Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday 27, May, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 11 No. 6

Monday, May 27, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Rajab 18, 1434 AH

N150

State of emergency Bombers used won’t last six months chemical weapons — Jonathan >>3 in Jaji — Army >>5

Jang to Amaechi

Accept defeat now No, I’m authentic NGF chairman — Amaechi Jang’s faction is smear campaign — Fayemi Why Amaechi can’t be our leader — Obi

By Lawrence Olaoye, Abuja and Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

F

actional Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang, yesterday said he never bargained to lead the Forum but has accepted it as God’s design.

Jang who spoke to journalists on arrival at the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos pleaded with Governor Rotimi Amaechi to back down and accept him as the new leader of the Forum Amaechi had been declared winner of the election but the Jang group revolted against his declaration citing Jang’s purported endorsement by 19 governors in a pre-election agreement.

He said he would do his best to get Amaechi to work with him as the new leader of the group.

Asked about his impression of the election, Jang said” As far as Iam concerned, I have been given an assignment and by the grace of God I will do my best to unite the forum and make sure the forum provides the right leadership for the people of Nigeria because we Contd. on Page 2

R-L: Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, after the 2013 Navy Week Inter-Denominational Church Service, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Court frees terror suspect, fines SSS N1.5m

By Lambert Tyem, Abuja & Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

A

Federal High Court in the Ilorin, presided over

by Justice A. Olayinka

lHow Ombatse forcibly initiates members — Ekpenyon Ita

Faji, has freed Alhaji Abdullahi Mustapha Berende, who was accused of terrorism by State

Security Service (SSS).

The court also fined the SSS the sum of N1.5million in favour of the

applicant for damages.

In the suit filed on January 3, 2013, Berende had sought for the

enforcement of his fundamental human rights and a declaration Contd. on Page 2

PAGE 2

CONTENTS News 2-10 Editorial 12 Op.Ed 13 Letters 14 Opinion 15 Metro 16-18 Business 19-22 Stockwatch 23 S/Report 24-25 Law 26 Education 27-28 Health 29-30

NGF election bespeaks rough road to 2015 Page 4

Int’l 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest 36 Politics 37-38 Newsxtra 39-40 Sports 41-45 Leisure 47 Columnist 48

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Jang to Amaechi: Accept defeat now Contd. from Front Page are governors that are governing our respective states. And so we are bound together to work with one another. The NGF election or selection as you call it, should not divide the governors. We have one purpose and were elected by the people to work for them.

We have worked with Governor Amaechi the former Chairman of NGF before and I am appealing to him to calm down and also work with me so that together we will continue to give Nigerians the right leadership for electing us as their governors.”

Meanwhile, a body known as the Plateau Merger Group has faulted Jang’s declaration as the new chairman of the forum based on a pre-election endorsement.

The group in communique at the end of a meeting on Saturday jointly signed by the Plateau ANPP Chairman, Hon. Nazifi Ahmed, and State Secretary of the CPC, Pastor Dabit Joseph hailed the re-election of Amaechi by the governors.

Responding to the creation of parallel NGF by Jang, Amaechi said he stands by the result declared by the Director General of the NGF, Dr. Asishana Okaoru, at the end of the election.

The governor who spoke through his Information Commissioner, Mrs Ibim Sementari, when contacted yesterday said that nothing has changed from the result as declared which gave 19 votes to Amaechi while Jang got 16 votes.

She said going by the result, the only authentic chairman of the Forum is Amaechi, adding however that the governors are matured people and would resolve any disagreement that there is in an amicable way.

Similarly, The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as a bad omen for the 2015 general elections the rejection of the result of the NGF by governors who are undoubtedly acting the script written for them by the presidency and the leadership of the PDP.

The in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the message that the presidency, through the puppet governors, is sending to the nation is that the outcome of the 2015 elections will only be valid if a certain candidate emerges the winner. ‘’If an election involving only 35 governors can generate so much controversy and threaten to overheat the polity, what will happen when millions of Nigerians vote in 2015? Is this how President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the Godfather of the losing governors, has been sanitizing the electoral process as he has been enthusing?

ACN condemned the meddlesomeness of the presidency in the election of what is not in reality - more than a social club, and particularly criticized President Jonathan, as the leader of his party and of the country, for expending so much of the little goodwill he has on the NGF elections. ‘’Irrespective of the tepid denial by the presidency, Nigerians are aware that the arrowhead of the puppet governors, Gov. Godswill Akpabio, is acting at the behest of the presidency. What President Jonathan did by his meddlesomeness is to stake his presidency on the NGF elections, thereby making the elections a referendum on his leadership of his party and country. In both instances, he got the outcome he deserved: A leader who cannot hold his party together cannot hold a nation together.”

ACN advised Gov. Akpabio and his group to accept the result of the NGF elections instead of threatening to break the NGF - and overheat the polity - just to satisfy their masters, saying national interest should supersede parochial interest.

Meanwhile, the Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, has said that Amaechi cannot be the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum because second term is alien to its

constitution.

According to him the NGF constitution modeled after the American Governors’ Forum allows for only single non renewable term.

Obi revealed that the amended constitution which Gov. Rotimi Amaechi relied on to run in the controversial election was not only doctored, but was never ratified by the larger body of governors.

He claimed that Amaechi’s reelection could not stand because he was not the consensus choice of the body. “Four out of the five governors in the South-East say Gov. Jang is their choice; five out of the six governors in the South-South recognise Jang as their chairman; in the North it is the same thing, so what are we talking about? This is a body of equal partners, a voluntary group, and there has never been a time we had election. It had always been by consensus. They doctored the constitution which was never even ratified.”

Explaining why Amaechi cannot be re-elected NG Chairman, Anambra state governor, Peter Obi, has asserted that second term is alien to its constitution.

According to him the NGF constitution modeled after the American Governors’ Forum allows for only single non renewable term.

Obi revealed that the amended constitution which Gov. Rotimi Amaechi relied on to run in the controversial election was not only doctored, but was never ratified by the larger body of governors.

