com

… A writer of polished prose gem writers dared as candid in the expression of unwelcome thoughts as Achebe. Is there any difficulty for the reader to fully comprehend sociological and anthropological settings of some of Achebe's work? Is there any confusion for the reader to intimately grasp the social philosophy behind Achebe's writings? The lucidity, style, and content, of books, articles, and essays authored by Achebe amply testify to the simplicity and readability of his materials. What makes Achebe's writing unique is the incisive wit that permeates his works. With stylistic effortless ease, he's been able to simultaneously combine

intellectual brilliance and humor. Things Fall Apart, his literary master piece successfully portrays this quality.

One theme that runs throughout his works and indeed in Achebe's life is the conviction that what the world needed was the old fashioned attitude of love and compassion for humanity.

Achebe's writings are funny, but the message beneath the humor is deadly serious. He's the most translated writer of his time. Achebe's best Things Fall Apart - was translated into 50 languages, sold over 10 million copies. If the reader is careless and

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superficial to the extent he cannot find nothing more than the surface fun, it means he's neglecting the more important relations and perspectives embedded in Achebe's writings. The strings of Achebe's thoughts are delicately woven in triumphant chord of satire of protests against stupidity and sterility. Achebe used a swift and sharp wit to express and expose the evil passions in human minds - suspicion, fear, lust for power, hatred, and intolerance - which stand in the way of a more benevolent Nigeria. He was an inspired writer who had just the right measure of wit to

Achebe used a swift and sharp wit to express and expose the evil passions in human minds - suspicion, fear, lust for power, hatred, and intolerance - which stand in the way of a more benevolent Nigeria. He was an inspired writer who had just the right measure of wit to spice his wisdom. His criticism was always constructive

spice his wisdom. His criticism was always constructive.

Achebe would not criticize any person, or group of persons, or any institution without suggesting how to make things better. In my mind, Achebe is one of the rare literary giants who combine common sense and uncommon sense to confront the excesses and other societal evils associated with a world devoid of benevolence. He never flinched from any issue that was unpopular. The Anthills of Savannah, The Trouble With Nigeria, and lately There Was A Country sparked firestorms of controversy and conversation.

Achebe was a multi-gifted mind, a man gifted with the ability to make people laugh at themselves. His legacy was not in literature alone. Perhaps his greatest gift to mankind was his unfaltering courage and fearless stand he took in his campaign to preserve humanity. All that Achebe struggled for and for which he sacrificed so much is beautifully summed up by Horace Mann: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."

Oluwasanmi is reachable via byolu@aol.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 14

How to drastically reduce unemployment

By Suleiman Haruna

O

ne of the most critical questions facing governments today is how they will reduce the spate of unemployment among their citizens. No country, whether big or small can deny this problem. Instead of employment, however, what is becoming the glaring reality is the need to sack more people.

This can easily be explained away on increasing automation, necessity of cuts on personnel and overhead spending, and improved human resource management, which always points to trimmer systems. The issue therefore is not to employ, but to sack.

How did the world get to such a pass? The question of engaging idle minds so they don't turn out to be 'devil's workshop' has continued to be one of the most primary challenges of humanity. For one, there are too many people to engage. Every year, millions turn 18, out of which many graduates from schools, with certificates or as failures and pool themselves into the vast ocean called labour market. Lucky ones who have skills from their education or their chosen vocations find avenues to employ themselves or get employed. Millions more continue the 'more you look, less you see' struggle. Nigeria's Minister of National Planning had declared that

By Ifeanyi Izeze

W

hen the Federal Government on Wednesday March 20 said the national economy would be truncated if the full deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry was not carried out, it became very obvious that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has made up its mind to keep conducting its business by drifting from one manufactured crisis to the next.

Is it not funny that the President's declaration came barely 24 hours from an Abuja Federal High Court ruling that declared deregulation illegal?

Was the President waiting to hear the court ruling before telling us that the whole country would collapse if we don't allow him to fully deregulate the nation's downstream oil sector?

By the way, if deregulation was rejected in January last year not because it was a bad idea, but because it was ill-timed, what has changed in the seasons and times of the economy and governance of this nation, or in the welfare of its people, to have warranted a revisit to this sore issue? It was good that the Presidency itself openly acknowledged that "Nigerians had become cynical about government policies because past governments failed them."

Though what the Jonathan man - Labaran Maku failed to add was

which was unemployment quickly rate for 2011 launched early stood at 23.9%; February, which Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text 2012. One half translates to messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written goes into almost 40 contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 development of million citizens. critical words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and Another figure infrastructure from the a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed and the other National to: in developing Bureau of social safety Statistics had The Editor, nets, the funds indicated that Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, are shared over 70% of 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. among the Nigerians live Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com three tiers of on a USD a day SMS: 08097530639 Government. or less. These The safety figures have net angle led to actually been unemployed citizens? It is by the introduction of the rolling over for decades to reach coming up with stop gap Community Services, Women the monumental level they are programmes that can engender and Youth Empowerment at today.

Program in October, 2012, Governments, apart from the hope among them and douse the desperation that follows their which oversees the Community key responsibility of ensuring Services Scheme, meant for the security for life and property, are despondence. Not all job seekers are looking for N100,000-aunskilled and uneducated. So also mandated to provide a month jobs. Most would gladly far, about 120,000 Nigerians means of livelihood for their accept lower pay that could are benefiting from the scheme. citizens. Resources to employ are address their immediate needs, The Graduate Internship always scarce, useful skills are Scheme is meant for always low, while, not addressing while still looking ahead to better opportunities. These stop unemployed graduates. Each the situation is breeding fresh gap efforts, by virtue of their low beneficiary is to benefit for a problems for the polity. period of one year, after which Intelligent youths set their minds financial implication can go round many people. Remember it is assumed they would have to do the only thing left to do: use the partial withdrawal of improved their employability their heads, literally. They in the labour market, or even defraud, kidnap, rob, and even do petroleum subsidy at the dawn of 2012? It sparked off get retained by their firms of the unthinkable, give up hope and go into suicidal missions. It is recriminations within the polity engagement, or even seek other such that government had to opportunities throughother therefore not an option for guarantee that the funds government programmes like governments to allow this to accrued from the subsidy the Youth Enterprise with happen as the repercussions are withdrawal would be re-infused Innovation in Nigeria far worse than the fear of the cost into the system, through a (YouWin), where they can of getting everyone engaged.

Subsidy Reinvestment and develop business plans and get Now, how do you drastically Empowerment Programme, loans to run their businesses reduce the number of these

WRITE TO US

independently. The workability of the Graduate Internship Scheme depends largely on the involvement of Governmental and Non-Governmental Organizations as well as private business enterprises in all sectors of the economy. They need to request for such interns.

Over 70,000 Nigerian graduates, far higher than the 50,000 per year threshold of the programme have applied and have been registered; only a few hundred however, have been engaged. The firms have a number of advantages if they engage the graduates. They get free labour at government expense as government will pay the monthly stipends of the interns, they get to select the best interns to join their workforce and they get a costfree opportunity to render their Corporate Social Responsibility.

The project is also planning other incentives like tax rebates for companies registered with the Project.

The problem of unemployment is having its impact on all citizens and all sectors of the economy. It is only through inter-sectoral synergy therefore, that the problem of youth unemployment can be tackled. Government has provided the funds and the enablement, the youths are willing, registered and ready; what remains is for firms to do their own bit by engaging them.

Suleimanharuna.word press.com

Oil deregulation or Jonathan's wayo that Nigerians are not only cynical with the present government, they are vexed by the continuing irresolution of this administration which seems to have made so much effort at nothing. The assertion by the federal government that "without deregulation, you will never have a sustainable downstream sector of the economy; we cannot generate jobs in the sector; and we cannot have an orderly market," was an indication of the government's cluelessness.

First, why has it become an impossible task for the federal government to fully resuscitate the nation's existing three and half refineries at Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna? How can the

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) claim that national demand for fuel particularly gasoline (petrol) is so high that even if the three and half refineries work at full installed capacities and refine 445,000 barrels of crude oil per day, the country would still have to import additional 12 million litres of petrol to augment incountry production? So what is stopping the three and half refineries from working even at near full installed capacity? Let the NNPC achieve that feat first and then we begin to find ways of bridging the shortfall that is if there is any.

Does anybody in government know the exact volume of fuel -petrol, diesel and

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SURE-P has ended up creating more SURE-thieves. That is governance in Nigeria for you! Without a genuine determination to address the serious problem of corruption by people in and around government in this country, no economic policy- whether full or over-full deregulation - would ever work to produce desired goals

kerosene consumed domestically on daily, weekly, and monthly basis in this country? The answer is no! The figures dangled so far as volumes of petrol and diesel consumed domestically were mere wild guesses derived from the wildest imaginations of those in government who want to justify the huge amount expended on the subsidy racket.

Nobody has an iota of idea on the exact or scientifically derived volume of petroleum products consumed in-country on daily basis not even a near estimate.

What can the government say it has done so far to encourage private participation in the refining subsector of the nation's downstream oil sector? Over 25 licenses for the building of privately-owned refining plants were doled out to people who say they were interested in investing in the refining subsector, how many has gone beyond the stage of just collecting the licenses and how many are still serious about actually building new plants?

Funny enough, most of these licensees are the same people at the forefront of importing petroleum products from all sorts of places.

Most of the would-be investors complained to the federal government on the issue of sourcing/availability of crude oil feedstock for the proposed plants,

has the government taken any serious step not only to assure the investors but actually kick-start the process of securing crude oil from producers to be used as feedstock for these proposed plants? The last time attempts were made to completely withdraw subsidy on petroleum products in January 2012, the federal government came up with a palliative package which they called Subsidy Reinvestment Programme (SURE-P). Today, the activities of the programme could best be described as blurred and at worst obscured as, according to a colleague of mine, SURE-P has ended up creating more SUREthieves. That is governance in Nigeria for you! Without a genuine determination to address the serious problem of corruption by people in and around government in this country, no economic policywhether full or over-full deregulation - would ever work to produce desired goals. In a situation where people in government are seen to be aiding and as well as deeply involved in corruption, government would be deceiving itself by expecting full cooperation from the ordinary people who sees their leaders as enemies.

Ifeanyi Izeze can be reached on:iizeze@yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 15

APC: An acronym of acrimony

By SOC Okenwa

E

ver since the main opposition political parties in Nigeria (ACN, CPC, ANPP and a faction of APGA) declared gleefully their intention to form a merger party to be known as the All Progressives Congress (APC) the misruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been panicking, panting and brain-storming over how best to manage the consequencies of the emergence of APC in the political calculations of 2015. And suddenly they have come up with an amorphous African People's Congress ('APC') and another 'APC' (All Patriotic Citizens) - all in an organized criminal bid to wrest the APC acronym from the original APC in order to thwart their efforts.

What began as a 'huge joke' soon assumed a life of its own and metamorphosed into a well-oiled orchestrated double-edged plot to 'kill' the original APC even before it is delivered legally. A local lawyer, Oliver Chidi Ike (whose name was never known nationally before now) had claimed that he was the first person to have applied to INEC to register a political party named All Patriotic Citizens (APC) even brandishing "evidence of an INEC acknowledgement stamp" to butress his mischievous point.

Before him one Chief Onyinye M. Ikeagwuonu who claimed to be "the Protem National Chairman of the African Peoples Congress" (APC) had addressed the press in its national headquarters in Abuja unveiling its acronym, logo, manifesto and constitution.

He, too, had claimed that his APC had sought registration with INEC having fulfilled "all requirements" for registration.

These are fifth columnists planted by reactionary forces to do a certain mischief; they are dutifully acting out the script of the PDP, so we are wiser and smarter to know that as the

By Ose Oyamendan

S

ometimes you have to work hard at loving the old guys - the men who lived in the good old days. You see, according to the laws of life, it's supposed to get better for the younger ones. The old folks are supposed to get jealous of you and I don't mean of your violent video games. But, these days when you talk to the old folks, you realize you live in an urban jungle, that your so-called life may as well be lived in an open prison. I look at my boys sometimes and I wonder if they know that life used to be dandier in my days and way better in my father's days. I remember when it was time to go to the University. I had my mind set on going to the University of Lagos to study mass communication. But, there was a little snag. I wasn't smart enough. The smart kids came from my catchment area so I had to make way for kids less smart than me because they were lucky to be born in areas considered not too smart or whatever the federal character thing is supposed to rectify.

When UNILAG got too tough to get into, I had only one, second

truth. Nigeria has since gone to the dogs and nothing should be surprising or puzzling anymore.

With monumental corruption encouraged and condoned, with poverty developing everywhere, with leadership mediocrity at its summit no one should seek for any explanation as to our continuing degeneration. Power for power sake is what matters; ethics or ethos should go to hell!

The original APC merger party must not allow themselves to be dogged by an identity crisis which threatens to derail and distract it from the avowed objectives. The shadowy APCs represent a political booby trap and Gen Buhari, Asiwaju Tinubu, Ogbonnaya Onu and Owelle Okorocha must be smart enough to avoid this. The sinister plot being hatched by the presidency and the PDP to torpedo the move by the united opposition and destabilize any genuine efforts to form a united opposition front against Jonathan (or any PDP candidate) come 2015 ought to be seen from a true perspective lest a grievous error of judgement be committed.

While Tom Ikimi and the merger committees were alluding to their "intellectual property," vowing never to change the acronym for whatever reason, it is still left to be seen whether their position will stand some legal scrutiny that is bound to follow. The truth is that the APC abbreviation has become politicised with the ruling party reaping the political capital. For all intents and purposes the APC acronym of acrimony is a distraction at best.

We should be better than this nonsense. But since we are living in a glorified season of nonsense before sense all is fair and fairness has since developed wings. But one must recognise here that the opposition parties that formed the merger party allowed themselves to be outwitted or

outsmarted. They should have been more tactful and circumspect as they went about unfolding the name and acronym of their merger party before seeking registration with INEC. We live in a polluted political environment in which the head of the corrupt establishment at the federal level has demonstrated his incapacity to lead by example. Nigeria, even with odious military rule in the distant past, has never had it so bad -- saddled with a President that grants state pardon to coup plotters and indicted high-profile corrupt elements! A president battling with his inner conscience telling him that his presidency stinks!

The APC acronym crisis reminds us all of an ABN in the early 90s during the battle against those hell-bent on undoing June 12. The "Association for Better Nigeria" was formed by the maverick politician from Oguta, Imo State, Arthur Nzeribe soon after the controversy that trailed the June 12 presidential poll won by the late MKO Abiola. With the late AGF Clement Akpamgbo and the late Judge Bassey Ikpeme, Nzeribe was used to judicially cause confusion and sow discord everywhere. As Gen. Ibrahim Babangida was giddily looking for cannon fodders and 'spoilers' with whom to muddy the electoral water of June 12 he found easy company in Nzeribe's ABN and other unprincipled politicians across the landscape including Babagana Kingibe and Tony Anenih. Alas a spurious midnight jugdement was procurred to give legal teeth to the annulment of June 12 with Nzeribe and co smiling to the bank! Today we are faced with yet another political chicanery of the worst kind aimed at discouraging the opposition merger. What is the PDP affaid of? If they have performed creditably well as their 'attack

dogs and lions' are claiming daily why the panic, why the bankrolled efforts to frustrate the opposition merger? What is in the APC merger name that is upsetting the PDP establishment so much that the acronym must be made 'competitive' enough in order to derail the opposition plans?

Behind the APC acrimonious acronym are people from the Igbo extraction and that should not be shocking. The Igboman loves to play the second fiddle and likes to be used as cannon fodder for pecuniary gains. Name any dirty deal and an Igboman would be present! The young lawyer who filed the APC application in INEC on behalf of Ikenga had said fearfully that he was given eighty thousand Naira in two instalments with a state-of-theart mobile phone to do what he did -- perhaps without knowing the import of his actions. One had thought that when your parents sent you to school to study law it was not to use that 'privilege' to hurt your nation and/or her positive aspirations. Alas the men from the south-east go to school to obtain law degrees with which they seek to serve the rich fools in our ethically-challenged society. Pity!

But the questions must be asked: why are the Igbos ever ready to be used to scuttle Nigeria's march towards greatness? Or put in another way: why is the average Igbo politician willing to be 'sold' and 'bought'? Why are men of character and principles very few in the east? Is the love of money the major reason or is it wilful determination to do evil ignorantly? Why this character flaw and lack of dignity? Must our people always be linked with hatchet jobs that belittle and demean them? Where is honour and patriotism in all these?

Something is fundamentally wrong somewhere and the time to define and re-define our

Before we all die choice - the University of Maiduguri. The north had always held a fascination for me.

The farther north I went while in secondary school, the more at home I felt. I was young and innocent and the old folks loved that. They will invite you into their homes and feed you.

Sometimes, they couldn't even understand your language but the smile on their faces conveyed the pride that they were taking care of someone else's child and helping raise the future leaders of their dear Nigeria. Now, that same part of the country is a killing field. The same reason I loved to go up there would probably have me killed today.

In a better world, that place would be Disneyland now, a place I want to go and go, again and again. But, life does not follow the normal course in Nigeria. Life moves in reverse in Nigeria. And, the sad thing is the people up there are still the same.

They are loving, love life and love visitors. But, they are hostages to life - a life no one ever

dreamt possible, a life that they now seem condemned to.

I have a friend who comes from those parts and her heart bleeds every time she remembers home. We had tea a few months ago in London and she shocked me with her feelings about the killing fields of her region. She believes the government has forgotten them; that it seems the government has folded its arms and allowed bullets and bombs to serve as a population control measure.

Whichever way you look at it, my friend may have been exaggerating but the unnatural hand of hot pellets has truly diminished the population. And, you can blame Goodluck Jonathan all you want for not providing a security blanket over the region. But, you gotta be dumb not to take a hard look at the leaders in the region. It seems leaders of the troubled region feel the more lawless it is, the more they can present themselves as alternate rulers. You wonder if their wish is to rule over an

urban cemetery. In the past, the leaders would have gotten together and found a solution to the problem. They would have sacrificed their egos and pride so the people may live, so Nigeria will survive. But, this is today no one that should care seems to care enough.\And, it's not just the north or the Niger Delta, You try traveling to Nigeria today and people look at you like you've just signed a death wish. You tell your friends that you're going to Nigeria and they encourage you to take out a larger life insurance policy and buy some bulletproof vests. The embassy sends you emails that make you questions your sanity for going home.

You tell everyone you're Nigerian and you're proud of it and you're proud to go home, and they call you a fatalist living in fantasyland. Then, you tell them of the Nigeria of yesterday, when the community raised the child, when it was strange to have power failure, when the road were so good you could leave Lagos at noon and tell your

values and needs towards 2015 is now!

That the APC acronym has suddenly become the 'beautiful bride' being wooed by every Dick and Harry must send the clear message across of our degeneration as a nation. The acronym of acrimony which the APC represents speaks volumes of our mediocrity and lack of ideas.

The question is: is there no other political party names and acronyms the PDP goons could come up with? Must they choose the APC having known that the merger party has already chosen the acronym and made it public?

The Prof. Attahiru Jega-led Independent(?) National Electoral Commission (INEC) is in the eye of the storm; under pressure to do the right thing or otherwise. The right thing obviously is to register the original APC merger of the opposition and the wrong is to register the fake version thereby confirming what Gen. Buhari has already said about the "unholy merger" of INEC with PDP and the judiciary. While they have acknowledged that they have received an application for registration from a phantom APC the law guiding INEC must be applied to the letter. No monkey business please! INEC can make or mar Nigeria post-2015 and Jega is hereby put on notice. Of course history and posterity are waiting to pass an incorruptible judgement.

Make no mistake about it though: the two opposing APC's (those of Ikeagwuonu, Ikenga and Ike) belong to the same conclave of iniquity hibernating in Abuja, determined, with petro-dollars, to continue the wrecking of the Nigerian ship.

But with God on our side 2015 ought to be their final destination of doom.

SOC Okenwa is reachable on soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr parents in Ibadan you'll be home in time for lunch, when there was something caked Nigeria Airways with a worthy fleet, when you could travel on the rail from Kaduna to Lagos in under twenty-four hours and you'll be well fed and encounter dozens of cultures and thousands of waving strangers on the way.

You tell people of the Nigeria of yesterday and they think you've invented a fantasy. Then you read the papers and you wonder if you've lost your mind. You wonder if the people whose job it is to keep Nigeria and Nigerians safe even care anymore or if they're simply waiting for us to die of bullets or hunger. And, that makes you ask before we all die: why? What exactly did Nigerians do wrong to deserve today's Nigeria? And, you try to find a place in your soul for the one question you will ask God when you meet him in the great beyond - why did you give us such a great country and great people but then you gave us a puzzle of a leadership.

Ose Oyamendan is a Hollywood-based, Nigerian filmmaker. You can follow him on his new twitter page at @iam_ose.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARC H 27, 2013

NIMET cautions Abuja farmers not to plant now T

he Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned farmers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs not to be tempted to start planting now with the early rains until April.

The General Manager, Public Weather Services, Mr Wilson Sampson, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said: “The onset of the rainy season according to the 2013 Seasonal Rain Pattern Prediction is April 16,2013.

“Farmers should, therefore, wait up until that time before planting.

“The rains we have been experiencing since the beginning of the year in Abuja can be classified as false rain and many farmers might see it as the beginning of the rains.

“When we go by the 2013 forecast, the actual rainy season in this part of the country is around April 16, which is about three weeks from now.

“The rains we have now are irregular and will dry off in the soil in no time. We advise farmers around here not to plant until the appropriate time when the soil will have gotten enough water that can sustain the crops.”

Sampson said that if farmers went ahead with the present rains, it might lead to the destruction of any type of crop, stressing, however, that the rains had helped to calm the temperature.

It would be recalled that the Director-General of NIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom,

had on Jan. 25, addressed a news conference in Abuja to alert farmers that it was not yet the onset of the rainy season, after the first rain in Abuja on Jan. 10 and on Jan. 13 and Jan. 24 respectively.

Anuforom said: “the rainy season has not started. What happened between Jan. 10 and Jan. 24 was as a result of InterTropical Discontinued (ITD) lines whereby the cool air blowing from the Sahara Desert meets with the wet, warm air from the ocean.

“When the hot air and cold

air met, the processes of mixing generated a lot of convection which caused a lot of moisture to be swept into Nigeria and led to the rains.”

He explained that it was the same system that resulted in the severe winter in Europe, adding that “another causative factor is the low pressure system moving from the west to the east.

“When it goes through the northern part of Africa, it pulls up the ITD and a lot of moisture is swept into the atmosphere in Nigeria and that led to the rain.

“We expect that when that system passes, it will relax again and harmattan will come again before the heavy wind in relation to the transition period before the normal rainy season.

“Our prediction last year was that during this year, the harmattan will not be so heavy as to cause severe destruction in aviation or flight cancellations.”

The NIMET boss added that the turbulence experienced by air travellers did not portray any sign of danger or meant that there could be a plane crash.

(NAN)

Scavengers looking for the valuables at the public refuse dump site, yesterday at Karu, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Group advocates for peace in Abaji

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Abaji Rural Area Development Association (ARADA) has advocated for peace and stability in its area.

The Chairman of the Association, Alhaji Salihu Usman Sokodeke noted this at a meeting in Nuku town of Abaji

Area Council.

He congratulated its members for the victory of Hon. Yahaya Garba the new incoming chairman of Abaji Area Council, calling for more cooperation and unity in the area for quick development.

The outgoing Chairman of the council, Alhaji Yahaya

Musa Muhammad who addressed the members during the meeting called for more commitment and unity, adding that the association is mainly for peoples of Rural Area therefore the need for cooperation, unity and focus is highly important.