He claimed that Amaechi’s reelection could not stand because he was not the consensus choice of the body.

Conversely, the Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen yesterday insisted that Amaechi actually won the NGF election.

He stated: “We are particularly worried about the deliberate misrepresentation of events at the election in the media by some members of the Forum in the bid

to justify the setting up of a parallel group, following the defeat of Governor Jonah Jang in the keenly contested chairmanship election.

“While we are not interested in joining issues with the Pro-Jang group in their smear campaign in the media, we feel compelled to correct some of the negative impressions being created in the minds of unsuspecting members of the public through a pot pourri of fabricated stories and outright lies.

“It is on record that all the 35 governors present voted and there is an electronic evidence of this, and Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan served as the Returning Officer in the Friday election that produced Governor Amaechi as chairman of NGF. “Whereas the pro-Jang group had reportedly premised their position on earlier endorsement of Governor Jang’s candidature by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and the Northern Governors Forum, it suffices to state without any fear of contradiction that endorsement of a candidate does not translate to actual votes in any election. And even if they want to claim it as the result of the election, how come it was originally dated April and contained the names of Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe State and Governor Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State who were absent ?

“A candidate can have countless endorsements ahead of an election, but electoral victory is determined mainly by the number of votes he is able to garner at the election.

Contrary to the rather bizarre position being canvassed by the pro-Jang group, we do not see any reason for us to demonstrate that we won the election. The results of the election, as announced by the electoral officer is clear on the victory of Governor Amaechi.

Rushing to Abuja to create the impression of being the so-called authentic Governors’ Forum is not only childish but petty.”

Court frees terror suspect, fines SSS N1.5m Contd. from Front Page that his continuous detention by the SSS is a gross and flagrant violation and infringement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement.

In his ruling, Faji declared that, “the arrest and detention of the applicant without trial since December 17, 2012 under the condition and control and power of the respondent is illegal, baseless and unconstitutional.

“The continuous holding of the applicant in the custody of the State Security Service is a gross and flagrant violation and infringement of the applicant’s fundamental human rights to freedom of movement.

“The respondents are also ordered to release the applicant on bail pending his arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“It may be that the respondents are fighting the scourge of terrorism which affects national

security but there is however a need to maintain the clear balance between law enforcement and protection of human rights.

“Human rights violations cannot and must not be justified by waving the flag of terrorism.

“After all, the suspects are presumed innocent until the prosecution establishes otherwise.

“In the circumstances, therefore, I award a sum of N1,500,000 in favour of the applicant and against the respondents as damages.”

The SSS had on Wednesday February 22, 2013 said in Abuja that it had uncovered a terror network coordinated by Iranians in Lagos.

The SSS said this while parading a leader of an Islamic sect, Abdullahi Berende, and two others said to be operators of the Iranian terror cell gathering information about Israelis and Americans living in Nigeria.

The SSS had paraded Sulaiman Saka and Saheed Adewunmi alongside 50-year-old Berende.

The three were said to be working for Iranian terrorists planning to attack Americans and Israelis in the country.

A third suspect, Bunyamin Yusuf, is said to be at large.

Berende who is said to be a leader of the Shi’a Islamic sect in Ilorin, Kwara State, told journalists that he was employed by “people who were ready to capitalise on my weakness,” though he denied being part of a terrorist network.

Deputy Director Public Relations, SSS, Marilyn Ogar, told journalists that Berende, an Islamic teacher, and local leader of the Shiite sect, was observed to have made several suspicious trips to and fro Iran where he interacted with some Iranians known to operate a high profile international terrorist network.

Ogar said that in the course of interrogation, Berende confessed that in 2006, he gained admission to do a six-month course in modern Shi’a Islamic teaching (Da’awa) at

Imam Khomeini University, Iran.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS) Mr. Ekpeyong Ita, at the weekend during a ceremony in honour of 10 slain operatives revealed how the Ombatse cult in Nasarawa Eggon killed and forcibly initiate innocent citizens.

Ita who described the cult as “unscrupulous and primitive” said the operation which led to the untimely death of many security men was aimed at fulfilling “our sacred mandate, that is, the protection and preservation of our nation which is our collective patrimony.”

He said the killers have only succeeded in making their community an “ignoble sepulcher of innocent law enforcement agents”, adding that even though the SSS has the spirit, “the wherewithal and that our hearts are cast in iron, we have forgiven you.

Contd. on Page 3

PAGE 3

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

State of emergency may not last six months – Jonathan

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L-R: Senate President David Mark, First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, and PDP Women’s Leader, Dr. Kema Chikwe, during the Democracy Day Interdenominational Church Service, yesterday at National Christian Centre, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Why we’ve not intervened in Rivers’ PDP crisis -Tukur

By Lawrence Olaoye

N

ational Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party desisted from intervening in the current crisis rocking it’s Rivers state chapter because the matter has not been officially reported to it.

Tukur, while addressing newsmen on the achievements of the ruling party in the last fourteen years, also assured that the party would win the governorship election scheduled to hold in Anambra state next year.

The PDP National Chairman stressed that until the Rivers PDP crisis is reported officially to the party’s headquarters, it is seen as a local issue that the state chapter is capable of handling.

He added that the NWC has begun reconciliation efforts among the party stakeholders in Anambra to ensure the success of the PDP in the 2014 governorship election in that state.

Speaking on the achievements

of the government in the last 14 years, Tukur said there have been some notable developments in the nation’s economy, infrastructures and in the social lives of the people.

According to him, the ruling party has succeeded in reforming the nation’s electoral processes by ensuring one-man-one-vote at the polls even as he acknowledged that everything in the country is a work in progress.

Commenting on furore generated by the victory of the party in the recent Adamawa by election won by the PDP, Tukur urged all the stakeholders in the state to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and embrace themselves. He charged them to work together in order to ensure victory for he party in subsequent elections.

On his stewardship as the Chairman of the ruling party, Tukur said he is poised to building a strong institution instead of building personalities by giving the party back to the people who actually owns it.

According to him, the PDP

was founded with the people at the centre of its operations and therefore, he is determined to ensure that the party implements its people oriented manifestoes to the letter.