Yahaya further congratulated the members for

the victory of its member in the last FCT Area Council Election.

In his address, the incoming chairman, Hon. Garba Yahaya thanked everybody that supported him during the campaign and promised to operate an open door policy for the progress of Abaji Area Council.

Close pregnancy supervision prevents complication, says Obstetrician

A

n obstetrician of Garki Hospital, Abuja, Dr Kayode Obende has advised pregnant women to embrace early ante- natal care to guarantee safe delivery.

According to him, pregnancy is at high risk when some conditions a woman has pose problem to both the mother and the baby.

Obende said that teenage pregnancy and pregnancy at 35 years and above were classified as high risk.

He said complications could occur during or after child birth.

“So, if the pregnancy is registered as early as possible, the doctor will be able to assess which pregnancy is at high or low risk.

“For those pregnant women, who are at high risk, the doctor will consider if they are on drugs.

“As we know, pregnancy and delivery is not child’s play, it is only when it comes out well that one will say it is normal.

“But for those women who have medical diseases, such as heart failure, kidney failure, and previous multiple caesarian section, close supervision is needed,” Obende said.

He said a pregnancy could be considered as high risk for various reasons; including factors that affected the mother and the baby.

The doctor said pregnant women, who had diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, epilepsy, tuberculosis, HIV and any form of cancer were at higher risk of complications.

Obende also said women who had more than five deliveries or bleeding in their previous deliveries were at high risk in subsequent pregnancies, likewise smokers and alcohol drinkers.

“Others at high risk are women that had repeated miscarriages and premature deliveries,” he said.

Obende said women with high risk pregnancy should be given careful attention and treatment, adding that they needed to be managed by specialists to ensure safe delivery.

He advised that pregnancy should be registered as early as the second month of conception to prevent complications during and after delivery. (NAN)

Gynaecologist wants govt. to establish adolescent centres in FCT, others

T

he gynaecologist at the Garki Hospital, Abuja, Dr Kayode Obende, has urged the Federal Government to establish adolescent centres in FCT and other parts of the country to promote interaction among children.

Obende told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja

that the establishment of the centres would create platform for young people to acquire useful information on ethical values.

He said that parents in parts of the country hardly engaged their children in discussion on how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases

and pregnancy.

He attributed lack of the centres to the increasing incidences of adolescents shying away from talking to their parents on their problems.

He advised governments to establish the facilities to encourage young people to interact freely, particularly on

issues of reproductive health.

Obende said: “Governments must establish adolescent centres to create room for young people to interact with their peers and also garner experience on sex education.

“Establishment of the centres will encourage adolescents to mingle with people of their age

brackets in the society.

“It would help the adolescent to develop confidence and discuss private issues, instead of running away from their elders.”

He said the centre would help to spread information on dangers of sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancy in the society. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 17

INSIDE FCT COURTS Court convicts man, 24, for stealing company’s property

A

n Abuja Senior Magistrates Court has convicted and sentenced 24year-old Shaibu Sule of Mpape, Abuja, to three months imprisonment for stealing the property of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC )company Nigeria Ltd. The company is situated along Abuja Airport Road.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Simisola Adeniyi, who handed down the judgement after the accused had pleaded guilty to the charge, however gave him an option to pay N3,000 fine.

According to her, the ruling is to serve as warning to others who may want to commit such an act.

The convict told the court that he committed the crime in order to get money to take his bed-ridden father to the hospital.

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Mr Paul Anigbo, had told the court that the convict and one other person now atlarge were reported to the Lugbe police station by one Iwuagwu Austin on March 22.

Anigbo said that on March 22, the convict and his colleague jointly trespassed and broke into the company’s yard through the fence and stole one Dell Laptop, its charger and one Internet decoder.

The prosecutor added that the convict also stole one electric shaving clipper, one flash light, a pair of safety boot, one radio set, one umbrella, clothes and recharge cards.

He said the convict, in addition, stole the sum of N16,000 and was caught while attempting to escape through the window.

Anigbo added that, as a result, the convict had committed offences of joint act, criminal trespass, housebreaking and theft, contrary to the provisions of sections 79, 348, 346 (a) and 288 of the Penal Code. section 79 says “when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.

Section 348 states that “whoever commits criminal trespass shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to N100 or with both.

Section 346 (a) also goes further to say that “if he enters or quits through a passage made by himself or by any abettor of the house trespass in order to commit the house trespass.

Section 288 states that “whoever commits theft in or from any building, tent or vessel, which building, tent or vessel is used as a human dwelling or used for the custody of property, or in or from any, hall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both. (NAN)

Old women waiting for alms recently in Nyanya.

Man, 31, remanded in prison over alleged rape of minor

… she said she wanted to get pregnant, claims accused

T

he police on Monday arraigned one Chidi Odo, of CBN Quarters, Apo, Abuja, before a Karu Upper Area Court over alleged rape of a minor.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Mohammed Garba, told the court that the complainant ( name withheld), of Apo, Abuja reported the matter to the Apo police

station, on March 23,2013.

Garba told the court that on that day, Odo allegedly had a sexual intercourse with a 13 year old girl, a sister to the complainant.

He said that the offence contravened Section 283 of the Penal Code.

Odo explained to the court that he had sexual intercourse

with the consent of the girl.

He said that the girl asked him to have sex with her because she wanted to get pregnant so that she could send the baby to her elder sister in the village.

The section reads in part: “whoever commits rape, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or for any less term and shall

be liable to a fine.”

After the charges were read to Odo, he pleaded not guilty.

The Presiding Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, ordered that the accused be remanded in prison.

“You are to be remanded in prison because this offence is not ordinarily bailable,” he said.

He adjourned the case to May 14, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Bus conductor charged with stealing

T

he police on Monday arraigned a bus conductor, Jacob Oloko, 22, of Shopping Centre, Mararaba, in a Mararaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Nasarawa State, for alleged theft.

The police prosecutor, Mr Okoro Samuel, said the incidence was reported by Mr Benedict Obhade

of Aso-Pada,Mararaba, at the Sani Abacha Road Police Station on March 23,2013.

Okoro added that Obhade was driving on the Keffi-Abuja Expressway at the Mararaba Junction, Oloko, when a man simply known as Ogbo, conspired with others now at large and stole Obhade’s wallet.

“The wallet contained his Ecobank ATM card, a voter’s registration card, personal ID card, driver’s licence and N10,000 cash.

Okoro told the court that when Oloko was arrested by the police, he confessed to the crime.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 97 and 287 of the Penal Code, but the

accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His counsel, Mr F.Z. Kwa, applied for bail for his client, and Chief Magistrate Habila Abundaga granted him bail in the sum of N200, 000 with one surety in like sum.

He adjourned the case to April 8, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Police arraign man, 24, for alleged breach of trust, theft

O

ne Matthew Ogezi, 24, of Jabi, Abuja has been charged before an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for alleged breach of trust and theft of a cell phone.

The Police Prosecutor, Francis Tanko, told the court that the matter was reported to the Wuse Market police station on March 14, by Ikotun Bayo, of Kubwa, Abuja.

Tanko said that on Feb. 22, Bayo entrusted his vehicle to Ogezi to wash for him.

“In the process, Ogezi stole Bayo’s

Blackberry cell phone worth N53,000 from the car and disappeared.,’’ The prosecutor said that, during investigations, Ogezi was caught and he allegedly confessed that he stole the cell phone and sold it to an unknown person at the Wuse Market.

Tanko said that the offence contravened sections 312 and 288 of the Penal Code.

According to Section 312, “whoever commits criminal breach of trust shall be punished with

imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.’’

Section 288 stipulates, “whoever commits theft in or from any building, tent or vessel, which building, tent or vessel is used as a human dwelling or used for the custody of property or in or from any railway carriage, lorry, omnibus or aircraft used for the conveyance of passengers or goods shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both.’’

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Senior Magistrate Grace Adebayo, who presided over the matter, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 with a surety in like sum.

Adebayo said that the surety should be a civil servant residing within the jurisdiction of the court and swear to an affidavit of means.

She adjourned the matter to April 15, 2013 for further hearing.

(NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

We are going to form an inclusive govt government in Kwali Council, says Chairman-elect Hon. Daniel Ibrahim is the chairman-elect of Kwali Area Council. In this interview with Usman Shuaibu, he speaks on his plans towards the development of the area council when he assumes office, through youth empowerment and others. Excerpts:

W

hat are your developmental programmes for the people of Kwali Area Council?

I can tell you that we are matching towards particular order. The world itself has a target. What are those targets? By 2015 there should be reduction in poverty and we all know that the teeming people of Kwali Area Council are very poor. Now, how can we bring out the youths from poverty? We can empower our youths through jobs creation. We can empower our youths through the scholarship. We can empower our women by giving them capital so that they can trade.

These are various ways they can come out from poverty. We are fully aware that Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is talking about good health and sanitation. Now, if you want to have a free society that we will be able to live in, then, water and sanitation will be paramount things in our administration, because that chase away diseases we have been singing about in our community. Now, we can talk about education. By 2015, education for all, that is to say that people should be able to read and write. This is our main aim of our administration.

Firstly, our major target is poverty eradication, secondly, water and sanitation, thirdly, education and the fourth one is infrastructural development.

These are the things we have in mind to do for the people of Kwali Area Council.

How would you tackle girl-child education in the area council?

If you read through our manifestoes, education will be given priority, especially the indigenes and girl-child education. Because, for one reason or the other, girls have been denied such opportunity and the essence of the

A

n Abuja Senior Magistrates Court yesterday sentenced a bus driver, Alfa Malik, to three months imprisonment for causing obstruction along Lugbe road, Abuja.

Magistrate Aminu Eri, who handed down the judgement, said each of the three-count charge levelled against the convict attracted one month imprisonment.

Eri, however, gave an option of fine of N100 on each of the

Hon. Daniel Ibrahim scholarship is to see that the government can shoulder some of their responsibilities.

So, the girl-child education is our focus and priority.

Are you ready to take the oppositions along in the area council?

We strongly believe that the PDP led-government will be a government of all inclusive, because the oppositions are all parts of Kwali Area Council. So, if you are talking about oppositions in terms of reaching individuals, then, that will be a difficult thing. But, if you are talking of oppositions in

terms of spreading our development to all nooks and crannies in Kwali Area Council that will be our primary aim.

We shall extend our hands of fellowship to all the existing political parties in Kwali so that they can bring good ideas and development. So, we are going to form inclusive government in Kwali Area Council.

Sir, as you might have known the area council chairman is the closest to the people in the grassroots.

Now, what do you have in store for the masses that

voted you massively?

I have ways say that when we talk about youth’s empowerment or empowerment in general, this centres on the youths and women who are the cardinal focus. You know that the youths are the engine of all the developments and that the youths restiveness lay mostly where they are idle. So, we must prepare to give them training to create job opportunities for them. We can send them to school where is necessary.

There are some of them that are out there, not because they do not want to go to schools, but because they don’t have the financial base, that is why we talk about the scholarship for the youths. So, there will be programmes of action for the youths of Kwali Area Council. It has been there before, but for the past three years it has been cancelled and it is our desire to resuscitate it and re-energize it better.

Kwali Area Council has no standard market, what is your reaction to this?

Not that we do not have a standard market, but we do not have identified market.

Kwali as a whole serves as home base where food products are brought in. now, it is or responsibility to encourage and develop the market into a better structure where people can feel more convenience, where our foodstuffs can be preserved.

I have earlier said it, this can only be done through Private Public Partnership (PPP) arrangement. We must involve private partnership if we want meaningful development. Government cannot shoulder every responsibility. These are areas where the people bring in their money and get their returns immediately or on it.

We have motor parks that have been built over 20 years and no fence, it is our desire to come in with the PPP arrangement.

Our gateway is Dabi Village, we have a very big motor park there which has not been utilised and we all known what motor park(s) can bring to the people of Kwali. We want to see where we can generate internal revenue to take care of personnel cost or what we call recurrent expenditure where subventions we receive from the Federal Government go into capital project. That is what we intend to do in Kwali Area Council.

What is your message to the staff of the area council?

My message is clearly spelled out to the staff of the area council.They should be life and active at the costs of their duty. Nobody is coming to victimize anybody. People should prepare to work, do the right things and shun away bad things. It is not going to be a business as usual. The truth is that I have been an administrator and an accountant. So, these are areas we must pave our way to ensure that we have maximum utilization of our staff. The issue of one coming to work today and tomorrow you are not in the office should be a thing of the past. And that one that works hard will be rewarded by the government.

It was learnt that the incumbent chairman of the area council accumulated a lot of liabilities. Now that you are coming from the opposition party (PDP) are you going to pay the debts?

For now, I do not know because I have no record at my disposal. Well, if there are liabilities, government is a continuous process. We must look at the viable projects that are there and if people are oriented we go ahead to implement them after all those projects are made to serve the people. So, there is no way we can shun liabilities, but we must identify with genuine liabilities.

Bus driver jailed for causing road obstruction charges following plea for leniency by the convict.

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Elijah, had told the court that the convict, who was the driver of a Mazda bus with Reg. No: XL 48 AKD, was arrested by ASP Gambo Opav.

He said Opav, attached to Lugbe police station, arrested the convict along Umar Musa Yar' Adua highway on March 26.

The prosecutor said the convict parked his bus on the road, which eventually caused obstruction to other road users.

Elijah said that when the convict was taken to the police station to clarify himself, it was discovered that he was not having necessary documents and gadgets for the vehicle..

According to him, the convict, therefore, committed the offence

contrary to Section 39(3) Cap 548 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA), Section 18 Cap 548 of RTA and Section 25(2(C) Cap 548 of the RTA. Section 39(3) Cap 548 of the Road Traffic Act (RTA) said: ``a person who causes or permits any motor vehicle to obstruct a public highway is guilty of an offence.

Also, Section 18 Cap 548 of RTA said: ``the plates displaying

the identification mark shall be fixed on a motor vehicle, one on the front and the other on the back.

Section 25(2(C) Cap 548 of the RTA said: ``every motor vehicle shall be fitted with an efficient electric horn sounding not more than a single note, or with a bulb horn, which gives out a single note when the bulb is pressed.''(NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 08033644990

Electricity workers threaten to cut supply to South-West

By Etuka Sunday

W

orkers in the nation's power sector have threatened to cut supply to the South-West states in protest against the recent alleged brutality of their members in Ibadan, Oyo State, by officers of the Nigerian Air Force.

The workers, under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), frowned at the treatment and said it would no longer tolerate the continued victimisation of their members.

Joe Ajaero, the union's general

secretary, in a statement said the Air Force is being given two weeks to apologise for its action, failing which it threatened to direct workers to withdraw their services in the South West zone and all Air Force formations across the country.

The union alleged that the "dastardly act" was carried out at different work locations at IpetuIjesha and Ilesa town on the same day by the officers attached to Nigeria Air Force, Ipetu- Ijesha, Osun state.

The workers threatened that industrial action shall precede a

nationwide outage in solidarity with the affected victims should the Air Force fail to resolve the issue amicably. "The physical torture, emotional and psychological trauma being meted on members of staff of PHCN, who incidentally belong to the NUEE, has reached a crescendo that can no longer be tolerated.

"It is in this circumstance that we highlight the recent brutality and physical torture of our members at the Ibadan zone by men of the Air Force. Our members were at work, performing their legitimate duties when officers of

the Air Force barged into their work beat and unleashed torture on them.

"As we condemn this callous and dastardly act in very strong terms, we emphasise that if by April 2, 2013, the Nigeria Air Force refuses to accept responsibility and apologise for their action, our men will withdraw their services in the South West zone and all Air Force formations in the country. This shall precede a nationwide outage in solidarity of the affected victims, if after 14 days this issue is not peacefully resolved.

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Assessing the new face of Nigerian airports

Airtel lowers data tariff with 'Magic Box' offer

By Chris Alu

A

s the upsurge for data services by telecoms consumers increasingly competes with voice, leading telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria has introduced a special data offer for its customers to surf the net without burning holes in their pocket.

The special data package, tagged: 'Airtel Magic Box offer', empowers Airtel customers to enjoy internet services at a reduced rate fromas low as 0.1 kobo per MB,depending on customer's allocated Pay-As-YouGo (PAYU) data band.

The offer, designed for prepaid customers, has nine different PAYU bands, the highest of which provides customers with up to 1GB data bundle.

To enjoy the latest data product from Airtel, customers are to dial *758*2# to confirm their respective band and start browsing with ease.

Speaking on the offer, the Chief Marketing Officer, Olu Akanmu said the launch of Airtel Magic Box further demonstrates the brand's recent message to Nigerians that "it has got them covered".

10 fuel-laden ships to discharge at Lagos Ports L-R: Director-General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Chief Emeka Eze, Acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Alhaji Kabiru Mashi, and Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr. Abraham Nwankwo, during their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on the economic sector, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Cost of doing business: World Bank ranks Nigeria 131 out of 183

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he World Bank has placed Nigeria at 131st position out of 183 countries in the world assessed on the basis of 'ease of doing business', 2013.

The ranking places Nigeria's neighbouring country, Ghana, at 64th position, which entails 67 places ahead of Nigeria.

It is against this backdrop that the Federal Government inaugurated two Standing Inter-Ministerial Committees to address the high cost of doing business and the poor rating of Nigeria's investment climate.

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Engr.

Mustafa Bello, made this revelation at a recent breakfast dialogue with the private sector organised by the Economic Summit Group.

According to him: "The Doing Business and Competitiveness Committee is charged with the responsibility to regularly monitor, review and recommend improvement on existing policies and legislation that govern the act of doing business in the country.

Investor Aftercare Committee is charged with the responsibility to consider the complaints from investors on account of apparent irregularity and inconsistency in the implementation of Government policies".

He further said the Committee on Doing Business and Competitiveness, as a first step, identified 10 doing business indicators as follows: starting business, registering

property, getting credit, protecting investors, enforcing contracts and dealing with construction permits.

Others are: paying taxes, trading across borders, getting electricity, and resolving insolvency.

The committee according to Bello, prioritized the indicators based on their impact on the competitiveness of the Nigerian business environment.

Management Tip of the Day

Expand your company's innovation network

O

rganizations get it wrong when they rely on only a few people to come up with all the new ideas. Instead, they should connect many colleagues who have the right skills and can foster innovation in others. Here are the three essential elements of such a network: Get the right people involved. The group has to

include upper-level managers who can fund projects, leaders who have had success with past innovations, and technical experts.

Cultivate the network.

Give this extended group opportunities to mix together in productive ways. Hold regular meetings, events, and talks where innovators from across the

organization can get together and share their experience.

Educate others.

Implement a company-wide education program, led by those in the network, on how to develop good ideas and how to transform good ideas into actionable plans.

Source: Harvard Business Review

T

en ships are waiting to discharge petroleum products at the various oil terminals within the Lagos ports, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said yesterday.

An NPA document, `the shipping position', made available to newsmen in Lagos, indicated that four of the 10 ships would discharge petrol.

It said that five ships would discharge diesel, while one would discharge kerosene. The document added that 59 ships conveying different cargoes would sail into the ports between March 26 and April 5.

It further said that 13 of the ships would arrive with petroleum products, while 10 others would sail in with new and used vehicles.

The document said other ships would sail in with containers, bulk salt, general cargoes, bulk wheat, fresh fish, base oil, gypsum, bulk corn, cargo, ethanol, palm oil and bulk fertiliser.

The 16 ships are currently discharging containers of bulk wheat, fish, general cargo, sugar, fertiliser and petroleum products.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 20

AVIATION

COMPANY NEWS Afren

S

trong production growth from fields off Nigeria's coast helped Africa-focused oil and gas producer, Afren, more than double its annual revenues and pre-tax profits.

The FTSE 250 constituent confirmed on Monday that it was paying $37m to increase its interest in First Hydrocarbon Nigeria from 45 per cent to 55 per cent.

This follows completion of the sale to Nigeria-based FHN of a 45 per cent stake in the onshore block by Royal Dutch Shell, Total of France and Eni of Italy in November 2011.

Nig-Canada Investment Confab.

Assessing the new face of Nigerian airports Seven months after the Federal Executive Council approved over a hundred billion naira for the upgrade and construction of new airports terminals in Nigeria, Suleiman Idris takes a look at how the facilities are taking shape.

W

hen the Federal G o v e r n m e n t announced its decision to put a whooping sum of N106 billion for the upgrading of 11 airports and the construction of five new world-class international terminals in the country, one could understand the hue and cry that trailed the decision, as such efforts in the past saw such funds develop wings and never to be seen, nor the facilities ever

the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri.

In her words: "What we have today is not befitting of us, as the giant of Africa; at the end of the exercise, all the airports under the management of FAAN would wear a new and modern look".

Six months down the line, the question is: Has any appreciable development taken place? Have the funds been put to use and have the facilities received the expected Midas touch Nigerians were promised?

Wahib Olaniyan, 69, has seen the glory days of the Lagos airport; "l was among the first set of staff to work here at this international wing in the late 70s when this terminal was built", he told me. According to him, the country has allowed

General Aviation Terminal (GAT) at the domestic wing in Lagos was commissioned last October by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The facility, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director, Mr. George Uriesi disclosed, has raked in over a hundred million naira six months after it was put to use, having received N648 million for its repairs.

One man who comically summed up the mood of followers of the sector in the past is the Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

The former labour chieftain left his audience rolling with laughter when he disclosed that he has decided to re-model himself in line with the FG's

A

s preparations intensify for the upcoming Nigeria Canada Investment Conference in Toronto, Canada, at least 100 Nigerian businessmen have indicated interest to participate at the 3-day conference.

The Chairman of theLocal Organising Committee (LOC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, who briefed newsmen in Abuja recently, said only representatives of credible companies with reputation would be allowed to participate.

He added that the Nigerian High Commission in Canada had already secured the commitment of the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria to expedite the visa processing for those expected to attend the event from Nigeria.

Eko Atlantic City

E

ko Atlantic City, an emerging city in Lagos, is rising on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean and in the next 24 months, the city's first building shall have been completed and possibly occupied, its developers and promoters have said.The Managing Director of the developer of the city, South Energyx Nigeria Limited, Mr.David Frame disclosed to journalists at the project site that they have already started piling up work in preparatory to building what he called "a fully commercial development."

Eko Atlantic, , according to its developers, it is a 21st Century city that will compare with United Arab Emirates city of Dubai.

L-R: Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Senate Committee Chairman on Aviation, Hope Uzodinma and Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah during the commissioning of the newly re-modelled Benin Airport recently. touched.

According to the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah told a press conference that her ministry had on assumption of office drawn up a three-phase Road Map for the development of the sector She stated that the first phase or short-term agenda will give a face-lift to Nigerian airports, adding that government will also construct six new cargo terminals in some existing airports.

Facilities listed under the phase include the Murtala Mohammed International Airport and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), both in Lagos; the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Port Harcourt International Airport. The rest include Akanu lbian International Airport, Enugu, the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar; Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos; the Yola Airport, Kaduna Airport and

the facility to rot without any plan to improve on the original design envisaged for it.

Today however, he says: "l reserve my comments with what l am seeing today; maybe when they finish the work l can talk", referring to the extension work on the wings of the international airport in Lagos.

The facility has seen a total overhaul of its interiors while extension work has continued along its length and breadth.

Another stakeholder, Francis Emeka told me he is proud that such a feat, which he is used to seeing in cities of Europe, is being replicated at home. "I fly all over the world for my fashion business and each time l am about to touch down the runway here, l lose confidence in our system; now, one is a proud Nigerian. But we also need similar renovation in the other parts of the country, especially in the East, so that we have frequent international flights operating at the airports there".

The re-modeled former

transformation agenda.

"I am sure some of the airport workers will notice l am wearing a completely new suit today; this is my own way of re-modelling myself, to show that l key into the vision and confidence of the minister.

What you see is what you like.

There are people who cannot even notice that things are now changing; it takes an eye that is clear to recognize that things are changing fast", he said while commissioning the remodeled Benin airport recently.

Not done with his jocundity, he further said, "I passed through the old local wing of the Abuja airport the other week, like l have done a couple of times in the past; With the kind of furniture I saw there, my only fear is that some of us might have reasons to just stay there and forget that we are supposed to travel.

You will easily think you are somewhere else when you look at the facilities which are so sophisticated and inviting".

Without mincing words, the comrade governor affirmed that government institutions can still be run with great successes as seen in the private sector. "For many of us, we believe in a simple word; only those who are ready to sustain innovation and renovation and reinvest in the areas of public infrastructure can take leadership positions in a world that is ever-changing.

Such an impression have equally not escaped the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who is downright outspoken against injustice in whatever form. He told the gathering at the commissioning of the Aminu Kano International airport, that the re-modelled airport is a major factor that will return the agriculture potentials of the Northern region which it was known for immediately after Nigeria gained independence in 1960 from its colonial ruler.

He remarked that with the upgrade of the facilities into a viable venture, it would contribute significantly in the growth of the nation's economy even as they remain the fastest mean of transportation, both of humans and cargoes, which catalyses the economic activities of a nation.

"For me, as an economist and as the CBN Governor, that (dry and perishable cargo terminal) is the most important and visionary step that the Aviation Minister has taken. Airports are not just to carry human beings from Lagos to Kano; the are not just there to make travel easy and comfortable experience for individuals", he stated.

"Many people have asked me: How come I seem to be always constantly supporting aviation? The reason is that the CBN governor supports public servants that are doing something. And the advantage of doing something is that people can like you or not like you; they may agree with you or not agree with you; they cannot take away from you what you have achieved.

"There is no one that can go to Kano airport or Kaduna airport or Enugu airport or Port Harcourt airport or Lagos airport and claim that things are not happening. And frankly, that is what we need from public officers..", the Kano heir apparent emphasised.

Having seen four strategic airports, Lagos, Kano, Benin and Abuja already taking shape, the Corporate Communications General Manager of FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati added that others are following suit without delay.

"So many of the facilities are all at advanced stages of completion while the rest are undergoing rapid progress; we will continue to release them for use immediately we complete work on them", he stated.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PIB: Civil Society asks NASS to expunge discretionary powers

By Etuka Sunday

T

he African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (LSD), with support of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) yesterday posited that the discretionary powers vested on the President and the Petroleum Minister under section 5 of the Petroleum Bill before the National Assembly was too wide and subject to abuse therefore should be expunged.

The Groups, after the 2nd Media Roundtable on project, transparency and accountability in the Nigerian oil and gas sector in Abuja, however advised that the powers of the Minister under the section should be subjected to scrutiny of other national institutions such as National Assembly, the Nigeria Extractive and Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Media and Civil Society Organisations to enhance checks and balances in the operations of the petroleum sector.

In a presentation on "advocacy issues and campaigns on the PIB",the Excutive Director, Centre LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor explained that, "The fact that section 6(1) (c) expects the petroleum minister to only "report developments in the petroleum Ministry to the Federal Executive Council" is not enough to promote transparency. Therefore, the minister should be made to report to the National Assembly, besides reporting to FEC; this will give room for independent assessment of his/her stewardship."

LASG to upgrade Lekki, Badagry tourism sites

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Ashamu Fadipe, yesterday said the government had mapped out strategies to upgrade tourism sites in Lekki and Badagry Fadipe made this known in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikeja

``Those strategies, include the development of Lekki axis as resort centres and Badagry axis as the former slave routes and its other cultural and tourism potential Fadipe said that the decision of the State Government to develop the two areas was due to their enormous tourism potential ``The essence of doing this is to harness the potential of the area. The potential are enormous ``If you want to talk of

what we have in Lekki axis, there are Island culture, lake, lagoon, rivers leading to the Atlantic Ocean and the cultural aspect of people within that locality ``On the other side of Badagry, we have the first storey building, the slave market and so many other things that have to do with history ``These are what the international tourists want to see and these are what adventure visitors want to see

``In doing this, it is the way of making the locality known; making the state known and also making Nigeria known as well,'' he said The permanent secretary said the decision of the government was meant to develop tourism as a means of generating employment for the people He added that many people would benefit economically from a visitor that stayed in a locality for at least one week.

(NAN)

COREN gets new Registrar

T

he Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has appointed Mr Wopa Maliki as the new Registrar.The information is contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the Head Public Relations unit of COREN, Mr Gabriel Alum.

Alum said that the appointment was approved by the President of COREN, Mr Ibikunle Oguntayo, and other council members.

He explained that Maliki would take over from Mr Felix Atume, who has completed his second tenure as the Registrar of COREN.Maliki was till his appointment, Director, Water Resources Engineering Services, Ministry of Water Resources, Kwara State.

The new registrar who hails from Ilorin, was born on Jan. 2, 1960.He is a fellow, Nigerian society of Engineers.He has held many positions, including chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers, llorin Branch, and Member Kwara State Permanent Board of Survey.Maliki has also served as the COREN Zonal Supervising Engineer. (NAN)

L-R: Director General, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Sir Emeka Okereke, ECCIMA President, Dr Theo Okonkwo, and Enugu state Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Jude Akubuilo, during the closing ceremony of the 24th Enugu International Trade Fair, on Monday in Enugu.

Photo: NAN

Hilton Worldwide saves N 27.8 bn on energy conservation

By Abdulwahab Isa

H

ilton Hotel Worldwide has announced a cumulative savings in excess of $174 million (N27.84 billion) from energy efficiency projects reporting, through Light Stay.

The conglomerate said it was also in the pursuit of meeting its goal on energy conservation and announced a reduction in its energy use by 9.7 percent; carbon output by 10.9 percent and water use by 7.5 percent.

The disclosures came on the heels of the kick -off of

campaign for global climate change which had all Hilton Hotels Worldwide participating last week, including Nigeria's Transcorp Hilton Abuja, marking Earth Hour 2013 .

To deepen awareness of the climate change among its numerous clients, the hotel management addressed letters to the guests encouraging them to switch-off their bedroom lights during the Earth Hour and to take actions that result in energy conservation beyond the hour.

A statement by the Hotel's spokesperson, Shola Adeyemo

said a poster campaign has adorned around the hotel during the week leading to the Earth Hour, just as candlelight dinners were lighted in all the restaurants.

Other special ways adopted by the hotel to convey significance of the day include switching-off of all nonessential lights in the hotel during the hour , planting of 20 palm trees to show commitment beyond the hour as well as youth advocacy and capacity building initiatives on environmental sustainability.

Organised by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Earth

Hour began in 2007 as a way for individuals to show how simple steps can make a significant impact on reducing greenhouse gases and addressing climate change.

More than 2.2 million people took part in the first Earth Hour in Sydney, Australia and it has since turned into a movement with more than 7,000 cities and towns in 152 countries and territories and hundreds of millions of participants across seven continents.

It continues to demonstrate the new era as members go "Beyond the Hour" to commit to lasting action for the planet.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 22

7 must-have (free) mobile apps to do your job better I say HootSuite Mobile is an amazing app for handling social media on the go. Just like the web version, the app allows for publishing to all of your social networks - Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc - from one interface. You can schedule messages for optimum times, attach files and photos and shrink links, all with a few taps.

Advanced users can even set up streams for monitoring customer feedback on social networks, track clients and keywords across different platforms and more. But don't just take my word for it. Says Mashable: "[HootSuite is] the premier dashboard for companies looking to get analysis of their social media efforts."

I

n the six short years since Steve Jobs unveiled Apple's iPhone to the world, smartphones have become for many people, an absolute necessity in their lives.

The smartphone may also well be the most important productivity tool in-and out ofthe office. This year, an estimated 200 million workers will tap into mobile business apps to collaborate and conference, access and edit docs, check email, chat and more on the go.

But there's one dirty little secret: Most mobile business apps kill more time than they save.

One can preview hundreds of apps on the job at HootSuite, a social media management tool used by Fortune 100 companies, mom-and-pop businesses and five million users around the globe. And one could also see countless apps that make big promises and don't deliver.

They're non-intuitive, with clunky interfaces. They have tiny user bases and no customer support. They make simple tasks - like making a to-do list ridiculously complex.

But the best of the bunch really do make working on the go easier. These seven free mobile business apps - a mix of tried-and-true classics and roadtested upstarts - merit a spot in the phone of any office warrior this year.

Brewster: Instant Rolodex Between Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn - not to mention your email client - you likely have hundreds, if not thousands, of colleagues and customers you interact with. Brewster is a handy mobile app that pulls in contact info and other details from all of those platforms and creates eye-catching, in-depth profiles for each and every person. Using a "relationship algorithm," the app automatically sorts contacts into "favorites," "trending" and other lists, and even sends out gentle reminders when you're falling out of touch with someone.

Another benefit: Brewster is fully searchable - not just by name, but keyword, location and even photo.

Here on Biz: Meet your LinkedIn contacts in real life - Virtual connections are great, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting. With Here on Biz, you can instantly see which of your LinkedIn contacts (as well as other LinkedIn users) are physically nearby, segmented into visitors and locals. Request a connection and you can chat directly via the app, ideally setting up the kind of in-person encounter that gets results. Here on Biz proves especially useful at conferences when trying to make sense of a sea of new faces and maximize meeting time.

The app is free to use, though it is somewhat limited by the fact

Iphone

that only LinkedIn users actually running the Here on Biz app show up in searches.

HootSuite: All your social media, anywhere - Yes, HootSuite is my company. But it's not just fatherly pride when

Dropbox: Your hard drive, anywhere - Here's an oldie but goodie. According to urban legend, Dropbox was hatched back in 2007 when MIT grad and founder Drew Houston got fed up with always forgetting his memory sticks around campus. His solution: a seamless, cloud-based system to sync files across all of your devices. Just drag files or folders into the Dropbox folder, and they'll sync across phones, PCs, laptops, tablets, etc., automatically.

Edit from anywhere and changes are saved and synced (You can even access older and deleted versions of files). Dropbox gives you 2GB for free (or up to 18GB if you refer friends) and has paid plans for users with bigger needs. You can also designate certain files as favorites, making them available offline - especially handy for frequent flyers and off-the-grid travelers.

Trello: Beyond to-do lists Back In the early 1950s, engineers at Toyota pioneered a deceptively simple

scheduling system called kanaban, based on index cards passed from one part on the plant to another. Trello takes this concept into the mobile era.

Tasks (or Lists, in Trello lingo) are represented as columns on a virtual corkboard. Add as many cards as you want to a List, then customize each card with comments, checklists and attachments. You can loop in other team members and assign them cards and even drag cards from one List to another as a project moves toward completion. Uniquely flexible and collaborative, Trello is as handy for personal to-do lists as it is for coordinating complex projects among big teams - from managing sales leads to producing films.

Evernote: Junk drawer for your digital life - Another indispensable classic, cloudbased notetaking app Evernote is quite possibly the world's most incredible junk drawer. You can throw all the random stuff of life in it - photos, voice memos, attachments, clips from the Internet, typed and even handwritten notes - and it makes everything searchable, synced and accessible across all of your devices. The uses are really limitless. Record a sound bite at a conference on your phone and listen to it later on your work PC. Jot down some inspiration on your tablet on the bus, then finish the thought later on your home computer.

Take a photo of a business card or handwritten Post-it note, then - courtesy of Evernote's OCR handwriting recognition search its contents at a later time. The free mobile app lets you upload up to 60 megabytes a month. Upgrade to Premium ($5/month, $45/year) and you get a gigabyte of uploads, collaborative notebooks (which colleagues can log into and edit) and access to your notes even when offline.

U b e r C o n f e r e n c e : Conference calls on the go Organizing conference calls is a logistical feat under the best of conditions - emailing colleagues to set a time, sending out access codes, waiting for everyone to call in. Trying to do all that on the go can be nearly impossible.

That's where UberConference comes in, the brainchild of Google Voice guru Craig Walker. You select attendees from your phone's contact list and UberConference automatically calls, emails or texts them to join, no PIN required. Once the call is underway, the app's nifty display shows photos and social profiles of all callers and even indicates who's speaking at any given time. Though it lacks the ability to schedule calls in advance, UberConference definitely succeeds in making the conference call experience a bit less painful.

Mobile devices like these can download these free apps.

(Source: LinkedIn)

PEOSPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Report as at Tuesday, March 26, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

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Strategies for affordable housing in Nigeria's evolving mortgage industry

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Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe's multi-million naira house. The posh mansion was completed back in March archtecture 2012 during his 55th birthday but the ace musician decided to move into it some days ago.

Colonial

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 25

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

Pile On the Pillows One pair of pillows always looks skimpy. Use two pairs, in contrasting patterns, colors, and textures

Buy a Bigger Bed Small-scale furniture only makes a small bedroom look smaller. Try a high bed and a tall headboard. Your room will grow.

Leave Cabinets Open

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

An open armoire is more interesting than a closed one.

Let people into your secret world.

Large Collections Need Order Wall brackets can bring order to a large collection or odd shapes.

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

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Strategies for affordable housing in Nigeria's evolving mortgage industry

By Bashir Ibrahim Hassan

M

odern governments cannot provide housing for all. That was something that was attempted in the socialist epoch of the last century.

But, governments can create the required enabling environment for that to happen.

Similarly, the Mortgage Bankers cannot provide affordable housing without the right legal framework put in place, innovation and robust institutional players.

Mortgage financing has been in Nigeria for quite a while. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) was established in 1956, known then as the Nigerian Building Society (NBS), a joint venture of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Development Corporation and the Federal and Eastern Governments of Nigeria. But the industry has remained state dominated until the arrival of the Federal government reform programmes of the early 2000s which liberalized national policy on housing and urban development in the country.

Today, there are over 90 registered primary mortgage institutions (PMIs) in Nigeria; from the little known one-branch names to the more household multibranch names like Aso Savings & Loans Plc. If the Central Bank of Nigeria's mulling of the appropriate capital base of the PMIs is anything to go by, then soon their numbers will be curtailed drastically - there will be less players, albeit more qualitative ones.

Mortgage financing is a multi-billion dollar industry world-wide. Despite the slow recovery from the sub-prime home mortgage crash in US in 2008, Wells Fargo, a US based mortgage bank and the biggest home-loan servicer, posted $2.9 billion in mortgage-banking income in the first quarter of 2012.

Lloyds Banking Group, the leading mortgaging financing institution in the UK, provided ÂŁ26.2 billion of gross new mortgage lending in 2012 to its retail customers in UK. This translates into supporting over 55,000 customers in buying their first home, equivalent to one in every four first time buyers.

Aso Savings & Loans Plc is not only one of the registered primary mortgage institutions (PMIs) in Nigeria , but a key player in the mortgage banking subsector in the country and

Malam Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman, MD/CEO of Aso Savings & Loans Plc unarguably a primary stakeholder in the quest to develop the sector further than its current stage, for the good of the people and the state. Primary stakeholders in any fledgling industry will have a lot of toiling to do to get all the right instruments in place for smooth operation of the business and to take the industry to a level where it will be attractive not to only local investors but also foreign ones.

It is within this context

that the place of Aso Savings & Loans Plc and its leadership can be appreciated as a key player in this potentially viable industry that is yet to be fully tapped.

The Mortgage industry is struggling with the government and the law makers to put in place the right legal framework for the industry to be not only attractive but a safe investment haven. Most of the lobbying and the constructive stakeholder engagements with the

“

It is within this context that the place of Aso Savings & Loans Plc and its leadership can be appreciated as a key player in this potentially viable industry that is yet to be fully tapped.

government is done by industry players like Aso. Two important pieces of legislative instruments are being pursued by the few mortgage bankers around like Aso. These include the Foreclosure Bill, and Mortgage Finance Corporation. The former is essential to providing a reasonable remedy in case of customer's failure to pay back his loans. The mortgage bankers need a swift, less clumsy legal framework that can ensure smooth recovery of properties and their subsequent disposal to recover the loan advances.

As the issue of recovery stands now, much is left to be desired. The latter, on the other hand, is what will consolidate the ability of the Mortgage Bankers in the country to serve their more commercial customers. It will enable banks to go and create mortgages using short term money, knowing that they can sell those loans to the corporation. And, they can also afford to give money for 20 and even up to 50 years.

Without Foreclosure Bill and a Mortgage Finance Corporation in place, the PMIs are left to their survival s t r a t e g i e s . A d d t h is to the inevitable contraction that will occur in the marketplace when CBN implements its rule that requires N5 billion capital bases for PMIs which want national operating licence and N2.5 billion for State level operating licence.

And this is where quality leadership and innovation come into play to save the day for those who are prepared through cognate experience to lead a Mortgage Bank.

Moving from the premise that anybody anywhere in Nigeria who has income, who wants to own a home, should be able to afford to buy one and aware of the fact that there is 16 million housing units deficit in Nigeria, Malam Hassan Tanimu Musa Usman, the MD/CEO of Aso Savings & Loans Plc has found a way of staying afloat the tidal waves of Nigeria's Mortgage Financing industry.

His innovative take of the situation is to focus on providing houses whose unit cost is N20m and below and to segment the markets in Nigeria. Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt will get the N20 million houses. But outside these areas Aso, according to Hassan Usman, in a recent media engagement, will be providing the N10million and below housing units.

Another promise from the University of Cambridge

educated CEO is, hear him, "Over the next one year, Aso will work with developers so that they can actually develop and deliver up to 3,000 houses of which at least three-quarters will be those of N20 million and below. And if you are doing that you will have to find those who can buy those houses and they are not elites, they are the common people".

This approach clearly sets Aso in tangent to the path of the frequently defaulting category of mortgage financing- the 50million and above bracket.

Malam Usman joined Aso in the year 2006 as MD/CEO, bringing with him his vast knowledge and experience first prepared by his privileged education in the UK, right from his A'Levels at Kings' School, Worcester, England, in 1985, through his undergraduate degree in Economics at University of Sussex to his M.Phil degree in Development Economics from Darwin College, Cambridge University, in 1989.

His vast working experience, first as a Research Assistant at the International Economic and Monetary Relations Department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Lagos, then at Arthur Andersen S.C. in London from where he joined Citibank Nigeria Group, all prepared him for the position he holds today. Citibank Nigeria, a world renowned corporate finance institution prepared Malam Usman as an Investment Banker per excellence.

He left the Citibank Nigeria on secondment to work under the USAID/World Bank funded programme in the then newly established Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in the year 2000, as a full time Investment Banking Adviser/ Transaction Manager.

But, what really prepared him for the current position was the two years he spent at the Abuja Investment and Property Development Limited as the Executive Director (Investment) just before he joined Aso. Provide the right mix of legalism, innovative products such as the strategies Aso is bringing to the market and get the right institutional players, the sky will be the limit to what can be achieved in Nigeria in the evolving housing financing sector of our economy in few years to come.

Bashir Ibrahim Hassan wrote from Maitama, Abuja and can be reached on bash7474@gmail.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 27

El-Salem commends subscribers • Assures them of safety of their investments Stories by Udenna Orji

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 Onyebuchi, who made these known in a chat with Peoples Daily 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.

No plan to repeal Land Use Act – FG

A

Housing units

How Aluminium production can drive industrial development

A

s a means of diversifying the economy and creating jobs, the General Manager of Vidson Ventures, Northern Region, Pastor Wale Popoola has called on the Federal Government to harness the abundant potentials of the aluminum industry in order to lay a solid foundation for the industrial and economic development of Nigeria".

Pastor Popoola, an aluminum expert said, "the aluminium industry is a vast industry because people make massive use of aluminium worldwide. Much of what we see in automobiles and aircraft is aluminium. This is because the components are durable.

Although it is used in large

quantities abroad, in Nigeria, it is scantily used. Even in the building industry, we are yet to use up to 10% of the potential of aluminium. We have about 4 notable aluminium extrusion plants in Nigeria and this is grossly inadequate.

Billets are the primary products you work upon to get aluminium products. They are extruded to get aluminium.

Nothing less than 65% of the aluminium used in Nigeria is imported from Europe. Nigeria can accommodate 60 - 70 aluminium extrusion plants.

They say aluminium plants are capital intensive but Nigerians are wasting foreign exchange importing aluminium. This nation should invest in extrusion plants.

However, the erratic electric power supply in Nigeria will be a problem because aluminium is power-based. If you run the extrusion plant with a generator, you may go under.

Government should fix the power sector.

According to the aluminium expert, "All we are doing in Nigeria is trade in imported aluminium. But we should produce it here. Many industries need it. It is important in our industrial development and in employment creation. It will conserve foreign exchange.

Government should do the right thing. They should back up policies with concrete action.

There are always good policies but poor implementation.

When we talk about the Asian tigers, it is because these people discovered the needs of their nations. In the 80's in Nigeria, people worked in shifts in factories but those industries are moribund today. We should focus on manufacturing to jump-start the economy and aluminium development will help industrialize Nigeria because diverse manufactured products are made with aluminium. A fraction of the money we realize from oil if judiciously spent can industrialize Nigeria.

Nigerians are industrious people.

If an enabling environment is created, this country will be greater than the big European countries."

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

But while speaking with newsmen at the weekend, Prof.

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

While noting that land reform is critical in achieving President Goodluck Jonathan's transformation agenda, he said the federal government's land reform was focused on identifying and removing bottlenecks hindering land titling and registration process within the current land administration system in Nigeria. He said his committee was working on pilot schemes in Kano and Ondo states involving identification and registration of title rights that may usher in a new land administration system in Nigeria.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Mitsubishi Outlander base model comes with standard features W e hate to admit it, but the Mitsubishi Outlander is all grown up. Not that it's a bad thing. The redesigned 2014 Outlander should deliver increased interior refinement and improved fuel economy, while leading a brand that is, quite f r a n k l y , struggling to keep up in the United States. No, w e ' r e s i m p l y glum to see the current Outlander's design - all wide - outh and quasifighter jet angles -give way to the new model's more a g e appropriate crossover stance.

That said, interesting design doesn't make for a livable car, and while the 2014 Outlander sacrifices some style and attitude, the overhaul classes up

the seven-passenger crossover SUV. The new model is also about 200 pounds lighter, which seems like a fair trade.

The

b a s e drivetrain is a 166horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder coupled to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that Mitsubishi says will achieve 31 highway mpg and place the base model among the fuel economy leaders in its class. Mitsubishi

will also reprise the current 3.0liter V6 (224 hp, 215 pound-feet of torque) and six-speed automatic transmission for the

GT model, which the automaker claims will return 28 highway mpg. The base model will be available only with front-wheel drive, while the midlevel SE

model offers both front- and allwheel drive. The GT will only be offered with all-wheel drive.

The 2014 Outlander base model comes standard with features such as 16-inch steel wheels, heated side mirrors, keyless entry, automatic climate control, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, sliding and reclining 60/40-split folding rear seats and a six-speaker sound system.

The SE adds 18-inch alloy wheels, foglamps,

dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, keyless entry/ignition,

Bluetooth, a multi-information display and a rearview camera with a 6-inch touchscreen display. The GT adds automatic xenon headlights, automatic wipers and wood grain trim.