He also enjoined political leaders to always account for their stewardship as they are bond to report their activities to the electorates who voted hem into power.

The Emir of Daura in Katsina s t at e , Al haji U mar F arou k Umar has protested the house to house search by securities agents deployed in his domain describing the act as in human and unwarranted .

Speaking when he received Members of the National Assembly from Katsina State under the Platform of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) who paid a visit over the recent attack by unknown persons said the house to house search policy would not address the issue of insurgency.

He described traditional rulers as the custodians of the people and that they are ready to support

and cooperate with security agents with view to achieving a common goal.

He said what happened in his Emirate was unfortunate commended the three senators from Katsina state and 10 members of the House of Representatives from Katsina state who came to commensurate with the people of Daura.

The Emir appealed to them to make laws that will transform the lives of the people.

Speaking with press men shortly after the visit, Hon. Mansur Abdulkadir Funtua, attributed the precarious security situation in the country to what he described as misrule bt the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

According to him, “for almost 15 years, the ruling party has failed woefully to address the problems of poverty, unemployment, corruption and insecurity, ” noting that no meaningful government anywhere in the world can fold its arm and watch people kill innocent souls and government officials loot public funds and go unpunished.

Court frees terror suspect, fines SSS N1.5m

Contd. from Page 2 “We have obediently handed all of you over to Almighty God since He taught us that vengeance is His.” He said the SSS operatives went to “keep the peace and douse the tension generated in the state by the activities of an unscrupulous group and primitive people.”

Ita said that the Ombatse worshippers had on April 2013 at Arugba Isa village in Lafia North district forcibly initiated some

members of Izalla Muslims.

“Again on 28 April, 2013, some Christians in three churches in Gidan Gambo village were forcibly initiated.

“Similarly, on 2nd May 2013 at Kayarde village, an attempt by members of the group to initiate some muslims almost led to a violent confrontation.”

He added that it was in an attempt to arrest the situation from further deteriorating that

law enforcement agents were sent.

“From experience, this was the same manner that the Maitatsine sect and Boko Haram terrorists started.

“We have come to terms with the painful reality that you have paid the supreme sacrifice so that Nigerians can live in peace and unity.

“But I want to promise you that you will never die because when you live in the hearts of those who love you, then you are not dead. You

will never die because your death has emboldened us, inspired and united us.

“It has motivated and strengthened us and I know more than anyone else that as a member of this family, with your looks, strength, unconditional love and loyalty and by paying the ultimate price, you have given all that a devoted security operative can give to an appreciative Service and a very beloved country.

resident Goodluck Jonathan has told the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon at a meeting of the Africa Union (AU) conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, that the military operation in three states in the north was going very well and the military have strictly adhered to the rules of engagement.

According to Jonathan, due to the success so far recorded by troops deployed to the north eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, the state of emergency regime may not last for six months as prescribed by the Constitution.

According to him, the successes recorded by the military is exemplified by the lack of collateral civilian casualties, noting that the operation has helped in creating a better relationship between the civilian population and members of the armed forces.

Jonathan said that government would do everything possible to ensure that the civilian population is not put through hardship, as the rules of engagement given to the military deployed in the area are strictly adhered to by the military.

PDP berates Fashola over Fourth mainland bridge From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Lagos State PDP has described the attempt by the ACN controlled government to commence the construction of a fourth mainland bridge as belated.

The party stated that after several ignored calls to the Lagos government to fulfill the electoral promise of a Fourth Mainland bridgeit eventually admitted that it cannot solely construct the bridge because of the high cost implication. The PDP in a statement yesterday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, “the Lagos state PDP leadership consequently approached the FG to come to the aid of the suffering Lagosians by constructing the bridge described as impossible by the Lagos state government.

The statement urged Lagosians not to take the ACN government serious on its promises especially the fourth mainland bridge.

It described the statement that the state government is finalizing plans to commence construction of a fourth mainland bridge as mere political statement with the motive of cajoling the people to support their party in 2015.

The statement admonished the Lagos state government to complete the abandoned light rail and water transportation projects, instead of embarking on a project it has itself described as impossible to achieve.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

NGF election bespeaks rough road to 2015 The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) finally conducted its election last Friday after much prevarication.

The election, which was hitherto presumed to be a walkover for any candidate presented by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), proved bookmakers wrong as the incumbent Chairman and Rivers state governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, retained the seat against all odds, writes Lawrence Olaoye.

A

lthough Amaechi’s victory is currently being vigorously contested by a splinter group led by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) and Akwa Ibom state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, the general perception is that the endorsement of the Rivers state governor for a second term as chair of the NGF by his colleagues represents the level of confidence reposed in his leadership. He won with votes to his opponent’s 16.

Since the NGF chairman indicated interest in contesting for the Vice Presidential slot in 2015, he has placed himself on the direct firing line from the Presidency which had made several moves to cut him to size. He had suffered serious political persecutions first with the polarization of the NGF with the creation of the PDPGF; the sack of Rivers PDP Exco suspected to be loyal to him; the grounding of his Aircraft by the NCAA; suspension of a local government chairman and 17 councilors suspected to be loyal to him in Rivers state, amongst others.

Prior to his declaration to run for the Vice President in 2015, Amaechi incurred the wrath of the Presidency by making himself the arrowhead of opposition to government policies. The rejection of the Sovereign Wealth Fund under his leadership has pitched the NGF against the Presidency.

Although Presidency had severally denied having a hand in the NGF election, utterances coming from the President’s aides ahead of the polls suggested otherwise.

For instance, Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, has some days to the election, foreclosed the possibility of Amaechi’s returning when he said that the Presidency was interested in seeing another PDP governor take over from Amaechi as the NGF chairman.

On whether Jonathan would be willing to work with Amaechi if re-elected, Gulak dismissed any talks of re-election saying it was alien to the forum when he said “It is not about removing Amaechi.

Amaechi’s tenure as NGF chairman is ending this April, so nobody is talking about his removal. When Bukola Saraki’s tenure ended, he handed over to Amaechi. Since

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

Gov. Jona Jang

Amaechi’s tenure is ending too, he must hand over to somebody else. The President is interested in any PDP governor, not necessarily Shema, taking over from Amaechi at the expiration of his tenure.

There is no re-election for Amaechi.

His tenure has expired except if he wants to extend his tenure and there is no tenure elongation in the NGF.” The defeat suffered by the Akpabio’s camp, suspected to be loyal to the President, has generally been seen by pundits as a no-confidence-vote of sorts on President Jonathan’s stewardship in the country. The outcome is also seen as a signal to the rough road for Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015.

The defeat of the President’s men in the NGF has further exposed the PDP, which has majority of the governors on its platform, to ridicule.

With 23 PDP governors in the Forum and their inability to reach a consensus, critics have begun to postulate that the party’s leadership may have lost grip over its members.

Amaechi’s emergence against the wish of the PDP leadership has been likened to the emergence of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Amini Waziri Tanbuwal and Emeka Ihedioha

respectively, in defiance to party’s directives.

Many observers believe that the PDP plotted its own defeat by not presenting an acceptable candidate to slug it out with Amaechi.

Some also believe that the northern governors may have rejected Jang because of their fixation on the Presidency come 2015. They reasoned that the rejection of the President’s candidate is meant to send a strong signal to Jonathan that his insistence on contesting the Presidency in 2015 may not be a welcome idea altogether.

While some see the development as a pointer to the entrenchment of democratic ethos in the polity, others submit that it signals the end of conviviality, discipline and party supremacy in the PDP. This, they submit, is the beginning of the end for the party.

Again, the rejection of Amaechi leadership by the splinter group has been interpreted as what may happen to the country in 2015. Keen political watchers, including the opposition, are afraid whether the same scenario will not re-enact itself if Jonathan loses the Presidential election in 2015.

The Action Congress put it more

“

The defeat suffered by the Akpabio’s camp, suspected to be loyal to the President, has generally been seen by pundits as a no-confidence-vote of sorts on President Jonathan’s stewardship in the country. The outcome is also seen as a signal to the rough road for Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015.

succinctly in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, “If an election involving only 35 governors can generate so much controversy and threaten to overheat the polity, what will happen when millions of Nigerians vote in 2015? Is this how President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the Godfather of the losing governors, has been sanitizing the electoral process as he has been enthusing? ‘’The show of shame by the bad losers supporting Gov. Jonah Jang, of course at the behest of the presidency, is an extension of the threat that has been issued by some rabble-rousers that it is either Jonathan for 2015 or there will be no Nigeria as we know it. This is the Gbagbo Option that plunged Cote d’Ivoire into a crisis in which it is yet to fully emerge. This is whathe puppet governors are pushing for, hence they must be called to order urgently! ‘’Governors who participated willingly and fully in the NGF election have suddenly turned around and called the election a fraud after their candidate has lost.

What were they thinking when they voted? Could it be that they were so sure that their arm-twisting tactics had worked and hence were sure of victory, only to be drubbed? Did they deviate from the presidency’s script that they should only use the consensus they extracted from unwilling governors instead of an election to determine the NGF chairmanship? ‘’If they realized the ballot papers were not serialized, as the bad losers later claimed, why did they participate in the election? Couldn’t they have raised an objection and refused to

participate? Were they dragged to the venue of the polls screaming and kicking? If so where is the evidence that they were forced to act against their will?’’ it queried.

Obviously, the decision of the splinter group loyal to Governor Jang, and by extension President Jonathan, to pull out of the NGF, has reignited the bad losers’ syndrome which is particularly injurious to the polity.

The controversy surrounding Amaechi’s election and the resolve of the splinter group to set up a parallel secretariat will definitely result into further dispute as the Akpabio’s group has begun moves to engineer the expulsion of the Rivers state governor from the PDP. They have alleged that Amaechi is collaborating with the opposition to ridicule the Presidency and disgrace the party.

The pro-Amaechi group is not sleeping either as they have begun to raise questions as to the way and manner Akpabio emerged the Chairman of the PDPGF. Their game-plan is to push for proper election into that position which will eventually see to Akpabio’s removal as the head of that body.

According to this group, the Akwa Ibom governor was not properly elected but was literarily imposed on them.

With series of crises hitting the ruling party from all angles, the Bamanga Tukur’s leadership would have to do more than artificial reconciliation to hold the party together. This is because the crises are indications that there is so much dissent in the party, and its leadership’s inability to reconcile and properly align those interests would serve the interest of the opposition in 2015.

News

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 5

Alleged N50m blackmail: ‘Desert Herald’ accuses FCT Minister, NUJ of harassment

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he management of Desert Herald newspapers and magazine has cried out over an alleged smear campaign aimed at stopping it from publishing a damning book entitled, ‘FCT Administration: The Rot Within.’

In a press statement issued over the weekend by the Deputy Editor of the newspaper, Umar Abubakar, it explained that its trouble began shortly after they started the book project which is said to contain shocking revelations in respect of alleged corruption in the FCT Administration under incumbent minister, Senator Bala Muhammad.

This followed allegations of professional misconduct and blackmail leveled against management of ‘D/Herald’ and its publisher, Malam Tukur Mamu by the FCT minister.

The Minister had in a purported letter written to the Abuja chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) cried foul over “obvious attempts by the publisher to blackmail his office over a purported publication of a book of misdeeds of his tenure in office.”

But reacting to the Minister’s alleged petition, the Publisher denied it while describing the whole thing ‘as part of an unguided and misleading strategy to stop the publication of the book.

He said, “Chuks Ehirim (the FCT NUJ chairman) claimed that

O

the petition was written to the union by the FCT Minister on an issue that is supposed to be investigated by the NUJ. “In the press release, Chuks said he received a petition from the FCT Minister that Tukur Mamu demanded N50 million

from Senator Bala Muhummad to stop the publication of the book but failed to provide details that will support his claim thereby suggesting a grand propaganda work aimed at blackmailing Desert Herald to halt the production of one of the most revealing books in the

the murder, 22-year-old Michael Adebowale. It has been reported that both were previously known to Britain’s intelligence services, but neither were considered a risk to life.