Options boil down to two packages, available for both SE and GT models, and include a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, a power liftgate, a premium ninespeaker Rockford Fosgate sound system, a navigation system with 7-inch touchscreen display, and safety/driver aids including adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning.

Inside, the new Outlander's optional third-row seat has grown in size and quality; it's not like the flimsy contraption of the current model. We still won't call it roomy, but now it's a normal 50/50 fold-flat setup. With the third row upright, there are 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

Folding the third row yields 34.2 cubic feet, while both rows stowed opens up 63.3 cubes. The new one-piece liftgate replaces the current "clamshell" design -unfortunate, since we liked the latter design, which offered a tailgate for loading, sitting and, yes, tailgating at the football game.

Bigger news is set to follow when the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid rolls out to dealers as a 2015 model. The hybrid Outlander will use frontand rear-mounted electric motors, a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a new version of Mitsubishi's all-wheel-drive system. Mitsubishi says the plugin hybrid should achieve more than 30 miles of electric range and require about 4.5 hours to fully recharge.

In our initial drive of the 2014 Outlander, we found the fourcylinder/CVT combination adequate for city driving, but it felt a bit underpowered on highway entrance ramps, requiring sustained foot-to-thefloor acceleration accompanied by an agitated drone from under the hood. The V6 is better, though it's notably down on power compared to other V6 crossovers. On the road, the Outlander does a good job absorbing the normal ruts and bumps, and it's also surprisingly adept at navigating rutted and rocky trails off-pavement.

The small crossover segment is already packed with great choices, including the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4. Overall we're not expecting the new Outlander to break any new ground, though the plug-in hybrid could be a competitive offering in the nascent plug-in crossover segment. Check back for a full review of the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander, including specs, driving impressions and buying advice as it becomes available.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 29

TRIB UTE TRIBUTE

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

THE FESTIVALS ARE FINALLY OVER!

W Prof. Chinua Achebe

Achebe will remain reference point in world literature - Ayakoroma

D

r Barclays Ayakoroma, the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), has said that Prof. Chinua Achebe, will remain a reference point in world literature.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Nwagbo Pat of NICO's Corporate Affairs Department.

Ayakoroma described Achebe's death as ``a tragedy'' to Nigeria and a big loss to the writers' community in Africa and all over the world.

He added that Achebe's death

would affect the entire world because Achebe was an internationally-celebrated master story-teller. ``Though the death is a very big blow, literary artists are consoled by the fact that Achebe has put Nigeria on the global literary map. ``He will continue to be a reference point in world literature for all time,'' He added.

Ayakoroma further described Achebe as a Nigerian author recognised for his key role in the

development of African literature and culture. ``He was a master story teller; he promoted African culture with his works and he promoted Nigerian culture through his writing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Achebe made his mark in 1958 with his novel titled ``Things Fall Apart.''

Things Fall Apart played a critical role in establishing the post-colonial African literature.

(NAN)

The party said that with his outstanding works of literature, especially his all-time great novel, `Things Fall Apart', Achebe was and remains even in death, undoubtedly one of Nigeria's best brands.

ACN said, ``The lesson that Nigerians should learn from Achebe is that one can excel doing whatever he does best and in spite of any disability that may come one's way in life. '' According to the statement, Achebe stucked to his calling all through his life, and yet achieved a global acclaim. ``Even after he was involved in a road crash, his voice rang out loud and clear to the world, on behalf of

the poor, the deprived and the oppressed in his homeland,'' the party said.

ACN, however, stated that the best tribute that could be paid to Achebe was not just in naming monuments after him or tarring the road that passed through his hometown. ``He can best be honoured and remembered by those who hold power using it for the common good of the greatest number of people. ``Achebe should also be remembered by making Nigeria a country that every black man on earth will be proud of. There can be no greater honour'', the statement added. (NAN)

‌ a global icon of all time - ACN

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on Sunday paid tribute to Prof. Chinua Achebe, describing him as a global icon of all time.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the literary icon, Achebe, died on March 21, in the U.S. In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ACN said that the late Achebe was an outstanding Nigerian brand.

The party described Achebe's death as a monumental loss not only to Nigeria but to the entire world, judging by the tributes that had been pouring in from around the world since his demise.

It said that apart from his achievements in the literary field and his scholarly excellence, Achebe was a nationalist, not minding the controversy generated by his last book, ``There was a Country.'' ``Achebe's nationalist and democratic credentials were unassailable. He loved Nigeria with a passion and used the platform offered by his global exposure to call attention, time and again, to the years of misrule in his homeland. ``In one of his most poignant acts, he twice turned down the national honours bestowed on him by the Federal Government to show his disapproval for the antidemocratic antics in the nation,'' ACN said.

‌his works will outlive him, says Akpabio

G

overnor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom has described the late Prof. Chinua Achebe as a literary icon whose works would outlive many generations.

This is contained in a statement issued in Uyo by the State's Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah.

In the statement, Akpabio described the author of Things Fall Apart as a man whose literary exploits brought honour and great respect to Nigeria and Africa. ``The hearts of the sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom go out to the Achebe family, Igbo land and Nigeria as a whole over the irredeemable loss of Achebe.''

Akpabio urged everyone to be consoled that the works of the departed icon won him and the

country many laurels and global recognition. ``He wished the departed soul a peaceful repose in the bosom of the Almighty God." Also, the National Publicity Secretary of ACN, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated that Achebe was an outstanding Nigerian brand.

In a statement issued in Lagos, the party described Achebe's death as a monumental loss not only to Nigeria but to the entire world. ``Achebe should be remembered by making Nigeria a country that every black man on earth will be proud of. There can be no greater honour.'' it stressed.

It will be recalled that Achebe gained global attention when his novel, Thing Fall Apart was published in 1958. (NAN)

e can heave a sigh of relief. We can rest a bit and we can take another look at the highs and the lows and guard against the loopholes in the next editions. This is my answer to those that had asked if we will do it again Yes we will do the Jos Festival of Theatre and the Festival of Theatre in Abuja. They are definitely worth the joys and the tears.

We have been at this since November. A lot of thanks to the US Mission, Nigeria for keeping over 100 of us engaged and working. We started with Wale Ogunyemi's Queen Amina of Zazzau and then rehearsals started for another seven plays with six being programmed for the Jos Festival of Theatre, Barrie Stavis' The Man Who Never Died was commissioned for a command performance and then three plays from the Jos Festival were programmed for the Abuja Festival for three weekends of three performances each. We lost one weekend due to the FCT elections of Saturday March 16th. A lot of requests for that particular production but we simply have run out of funds and we are for now beautifully tired!

We also got a lot of queries - why do you program your festival for the beginning of the year? The sad answer to that is simply that anytime is good enough for any program in this beautiful country right now.

There is no longer an ideal time. The months of the rains are simply out of it so how many months are left? End of year? Theatre will be the least of priorities then. This however is an on-going debate.

In the next couple of weeks I will be sharing some of the experiences that we have had in the months leading to the festival and the actual months and days of the festivals. Some of the experiences have been beautiful while some have simply been frightening. Some of the people we encountered were simply amazing in deeds and actions while some were simply nasty and brutal. There were some simply amazing stories - people came to Jos to watch the plays from Abuja, Kaduna, Bauchi and Nasarawa while the Abuja

festival attracted people from as far as Lagos. One thing they all had in common was the idea of watching plays for a stretch in time.

The actors did not disappoint! They gave of their best and this is one of the fascinating things about this country - the earlier you get this group of talents and direct them in the right career paths, the better. It is not a matter of rhetoric but they are all at that age where it is concrete actions that speak to their energies and talents and like Rashid Lombard of the Cape Town Jazz Festival said ' they must be paid - no matter how little'. The idea behind this is simply to acknowledge the fact that their talents are appreciated and respected.

Some of us have this impression that when you pay young people, you spoil them.

I belong to the school of thought that disagrees.

Rashid is right! They must be paid. It is the only way they can respect the craft and the career.

It is time to go back to the drawing board - the question that has been hanging on our lips is this - why do our free performances attract huge and enthusiastic audiences and when it is time to pay the resistance sets in? Is it that our people simply think that the price of a ticket is not worth the effort? Or is there anything that we are not yet getting right?

Why is it that it is sometimes the theatre graduates that are the worst enemies of the profession? They constitute the worst critics and from their perspective everything is just wrong? Or must be wrong?

Bottom line - we still have a long way to go. The simple fact from all this is that if we do not respect our craft, no one else will.

It has been a beautiful road to travel this past couple of months. We are all on a high and we are excited at the many prospects that this has thrown up. We are also very enthusiastic about the coming months when hopefully we will be able to market our art as vigorously as we pursue and rehearse our productions!

On a final note - to that most wonderful and inspiring story teller of all times - sleep well!

Goodnight Chinua Achebe.

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Fostering creativity, national development via poetry

By Gabriel Agbeja

P

oetry is an art form in which human language is used for its aesthetic qualities in addition to, or instead of, its notional and semantic content.

It consists largely of oral or literary works in which language is used in a manner that is felt by its user and audience as different from ordinary prose.

It may use condensed or compressed form to convey emotion or ideas to the reader's or listener's mind or ears; it may also use devices such as assonance and repetition to achieve musical or incantatory effects.

Poems frequently rely on the use of imagery, word association and the musical qualities of the language used.

The interactive layering of all these effects to generate meaning is what marks poetry as a distinct genre of art.

UNESCO Director- General Irina Bokova's comment on poetry in 2012 somewhat highlights the effects of the poetry on national development. ``In a constantly evolving world, a world of rapid change and social transformation, poets have a presence, alongside civil movements, and the know-how to alert consciences to the world's injustices as well as encourage appreciation of its beauty. ``We can also see their potential in new technologies and short messages that circulate on social networks, breathing fresh life into poetry, fostering creativity and the sharing of poems and verses that can help us to engage more fully with the world.''

In the same vein, experts believe that poetry contributes to creative diversity, by questioning a new use of the community's words and things, its modes of perception and understanding of the world.

They say through its associations, its metaphors and its own grammar, poetic language is thus conceivably another facet of dialogue among cultures, diversity in dialogue, free flow of ideas by word, creativity and innovation.

The World Poetry Day is marked on the 21st day of every March to reflect on the power of language and the full development of each person's creative abilities.

The UNESCO, in its 30th session in Paris in 1999, decided to proclaim March 21 as the World Poetry Day. According to UNESCO, the raison d'être behind the Day's observance is to draw support for linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to offer endangered languages an opportunity to be heard within their communities.

In a nutshell, the Day is meant to support poetry, return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals and promote the teaching of poetry, while restoring a dialogue between poetry and the other genres of art such as

theatre, dance, music and painting.

The other objectives of the Day's celebration are to support small publishers, while creating an attractive image of poetry in the media so that the art of poetry would no longer be considered as an outdated form of art.

UNESCO, therefore, encourages its member states to take an active part in celebrating the World Poetry Day, at both local and national levels.

Such celebrations are supposed to entail the active participation of national commissions and nongovernmental organisations, as well as public and private institutions such as schools, municipalities, poetic communities, museums, cultural associations, publishing houses and local authorities.

Speaking on poetry, Sen. Yusuf Ahmed, the ProChancellor, Baze University, Abuja, said that poetry could be used to boost national development if its attributes were properly harnessed.

He made the assertion in Abuja last year at the 2nd KoreaNigeria Poetry Feast, organised to mark the 2012 World Poetry Day. ``National development boils down to enrichment of individual character involved in poetry. ``No single individual retains the benefit of poetry, poetry is written by one person but it is beneficial to the whole society,'' he added.

Ahmed suggested the organisation of poetry competitions among schools would increase the level of literacy in the society.

He maintained that the poetry feast would deepen and enhance knowledge on Nigerian and Korean cultures.

Mr Choi Jong-Hyun, the Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, noted that the event would further promote the bilateral relations existing between Nigeria and Korea, as the two countries are ``blessed with rich cultures, landscapes and manpower''.

Also speaking, Mr Suh Jeong Sun, the Director of Korean Cultural Centre, said that the objective of the poetry feast was to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression.

The Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA) on Oct. 15 last year inaugurated the ``100,000 Poets for Change Initiative'' to stimulate the reading habit among children in Kuje Area Council.

The association's President, Mr Eriata Oribhabor, said that the initiative was particularly

“

POEM OF THE WEEK Title: Three Months of Courtship

By Chris Msosa

John Pepper Clark

aimed at promoting upcoming poets and artists in the area council. ``We expect to enhance literary activities in the area by improving on the reading culture as well as the number of change agents in this locality and beyond. ``More importantly, we shall see a new set of people that sees beyond the `run of the mill' approach to issues that largely characterised our everyday life in Nigeria,'' he said, adding: ``We are for positive change.''

Oribhabor said that the programme was aimed at supporting and working for the country's peace and sustainability by using poetry and similar instruments. ``Change is constant but the right change, which we envisage, is relative and it is a recurring challenge. ``In its relativeness, we can see and feel the right changes whenever we encounter one. ``We can do it by doing it right at all times. Once we are conscious of this, we will continuously impact on our immediate environment positively irrespective of

We cherish the burden of being mirrors of our respective societies. ``We are all for positive change and will continue to fly the flag for change wherever the opportunity beckons,'' he said.

whatever we engage in,'' he said.

Oribhabor added: ``What we are talking about is poets for change, musicians for change, farmers for change, engineers for change, builders for change, artists for change and painters for change, among others. ``We are reaching out to everyone for the production of change agents in all strata of life for the betterment of our nation's body polity. ``We cherish the burden of being mirrors of our respective societies. ``We are all for positive change and will continue to fly the flag for change wherever the opportunity beckons,'' he said.

Oribhabor then pledged that a more elaborate 100,000 Poets for Change event would be organized this year.

He said that the 100,000 Poets for Change Initiative was aimed at mobilising ``great minds'' to render support for nation-building efforts, ``which our children will gladly build upon''.

He said that the 100,000 Poets for Change organisation was co-founded in the U.S. by Michael Rothenberg II and Terri Carrion.

All the same, literary experts argue that tangible efforts should be made to rekindle the people's interest in poetry, saying that poetry is globally recognised as a tool of intellectual development. ``Most of the world's renowned philosophers are great poets; great thinkers and great strategists,'' some of the experts add.

Source: NAN

Dashing heartwards, for spent emotions and balding feelings Discolouring gentle, the gloss of sweet words peels off A barrier of bulging betrayal, heartbreaks and guilt Through peaceable arteries of untainted friendship That wither in the heat of the afternoon blaze - this act Of traditional chivalry is passed like the music of the wind Or the anonymous beauty of a bird's chirp - ignored Until on the loose, words rain down heavily, the way of boiling water Once it spurts off the kettle and spills onto the floor Like faith after death Splintered clichés, haphazardly sown, broadcast Everywhere - stunted by unbreakable rules, older than dinosaurs Die - a natural death, like meteorites - and comets Tangenting off into galaxies unknown and lost - in space Taken like that of any other suitor - the honesty Poetry, a bleeding soul, a drifting heart and nothing else Against the omnipresence of lame love songs - turns old and gray The column of smoky truth twists, retreats and rises again.

Slowly reality dawns on the unsuspecting devotee Like a rainbow after a destructive storm Stinging retorts, rhetoric questions, considered worthy of inclusion Where nothing obvious is said, brazenly stare - saved By an occasional uneasy smile and the infection of laughter. Confusion!

Will abound, put under scrutiny the returning hero Defeated - ready to resurrect the battle on paper - empty words Nude souvenirs of loss, the local taste of folklore Warmth, truth, curious candour, and razor-marked faces all taste stale.

Boredom - a private hell beckons open-armed and gentle welcoming He limps, wearily, not-so-surefooted, painstakingly slow and heavy of heart Like Jesus on the road to Jerusalem

QUO TE UOTE Nothing leads so straight to futility as literary ambitions without systematic knowledge.

– H. G. Wells

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

ANALYSIS

By Rafia Zakaria

L

ess than two weeks after Senator Rand Paul's filibuster of CIA Chief John Brennan's confirmation in the US Senate, it seems that the controversy over the legality and transparency of drone attacks has finally provoked a response from the Obama Administration. On March 19, 2013, reports published in the Daily Beast and the Wall Street Journalindicated that the controversial drone program may be shifted from the CIA to the Department of Defense.

The reports were based on statements by US officials and a yet unreleased draft document indicating that the Obama White House would like the program to be institutionalised and reformed, moving it into the command structure of the US military instead of within its spy agency.

It may be true that moving the drone program to the Department of Defense would address some of the critiques regarding transparency and legality. Drone strikes carried out by the military, as they have been in Afghanistan, would be subject to the rules of engagement that govern the use of military force. They would also have a clearer chain of command that would disclose, at least generally, the parameters used to select targets and order strikes, both contentious points on which the CIA-run drone program has been criticised.

Unlike the CIA, the Department of Defense would not be able to classify all drone operations as "covert" or "clandestine" and would be subject to oversight from other branches of the United States government. Furthermore, while the President did not have to sign off on every strike conducted by the CIA, under a military run program he would have, as Commander-inchief, clear ultimate authority over the program.

Under the new formulation, operations would move gradually from the CIA to the Department of Defense, with a lengthy period of transition in which the two agencies would work together. The move would allow the CIA to move out of counter-terrorism and focus again on the collection of human intelligence, a facet of its operation that is said to have suffered. On March 20, the Washington Post reported that a panel of White House advisors had expressed grave concerns that the CIA was paying inadequate attention to collecting intelligence on China, the Middle East, and other national security flashpoints, because of its inordinate focus on military operations and drone strikes. A move away from drone strikes, then, would free up the Agency's resources to do the sort of traditional intelligence gathering with which it is tasked.

On their own side, White House officials are keen to change the impression that the President Obama is a champion of secret assassinations using armed drones on shaky legal grounds. A major counter terrorism speech is expected soon in which the President will define a new direction in counter-terrorism

PAGE 31

President Obama: The drones don't work, they just make it worse

"The drastic escalation in drone strikes in Pakistan during the Obama Administration has caused no decrease in the capacity of drone-targeted groups to carry out terrorist attacks in the region," writes author [Reuters] policy and deflect criticism that his Administration has been operating an illegal killing program. While details of timing are unknown, such a speech can be seen as provoked by the questions raised in Senator Paul's filibuster regarding the possibility of the President ordering drone strikes on US citizens based on unknown determinations.

Although Attorney General Eric Holder denied such a possibility in his response to Senator Paul, questions have continued as to the legal authority of CIA targets and the fact that United States citizens cannot demand any sort of accountability for them.

Moving the drone program from the CIA to the Department of Defense is thus being painted as a victory, even a capitulation, to those critics who have criticised the lack of transparency, accountability, and legal basis of the drone program. However, the details of the move do not suggest a reversal or even a rethinking of the strategic imperatives that the Obama Administration and the CIA have used to justify the drone program.

First, the gradual process of the transition without any publicly disclosed details of how and when it will be completed are likely to create a situation in which, at least for a time, it would be difficult if not impossible to tell which agency, the Department of Defense or the CIA,

would actually be responsible for a strike. Second, according to a government official who spoke to the Washington Post, the CIA program in Pakistan would be phased out even later "because of the complexities there" and because the program, unlike the ones in Yemen and Somalia, was actually begun by the CIA. Finally, even if the drone program is actually moved to the Department of Defense, it will be incorporated into its most secret portion, the Joint Special Operations Command, whose top-secret operations are also covert and never released to the public.

When these factors are considered, the effort to provide more transparency and an institutional framework for the drone program seem chimerical at best and deceptive at worst. All of them point to a continuation of a national security mindset, within the Obama Administration and the State Department, both believing that drones, cheaply bought and unmanned, are a perfect way to bombard other countries with minimal cost the United States.

With the risk of dead American soldiers reduced to nothing, military officials are also gobbling up the idea of waging remotecontrol wars all over the world, wherever a possible or even supposed threat can be identified.

Starkly absent from the debate

“

are any meaningful critiques of the actual effectiveness of drone strikes.

Figures obtained from the South Asia Terrorism Portal indicate, for example, that the drastic escalation in drone strikes in Pakistan during the Obama Administration has caused no decrease in the capacity of drone-targeted groups to carry out terrorist attacks in the region.

According to the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, President Obama ordered 53 drones strikes in Pakistan in 2009. These strikes were reported to have killed, among others, Tehreek-e-Taliban Commander BaitullahMehsud and MaulviGulNazeer. In turn, there were approximately 500 bomb blasts in Pakistan that year, most of which were concentrated in the northwestern tribal areas of Pakistan.

In 2010, President Obama ordered 128 drone strikes which were again reported to have killed various prominent Taliban figures and various Al-Qaeda commanders. The number of bomb blasts carried out by terrorist groups in Pakistan that year was 473, with most of them again concentrated in the tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. In 2011, President Obama ordered 75 drone strikes which killed, among others, Al-Qaeda Chief financial officer Abu Zaid Al Iraqi and Taliban spokesperson ShakirullahShakir.

However, despite this being the

When these factors are considered, the effort to provide more transparency and an institutional framework for the drone program seem chimerical at best and deceptive at worst.

third year of drone strikes, terror groups within Pakistan were still able to carry out 673 bomb blasts.

They also expanded the geographic area of the blast operations to include not only the remote and sparsely populated tribal areas, but also the urban centers of Karachi in the south and Quetta in the southwest of Pakistan. Finally, in 2012, President Obamaordered 48 drone strikes which were alleged to have killed between 242 and 400 people.

Among the dead was Taliban commander HakimullahMehsud, whose death was said to be a big blow to the operative capacities of the organization.

However, even despite this being the fourth year of drone strikes in Pakistan, with so many Al-Qaeda and Tehreek-e-Taliban leaders allegedly killed in strikes in past years, terrorists were nevertheless able to still carry out 652 attacks killing 1,007 people and injuring 2,687. Not only were they able to kill more, they were also able to expand their ambit of operations into other parts of Pakistan, with terrorist attacks in Karachi and Quetta now almost equivalent in damage to the ones that occurred in the northwest, where the war against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban had once been isolated.

The move of Tehreek-e-Taliban activity from the tribal areas of Pakistan, where drones operate more effectively, to urban areas like Karachi has also been documented in a recent report issued by the United States Institute for Peace, which stated that Karachi is now the "preferred hideout of the TTP, Afghan Taliban, other extremist, and sectarian outfits" and that Karachi's urban density and sprawl offer "the best militant hideout," since U.S drone strikes cannot be enacted in Karachi, which unlike Federally Administered Tribal Area is the country's economic and financial capital. The report further goes on to say that militants "are relocating to Karachi and are able to plan local and international operations in the city."

That those allegedly being targeted by drones do not seem at all weakened by them seems largely absent from the discussion on drones and the preoccupations of whether the program will be snuck from the secret corners of one US agency to another. The problem of an increase in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, even after their leaders have been hammered for years by drones, can be ignored by American officials whose interest is ostensibly limited only to protecting Americans.

However, if it is concerns of transparency and legality that are provoking the responses from the Obama Administration and the purported move to reassign the drone program to the Department of Defense, perhaps the issue of actual effectiveness can also be added to the mix.

Source: AlJazeera

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

BRICS wrangle over new development bank B

RICS emerging powers sought a deal on setting up a development bank that would rival Western-backed institutions, trying to iron out significant differences ahead of a leaders' summit in Durban.

The grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and hosts South Africa are racing to elaborate on proposals for an infrastructure-focused lender that would challenge seven decades of dominance by the World Bank.

Just hours before leaders kick off the summit at 17:30 GMT on Tuesday, finance ministers were still

working to agree key elements of the plan.

Disputes remain over what the bank will do, with each side trying to mould the institution to their foreign or domestic policy goals and with each looking for assurances of an equitable return on their initial investment of about $10bn.