Adebolajo was captured on video carrying bloodied knives and a meat cleaver after Wednesday’s attack saying he had killed off-duty soldier Lee Rigby because British troops were killing Muslims.

Anti-terror investigators in France meanwhile were probing whether the stabbing of a soldier in Paris as he patrolled a busy shopping centre and transport hub on Saturday afternoon was a copycat attack.

The soldier suffered a wound to the neck but was said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

President Francois Hollande

said no link to the grisly murder in London had been established “at this stage”, but the French interior minister said there were similarities.

The distraught family of Lee Rigby visited the scene of his murder near his barracks in Woolwich, southeast London, and added their bouquets to an ever-growing pile of floral tributes at the scene.

The two men accused of hacking him to death remain under armed guard in separate hospitals after they were shot by police at the scene.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man in London on Sunday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and were still holding three men in their 20s they detained on Saturday on the same charge.

‘British soldier murder suspect, Michael Adebolajo, was held in Kenya in 2010’

ne of the suspects in the brutal murder of a soldier in Britain was arrested in Kenya three years ago and questioned over alleged links to Islamist insurgents, it emerged on Sunday.

The Kenyan government confirmed that Michael Adebolajo was detained in 2010 but said he was handed over to British intelligence agents and deported because there was insufficient evidence to charge him.

Reports in Britain said Adebolajo was detained on the island of Pate, a few kilometres away from Lamu, which is a crossing point to Somalia.

The disclosure raises fresh questions about the monitoring of Adebolajo and the other suspect in

history of government institutions in Nigeria.”

According to the Desert Herald publisher, “it is an irony that the very person calling others ‘fake journalist’ did not even know about the powers and territorial jurisdiction of the NUJ. As a socalled journalist Chuks did not even know that it is optional for a practicing journalist to be a member of the NUJ. “He did not care to find out if I am a member of the NUJ or not before making fool of himself.

Does the NUJ as a union have powers over non-members or over registered newspaper houses?

“He and his ilk should stop soliciting for patronage or land allocations through people like Mr. Nosike using their position in the NUJ. “He claimed to have received a petition and without listening to the other party, he rushed to address the press to justify his pay and castigate Desert Herald to please his paymaster.

“After all, what has Desert Herald got to do with NUJ Abuja Council? If the Minister is disturbed, he should prove his innocence after the release of the book.”

Heads of State and Government of African Union (AU), after the 21st ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of AU, yesterday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Jaji attack: Bombers used chemical weapon – Commandant From Femi Kaduna

C

Oyelola,

ommandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Air Vice Marshal Effiong E. Osim, said at the weekend that the perpetrators of the suicide bombing at the Saint Andrew Protestant Catholic Church, at the Jaji Military Cantonment about six months ago, used a special bomb, blended with

deadly chemical and pellet.

The November 25, 2012 attack resulted in the death of a number of worshippers and residents of the cantonment with scores of others injured.

Osim spoke when members of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution on security challenges in northern Nigeria visited him.

Osim who took the chairman

of the committee, Tanimu Turaki, and other members of the committee to the premises of the church.

He explained that the bomb was not designed to pull down the church but contained sharp pellet blended with chemical.

According to him, once the pellet comes in contact with a person, “it will just peel the skin of the victim to a high degree of

burns and it was such contact that killed one of the officers in the cantonment.

“The bomb that hit this church was a special bomb, it was not designed to pull down the structure of the church; it is a kind of bomb that contained dangerous chemical and pellet that could fly long distance once it is detonated.

“And once the pellet touches the victim, it is instant death or

the skin will begin to peel to a high level degree of injuries.

“This is what killed one of our officers because he was standing some few distances from the scene of the incident.

“Well, we have started rebuilding the church because the roof, as you can see, was badly damaged, and the Ministry of Defence has promised to assist us with some amount of money.”

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 6

Nigeria lost N2.6 trillion to disasters in 2012 - NEMA DG

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comprehensive assessment of total losses resulting from the 2012 flooding which ravaged many states of the federation has shown that Nigeria lost a total of N2.6 trillion.

Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammed Sani Sidi, made this known while addressing the 4th Global Forum on Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva, Switzerland at the weekend.

The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is the world’s foremost gathering of stakeholders committed to reducing disaster risk and building the resilience of communities and nations.

Sidi said, “the comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment conducted from November 2012

– March 2013 with the support of the World Bank and Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), United Nations, Development partners and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies put the estimated total value of infrastructure, physical and durable assets destroyed at US$9.6 billion.

“The total value of losses across all sectors of economic activity was estimated at US$7.3 billion. The combined value of these damages and losses was US$16.9 billion.”

He described 2012 as a most challenging year for Nigeria in recent history with the

unprecedented flooding that ravaged several states of the country, affected over seven million people, displaced 2.3 million people, killed over 363 persons and destroyed or damaged about 597,476 houses.

According to him, Nigeria believes that it has the responsibility to increase the tempo of activities in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and enlist the support of every one in confronting the hazards risk in the country especially with the consequences of climate change and global warming staring everyone in the face.

“The flood was a classical case of how disasters can reverse

development in a developing country like Nigeria. However the calamities wrought by the 2012 floods offer for our country an important window of opportunity to address difficulties and long-standing development issues.

“It brought all stakeholders together as never before to address the consequences of the flood, plan to reduce the vulnerability of our people and increase their resilience”, he told the gathering consisting of dignitaries from over 150 countries around the world.

Sidi however, criticized some aspects of the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005 – 2015 which is already approaching its

end especially concerning the practice of DRR at the country level.

He said consultation on Post 2015 in six geo-political zones and the Federal Capital in Nigeria gave the indication that the participation of women and children will be critical to the successful implementation of any framework on DRR beyond 2015.

“We would want to see more participation of the people at the local level and the inclusion of conflict resolution as major area of risk reduction. The global community has indeed benefited a lot from the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005 – 2015 as blue print for disaster risk reduction”, he said.

Give your children moral education Sule Katagum From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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lder statesman, Alhaji Sule katagum, has urged parents to give their children moral education as children need to learn how to live harmoniously in society.

Sule Katagum who is also the Wazirin Katagum made the call at the launch of the appeal fund for the construction of Bilal Academy Tahfuzul Qur’an and Services held last weekend at Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local government area of Bauchi.

According to him, “the mission of schools has been to develop in the youth, both intellectual and moral virtues.

Concern for moral virtues, such as honesty, responsibility, and respect for others, is the domain of moral education. Schools help children acquire these virtues or moral habits that will help them individually live good lives and at the same time become productive, contributing members of their communities” Alhaji Katagum thanked the donors for their contributions towards the propagation of both Islamic and Western education in the area, and promised to continue supporting the academy.

A total sum of N3, 989, 670 was realized at the appeal launch for the construction of the School Actual amount realized was N2, 399, 670 while pledges stood at N1, 590, 000 which included a cheque of N100, 000 at the occasion chaired by the Wazirin Katagum, Alhaji Sule Katagum.

The Chief launcher at the occasion, the Shatiman Katagum, Alhaji Abba Halliru launched the appeal fund with the sum of N500, 000, the same amount equally donated by the Senator representing Bauchi North senatorial district, Senator Babayo Garba Gamawa.

L – R: Minister of State for Power; Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo; and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Mohammed Kachalla, during the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) meeting, on Saturday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

AU 50th anniversary: Jonathan bemoans conflicts, poverty in Africa From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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resident Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend lamented the inability of successive African leaders to overcome the challenges of neo-colonialism, poverty, disease, violent conflicts, environmental degradation, under-development and economic dependency.

Speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the OAU/ AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jonathan noted that political independence has been won

and colonialism, apartheid and minority rule have been defeated.

According to him, “we must consolidate on our achievements, correct past mistakes and accomplish the new African integration paradigm for political, economic, socio-cultural and scientific development.

“Today, we are reflecting on the philosophy of Pan Africanism and African Renaissance not at the behest of anyone but of our own accord.

“We do so because we are conscious of the need to control

our own destiny.

“For too long, Africa has been a victim of external domination, exploitation and manipulation. Africa must rediscover itself.

“As we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of our organization, we can take justifiable pride in the fact that the objectives the founding fathers set for themselves have largely been achieved.

So, my message today is very simple, Africa must declare an end to the era of self inflicted wars and conflicts.

“Africa must usher in an era of transformation, peace,

stability and sustainable development.

“With Africa free of all its crises and violent conflicts, we must commit to deepen our democratic governance and rule of law. We must give voice to, and respect the wishes of our people when they express them democratically, freely and openly. Democracy must be allowed to flourish unimpeded in all our countries.

We must end the culture of abuse of power and impunity a nd w e mu s t e mbr a c e t h e culture of accountability, equity and justice.

News

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 7

Democracy Day: CPC scores Jonathan low

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) over the weekend, said that in the last two years, President Goodluck Jonathan has performed abysmally, accusing him of breeding politics of bitterness in the country.

In its scorecard on Jonathan which was issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, the CPC cited the recent Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) election, describing it as reminiscent of Jonathan’s ruthless pursuit of the 2015 Presidency.

According to the statement, “the governors elected on the platform of the PDP who have shown aversion to Mr. President’s desire for re-election, have been treated with utter ruthlessness.

“A noxious desire to

truncate Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s Chairmanship of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF) had seen the birthing of new platforms for PDP governors.”, it added.

CPC therefore, pointed out that the discontent arising from the elections for the new chairman of the NGF bears the imprimatur of the Presidency, adding that the precipitous governance of the nation over the last two years is unacceptable.

“More galling is the priorities of Mr. President which, unfortunately, are at variance with the political and economic health of the nation”, CPC said.

The party also observed that the president’s performance score-card on the economy, security, education, youth employment, foreign relations and infrastructural development re-

veals overall dismal failure.

“There is no need in restating the comatose state of the Nigerian economy under the political governance of Dr Good-luck Jonathan.

“With over 70 per cent of the state’s budget spent in servicing over-bloated paraphernalia of government and accumulation of foreign debts to finance all the economically unsound fancies of the regime.

“It is a matter of time before the Nigerian economy plummets under the weight of gross incompetence and unpatriotic handling by the Jonathan administration”, the statement read.

CPC also said that the infrastructural decay in the polity has closed many industrial concerns, adding that this has brought the youth unemployment to an all-time high of over 44 per cent.”

Lawmaker earmarks N60m for boreholes in constituency

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lhaji Bala Faruk (CPC) a Niger state Assembly member representing Bida South, on Sunday said he had authorized the drilling of 120 motorized boreholes worth’s N60 million in his constituency.

Faruk told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in a telephone interview that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the perennial water scarcity facing his electorates and that ``the project is solely been financed by me.

He said Nasarafu, Landzun, Dokodza and Mayaki Ndajiya wards will allotted 20 motorized boreholes, Bariki and Umaru Majigi

(B) wards will get 15 motorized boreholes and Umaru Majigi(A) ward will get 10 motorized boreholes.

“Over five years now the people in these wards have been experiencing difficulty in sourcing portable water for their daily needs with the attendant negative consequence on their lives, a reason that led to my intervention.

“It is unfortunate Bida and its environs is facing water supply problem despite the state government yearly pronouncement on the problem, it then became imperative that I had to intervene``, he said.

Faruk promised to do everything humanly pos-

sible to see that that the problem of water scarcity in his constituency becomes a thing of the past, and that is why all nooks and crannies of the area will get a motorized borehole.

“Water is life and it is also a key to the socio-economic development of the people, and all will be done to see that the people enjoys regular water supply”, he said.

He also disclosed that he had purchased 2 500KVA transformers for Banyagi and Esozhi area at the cost of over N4 million, to assist to boosting powers supply to the areas, so that they could meet their energy needs. (NAN)

From Osaigbovo baro, Benin

committed in their struggle for good governance in the country.