Failure to secure a deal would be a major embarrassment for many of the participants and would play into the hands of those who argue that the BRICS have little to bind them together.

Xi Jinping, who has underscored

the growing importance of the group by making Durban his first summit as China's president, earlier expressed hopes for "positive headway" in establishing the bank.

In a keynote speech in Tanzania on Monday Xi pledged Beijing's "sincere friendship" with the continent, and a relationship that respects Africa's "dignity and independence".

Meanwhile, host President Jacob Zuma has lauded the summit as a means of addressing his country's chronic economic problems including high unemployment.

"BRICS provides an opportunity for

L-R: Presidents of Brazil DilmaVanaRousseff, Russia Vladmir Putin, PM of India Manmohan Singh , China's Xi Jinping and host JacodZuma.

South Africa to promote its competitiveness" Zuma said in a speech on the eve of the summit.

"It is an opportunity to move further in our drive to promote economic growth and confront the challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment that afflicts our country."

A failure to take concrete steps would raise questions about whether the BRICS grouping can survive.

"Ironically it may be the cleavages within the BRICS grouping that more accurately hint at the future of the global order: tensions between China and Brazil on trade, India on security, and Russia on status highlight the difficulty Beijing will have in staking its claim to global leadership," said Daniel Twining of the German Marshall Fund.

But if the leaders succeed it would be the first time since the inaugural BRICS summit four years ago that the group matches rhetorical demands for a more equitable global order with concrete steps.

That would send a loud message to the US and European nations that the current global balance of power is unworkable.

Together the BRICS account for 25 percent of global GDP and 40 percent of the world's population.

But members say institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the United Nations Security Council are not changing fast enough to reflect their new-found clout.

Diplomats say it could start with $10bn seed money from each country, but the exact role of the bank is up for debate.

Congo warlord denies guilt in first appearance at Hague court

B

oscoNtaganda, a Congolese warlord known as "the Terminator" who evaded arrest on war crimes charges for seven years, denied guilt when he appeared for the first time at the International Criminal Court on Tuesday.

Ntaganda unexpectedly gave himself up to diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Rwanda last week, walking in off the street and demanding to be handed over the ICC. Within days he was put on a plane to The Hague.

He is accused of murder, rape and other crimes over a 15-yearperiod of fighting in Rwandanbacked rebellions in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

His appearance almost seven years after the court first issued a warrant for his arrest is a muchneeded success for the ICC following the collapse of several cases.

Dressed in an ill-fitting dark blue suit, blue shirt, and stripy tie - attire most likely provided by the court - a stooped and bowed Ntaganda appeared ill at ease in the courtroom on Tuesday, leaning forward and looking down as the hearing began.

He confirmed his name, gave his age as 39, and told the court he was not guilty of the charges, but a

judge interrupted and said this was not the occasion for discussing his guilt.

Asked whether he was aware of the charges against him, Ntaganda said: "I was informed of these crimes, but I plead not guilty."

Ekaterina Trendafilova, who was presiding alone over the hearing, stopped him.

"I wouldn't like to interrupt you, because you should feel at ease," she said. "But the purpose of this initial hearing is ... to know whether you

have been informed about the crimes ... your rights, and we are not discussing now anything related to your guilt or innocence."

"I was born in Rwanda but I grew up in Congo. I am a Congolese citizen," Ntaganda told the court, speaking in Kinyarwanda through interpreters. "I was a soldier in the Congo."

Ntaganda is accused of recruiting child soldiers, murder, ethnic persecution, sexual slavery and rape during a 2002-2003

Congolese warlord BoscoNtaganda (R) looks on besides a security guard during his first appearance at the ICC.

conflict in northeastern Congo's mineral-rich Ituri district.

Most recently, he was a commander in the M23 rebel movement, but his whereabouts had been unknown after he had fled to Rwanda with hundreds of his followers, and his decision to turn himself in to the U.S. Embassy in the capital Kigali caught diplomats there by surprise.

Analysts said he may have felt that his life would be safer in an ICC detention cell than in an increasingly hostile Rwanda.

A date of September 23 was set for the next hearing at which judges will decide whether the evidence against Ntaganda is strong enough to warrant a trial by no means a foregone conclusion.

Recently, prosecutors withdrew their case against Kenyan civil servant Francis Muthaura after a witness retracted his testimony, prompting lawyers for his coaccused Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's president-elect, to charges also be dropped against him.

With many of the court's suspects, including Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony and Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, at large and beyond its reach, Ntaganda's arrival is especially welcome to prosecutors and activists.

Tourists released in Egypt's Sinai

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wo tourists, an Israeli man and a Norwegian woman, have been released by kidnappers in the Sinai peninsula in Egypt, the state news agency has said.

The tourists were seized four days ago by armed tribesmen while travelling between Taba and Dahab in the south of the peninsula.

Such hostage taking in Sinai are common and usually resolved quickly.

Security in the desert region has deteriorated since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak two years ago.

South Sinai's Red Sea coast is a major tourism hub.

Egyptian Bedouins have pressed for the release of captive tribesmen they say have been sentenced unfairly on charges ranging from terrorism to drug dealing and people trafficking across the border into Israel.

Zambia's exPresident Rupiah Banda pleads not guilty

Z

ambia's former President Rupiah Banda has pleaded not guilty to a charge of abuse of power during his time in office.

The charges relate to an oil deal signed with a Nigerian company, which prosecutors say was meant to benefit Mr Banda and his family.

"No my Lord, I deny the charge," Mr Banda told the court, AFP reports.

The ex-president says the charges are part of a political witch-hunt against him and his allies.

After three years in power, he lost the 2011 election to Michael Sata.

He was arrested and questioned for nearly three hours before being freed on bail on Monday.

Earlier this month the 76-yearold was stripped of presidential immunity.

Prosecutors say Mr Banda instructed his son Henry to stash away the proceeds from the oil deal, which were to be used for the benefit of his family.

Henry Banda left the country shortly after his father lost power and is wanted by Zambian police.

The new government has launched a high-profile investigation into allegations of corruption by members of Mr Banda's administration.

One former minister has been found guilty and is appealing against his conviction.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 33

Asia and Arab League welcomes Syrian opposition Middle East

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he Arab League has kicked off a two-day summit in Doha where opponents of President Bashar al-Assad are representing Syria for the first time.

Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, opened the conference on Tuesday by inviting Moaz alKhatib, the president of the Syrian National Coalition, to take Syria's seat.

He told the audience of kings, emirs and presidents that he still supports a "political solution" to the crisis in Syria, but one that does not "rewind the clock."

Al Thani also called for setting up

a $1bn fund to protect the "Arabness of Jerusalem," though he acknowledged that past promises to aid the Palestinians have gone unfulfilled.

"We are all obligated to work to defend Jerusalem.... the Arab states must swiftly and seriously act," he said, adding that Qatar will contribute $250m to the fund.

Arab foreign ministers met in Doha on Sunday to prepare for the meeting. Fighting in Syria and Afghan government peace talks with the Taliban will be high on the agenda at the summit.

Khatib addressed the summit shortly after Al Thani, opening his speech with a bleak summary of the

humanitarian crisis in Syria: tens of thousands killed, infrastructure destroyed, 25 percent of the country's population displaced.

But he demanded additional support from both Arab and international powers. He tried to address the concerns of many Western countries, who fear that a post-Assad Syria could become intolerant towards minority groups and a breeding ground for militants.

He noted that Assad has killed thousands of Kurds, Christians and other minorities, and accused the government of carrying out "state terrorism."

"Is it acceptable to tolerate state terrorism for two years?" he

asked, alleging that "thousands" of Iranian and Russian fighters are aiding Assad's government.

In an interview before the summit opened, Khatib tried to downplay talk that his resignation is a sign of the coalition's impending collapse.

"What's happening within the coalition is normal. It's just like what happens in parliaments around the world," he said. "There are differences of opinion."

The 22-member league suspended Syria after al-Assad's forces launched a bloody crackdown on dissent which has since turned into a civil war in which more than 70,000

UN to temporarily reduce staff in Damascus

Vietnam accuses China of attack on fishermen in South China Sea

V

ietnam has accused China of opening fire on a fishing boat in the disputed South China Sea and burning down its cabin, charges denied by Beijing on Tuesday as tensions resurface over sovereignty in the energy-rich waters.

Claims by an increasingly powerful China over most of the South China Sea have set it directly against U.S. allies Vietnam and the Philippines. Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia also claim parts of the waters and China has a separate dispute with Japan in the East China Sea. A statement posted on the Vietnamese government's website said the trawler was chased away and came under attack from Chinese ships near the Paracel islands on March 20, calling the incident a breach of international maritime law.

Vietnam's state-controlled newspapers showed photographs on Tuesday of what they said were the charred remains of the ship's cabin.

"This is a very serious case, violating Vietnam's sovereignty," the Foreign Ministry said in the statement posted late on Monday.

"Vietnam resolutely opposes this and demands China investigates and strictly deals with the above inhumane wrongdoing and compensates for the damages carried by Vietnamese fishermen."

Vietnam's condemnation of China's claims to the sea and its numerous reefs and tiny islands was the strongest since early December, when it accused Chinese ships of sabotaging an exploration operation by state oil and gas company, Petrovietnam by cutting a seismic cable.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei rejected Vietnam's claim that the trawler had been damaged and urged it to teach its fishermen to stay out of its waters.

"The response by the relevant Chinese body against the illegal Vietnamese fishing boat was appropriate and reasonable," Hong told reporters in Beijing.

"We hope the Vietnamese side takes earnest steps to improve education for and management of fishermen to stop such illegal activities."

people have been killed, UN figures show.

Khatib was picked as head of the coalition after it was formed in November. He was seen as a moderate defender against the rising influence of al-Qaeda-linked forces fighting in the revolt against al-Assad.

Khatib said in a written statement on Sunday that he was resigning so that he could work more freely.

In another Arab League summit first, Afghan president Hamid Karzai will discuss peace negotiations with the Taliban.

The breakthrough comes after years of stalled discussions with the United States, Pakistan and the Taliban.

A

Kings, emirs and presidents gathered in the Qatari capital for the start of the two-day summit on Tuesday [Reuters]

Former Presidents of China Hu Jintao shows the way to Vietnamese counterpart PresidentMr. Nguyen Minh Triet.

North Korea threatens to strike US mainland

N

orth Korea has put its military on combat-ready status, with "strategic" rocket units ordered to prepare for possible strikes against the US mainland, Hawaii and Guam, state media reported.

The order, issued in a statement from the North's military "supreme command", marks the latest fiery rhetoric from Pyongyang since the start of joint military drills by US and South Korean forces early this month.

"The Korea People's Army top command declares that all artillery troops including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units are to be placed under class-A combat readiness," the Korean Central News Agency said on Tuesday.

Despite a successful long-range rocket launch in December, most experts believe North Korea is years from developing a genuine inter-continental ballistic missile that could strike the continental United States.

Hawaii and Guam would also be outside the range of its mediumrange missiles, which would be capable, however, of striking US

military bases in South Korea and Japan.

South Korea's defence ministry said it had detected no signs of unusual activity by the North's military but will monitor the situation. The South and the US military are conducting drills until the end of April, which they have stressed are strictly defensive in nature.

The announcement came days after the South Korean and US militaries signed a new pact providing for a joint military response to even low-level provocative action by North Korea.

mid continuing violence in Syria, the UN has announced that it is temporarily reducing the number of its international staff in the Damascus due to an increase in threats to security.

The UN has approximately 100 foreign and 800 Syrian staff working in the Syrian capital.

"Most of the Damascus-based staff of the Office of the Joint Representative for Syria are being temporarily relocated to Beirut and the Joint Special Representative's main office in Cairo," said Martin Nesirky, a UN spokesperson, at the body's headquarters in New York.

"All of the national staff of that office have been asked to work from home, until further notice. These measures are being undertaken solely for security reasons," Nesirky said the move was prompted by shells falling near the hotel where UN staff were staying on Sunday and Monday.

Syrian rebels fired mortar rounds into central Damascus on Monday, killing at least two people and drawing a fierce army response as bombardments shook the capital, the Reuters news agency reported.

Nesirky said that the international staff worked for peace mediator LakhdarBrahimi, the resident UN coordinator, the UN children's agency UNICEF, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

"There will still be in country enough people to be able to continue and indeed to increase the range of work particularly to reach people with food aid," he said.

Meanwhile, the Syrian opposition is to take over the country's vacant seat at the Arab League, a highranking league official has said, a day ahead of a summit of Arab leaders in Doha, Qatar.

"The opposition has been invited to the Arab summit and will occupy Syria's seat at the Arab League," the official told the AFP news agency on Monday, requesting anonymity.

The pan-Arab bloc had already suspended President Bashar al-Assad's membership and recognised the coalition as the legitimate representative of the people of Syria.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas US Supreme Court hears gay marriage arguments

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he US Supreme Court has begun hearing arguments on two laws critical to the rights of gay couples to marry, as new polls show a dramatic shift in the number of Americans who support overturning barriers to same-sex marriage.

Lawyers from both sides have started puting their cases before the nine justices who make up the highest court in the land on Tuesday.

Opinion polls show that most people in the US now accept the principle of same-sex marriage.

But opposition remains strong from social conservatives, backed by the Roman Catholic and evangelical churches.

On Monday, Barack Obama, the US president, showed his support for same-sex marriage via a Twitter account managed in his name by Organising for Action, an advocacy group founded after his re-election.

"Every American should be able to marry the person they love," read the t w e e t , w h i c h carried the hashtag "#LoveIsLove."

Colour-coded protesters also set out their positions outside the court on Monday.

Some people had been in the queue since Friday and some were paid to keep a place for others.

Some in the pro-equality side dressed in red, while opponents of gay marriage wore the colours of the US flag, red, white and blue.

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments over California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, known as Proposition 8.

Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo joined Kris Perry and Sandy Tier on the steps of the National Archives on Monday to inspect the original handwritten text of the United States Co nsti tu ti o n.

The two couples, who are plaintiffs in the first case, inspected the text to "reflect on the importance of their case for gay couples across the nation", advocacy group the American Foundation for Equal Rights said in a written statement.

"Everyone we know and love has this right and we don't," Perry said earlier.

"It's time for us to have a chance at that happiness as well."

The Court will consider the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA) taday.

Protesters rally against bailout in Cyprus

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rotesters have marched near the presidential palace in Cyprus, as questions over the bailout package for the financially crippled island linger with the resignation of the chairman of the country's largest commercial bank.

As protesters took to the streets on Tuesday, Bank of Cyprus Chairman Andreas Artemis submitted his resignation opposing plans to restructure the bank, Al Jazeera's John Psaropoulos, reporting from Nicosia, said.

The refinancing and restructuring plan of the Bank of Cyprus requires it to absorb the deposits of another financial institution called Laiki Bank, which has been shuttered.

As banks remained closed nationwide for the second week, an estimated 1,500 protesters gathered in the capital Nicosia to denounce the European Union, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund creditors.

The protesters, many of them students who organised the event online, were cheered on by government workers as they marched past the labour ministry.

"Troika out of Cyprus," said

Cypriots on the streets leading to the Presidential palace. banners held by the angry students, in reference to the three creditors.

"Hands off Cyprus," and "Those who stole our money should go to jail and pay," chanted the demonstrators.

Cyprus secured a deal with international lenders on Monday for a $13bn bailout that helped it avert bankruptcy, but which will see large deposit-holders at its two biggest banks losing much of their savings.

The bailout involves depositors in the two biggest banks paying huge levies on deposits more than $130,000. It also effectively shuts down Laiki, the island's secondlargest lender also known as Popular Bank.

EU backs Croatia to join in July as 28th member state

EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele (L) in Zegreb.

T

he European Commission has given Croatia the green light to join the EU on 1 July as the 28th member state.

Croatia's accession can go ahead once all 27 have ratified the agreement - and 19 states have done that so far.

A Commission monitoring report says Croatia must take

further action to tackle organised crime and corruption.

Croatia is set to become the first country to join since Bulgaria and Romania did so in 2007. Croatia has spent 10 years negotiating EU entry.

"We are confident that Croatia will be ready to join the EU on 1 July 2013," EU Enlargement

Commissioner Stefan Fuele said after talks in the Croatian capital Zagreb on Tuesday.

"This report is a clean bill of health." But he warned Croatia against complacency.

"EU membership is an additional incentive to carry on with reforms. Croatia is expected to continue developing its track record in the field of the rule of law, notably in the fight against corruption," he said.

Mr Fuele praised Croatia's delivery on various EU requirements, calling it "a good example for the rest of the region as it moves closer to the EU".

The Commission report noted Croatian progress in areas such as anti-trust, mergers and state aid, including privatisation of shipyards.

But it also highlighted judicial and human rights areas requiring further work to meet EU standards.

In the fight against organised

crime "the level of sentences remains low" it said, regretting that that was also the case in corruption cases, where "very often suspended sentences are pronounced".

It called for "effective and dissuasive" sentences in such cases to deter would-be criminals, including bigger asset seizures by the authorities.

"Croatia needs to ensure that a strong mechanism is in place to prevent corruption in state-owned companies," it said.

On borders and migration, the report noted Croatia's recruitment of new border police officers. It also called for further action - including specialised training - to prevent human trafficking, noting that "the low number of identified victims of human trafficking is a point of concern".

Croatia's co-operation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague has been under close scrutiny.

Italy Foreign Minister quits over India marine row

I

talian Foreign Minister GiulioTerzi has resigned over his government's decision to send two Italian marines, accused of killing two Indian fishermen, to Delhi for trial.

"My reservations about sending the marines back to India were not listened to," he told the Italian parliament.

The case sparked a major diplomatic row between India and Italy.

The marines said they shot the fishermen off the Kerala coast in 2012 after mistaking them for pirates.

On Tuesday, Mr Terzi said he was resigning because his voice had gone "unheard".

"I can no longer be part of this

government," he said.

"I am resigning because I have maintained for 40 years and I maintain more forcefully today that the honour of the country, its armed forces and the Italian diplomacy must be safeguarded. I am resigning because I support the two marines and their families."

The marines, MassimilianoLatorre and Salvatore Girone, had been guarding an Italian oil tanker when they shot the fishermen in February 2012.

The Indian government had allowed them to return to Italy to vote in last month's election.

But when they failed to return, India's Supreme Court

GiulioTerzi ruled Italy's ambassador was barred from leaving the country.

In response, the Italian

government announced last Thursday it would send the marines back to Delhi to stand trial.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Woman receives diploma after waiting 88 years T

alk about procrastinating on a homework assignment.

An Ohio resident finally received her high school diploma 88 years after completing all but one requirement.

Although she'd fulfilled 12 years of schooling, Reba Williams flunked out of Mount Vernon High School in 1925 after refusing to read an assigned book, the Mainsfield News Journalreported.

As for her reasoning, the 106 year old said she'd already read the book once, didn't like it and wasn't going to read it again.

But the centenarian grad doesn't advise students to follow her example.

"I'd tell them what happened to me," she told theMainsfield News Journal. "If they expect to get anyplace in this world, they have to learn."

Her situation received renewed attention after News Journal interviewed Williams about being the former cook at Malbar Farm.

After seeing the segment, a retired English teacher made it her mission to get Williams her overdue degree. And, on Feb. 18 the board of education unanimously approved.

Reba Williams (R).

Donning a white graduation cab, Williams was presented with her diploma on

Wednesday.

Despite her belated sheepskin, she praised the

Mount Vernon School System for giving students the opportunity for lifetime

learning.

"I was learning all the time," Williams said.

Spin your room around at Holland's unique crane hotel by playing actually driving the industrial equipment. The crane is still functional, and you can rotate it 360 degrees to catch some amazing views of the old Dutch fishing town.

The Crane Hotel's operators recommend that you only pack a suitcase or soft bag if you value your space. Also, for safety reasons, only two people are allowed on the premises at the same time. A stay at the Crane Hotel in Harlingen will set you back $400 a night. It's certainly not the cheapest hotel you can find, but it's the only one that will let you play with your room, and that alone makes it all worth it.

By Spooky

I

f you've ever wondered what it must be like to spend the night in an industrial dockside crane, there's a unique hotel in Harlingen, the Netherlands, that you absolutely have to visit. The 0ne -room Crane Hotel may not be very spacious, but it allows tourists to operate the giant crane and spin 360 degrees for incredible views of their surroundings.

Located in the seaside town of Harlingen, just an hour's drive from Amsterdam, the Crane Hotel offers a luxurious getaway for two.

The genuine dockside crane used to move containers around during the 1960s was converted into a unique hotel between 2001 and 2003. Although it retains its industrial look on the outside, the interior has been radically altered to provide the same degree of comfort that other high-class hotels do. They've added tasteful decorations, the latest audiovideo technology, a comfy double bed, and a twin person shower cabin, but also kept some of the elements that make this place so unique, like the observation deck and original windows. Perched about 17 feet above Harlingen's peer, the Crane hotel is no longer accessed via its old steel ladder, but by a modern internal lift. And as if just spending the night in a real dockside crane wasn't cool enough, you can also satisfy the kid in you

Man banned from “all libraries on the face of the earth�

T

Interior of the hotel.

he court really threw the book at this guy. A 20-year-old Wisconsin man accused of engaging in lewd behavior in a library has been banned from "all the libraries on the face of the earth."

Tyree S. Carter, of Racine, is charged with misdemeanor counts of lewd behavior and disorderly conduct. He's due in court next month for a pre-trial conference.

A Journal Times of Racine report says Carter is accused of openly masturbating in the Racine Public Library last week. A witness told investigators Carter was out in the open, not trying to conceal his act.

The criminal complaint says he apologized to responding police officers.

His signature bond was set at $1,000. Court records say as a condition of his bond, he was told to "stay out of all the libraries on the face of the earth."

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 36

Stressful events can weaken your immune system and make you ill

By Leon Watson

W

orrying too much about stressful events can trigger inflammation, according to a new study.

Researchers found dwelling on negative events can increase levels of inflammation in the body.

They discovered that when study participants were asked to ruminate on a stressful incident, their levels of Creactive protein, a marker of tissue inflammation, rose.

The study is the first time to directly measure this effect in the body.

Study lead author Peggy Zoccola, an assistant professor of psychology at Ohio University in the United States, said: 'Much of the past work has looked at this in nonexperimental designs.

'Researchers have asked people to report their tendency to ruminate, and then looked to see if it connected to physiological issues. It's been correlational for the most part.'

The research team recruited 34 healthy young women to participate in the project.

Each woman was asked to give a speech about her candidacy for a job to two

Worrying too much? Researchers found dwelling on negative events can increase levels of inflammation in the body

interviewers in white laboratory coats, who listened with 'stone-faced' expressions.

Half of the group was asked to contemplate their performance in the public speaking task, while the other half was asked to think about neutral images and activities, such as sailing ships or grocery store trips.

The researchers drew blood samples that showed that the levels of C-reactive protein were significantly higher in the subjects who were asked to dwell on the speech.

For these participants, the levels of the inflammatory marker continued to rise for at least one hour after the speech.

During the same time period, the marker returned to starting levels in the subjects who had been asked to focus on other thoughts.

The C-reactive protein is primarily produced by the liver as part of the immune system's initial inflammatory response.

It rises in response to traumas, injuries or infections in the body.

C-reactive protein is widely used as a clinical marker to determine if a patient has an infection, but also if he or she may be at risk for disease later in life.

Doctor Zoccola said: 'More and more, chronic inflammation is being associated with various

The study found that when study participants were asked to ruminate on a stressful incident, their levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of tissue inflammation, rose disorders and conditions.

'The immune system plays an important role in various cardiovascular disorders such as heart disease, as well as cancer, dementia and autoimmune diseases.'

Now Dr Zoccola is working with Fabian Benencia in Ohio University's Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Lauren Mente, a registered nurse and graduate student in the School of Nursing, to

investigate the effect of rumination on additional inflammation markers.

She also hopes to study the issue in other populations, such as older adults, who might be vulnerable to rumination and health problems.

She was due to present the findings at the annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Miami.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Feeling anxious or depressed 'dramatically increases' the risk of dying from a heart attack

By Anna Hodgekiss

F

eeling depressed or anxious dramatically increases the chances of heart patients dying, new research suggests.

Death rates among those with heart disease who also suffer from anxiety and depression are tripled, one study found.

A separate team showed that moderate or severe depression increased the risk of death among patients with heart failure four-fold.

Almost 1,000 patients with an average age of 62 took part in the heart disease study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

All answered questions about their feelings immediately before and after an invasive hospital procedure.

Doctors used tests based on common symptoms to decide whether participants were depressed or anxious.

Among the 133 patients who died during the next three years, 55 suffered from either one or both of the conditions.

Anxiety and depression were found to influence the risk of death in different ways. High blood pressure was strongly linked to anxiety, which on its own doubled the risk of dying from any cause.

Depression was more associated with behavioural risk factors, such as smoking and not taking medication.

Previous studies have already found that depression reduces the

Feeling depressed or anxious increases the chances of heart patients dying by a third survival of heart disease patients and triples the risk of heart attacks.

However, this may have been partly because depressed patients are likely to be anxious as well, experts believe.

'Many studies have linked depression to an increased risk of death

in heart disease patients,' said lead scientist Dr Lana Watkins, from Duke University Medical Centre in Durham, North Carolina.

'It's now time for anxiety to be considered as important as depression and for it to be examined carefully.'

As well as being more likely to die,

depressed patients with heart failure had double the chance of finding themselves hospitalised, the other study found.

Heart failure is a condition that causes extreme exhaustion as a result of blood not being pumped around the body efficiently.

A total of 402 men and women from the state of Minnesota with heart failure took part in a depression survey.

Based on the answers, 59 per cent were classified as having no depression, 26 per cent as having mild depression, and 15 per cent as having moderate to severe depression. The patients had an average age of 73.

Even those who reported mild depression had an almost 60 per cent increased risk of dying over the following 18 months.

Moderate to severe depression pushed up the risk four times compared with patients who were not depressed.

Only a third of the seriously depressed patients were taking medication for their condition, according to the findings published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure.

'We measured depression with a one-time questionnaire so we cannot account for changes in depression symptoms over time,' said Dr Alanna Chamberlain, from the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, who led the study.

'Further research is warranted to develop more effective clinical approaches for management of depression in heart failure patients.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 37

Kogi PDP primaries: Aspirant blasts Wada over imposition of candidates

By Stanley Onyekwere

A L-R: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Special Adviser to the Vice-President on Political Affairs, Alhaji Abba Dabo, and former Military Governor of Plateau state, General Ishaya Bakut, during a visit by the Southern Kaduna Elders to President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Jigawa ACN faults PDP on defection of members From Edwin Olofu, Kano

J

igawa state Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has faulted claims by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that some stalwarts of the party defected to PDP in the state recently.

In a statement from the secretariat of the party signed by one Alhaji Isahq Hadejia distributed to newsmen in Kano the party described as PDP’s fear of what was expected to be a result of the mega merger of

three national parties in the state.

They disclosed that Governor Sule Lamido was desperately making all sorts of propaganda to justify why he should be picked by his party, PDP, to be the presidential candidature in the upcoming 2015 election, as encouraged by the former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Instead of him to concentrate on ‘issues of human rights and good governance which are now lacking in Jigawa state, it is sad

that Governor Lamido spent millions of Naira inviting VIPs to Jigawa to perform the launching of some self-seeking projects that have no real relevance to the lives of the people.”

Hadejia further stated “He invited governors Shema of Katsina state, Shinkafi of Zamfara state, Ameachi of Rivers...and a few like minds clearly do not have the interest of the poor at heart. He also invited 45 first class traditional rulers to Dutse at unprecedented cost of millions of Jigawa

resources at a time when unemployment, hunger and poverty bite hard in the rural state.”

He accused Lamido of inviting Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and President Goodluck Jonathan, all in an effort to promote himself as a presidential aspirant in 2015 general election.

“Judging from the great numbers that came to vote ACN in the 2011 election, the figures are there for all to see,” he said.

Group condemns forgery allegation against lawmaker

By Umar Muhammad Puma

A

group, Kaga Youths for Good Governance Initiative (KYGGI), has condemned the accusation of certificate forgery against Hon. Mohammed Sanda Ngamdu, who represents Kaga/ Magumeri/Gubio Federal Constituency of Borno state in the House of Representatives by a former member of the House of Reps., Hon. Fanta Baba Shehu.

In a press release signed by the spokesman of the group, Baba Gana Mainok, it said that the allegation was baseless and a script orchestrated by the exlawmaker to tarnish the good image the present lawmaker has built over the years.

Mainok also said that Shehu is living behind history because the matter has already been decided by the Federal High Court Maiduguri on the 19th day of February 2013.

The group also wondered whose script Fanta was acting just as they urged the former lawmaker to either appeal the High Court judgment that threw out her case or stop deceiving Nigerians.

It will be recalled that Hon. Ngamdu a member of the All

Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) had defeated Hon. Fanta of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last general elections in the state prompting litigations by the ex lawmaker who has been frantically seeking ways to return to the green chamber.

According to the group, Hon. Ngamdu has been providing quality representation in the House since his inauguration in June 2011 and the constituency is not ready to replace him with a politician who failed woefully during the National Assembly election of April 2011.

Wada wants Kogi LG polls transparent

G

overnor Idris Wada of Kogi has charged the state Electoral Commission to ensure free, fair, transparent and credible Local Government polls on May 4.

Wada gave the charge when he inaugurated a new member of the commission, Mr Adejoh Idachaba, in Lokoja yesterday He urged the commission to ensure that elections into the 21 Local Governments were conducted in a manner that would engender good governance

and retain confidence of the people.

The governor noted that elections were fundamental to the survival of democracy, saying "election is a very cardinal foundation of our democracy. ``If we are to get our democracy right, we must conduct our elections right,'' he said.

He urged the commission to work in the best interest of the people, state and country at large.

The governor stressed the

import of the Oath of Allegiance and Office by the new commissioner, saying it is sacred.

Responding, Idachaba thanked the governor for finding him worthy of the appointment.

According to him, his wealth of experience as a one-time image maker of the commission will be put to good use.

He promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by teaming up with other members of the commission to make the forthcoming election credible. (NAN)

chairmanship aspirant for Ofu Local Government in the recently conducted Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) local government chairmanship primaries in Kogi state, Barrister Unubi Akoh, has berated Governor Idris Wada for allegedly hijacking the exercise and imposing candidates on the party.

Akoh, who specifically accused the governor of imposing the former Liaison officer to the council, Ameh Isah, his cousin, on the people during the March 19 primaries, warned that the practice of imposing candidates will only destroy the party.]

According to him, the governor had set up an eight-man PDP committee in the area to come up with a consensus candidate among the four contestants; at the end of which Akoh came first while the former liaison officer came second.

The aggrieved aspirant, in a petition he signed and addressed to the state chairmanship primary election appeal panel, and made available to our reporter, argued that there was no primary as party delegates waited in vain at the venue of the primary without seeing the Returning Officer and materials for the election.

The Petition reads in parts “On the 19th day of March 2013, the day slated for the PDP Chairmanship primary election, at about 8.30 am, I and my teaming supporters including some police officers, Nigerian Civil Defence staff and other sympathizers of the party were at the venue of the election but we all waited in vain as there was neither PDP official nor the electoral materials for the conduct of the primary election.

“At about 2.30pm, I made enquiry and discovered that one Joseph Shaibu was the Returning Officer 1 and Abdul Arogba was the Returning Officer II for the primary election. I took further steps to call on Joseph Shaibu on his telephone line:- 08032198911 to find out about the electoral documents. Mr. Shaibu told me that he has been reposted to Kotonkarfi as a returning officer and that he did not know who replaced him. ”I wish to submit clearly that there was no any form of election in Ofu Local Government Area.

The whole processes were marred with fraud, deception and high leveled conspiracy. In this present dispensation, I know everybody is well informed and nobody is above the Law of the land. What happened is a clear deprivation of our rights, the civic rights of Ofu people has been snatched,” he said in his petition.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PDP and plots for 2015 ANALYSIS

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

hat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not enjoying the best of times is stating the obvious.

Less than two years into President Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency, the social and political turbulence facing the party have become gargantuan.

Jonathan’s candidature on the platform of the PDP has been variously argued to be an offspring of political shenanigans that have become an albatross that has continued to hunt his presidency from the beginning.

Although, the PDP has assumed notoriety for its culture of imposition and disregard for internal democracy, the party’s decision to field Jonathan as its Presidential candidate in 2011 and the surreptitious moves by the party’s leadership to continue the hegemony is at the base of the evil wind threatening to upturn the ship of the party, if not adroitly checked.

Interestingly, the challenges currently threatening to torpedo the ruling party did not start with Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s National Working Committee (NWC). The degeneration began with his predecessors but the task of carrying the can, at a time the sore has festered, fell on the current leadership.

Tukur obviously was aware of the task ahead in the party when he chose to brace the odds by accepting to take over PDP’s leadership in another controversial circumstance.

The PDP National Chairman, therefore, from the onset began his campaign with his 3 Rs (Reconciliation, Reformation and Rebuilding), indicating that he was aware of cracks in the ranks of stakeholders in the party. Perhaps, to gauge the extent of deterioration in the party, the PDP NWC resolved to move round the nation’s six geo-political zones in the country to reconcile the aggrieved members.

But, reports emanating from the tours indicate that there is groundswell of issues agitating the minds of the aggrieved stakeholders in the party across the country and these include the following: Lack of internal democracy The party’s leadership, since its formation, has always obeyed its rules by default. The self made rule on rotational Presidency was flagrantly flouted when the PDP in 2011, against public outcries from certain section of the country,

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur insisted on fielding Jonathan as its Presidential candidate.

Although Jonathan finally had his way to become the Presidential candidate of the party in 2011, the dust has yet to settle with some prominent stakeholders, especially from the north, still bearing grudges against the leadership of the party.

This is becoming even more volatile as there are strong indications that the party’s leadership may have perfected plans to manouevre the emergence of President Jonathan in 2015; but those interested in position would not allow such to happen unchallenged. Stakeholders across the country have therefore sounded it loud and clear that the party must provide a level playing ground for all to contest the party’s primaries at the federal, states and local levels to ensure the emergence of popular candidates.

For instance, during the reconciliation and consolidation tour of the SouthWest, former Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, hit the nail on the head when he warned the party leadership in Ibadan that it should forget about winning any election in the region should it continue in the party’s culture of imposition of candidates.

Fayose told Tukur’s delegation that most of the people who parade themselves as political superstars in Abuja are in fact paper-weights in their constituencies and as such should not be accorded preferential treatments. He urged the PDP leadership to ensure a free and fair primary

Chief Tony Anenih for the governorship candidates of the party by next year.

Although the PDP National Chairman assured the stakeholders that he would ensure internal democracy and stop the practice of imposition of candidates, it is doubtful whether he would be able to fulfill his promise. This is more so when there are insinuations that there are moves from certain quarters to amend the party’s constitution in a way as to give the President and the governors the option of first refusal in 2015. The party would also face the challenge of having to ensure that its governors allow internal democracy at the state and local government levels. This may however prove Herculean.

Complaints of marginalization and patronage Complaints of marginalization were commonplace across the six geo-political zones in the

country. Senator Abdul Ningi, Deputy Senate President, was unequivocal in Bauchi Government House venue of the PDP reconciliation parley when he pointedly told the PDP Chairman that party men in the zone are not happy with the PDP and the President for always neglecting committed stalwarts and making those who never worked for the party, in any way, ministers and heads of parastatals. He pointedly told Tukur in the presence of the governors of Bauchi, Gombe, Acting Governor of Taraba and the Deputy Governor of Adamawa states that the stakeholders would no longer tolerate a situation where monkey would be working and baboon would be eating.

He equally complained that the region has been marginalized in the quality of ministerial appointments allotted to it insisting that a situation where candidates from the region are only good as ministers of state should be rescinded if the party is

“

Although the PDP National Chairman assured the stakeholders that he would ensure internal democracy and stop the practice of imposition of candidates, it is doubtful whether he would be able to fulfill his promise

interested in retaining the loyalty of the zone.

Similarly, the South-East raised the issue of state creation in the zone in order to bring it at par with other regions in the country. Although it is the responsibility of the National Assembly to recommend the creation of state through the ongoing Constitution amendment, stakeholders from the zone urged the PDP to prevail on its members to support the creation of additional state in the South East. This request touches at the heart of every stakeholder from the region and the party must be careful in handling it.

This is because the issue of state creation has become a campaign matter by the opposition merger in the zone.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who spoke on behalf of the elders in the zone, harped on the need to create an additional state in the South-East while equally calling on the party to ensure that Abuja is truly made a ‘noman’s-land’.

In the South West, the stakeholders argued that the region has been sidelined as it has fallen out of favour from the Presidency in terms of appointments.

They complained that although the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives was zoned to the region, the slot ended up with the North West.

The National Chairman however promised the North Eastern zone that the party would be returned to the people and that non members of the ruling party would no longer

Contiuned on page 39

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

Contiuned from page 38 be made ministers and heads of parastatals. He told the South Westerners that the government would look into their grievances but never promised that such would be addressed.

But, the PDP leadership would have to prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan to seriously look into the grievances of the regions and patronize their stakeholders.

For instance, the South West, which is currently in the grip of the opposition, would need more than soothing words for the PDP to come alive in the zone. Again, the party must intensify efforts at its reconciliation task in the region as the PDP is dangerously factionalized in the South West.

Insecurity In fact, the major challenge facing the ruling party, especially in the north, is the PDP led federal government handling of the issue on insecurity with the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram rendering the economy of the north completely comatose.

The handling of the Boko Haram menace by President Goodluck Jonathan has estranged most party faithfuls from the region. Senator Ningi in Bauchi told the PDP leaders that they should tell the President to rescind his earlier position that he would not dialogue with the insurgents because they are faceless. The Senator said the party is seriously losing face in the North East zone because of Jonathan’s position on the matter even as he added that it would be difficult to market the PDP in the North East in 2015.

The challenge of insecurity posed by the activities of the insurgents has obviously made the PDP unpopular in the zone.

Some PDP stakeholders who attended the Bauchi parley from Yobe and Borno states told the horrendous stories of how they were being victimized and

Senator Abdul Ningi

PAGE 39

PDP and plots for 2015 persecuted by their kinsmen on the account of their membership of the ruling party.

PDP stalwarts, traditional rulers and statesmen from across the country have clamoured for an amnesty akin to the one granted to the Niger Delta militants to the insurgents, but the President has consistently insisted that those insurgents must be identified as the government would not grant amnesty to ‘ghosts’.

But the North East insisted that the insurgents are not ghosts insisting that the government knows them.

Ningi told the Tukur led PDP that their means of livelihood, lives and properties are being threatened by the insurgents urging the government to do all it could to safeguard lives and properties not only in the zone but in the entire country.

The task of persuading President Jonathan now falls on Tukur’s leadership as his continuous insistence on not granting amnesty to the insurgents would continue to make the ruling party lose its popularity not only in the North East but in the entire northern part of the country.

Already, the opposition under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun to latch on the PDP led government’s inability to safeguard lives and properties to infiltrate the zone. Only recently, 10 APC governors visited Borno to assess the situation of things in that state.

Chances are that the opposition, with this singular popular venture may have stolen the hearts of the electorates from the zone and, as such, may give the ruling party a run for its money in 2015. The issue of insecurity has become a campaign issue in the north and the PDP would

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu have to work extra hard to convince the people that it actually has what it takes to safeguard lives and properties in the country.

Jonathan’s single-term pact controversy Jonathan’s suspected second term ambition, to some analysts, has been the most potent challenge threatening to tear the PDP apart ahead of 2015. The political tension generated by the insinuation, though he has yet to officially declare his intention, has created the mess that the party’s leadership has been laboring tirelessly to clear.

This is even made worse when the party leadership’s body language is suggesting that the Presidential ticket of the PDP may just be Jonathan’s for the

Ayo Fayose

asking.

The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Niger state governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, braced the odds recently when he told the world that Jonathan actually signed a one term pact with the governors in 2011 before he got their support to emerge the PDP Presidential candidate.

Although, Jonathan has yet to deny or confirm the ‘singleterm pact ‘ matter, his body language indicate that he is resolute in his determination to succeed himself in 2015.

Although, the single pact allegation never featured in the PDP reconciliation parley around the country, observers are unanimous in their opinion that the issue is central to the discontentment among the PDP

governors, especially those from the northern part of the country. According to Aliyu, the agreement reached with Jonathan in 2011 was for the President to serve only one term and return power to the north in 2015. Jonathan’s moves to clinch the presidency again in 2015 has polarized the ranks of the governors as those interested in the Presidency have begun to plot for their exit from the party. Of course, this development has created a fresh hurdle for the PDP leadership.

Again, the formation of the PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of the enfant terrible Akwa-Ibom state governor, Barrister Godswill Akpabio, has been interpreted by critical stakeholders to mean that the party under Jonathan’s influence may have begun plans to scheme them out of the 2015 PDP Presidential primaries. This of course has caused a lot of ripples.

Placating stakeholders, including those governors jostling for the party’s presidential ticket, would obviously stretch Tukur’s negotiation skills to the limit.

The old man would need the wisdom of Solomon to put these ambitious stakeholders in check if, in actual fact, the party had made up its mind to re-present Jonathan for the Presidency in 2015.

Anenih begs PDP governors The emergence of Chief Tony Anenih as the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) has been described as strategic in the effort to rescue a behemoth currently heading to political perdition. Anenih, a political grandmaster popularly known as ‘Mr. Fix It’ has been charged to rebuild the party and ensure that it does not disintegrate in spite of the upsurge of discontentment among its members. The old man is currently moving from state to state begging the PDP governors not to dump the party. But what is currently unclear is whether Anenih is equally selling Jonathan’s candidature in the 2015.

Should Anenih silent over Jonathan’s ambition in 2015, the party may as well be postponing the evil days as the matter, if not settled once and for all, would turn back to hunt the party. However, the BoT Chairman’s political dexterity would be measured by the level of success his state-by-state tour of the PDP governors would record. His relevance and influence in the nation’s political milieu would come to the fore again by the level of commitment he could extract from the belligerent governors and stakeholders who are bent on charting a new course should the PDP insist on presenting Jonathan as his Presidential candidate in 2015.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 41

Nigeria, CIV, will qualify for 2014 World Cup, says Lamouchi

By Patrick Andrew with agency report

I

n spite of last weekend’s temporary setback, the Super Eagles are on course to pick one of the five African slots for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, according to Ivory Coast manager, Sabri Lamouchi.

The coach, whose parade of stars were outwitted and outplayed by a largely rookie bunch of Eagles at the Nations Cups, believes Nigeria and Ivory Coast are the two likely sure bets

to seal places in the Brazil fiesta.

Unlike the Elephants of Ivory Coast that made mince meat of its opponent in the weekend qualifier, the Eagles had to force the Harambee Stars of Kenya to 1-1 draw at the UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar.

The African champions needed a stoppage time goal from substitute, Nnamdi Oduamadi who came on for Nations Cup hero, Sunday Mba, to snatch a a veritable draw to deny the Harambee Stars an impressive upset.

“Of course my team, the Ivory Coast, one or two from North

Africa, Nigeria and probably Zambia (are the five teams) that will qualify to represent Africa at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil,” Lamouchi told a wire service in an interview.

Lamouchi believes that one of Algeria, Egypt, Morocco and Libya are likely to join Nigeria even as he gave Zambia the edge over the Black Stars of Ghana.

Currently, the Chipolopolo of Zambia forced to 1-1 draw by Lesotho, are two points clear of the Stars who spanked Sudan 40 to cut down on Zambia’s lead.

Lamouchi’s confidence on Nigeria may not be unconnected

with the splendid display the Eagles exhibited against the top favourites in the quarterfinals of the 29th Nations Cup finals in South Africa.

The Super Eagles, who were written off before the game, stunned soccer pundits with delectable display of depth, flair, individual and team brilliance to upset the Ivoriens and seal a semi-final against clash with the Eagles of Mali who also fell by the way side to their superior firepower.

Recapping the Nations Cup, he admitted that he had least expected the Eagles to stop the

Super Eagles abandon Portugal, turn to Germany for Kenya

T

he Super Eagles have jettisoned the Papandel Training camp in Portugal.

Instead, the Eagles, shocked to their marrows by seemingly minnows, the Harambee Stars of Kenya, will camp in Germany preparatory for the return leg fixture on June 5.

In Germany, the African champions will engage Mexico and Jamaica in top grade international friendlies meant to keep them in shape for the 2014 World Cup qualifier in Nairobi.

They also face hosts Namibia a week later in continuation of the

qualifying series.

Already, there are changes in the playing schedules of the team on account of their participation in the FIFA Confederations Cup finals in Rio, Brazil same June.

Accordingly, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded plans for the Eagles to set up a training camp in Germany ahead of a hectic month of June.

Confirming this, team’s spokesman Ben Alaiya, said the Eagles will regroup at the adidas camp site in Germany in the middle of May to prepare for two

crucial 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the friendlies against Mexico and Jamaica.

“We are leaving no stone unturned (ahead of World Cup qualifiers) and so we will return to camp in the middle of May at adidas camp site in Germany. It is from there we will go to play Kenya and Namibia. We have two friendly matches lined up for that period against Mexico and Jamaica,” Alaiya disclosed.

Eagles must win their next two World Cup qualifiers away to Kenya and Namibia to stay in contention for a place in the final

round of the qualifying tournament for Brazil 2014 after they laboured to a 1-1 draw with Kenya at home.

They remain top of Group F on five points from three matches, but Malawi are also on five points, while Nambia have three points. Kenya remain bottom of the standings on two points.

Meanwhile, Coach Stephen Keshi has travelled to USA to be with his family. “’Big Boss’ has left for the US to see his family.

It has been a while he left them.

He needs to rest a bit and see his family,” Alaiya said.

Elephants in their glide to victory.

“No, (I did) not really (expect them to knock us out), but in this kind of big tournament you can never tell. I was, however, surprised how they played against us.

“They were superb, had a stronger fighting spirit and pace than us. And after their win over us I tipped them to lift the trophy.

“But look, to tell you how funny football is, Kenya almost defeated the Super Eagles days ago in the 2014 World Cup qualifier at home. If Nigeria had lost would you say Stephen Keshi is no longer a good coach?” he queried rhetorically.

Sabri Lamouchi, CIV manager

AYC: Flying Eagles are over aged, Congo coach alleges D

Abduljeleel Ajagun, Flying Eagles’ skipper and one of the five members from the 2011 edition in the present squad

R Congo coach, Sebastian Migan, has openly alleged that some members of the Flying Eagles are well past the stipulated age for participants at the on-going African Youth Championship, in Algeria.

Though he did not mention any names, Migan emphatically stated that some junior Eagles are clearly older than the 20 years age bracket for the CAF U-20 AYC. According to him one of the nations his team played against at the group state employed the services of age cheats.