He said the security situation in the country needs a holistic approach, adding that resolution is the best way to address terrorism.

“The Canadian government is impressed with INEC’s conduct of the 2011 general elections and other subsequent elections in some states of the federation and we hope it will get better in 2015... We have dedicated about $5 million dollars to that project,” Cooter said “We will be working with Prof. Attahiru Jega and INEC very closely to promote democracy in Nigeria.”

He promised to partner Edo state government in

the area of vocational training in the area of vocational education on the ground that unemployment is not the problem in Nigeria but the skills to get the employment.

He also explained that the Canadian government would provide vocational training teachers, equipment and all other vocational learning facilities to boost the vocational training system in the state.

Responding, the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Reverend David Ugolor, thanked the Canadian government for the assistance it has been rendering civil society in the country in deepening democracy and fighting human rights abuses.

2015: Canada commits $25m to deepen Nigeria’s democracy

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Iguo-

anadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Chris Cooter, says the Canadian government has budgeted 25 million dollars to deepen democracy in Nigeria in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) so as to strengthen the institution ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The High Commissioner who gave the indication when he paid a courtesy call on the Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, (ANEEJ), Reverend David Ugolor at his office at the weekend in Benin City, urged human rights activists to be more

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 10

Briefly Prison officer crushed to death in Kogi

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prison official was crushed to death yesterday on his way to duty.

Gowon Jonah was on his way to Kotokarfe, his duty post, from Lokoja when the tragic fate befell him at Banda on the Lokoja Abuja road.

Eyewitness account said that Gowon was overtaking a vehicle near the mobile police barracks, Banda when he ran into a trailer.

He reportedly died instantly before any help could reach him.

From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

“Why hoodlums attacked Edo LG secretariat”

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he announcement by Egor local government council to commence payment of salary of workers on the 25th of every month may not be unconnected with last Saturday’s attack on the secretariat by hoodlums, according to the Chairman, Victor Enobakhare.

Conducting journalists around the damaged portion of the secretariat, Enobakhare denied that any money was missing.

He vowed to bring the perpetrators to book with the assistance of the security agencies.

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Misau fire tragedy: Politician donates relief materials

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lhaji Isah Hamma, a former ACN senatorial candidate in Bauchi state, has donated relief materials worth thousands of Naira to victims of the recent Misau fire disaster.

The ACN Chairman in Misau local government area of the state, Alhaji Juji-Abba Kolo, disclosed this on Sunday in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

NAN recalls that some residents of Gurgeldi ward in Misau town have been rendered homeless following a strange outbreak of fire in their area.

Kolo disclosed that the materials donated by Hamma, who contested in the Bauchi Central Zone, included 10 bags of rice, 10 bags of millet and 10 bags of maize.

Families of State Security Service (SSS) personnel who were killed in the attack of Alakyo village in Nasarawa state, during a candle light procession for the sla-in officers, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo:

Emergency rule has restored peace in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, says Minister

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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inister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, has said that the state of emergency declared in three states of the north-eastern part of the country has restored normalcy in those areas.

President Goodluck Jonathan had on the 14th May, 2013, de-

clared state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe state to arrest the persistent attack on citizens and properties by the Boko Haram sect.

Moro gave this indication while addressing journalist at the weekend on the state of the nation.

He averred that the security of the country cannot be left at the hands of some disgruntled el-

ements who take laws into their hands to unleash carnage on other citizens who do not subscribe to their ideology.

Moro said, “the government cannot fold its arms and watch its citizens being maimed by enemies of peace. We cannot sit back and watch the peace of this country being hijacked by militant groups.

“The government took the bold

step because it was necessary. We need to create an atmosphere of peace that can be enjoyed by both citizens and foreigners alike”.

The Minister also noted that relative peace and stability had since returned to those parts of the country, following the curfew that was imposed by the military, which is currently heading the security situation in those areas.

Children Day: Gov Ahmed tasks parents on training

By Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

K

wara state Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, has called on parents and guardians to devote more time to the training and well being of their children and wards, to complement governments’ policies and initiatives to nurture them into good citizens.

Ahmed made the call in a

statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, on the occasion of the 2013 Children Day celebration.

Ahmed noted that more than ever before, especially in the face of prevailing national moral decadence and security challenges, it was expedient that all stakeholders, whether as parents, educators, trainers or government must rally round

to restore the age long, result yielding cultural values that ensured that inculcation of moral values in children was both at the family and communal levels.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the implementation of child friendly policies and programmes that guarantee the environment ideal for physical and intellectual development.

These, according to him, include maternal and child medicare, tuition free primary and post primary education system as well as infrastructural development in the schools.

Ahmed also urged Nigerian children to look beyond the parades and other festivities of this occasion but reflect on virtues that can transform him into being a good leader in the future.

Senator defends agitation for proposed Katagum state

By Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

T

he Senator representing Bauchi North senatorial district, Babayo Garba Gamawa has expressed optimism that the 30 years agitation for the creation of the proposed Katagum state will become a reality during his tenure in the Senate.

Babayo Gamawa stated this shortly he held meeting

with stakeholders in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Council area at the weekend, saying that the proposed state out of the present Bauchi state has met all the conditions for its creation by the National Assembly.

He said: “Going by the criteria for state creation and the provision of section 8 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, we have been agitating for the

creation of Katagum state for the past 30 years, now that the moves are on, we believe that Insha-Allah we will get it.

“I cannot precisely tell you the position before the committee submits its report, but I know, Insha-Allahu, if a state will be created in Nigeria, I’m not pre-empting the National Assembly decision but if factors are to be considered, I believe Katagum will be among the states to be created”.

Gamawa further explained that the proposed Katagum state has met all the pre-requite conditions such as landmass, population, economic viability, religious and tribal tolerance, among other factors for its creation, adding, “We hope this time around it will be a reality.

“The legacy I want bequeath as Babayo Garba Gamawa is that for the realization of the proposed Katagum state” he said

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 11

How life is akin to investing in the stock market

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emember that famous quote in “Forrest Gump”? Forrest said, “My momma always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.’”