“I won’t mention Nigeria by name but I just ask that the officials to do a better job (of ) weeding out the offenders “.

Migan told the Algerian media “It was very clear to me and for others as well that many players in this team are older than 20. I am satisfied with my team’s performance, end of story,” he said adamant in his claims that some members of

the junior Eagles should have had no business featuring in the cadet tournament.

DR Congo played entreprising football against the Eagles but failed to overwhelm the West African country tactically and were subsequently beaten 3-1 last Saturday at Ahmed Zabana stadium. The result meant that they lost out in the quest to seal one of the four places for FIFA U-20 World Cup finals scheduled to be held in Turkey in June.

According to a wire service, which quoted Algerian media, DR Congo’s claim of age-cheat allegation against Nigeria is shared by the Eagles’ yesterday semi-final opponents, the Junior Pharaohs.

Allegations of age cheat had been repeatedly leveled against Nigeria with the most recent being the Fortune Chukwudi saga. He played under John Obuh’s Golden Eaglets as skipper, but was subsequently dropped.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

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CENTRE FOR KINGDOM & LEADERSHIP STUDIES

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION 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.REV. FR. OBODODIKE MAXIMUS CHIJIOKE 2.REV. FR. DR. NWALI ABRAHAM 3.CHIEF AUSTIN IGWE EDEZE 4.RT. HON. BARR. AUGUSTINE NWANKWEGU 5.CHIEF FIDELIS N. NWANKWO 6.HON. ODEFA OBASI ODEFA 7.CHIEF OBODODIKE GREGORY 8.MR. FRANK CHINEDU EBOH 9.MRS. LILIAN OBIANUJU OKOYE 10.MRS. IBOKO VERA CHINWE 11.NWALI THEOPHILUS CHINEDU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO ENGAGE IN THE ACTIVITIES OF COMFORTING THE AFFLICTED BY POVERTY, FOR CHARITY, INCLUDING ACTIVITIES OF PROVIDING FOR THE WELFARE AND WELLBEING OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED; PROVIDE WHEEL CHAIRS FOR THE DEFORMED IN THE LIMBS; PROVIDE HEARING AID TO THOSE IMPAIRED IN HEARING, TO OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICAL GLASSES TO AID THE IMPAIRED IN VISION, AND PROVIDE MOBILE CLINIC WHERE THE NEED MIGHT ARISE. 2.TO CARRY ON WITHOUT PREJUDICE THE HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS OF RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE UP KEEP OF OLD PEOPLE SETTLED IN OLD PEOPLE’S HOME. 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: CHAIRMAN REV. FR. OBODODIKE MAXIMUS CHIJIOKE

SECRETARY NWALI THEOPHILUS CHINEDU

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EMMANUEL ISAIAH 2.ADENIJI OLAJIDE 3.PASTOR SAM OYE 4.EMMANUEL JULIET 5.BATURE CHRIS 6.SEUN BOLARINWA 7.ADEWALE FAJANA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF KINGDOM AND LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES. 2.TO PROMOTE THE TEACHING AND TRAINING OF LEADERS AND MINISTERS ON GOD’S KINGDOM, PRINCIPLES AND LEADERSHIP VALUES. 3.TO EMPOWER LEADERS, MINISTERS, CORPORATE ORGANISATION AND INDIVIDUALS FOR COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY PROJECT. 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. ADEWALE FAJANA 08039523662

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PARENTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION OF AN NOOR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

THE NOK CUITURAL REBIRTH INITIATIVE

JOL YOUTH EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

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.

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MR. DAVOU DANYE 2.DR. BULUS DALYOP 3.MR. SAMUEL BANIO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO AID WIDOWS & ORPHANS & TO PROMOTE EDUCATION OF THE LESS PRIVILEGE. 2.TO GIVE ORIENTATION ON DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE & OTHER SOCIAL VICES AND TO PROMOTE PEACE. 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. CHUWANG GVANG SUITE 7, NO. 1 D. B ZANG WAY BY HILL STATION JUNCTION, JOS.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAME 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.DR. ABBAGANA MOHAMMED 2.MOHAMMED SANI WADA 3.MAL. ABUBAKAR YUSUF DUTSE 4.ALIYU ABDULLAHI 5.YUSUF TUKUR NUHU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO PROMOTE UNITY UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL CO-EXISTENCE AMONG MEMBERS. 2.TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL. 3.TO PROMOTE A CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARENTS AND TEACHERS. 4.TO ASSIST THE SCHOOL WITH BASIC TEACHING AIDS/AMENITIES. 5.TO ASSIST THE SCHOOL’S ADMINISTRATION ON HOW BEST TO MANAGE THE SCHOOL’S AFFAIRS. 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: SECRETARY

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS OMOJARABI FALILAT, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS AHMAD FALILAT. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. DR. SHEM ZAGBAYI NUHU 2.DR. SALAMATU MAMBULA MACHUNGA 3.MR. RIMA KWEWUM SHAWULU 4.MR. CHOM BAGU 5.EMMANUEL ENDAZO ALAMU 6.REBECCA SAKO JOHN 7.PROF. TOR LORAPUU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.FOR EMANCIPATION OF PEOPLE. 2.FOR CULTURAL REBIRTH. 3.FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 4.FOR UNITY AND PROGRESS OF MEMBERS

-CHAIRMAN -VICE CHAIRMAN -SECRETARY

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. ROSE MANDE

PUBLIC NOTICE REDEMPTION CRUSADERS HAM, KORO, GONG AND YESKWA FELLOWSHIP THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FELLOWSHIP 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.MR. DAVID AUDU NYAT -CHAIRMAN 2.ELDER. SAMUEL MAICHIBI 3.REV. (DR.) JOSEPH JATAU YARI 4.PROF. MALLO ISHAKU YARI 5.REV. GIDEON PARA-MALLM 6.HON. EDWARD PERCY MASHA 7.ELDER. DECHARY MAKAMA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.TO BRING PEOPLE IN HAM, KORO, GONG AND YESKWA AREAS TO THE FULL KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST THAT THEY MAY OBTAIN SALVATION 1TIMOTHY 2:3-6.

2.TO HELP RESTORE BACKSLIDERS TO CHRIST AND THE CHRISTIAN FOLD (GAL. 6:1) 3.TO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER BY ORGANISING CONFERENCES, RETREATS, OUTREACHES, OPEN AIR CRUSADES, SEMINARS AND OTHER PROGRAMMES UNTIL WE ALL COME TO THE UNITY OF THE FAITH. ETC. 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: KACHALLA DEBORAH TAJAM ESQ. ABUJA 08037202624

PUBLIC NOTICE

HIS WORD MADE FLESH FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.UDUAKABASI UMONDAK 2.VICTORIA SEAN HERMAN 3.EMEM OMOKARO THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO GIVE FAITH TO THE FAITHLESS. 2.TO GIVE STRENGTH TO THE WEEK. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; CHARLES ASUGHA LAW

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN, CALLED AND ADDRESSED AS AMUPITAN FLORENCE SHADE HENCEFORTH WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS FLORENCE JOHNSON O. ALL DOCUMENTS ON THE FORMER NAME REMAIN VALID, GENERAL PUBLIC TO TAKE NOTE.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL COPIES OF RIGHT OF OCCUPANCY AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT BELONGING TO RABI JAMMAL WITH FILE NUMBER: FCT 20932 DATED: 17/01/2006 LOCATED AT OKANJE. ALL EFFORTS MADE TO TRACE THE MISSING DOCUMENTS PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND, PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST POLICE STATION, FCTA OR AGIS. FCTA, AGIS AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE COMMUNITY ADVOCACY RENAISSANCE FOR GOOD-LEADERSHIP THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.DR. SAYYADI ABBA RUMA 2.DR. ABUBAKAR SANI RIDWAN MATAZU 3.AMBASSADOR SA’IDU ADAMU DAURA 4.HON. UMAR IBRAHIM KURFI 5.MAHADI MUSTAPHA IMAM ESQ. THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT,AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 43

PUBLIC NOTICE CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC RESEARCH TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

PUBLIC NOTICE LIFEGATE INTERNATIONAL GOSPEL CENTRE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANISATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.PROFESSOR AMINU ISYAKU YANDAKI 2.PROFESSOR TUKUR ADAMU 3.PROFESSOR ABDULLAHI ASHAFA 4.PROFESSOR HAMZA MUHAMMAD MAISHANU 5.PROFESSOR AHMADU UMARU SANDA 6.DR. YUSUF DALHAT 7.DR. MANSUR IBRAHIM SA’ID 8.MALLAM MUSA AHMADU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PROMOTE ISLAMIC RESEARCH, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CENTRE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.SENIOR PASTOR EMMANUEL EMEMYI 2.DEACON MIKE ALABI 3.GODWIN EJEH 4.JOSEPHINE BLAISE 5.LADY FAVOUR ANTIAH 6.CHARITY CHIMERUO 7.JOEL MBANEFO OFFORDUM THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE SALVATION OF ALL MEN.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MINISTRY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.OKEKE KANAYO REUBEN 2.ANERO SAMUEL IKEOKWU 3.PASTOR SMART ELEANYA ALEX 4.MRS. HELEN OKORO 5.PASTOR OKORO UCHECHI THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.PREACH THE GOOD NEWS OF OUR LORD JESUS TO MAN. 2.TO WIN SOULS FOR GOD AND TEACH MEMBERS SALVATION OF HUMAN KIND.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED; SECRETARY

SIGNED; BARR. PAUL AUDU

SIGNED; SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL RESORT AND RIGHTS AWARENESS INITIATIVE

DESIRE OF GOD’S LOVE ROYEL ASSEMBLY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.CHUKWURA AZUBIKE OBI OKOYE 2.VIOLET OFUNNEKA OBI OKOYE THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHT AWARENESS. 2.TO PROMOTE RESORT TO LEGAL PROCESS IN SEEKING REDRESS AGAINST RESORT TO VIOLENCE. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.EZOH SOLOMON 2.PASTOR MERCY EZOH 3.REV. OKE AKPOTOZOR

PUBLIC NOTICE

JESUS RESTORATION COVENANT MINISTRY

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS RAHILA THOMAS, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS. RAHILA AUSTIN MUNGO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. KOKONA LGC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. 2.TO CREATE A PASSION FOR THE LOVE OF GOD IN THE HEARTS OF MEAN AND IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

BANEX PLAZA WUSE 2, TENANTS ASSOCIATION

GIRI FOODSTUFF SELLERS ASSOCIATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.JAYSON SAMS CYRIL -CHAIRMAN 2.OZOEMENA JULIEN NGOZI -VICE-CHAIRMAN 3.PIUS EMUNJEZE -SECRETARY 4.IKENNA JUDE OZOEMENA 5.TIMOTHY LINCOLN OKONKWO 6.MRS. UJU ATUSIUBAH 7.MR. TONY NNEBEDUM 8.MR. ERNEST OKWUOSA 9.MR. CHRISTOPHER EMEH 10.OLATUNJI SHOLA OLATORERA PRINCIPAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PROVIDE A FORUM FOR SOCIAL COOPERATION BETWEEN TENANTS AND MANAGEMENT. 2.TO EDUCATE TENANTS ON THEIR DUTIES OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS. 3.TO FOSTER THE COMMON INTEREST OF TENANTS IN BANEX PLAZA, WUSE 2.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.MRS. FATIMA ALABI 2.MRS. MARIA JOSEPH 3.MRS. RAMATU ALASSAN 4.MR. ERIC MADUMELU 5.MR. PEACE SEBASTIAN THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PROMOTE UNITY, LOVE AND PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AMONG MEMBERS. 2.TO ENSURE SAFE AND HYGIENIC FOOD FOR THE PUBLIC.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; EIMUNJEZE PIUS (SECRETARY)

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; BARR. EZEKIEL VEM OFOU SUITE 3 PENTHOUSE, FEBSON MALL WUSE ZONE 4, ABUJA 08037913692

PUBLIC NOTICE IFEJIKA, HARUNA & SOKOTO ROAD TRADERS ASSOCIATION ONITSHA

PUBLIC NOTICE AGULERI PROGRESSIVE YOUTHS ASSOCIATION ABUJA

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.THEOPHINE OBIORA -CHAIRMAN 2.OGBU BERNARD -VICE CHAIRMAN 3.ONYEKA MUOGHALU -SECRETARY 4.CHRISOGONNUS OHUAKANWA -FINANCIAL SECRETARY 5.EKWEBELEM MARTIN -TREASURER 6.IKUEZE PASCHAL -ASST. SECRETARY 7.BEN OGU -MEMBER 8.LIVINUS IFEANYI -MEMBER 9.CHIKA NNOLUM -MEMBER 10.VINCENT OKPARAKU -MEMBER 11.ADOLPHUS ANUAJASI -MEMBER THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF MEMBERS.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.CHIEDOZIE OBAGHA -(CHAIRMAN) 2.NNAMEKWE RAPHAEL -(SECRETARY) 3.IFEDINEZI AUSTON OFOKANSI 4.EJOH MICHAEL 5.BARR. MANAFA OBI VICTOR 6.JOSEPH MABIA 7.OKAFOR WILLIE NWABUNWANNE 8.HYACINTH ANOSIKE NNOKE 9.EJIMOFOR ALEXANDER 10.OKAFOR IKENNA LAWRENCE PRINCIPAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO FOSTER PEACE IN THE COMMUNITY. 2.TO PROMOTE UNITY AMONG AGULERI PEOPLE.

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; BARR. OKOYE JACINTA NO. 2 DURBAN STREET, WUSE 2, ABUJA 08036820828

ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; BARR. IWUNOR MIKE 08033510892

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS TANI SUNDAY OSAKEDE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS MRS. TINA ALLANANA OTAKI. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS UGO INYANG OGO, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS UGO STEPHEN UVARA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. FEDERAL UNIVERSITY, LAFIA AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE TOUCH THE POOR INTERNATIONAL CHARITY INITIATIVE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED INITIATIVE HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.PROF. DORA AKUNYILI (OFR) -CHAIRMA 2.CHIEF PRISCILLA KUYE -VICE CHAIRMAN 3.MR. CHUKWUMA OCHONOGOR -TREASURER 4.MR. SIMON KOLAWOLE -SECRETARY 5.MR. ANTHONY AKAM ITA -ASST. SECRETARY 6.MR. SARKI AYONOTE -FINANCIAL SECRETARY 7.HAJIYA SA’IDA SAAD BUGAJE -PUBLICITY SECRETARY THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO CATER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEDGED IN THE SOCIETY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; SECRETARY

PUBLIC NOTICE

HEADLIFTERS DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.WILFRED YAKUBU 2.JANET YAKUBU (MRS) 3.ABAYOMI AKINOLA THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEDGE IN THE SOCIETY. 2.TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT TO NIGERIAN CHILDREN. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED; BARR. DOLAPO OLUNLOYO 08056443757

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHRIST AMBASSADORS ON EARTH APOSTOLIC CHURCH

CITADEL OF GOSPEL TRUTH CHAPEL

ALLIED TOTAL CARE FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN FOUNDATION

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.ELISHA YEKINI MUSTAPHA -CLERGY 2.ELISHA ELIZABETH TITILAYO -CLERGY 3.ELISHA QUEEN JOKE -BUSINESS WOMAN 4.ELISHA JOY ABIODUN -BUSINESS WOMAN 5.ELISHA GRACE TEMITOPE -BUSINESS WOMAN 6.ELISHA RACHAEL OMOWUMI -STUDENT 7.ELISHA ISAAC SEGUN -STUDENT 8.ELISHA MICHAEL SEYI -STUDENT 9.ELISHA PRECIOUS TOMIWA -STUDENT PRINCIPAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS, AND TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.APOSTLE SAMUEL OLOMODUN BELLO 2.OLATUNDE ADEBAYO ODEWUMI 3.CLEMENT TWAMTSEN DAUDU THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ARE; 1.TO PREACH THE GOSPEL AND SET THE CAPTIVES FREE FROM CAPTIVITY. ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART C OF THE COMPANY AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE; 1.BARR. ONYI NWAJAGU IS NOW KNOWN AS BARR. LADY ONYEMA GLORIA EZEZIKA 2.BARR. IREMSON NGOZIKA IS NOW KNOWN AS BARR (MRS.) NGOZIKA FRANKLINE-EZE APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHAIRMAN OLD CHAIRMAN IS SIR CHUDE EZEZIKA NEW CHAIRMAN IS BARR LADY ONYEMA GLORIA EZEZIKA ANY OBJECTION TO THE REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR GENERAL,CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION,PLOT 420 TIGRIS CRESCENT, AGUIYI IRONSI STREET,MAITAMA,ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED; AKINTOYE OLAWALE SUNDAY ESQ. 07030820506

SIGNED; BARR. PAUL AUDU

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

OJOKORO LIBERAL LEADERS ASSOCIATION

SELFLESSLY HELP HER GET EMPOWERED INITIATIVE

INT’L HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS CENTRE

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. ONYINYE OKAFOR - CHAIRMAN 2. OGECHUKWU OKAFOR - SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROVIDE MENTORING FOR YOUNG FEMALES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 2. TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CARE AND SUPPORT OF DISPLACED YOUNG FEMALES. 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. DR. BAMIKALE J. FEYISETAN 2. DR. KOLA OYEDIRAN 3. DR. ADEDAYO ADEYEMI 4. DR. GBENGA P. ISHOLA 5. MR. OLUWADAISI ISAAC FEYISETAN 6. DR. SAMSON BABATUNDA ADEBAYO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO GIVE MEDICAL & HEALTH ASSISTANCE TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. 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 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. ALHAJI CHIEF ISIAQ ADEDAYO LAWAL 2. REV. OLAWALE OLUSOLA ADIO 3. MRS. FADEKE OMOLOLA AKINTEYE 4. ALHAJI SHAMUSIDEEN OLUMUYIWA ADESHINA 5. MRS. ROSIJI OLUYEMISI ADENIKE 6. ELDER BEATRICE ADEJOKE OYETAYO 7. ALHAJI EGUNJOBI AYINLA ADEWUYI 8. ENGR. DISU OMOTAYO NOJEEM 9. MR. OLUFEMI OLUSOLA DAVIES 10. ALHAJI DR. WALIH ADELEKE IPAYE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE IN THE COMMUNITY. 2. TO SUPPORT PEACEFUL INITIATIVES AND PROMOTE UNITY. 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; SECRETARY

SIGNED SECRETARY

SIGNED CHIEJINA NNEKA CLAUDIA 08189288798

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GLORIOUS POWER MIRACLE CHURCH OF CHRIST

OJOKORO LIBERAL LEADERS ASSOCIATION

OJOKORO LIBERAL LEADERS ASSOCIATION

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. ALHAJI CHIEF ISIAQ ADEDAYO LAWAL 2. REV. OLAWALE OLUSOLA ADIO 3. MRS. FADEKE OMOLOLA AKINTEYE 4. ALHAJI SHAMUSIDEEN OLUMUYIWA ADESHINA 5. MRS. ROSIJI OLUYEMISI ADENIKE 6. ELDER BEATRICE ADEJOKE OYETAYO 7. ALHAJI EGUNJOBI AYINLA ADEWUYI 8. ENGR. DISU OMOTAYO NOJEEM 9. MR. OLUFEMI OLUSOLA DAVIES 10. ALHAJI DR. WALIH ADELEKE IPAYE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE IN THE COMMUNITY. 2. TO SUPPORT PEACEFUL INITIATIVES AND PROMOTE UNITY. 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 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. ALHAJI CHIEF ISIAQ ADEDAYO LAWAL 2. REV. OLAWALE OLUSOLA ADIO 3. MRS. FADEKE OMOLOLA AKINTEYE 4. ALHAJI SHAMUSIDEEN OLUMUYIWA ADESHINA 5. MRS. ROSIJI OLUYEMISI ADENIKE 6. ELDER BEATRICE ADEJOKE OYETAYO 7. ALHAJI EGUNJOBI AYINLA ADEWUYI 8. ENGR. DISU OMOTAYO NOJEEM 9. MR. OLUFEMI OLUSOLA DAVIES 10. ALHAJI DR. WALIH ADELEKE IPAYE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROMOTE FRIENDSHIP AND PEACE IN THE COMMUNITY. 2. TO SUPPORT PEACEFUL INITIATIVES AND PROMOTE UNITY. 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.

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SIGNED SECRETARY

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IMO RENNAISSANCE INITIATIVE

GREAT UMUOMA CLUB OF NIGERIA

ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENT DOCTORS FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CAPTAIN EMMANUEL IHEANACHO 2. DR. DAVID ONUGHA 3. CHIEF. MIKE OHIRI 4. CHIEF SAM ONYEGBULA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO EDUCATE OUR CITIZENS ON THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS. 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 CLUB 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. IBEZIM CHRISTIAN 2. CHISOM ABANA 3. CHUKWUEBUKA NWACHUKWU 4. MGBEWODICHUKWUNMA ONYEMEKWU 5. NKWACHUKWU SOLOMON 6. KELECHI AKUDU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.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, OFF AGUIYI IRONSI STREET MAITAMA P.M.B 198, GARKI ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION.

SIGNED BARR. EMEKA ADIELE PLOT 1103 AMINU KANO CRESCENT WUSEII ABUJA.

SIGNED BARR. EMEKA ADIELE PLOT 1103 AMINU KANO CRESCENT WUSE II ABUJA

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED CHURCH 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. PROPHETESS FOLAKEMI OYELOLA 2. PASTOR SUNDAY ADEDOKUN 3. LADY EVANGELIST FUNMILOLA ABIGAIL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL. 2. TO ESTABLISH LOCAL BRANCHES FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL WORLDWIDE. 3. TO ORGANIZE OUTREACHES, CRUSADES, WORKSHOPS AND REVIVAL SERVICES FOR THE WORKS OF THE GOSPEL. 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. CHIOMA NWOKO 07035833311

SIGNED SECRETARY

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. DR. CHARLES OLABODE 2. DR. ETIM OFFIONG - CHAIRMAN 3. DR. NWAIFOR GODWIN 4. DR. MAIGURU ADI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.TO FOSTER UNITY AND PROFESSIONALISM AMONGST 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 SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 45

Samsung Diamond League: Pole Vault champion listed for July 4 meet

R

enaud Lavillenie, the London 2012 Olympic Games Pole Vault gold medallist, will have the chance to again prove that he Olympics victory was not a fluke when he takes to the track at Athletissima 2013, a Samsung Diamond League meeting, in Lausanne’s Pontaise Stadium on July 4.

Organisers announced yesterday that Lavillenie, who won his third consecutive European indoor title in Gothenburg earlier this month, clearing 6.01m, has accepted to join the rich field of competitors to vie for the medals at stake.

Last month, he narrowly failed at 6.07m, a reigning supreme this winter with nine straight wins indoors.

In addition to his Olympic title last summer, he has also won at the last two European Athletics Championships.

The dynamic and charismatic Flying Frenchman has also won the Athletissima event in the past three years, his

best result being when he went over5.85m in 2010.

He has as his target the meeting record of 5.91m, held by American vaulter Brad Walker since 2007.

This 38th edition of the Athletissima meeting will also feature the best Swiss athletes, including the women’s 4x100m Relay team, national Long Jump record holder Irene Pusterla and the talented sprinter Lea Sprunger, who hails from the Lausanne area.

LAGOS FIRST GENERATION HERITAGE COLLEGES 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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. OTUNBA DELE OLAPEJU 2. MR ABDULLAHI IBRAHIM 3. OMOLARA EROGBOGBO 4. MRS AWOBIYI RUTH 5. MR IKEDIOBI DANIEL 6. MR OGU GODIAN 7. MR DUROGBOLA ISSAC 8. MR. OGUNTAYO PAUL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. BRINGING THE FIRST GENEATION SCHOOLS IN LAGOS TOGETHER. 2. STRENGTHEN CO-OPERATION AMONG MEMBER COLLEGES 3. SERVE AS MODELS FOR OTHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS. 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. NAJEEM MOHAMMED ESQ

PUBLIC NOTICE

2013 Samsung Diamond League Calendar Doha, QAT–10 May Shanghai, CHN–18 May New York, USA–25 May Eugene, USA–1 Jun Rome, ITA–6 Jun Oslo, NOR–13 Jun Birmingham,GBR–30 Jun Lausanne, SUI–4 Jul Paris, FRA–6 Jul Monaco, MON–19 Jul London, GBR–27 Jul Stockholm, SWE–22 Aug Zürich, SUI–29 Aug Brussels, BEL–6 Sep

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HOUSE TO HOUSE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE 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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. KUNLE EHINLANWO CHAIRMAN 2. DR. ONOJA ONJE VICE CHAIRMAN 3. PRINCE HENRY OBOK PRESIDENT 4. HON. JERRY SHEYIN MEMBER 5. ALH. IDRIS TEDMAN OJUADE MEMBER 6. LADY STELLA OSUNBOR MEMBER 7. HAJIA FARIDAT YAKUBU MEMBER 8. ADAMS A. MONDAY MEMBER 9. DR. KAMANU ORJI SECRETARAY AIMS ANDOBJECTIVES 1. TRANSFORMING THE MINDS OF NIGERIANS THROUGH ACCESS OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION. 2. SERVE NIGERIANS THROUGH MOBILIZATION AND PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT. 3. PARTNER WITH OTHER RELATED ORGANIZATION IN EDUCATING THE NIGERIAN POPULACE. 4. BUILD A RELIABLE AND FORMIDABLE VOLUNTEER NETWORK OF ENLIGHTENED NIGERIANS.

Renaud Lavillenie

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: PRESIDENT

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KINGS RURAL EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT FOUNDATION

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BELIEVERS MENTORING MISSION

LIVING SOUL HARVEST ASSEMBLY

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MISSION 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. RT REVD DR OLUSEGUN ADEYEMI 2. MRS JACINTA ADETOLA OLUSOGA 3. MR GBENGA ONABANJO 4. MRS GBEMISOLA GIWA-OSAGIE 5. MRS CHRISTINE BADEJO-OKUSANYA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROPAGATE THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND TO CHRISTIANS THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD TO GROW TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY AS THEY AWAIT THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO MENTOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN THE DEMANDS OF BASIC CHRISTIAN LIVING FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLESHIP AND HOLY LIVING.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSEMBLY HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS DECREE ACT PART C, OF 1980.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. APOSTLE TONY ONYE ANTHONY 2. PASTOR MRS AMAKA TONY 3. BROTHER JEROME AYO 4. BROTHER JOHN CHIGOZIE ANYANWU 5. BROTHER CHRISTIAN EMEDO ANYINAFU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

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.

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. V. C. OKOROCHA

SIGNED: MFETUGA AND ASSOCIATES 08023059144

SIGNED: SECRETARY

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TRADERS OF NEW AND SECOND HAND BUILDING MATERIALS ASSOCIATION, LUGBE

LIVING GOD COVENANT CHURCH WORLDWIDE

YOUTH OF THE PLATEAU DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PASTOR OMORINOYE KAYODE EZEKIEL CHAIRMAN BOT 2. MRS ADESORO MENYE FATAYO SECRETARY 3. SAMUEL ODAUDU 4. MRS EROMOSELE RACHAEL 5. ADETUTU MIKE GBADE 6. OMORINOYE VICTORIA OLUWAFUMINILAYO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROVIDE EDUCAFTIONAL ASSISTANCE TO RURAL DWELLERS THAT ARE INCAPACITATED OR UNABLE TO SPONSOR THEIR CHILDREN OR TEENS TO SCHOOL 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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MAL. SALISU MUHAMMAD UNGOGGO CHAIRMAN 2. IBRAHIM UMAR SANI SECRETARY 3. MAL. YAKUB ABDULLAHI 4. MAL. UMAR SANI 5. MAL. HASSAN YUSUF 6. MAL. UMAR SALISU 7. YUSUF ZALAU 8. AUWAL YUSUF AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. 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

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANIZATION 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. MAXELL EXPRESS OKAURU GENERAL OVERSEER 2. ANNE MAXELL EXPRESS OKAURU SECRETARY 3. MRS OREMEYI BLESSING AMUNE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1.

PREACH, TEACH AND PROPAGATE THE TOTAL UNADULTERATED AND UNALLOYED GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY. 2. TO AVAIL THE PROPHETIC, HEALING AND DELIVERACE, PROVISION OF GOD TO ALL MEN INCLUDING THE MEDICALLY INCURABLE AILMENTS THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST PROCLAIMED IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 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. GABRIEL ESEGINE 08023339684

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. AMBASSADOR NANVEN GOSELLECHAIRMAN 2. VICTOR KANGYANG WANG 3. HON. CHRIS HASSAN 4. BARRISTER EDWARD PWAJOK 5. DR. PAUL SAMANI 6. BARRISTER OLIVER DAZYAM 7. AMBASSADOR MARKUS PAM 8. BARRISTER PHILIP ISA NYITNI SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO UNITE AND BRING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN PLATEAU STATE 2. TO EDUCATE THE YOUTH TO ACHIEVE THEIR DESIRE SEAL IN LIFE. 3. TO ERADICATE TERRORISIM AND BAD LEADERSHIP 4. TO ASSIST THE LESS PRIVILEGE. 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

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

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CRYSTAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE FOR LEGAL ADVANCEMENT

GLORIOUS CHAPEL OF FAITH INT’L

OCHENDO SHOE AND BAG PARTS INDUSTRIAL MARKET TRADERS ASSOCIATION, ARIARIA INTERNATIONAL MARKET ABA

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MOHAMMED DALHATU MUSA CHAIRMAN 2. MURTALA MOHAMMED 3. AYUBA ABDUL SECRETARY 4. ABUBAKAR MUSA 5. ZAINAB ABUBAKAR 6. KABIRU YAHAYA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE THE FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF CITIZENS AS ENSHRINED IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA. 2. TO PATNER WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH A VIEW TO PROVIDING FREE LEGAL SERVICES TO INDIGENT CITIZENS. 3. TO PROMOTE, PROTECT, PRESERVE ANDFIGHT FOR THE RIGHTS OF NIGERIAN CITIZENS. 4. TO PROVIDE FREE AND/OR AFFORDABLE MEDICAL SERVICES TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED. 5. TO PROMOTE A FREE AND EGALITARIAN SOCIETY AND ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE. 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: AYUBA ABDUL, ESQ (08036373769)

SIGNED: TOCHUKWU ALOZOR LAZARUS

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. CHIEF LANGINUS ONUOHA 2. DIM ALOYSIUS MBAZURIKE 3. MR SUNDAY IWU 4. MR UZOMA NELSON 5. MR VICTOR TESTIMONY GODWIN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMED FOR FREE DISCUSSION OF THE PROGRESS AND GENERAL WELFARE OF TRADERS IN OCHENDO SHOE AND BAG PARTS INDUSTRIAL MARKET ARIARIA ABA. 2. TO ARBITRATE AND SETTLE DISPUTE AMONG 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: CHIDI ONWUEKWEIKPE 08034015399

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ZION CITY CHRISTIAN REVIVAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL

THE TRUE COVENANT OF GOD SABBATH MISSION

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. BISHOP DR. MIKE JOHNCLEANTON FOUNDER/GENERAL OVERSEER 2. REV. MRS THERESA MICHAEL 3. PROPHET GODSLOVE MICHAEL JOHN JUNIOR 4. DEACONESS MARY OHAJURU 5. PROPHET GOLD MICHAEL 6. PASTOR MICHAEL BRIGGS AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING. 2. PRAYERS, HEALING AND CRUSADE SERVICES. 3. PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS. 3. TRAINING AND ORDAINING MINISTERS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD JESUS.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ASSOCIATION/MISSION 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.

THE OLD TRUSTEES ARE: 1. BISHOP RAPHAEL EGBUNA RETAINED 2. WALTER N. OKAFOR REMOVED 3. ANTHONY N. OKEKE REMOVED 4. GODSON C. ODOGWU REMOVED 5. WILLIAM ONWUKAMUCHE NWAUCHA REMOVED THE NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ELDER JUDE AMADIKE 2. APOSTLE JUDE CHIBUZOR 3. SNR. ELDER GODWIN ANOCHIRI 4. ISAAC OKWUCHUKWU EGBUNA AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMIAN THE SAME

FRUITS FROM HEAVEN ORPHANAGE

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 CHURCH HASAPPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION (CAC) ABUJA FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART ‘C’ OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIEDMATTERS ACT NO. 1 OF 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. MOTHER BRIDGET IFEONU MADUKA 2. ELDER EDWARD MADUKA 3. ELDER JOSHUA OKOLO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO REACHOUT, PREA AND TEACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. 2. TO WIN LOST SOULS FOR 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.

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.

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED ORGANSATION 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. BEATRICE ENEH 2. OBINNA ENEH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO HELP THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS AMONG ITS MEMBERS. 2. TO PROVIDE EDUCAFTIONAL AND FINANCIAL FACILITIES TO MEMBERS. 3. TO REACH OUT TO THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN 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

SIGNED: PETER NNAJIECO ESQ. P.A. NNAJIEGO & CO, SOLICITORS( 19, BROWN STREET, OSHODI, LAGOS.)

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. ALH. ABUBAKAR O. E. KANA 2. NAVY COMMODORE YAHAYA OGOLA OWUNA (RTD) 3. MR AYUBA EDE 4. ARCH YUSUF OBAGU 5. DR. JOSEPH OSU OGBERE 6. BARR. ADAMS ESHIMUTU OSU 7. HON. ABDULLAHI OYIBO OGELEBE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO ENCOURAGE AND PROMOTE EDUCATION OF THE PEOPLE OF ELOYILAND. 2. TO HELP THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN ELOYILAND AND ACCESSING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANGELIST ANDREW ADEJOH 2. EVANGELIST MRS MARY ADEJOH 3. OJODUNWENE ABRAHAM ANDREW 4. OJOCHOKOUBIMI FAVOUR ANDREW 5. PASTOR BARRISTER DAVID Y. OCHEME CHAIRMAN 6. PASTOR SAMUEL OCHEJE SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS 2. TO ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAIN CHURCHES 3. TO BE A RESOURCE CENTRE FOR CHRISTIAN FAMILY LEADERSHIP AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. 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

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED UNION 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.

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PILLAR TRUTH EVANGELICAL MISSION INT’L

INITIATIVE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MORALITY AND VALUES IN NIGERIA

ORTHOPEDIC AND TRAUMA CARE INITIATIVE

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. ADEWOLE NATHANIEL (098717988, 08062305573)

THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED MISSION 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.

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. REV. DR. IKWUAGWU BASSEY 2. MRS NKECHI IKWUAGWU 3. ELDER DR. JOHN IMOGENE OBASOHAN AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. DEVELOP MORAL VALUES IN NIGERIA

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. HAJIA RADI UMAR 2. ABUBAKAR IILEOIEUNO 3. JUMOKE KAREEM 4. ALHAJI BASHIR SABO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO HELP TRAUMA VICTIM. 2. TO GIVE TRAUMA VICTIM SUPPORT SERVICE.

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.

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.

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: SECRETAARY

SIGNED: SECRETARY

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

PAGE 47

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KORO PLAZA TRADERS ASSOCIATION, MARARABA

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

THE PORTALS INTERCESSORY 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. UCHECHUKWU UGWUANYI 2. INNOCENT ONYEOMA 3. JOHN OSABO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. TO PROTECT THE INTEREST OF MEMBERS. 2. TO FOSTER GOOD RELATIONSHIP 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. ANAYO OKELUE 08035976922

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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. CHIEF LUGARD AIMIUWU 2. CHIEF BOLAJI AYORINDE SAN 3. DR. KEN ONYEALILKPE 4. MR. MATTHEW IBADIN 5. MR. DON BABER AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.

TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS IN NIGERIA. 2. TO PROMTE UNITY AND LOVE AMONG PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS IN NIGERIA. 3. TO CREATE A FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW AMONG PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS. 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 SECRETARY

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AKINLABI OJO EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART "C" OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.MR. TOYIN ISHOLA YAYA LASISI 2.MRS. OLAYEMI OMODELEOLA TOYIN-LASISI AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO MAKE POSSIBLE, ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO DESERVING NIGERIANS. TO EMPOWER NIGERIAN CITIZENS TO BE SELF RELIANT. TO ALLEVIATE HEALTH AND HYGIENE PROBLEMS FACING NIGERIANS. TO ALLEVIATE HOUSING CHALLENGES FACING NIGERIAN. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: EDUJIE ANETOR ÉCLAT CHAMBERS SUITE 305B, NCWS SECT, AREA 11, GARKI, ABUJA. 08061358358

SIGNED BERNARD AGBOLI

I, FORMALLY KNOWN AS ALJANNATU UMAR, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS ALJANNATU HALILU MALABU. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.RITA IZUNWANNE ONUEKWUSI 2.ANDREW IHIMEKPEN 3.OSAKWE EDITH 4.KAZEEM ABDULRAUF 5.HAMAMATU MANU 6.HRH EMMANUEL KUQUAT (SAKARUYI OF KARU) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO CATER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. TO ESTABLISH ORPHANAGE HOMES. TO CATER FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS. TO GIVE SCHOLARSHIP TO INDIGENT STUDENTS. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MARUGHU ISSA SOLICITOR

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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.

PUBLIC NOTICE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE ABOVE NAMED UNION 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. BARR EMMA NWODO 2. COL. VICTOR EZUGWU 3. MR IYI MOSES 4. MR NGWU RICHARD 5. MR ODELE KENNETH 6. MR OKORO EDWARD 7. MR OKWUDILI OGBAJI 8. MR EZE HILLARY 9. MR MALACHY NWODO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO CATER FOR THE WELFARE OF ITS MEMBERS AND FO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS 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. SIGNED: HILLARY ELECHI

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE NAMED FOUNDATION HAS APPLIED TO THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION FOR REGISTRATION UNDER PART “C” OF COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT, 2004 THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.RITA IZUNWANNE ONUEKWUSI 2.ANDREW IHIMEKPEN 3.OSAKWE EDITH 4.KAZEEM ABDULRAUF 5.HAMAMATU MANU 6.HRH EMMANUEL KUQUAT (SAKARUYI OF KARU) AIMS AND OBJECTIVES TO CATER FOR THE LESS PRIVILEGED IN THE SOCIETY. TO ESTABLISH ORPHANAGE HOMES. TO CATER FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS. TO GIVE SCHOLARSHIP TO INDIGENT STUDENTS. ANY OBJECTIONS TO THIS REGISTRATION SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL, CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION, PLOT 420, TIGRIS CRESCENT OFF AGUYI IRONSI STREET, MAITAMA ABUJA WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THIS PUBLICATION. SIGNED: MARUGHU ISSA SOLICITOR

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.ORISS OJOCHIDE CAROLINE 2.AGBOLI BENARD 3.GIDEON OLUGBENGA 4.OZOIGBANUGO CHUKWUDI PASCHAL 5.MUSA AMEH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.INTERCESSORY PRAYERS FOR CHURCHES THE NATIONS, BROKEN HOMES 2.AVENUE TO REACH THE POOR, NEED AND WIDOWS. 3.CARE FOR THE ORPHANS. 4.TO ESTABLISH AND ENGAGE IN SOCIAL WORKS, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMME, OLD PEOPLES HOMES. 5.TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

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.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. PROF. SAMUEL ADEWUMI AGBEDE 2. DR. OLANIKE KUDIRAT ADEYEMO 3. DR. OLUFEMI BOLARINWA ADEDEJI 4. DR. FOLASADE OLUBUNMI AJASIN 5. DR. VICTORIA EYIHURI ADETUNJI 6. DR. OLADOSU GBOLAHANMI AKINOLA 7. DR. OMODELE OJO AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. TO PROMOTE THE GROWTH OF AQUATIC MEDICINE AND PRACTICE. 2. TO SERVE AQUATIC VETERINARIANS AND VETERINARY ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED WITH ANY ASPECTS, SPECIES AND DISCIPLINES CONCERNING AQUATIC VETERINARY MEDICINE. 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

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THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. HAJIYA MARYAM IBRAHIM BABANGIDA DECEASED 2. MR CLEMENT AKPAMBGO (SAN) 3. HAJIYA JUMMAI HALIMA SAMBO 4. MRS REBECCA AIKHOMU 5. HAJIYA AISHA BABANGIDA CHAIRPERSON 6. ALHAJI ABDULLAHI MA’AJI 7. MRS THERESA CHUKWUMA 8. SENATOR (PROFESSOR) JIBRIL AMINO 9. MISS HALIMA BABANGIDA NEW TRUSTEE 10. MISS CHIMA UZOUKWU NEW TRUSTEE, SECRETARY AIMS AND OBJECTIVES REMIAN 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: CHIMMA UZOUKWU (08033719735)

LOSS OF DOCUMENT THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF ORIGINAL R OF O WITH FILE NO. PL1335 AND NEW FILE NO. PL20454 IN RESPECT OF PLOT 338 WITH 4.487.12 SQUARE METERS SITUATED AT CADASTRAL ZONE B.19 KATAMPE EXTENSION, ABUJA BELONGING TO RABIU IBRAHIM MOHAMMED AND ISSUED BY ABUJA GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM FCT IN 2006.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Nigeria U20s dethroned at AYC

T

he hope of Nigeria's Flying Eagles defending their African Youth Championship (AYC) title was ended by an organised Egyptian Under-20 team in Ain Temouchent, Algeria yesterday.

The Junior Pharaohs of Egypt defeated the Flying Eagles 2-0 with ENPPI forward, Mahmoud Abdel-Moneam Kahraba scoring both goals.

The defending champions started with a lot of buzz but their flurry of activities counted for nothing.

Inside the first 10 minutes, Abduljeleel Ajagun's shot in Egypt's goal area was kept away by the quick response of Mossad Awad.

There was little to cheer about the opening half though Ovbokha Agboyi had to make a brave clearance off the line to save Nigeria from going a goal down.

Two minutes into the second half, Nigeria were unable to clear their line as Omar Bassam flicked a free kick into the path of an unmarked Kahraba, to stamp the ball away.

Within a minute, Bassam was played through on goal but he could only chip the ball awkwardly over onrushing Nigeria goalkeeper, Jonah Usman to gather at a second catch.

Nigeria came close to levelling the score when Olarenwaju Kayode shook off his marker but instead only saw his side-footed effort blocked out by Awad in the 52nd minute.

Egypt then scored their second goal with 10 minutes left from just three attempts on goal.

The Flying Eagles showed their weakness of defending setpieces as Kahraba, once again unmarked this time at the far post, to nod home Ahmed Samir's free kick.

Substitute Bright Ejike then had two chances to score for Nigeria in the last six minutes of the game.

He first broke free in a oneon-one situation with Awad but failed to convert as the Egypt keeper cleared the ball off his feet and then in stoppage, Ejike lamely struck inside the box at Awad who gathered the ball with ease.

Nigeria will now play in the losers' final at the Stade Ahmed Zabana in Oran on Friday.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE As you set about your duties, the expectation of the government and our peoples is that you will now build on the achievements of your predecessors — President Jonathan charges new HOS

Gulak’s dangerous polemic M

r. Ahmed Gulak, the Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, can be a very dangerous man as is evident from some of his pronouncements.

In a recent episode published as an interview which he is yet to retract, he reminded Nigerians that our democracy is a hand-out by the kind grace of the President who, he said, we are lucky to have. This President, he thundered, “has the power of life and death” but that because he is a good man, he uses only 40 percent of those powers. In effect, Gulak wants Nigerians to be thankful and loyal to the President for his kindness in not using his full powers (to crush all of us) otherwise, as he said, he would have deployed those enormous powers to do evil.

If Dr. Jonathan is surrounded by dangerous people like this one, they no doubt would make him feel like a leader with absolute sovereignty; one who is entitled to make rules for the conduct of human life and therefore one who is entitled to unreserved obedience. Such a leader would deserve our prayers because he is in urgent need of deliverance. He must be rescued from the power-drunk group around him. A leader who is persuaded, as Mr. Gulak is trying to do, that he has unlimited authority to command the country is as much a danger to himself as he is to the nation.

This is the stuff with which absolute dictators are made of.

Such leaders demand unreserved loyalty, failing which they label any resistance or opposition individuals as rebels and traitors.

Mr. Gulak may not have paid attention to the Holy Bible

MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

Mr. Ahmed Gulak or the Holy Qur’an (Baqrah: 258) where a detailed narrative of the encounter between God’s Prophet Abraham and the powerful ruler of his kingdom, Nimrod, was given. “Who is your Lord?” Abraham was asked. “My Lord is He who gives life and causes death,” Abraham told Nimrod.

Nimrod: “I give life and I cause death.”

To prove his point, Nimrod caused two condemned prisoners to be brought to his court. He ordered that one be let go and the

other, executed, and this was done. He turned to Abraham and said to him that “I have just given life and caused death.

What else can your God do that I can’t?” Abraham was not given to quick temper. God’s gift to him was logic. He didn’t get angry or lose his temper over this affront.

He then said to Nimrod: “Allah brings the sun from the east; just bring it from the west.” At this point, Nimrod was confounded.

He lost the debate.

Gulak’s dangerous polemic is almost as dangerous as this one..

It is an insult to the many Nigerians who fought and defeated our varying types of dictatorship: pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial. Many have paid the supreme price doing this. We can't forget those years of dictatorship that bled the nation.

Any advocacy for dictatorship, benevolent or otherwise at this time is a slap on the face of all Nigerians who fought for, and nurtured democracy as a form of government and this, not withstanding its inherent imperfections.

And for the record, Nigeria does have a constitution and the fact of it being there is itself a

limit on the powers of whoever is the president. Why do we have a constitution if the ruling group does not believe that there is a limit on the powers of the President to do as he wishes?

The constitution defines the powers and tenure of the president. It doesn’t say that his powers are absolute. Where the constitution prescribes death penalty for instance, it confers on the president or governor the prerogative of mercy, but sets a limit to this because this power is to be exercised in consultation with the Advisory Committee on prerogative of mercy. Similarly, the president is the head of the army as commander-in-chief.

But to deploy soldiers to war, the constitution requires that he seeks the approval of the Senate.

The president is required by the constitution to operate under the law. Where he fails to decide by this, it sets guidelines on how such leaders can be removed from office through impeachment.

As a politician with a following and a large family to feed, Mr. Gulak no doubt needs money to put food on the table.

It becomes dangerous however when he must become a scam master and massage the ego of the President to do this.

It is incumbent on the President to denounce Gulak’s dangerous statements and distance himself from them for his own as well as his government’s credibility.

Otherwise all this talk about recasting the ruling party and the government in a new mould by ending the country's rowdy political culture will come to nothing.

“

It is incumbent on the President to denounce Gulak’s dangerous statements and distance himself from them for his own as well as his government’s credibility. Otherwise all this talk about recasting the ruling party and the government in a new mould by ending the country's rowdy political culture will come to nothing 311 689 606 327 454

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