While I believe there’s lots of truth to that statement, I’m going to modify that quote to try and get you to think differently.

Here’s my version - “Life is like investing in the stock market.

You’ll go through your share of ups and downs. But as long as you’re able to persevere through them, in the long run you’ll come out on top.”

Let’s review some stock market history. There’s no doubt that investing in the stock market is risky. To illustrate, take a look at the returns from the Nigeria stock exchange over the past 15 years: As you can notice the dwindling fortunes, with some years the stock market recording incredible closings, yet in others, it performed horribly. How does this relate to life?

I’m sure that in your own life, you’ve had your good days when everything seems to go right. But you’ve also had your bad days, where a lot of things seem to go wrong.

How do you get through the hard times? Before I try to answer that, let’s take a look at

Money Tip:

Develop a marketing plan

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eah, I know. You know you need one but who has the time - or know how to put one together, right?

That’s why I advocate writing a 2-page marketing plan. On the first page, list where you are now (gross and net income, numbers of new and repeat clients or customers, amount you currently work and earn, etc.). Then set goals for where you’d like to be in a year for each of those.

On page two, choose three marketing strategies you’re going to use to achieve those goals (public speaking, email marketing, direct mail, etc.). Include an actual to-do list of steps you need to take to implement each one, as well as due dates for each step.

Quote

A business has to be involving, it has to be fun, and it has to exercise your creative instincts.

- Richard Branson

the stock market’s approach.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket The Nigeria stock exchange is taken as the yardstick here for the performing companies in the country have been active in the market over the last couple of decades. As we invest in the index, all of the companies work together to provide us with the wealth we seek.

But not all companies perform at the same level. Companies that do well help carry the weight for other companies that perform poorly, so that the overall value of the index has increased over time.

For instance, in September, 2012, Dangote Sugar Refinery which had earlier nudged to second position of most capitalised company breasted the tape to beat First Bank to become the most capitalised company on the Exchange.

At the end of trading on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) September 10th, Dangote Sugar Refinery Shares appreciated from the previous price of N38.52 per share to N40.44k And with 10 billion units’ share of the company outstanding, it has emerged as Nigeria’s most capitalised company with market capitalisation of N404.4 billion as against the previous day’s trading of N385.2 billion, gaining a record 5 percent at a single day’s trading which according to Sola Oni, Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs of the Nigerian Stock Exchange is “the highest any company can gain in a single day’s

trading.”

What’s the point?

Don’t go through life alone.

Just as the S&P 500 can be seen as a community of 500 companies, you need to be a part of a larger community as well.

Life can get hard. When it does, sometimes we need someone to cry with us when we cry. We need friends to help bear our burdens.

Other times, when life is good, we want others to celebrate with us in our victories. We want our friends by our side to thank them for sticking with us through thick

and thin.

Let’s get back to the stock market. Looking at stock market returns year-by-year may cause you to lose sleep at night. But if you invested for the long haul, you’d end up a winner.

This shows the power investing through thick and thin, and having a long-term perspective.

Your own growth Similarly, you can experience tremendous growth in your own life. If you’re at a low point in life right now, you can position yourself for a brighter future.

to gumshoe field work.

Many personal finance experts believe that when going into this kind of investment, there are key mistakes to avoid. First, you must be cautious about highflying stocks. They may be closer to the end of their run than the beginning, no matter how good the company is.

Secondly, avoid hunches and headlines: Leave impulse buying for the supermarket. Have

patience about selling. Time gives individuals a rare edge because longer horizons make losses less likely.

Also, try to ignore pump-anddump scams. This is because internet chat rooms, bulletin boards, unsolicited emails, newsletters -even radio and TV adverts -can all be sources of stock touting. Don’t take the inducement.

Furthermore, many wealth managers believe that though you

How? Seek the help of friends and mentors. There are lots of people who have been further along on the road of life than you. They’ve faced the same challenges you’re facing. And the good news is that many of them are willing to offer guidance and help you get out of your rut.

I’m also a big advocate of reading good books and learning valuable skills. The Personal MBA reading list is a great place to start. If cost is a concern, you can always borrow these books for free from your local library.

If you take action now, I’m sure that good things will come to you later.

Buying stocks… What you must do

I

hear a lot of us saying….this may be a great time to buy stocks, now that many stocks are still near historic lows.

No doubt, this could be the inference many investors draw as stock tips spill from everywhere: from analysts, on television, at parties, in the gym, and even in clubs.

One of the true cornerstones of real wealth creation has always been based on not climbing on bandwagons. Yes, you may be lucky to gain at first… for a while, but when they start to sink, you sink along with them.

But being a cyclical market, the past years of experience and history tend to prove otherwise because the market most times proved stubborn for analysts to predict.

Trend has shown that even many wealth seekers email boxes today are full of grounds for can’tmiss moneymakers to buy right now. Even your own scouting can turn up stocks that look like solidgold opportunities.

But the truth remains that there are questions you must ask yourself before delving into this form or investment because even professional investors follow many different methods to hunt down stocks to recommend, from computerised screening programs

may love a stock, it won’t love you back. This is very simple because if losses start to mount, you have to know when to break it off and sell.

Best defense is to stay disciplined and diversified.

In addition, remember that when climbing on bandwagons, you will almost always be too late.

Instead, buy into companies with a history of superior earnings, barriers to entry in their field and a track record of wise investment.

PAGE 12 PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

EDITORIAL

NGF split a pointer to 2015? withdrew from the contest.

Surprisingly, though, not long afterwards, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state addressed the press during which he, alongside 16 others, rejected the result, alleging rigging in favour of the incumbent.

According to him, “We, the other governors, have decided to react to the fact that Governor Jang is the chairman of the NGF since 18 northern governors and the PDP governors supported his candidature...

There was no election held at the

“

A

t last, the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) over the weekend managed to hold an election to choose a new leader. The failure to hold the election earlier than now, as we all know, was as a result of the deep division within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which saw to the creation of the PDP Governors Forum, ostensibly to pull the rug from under the feet of the incumbent NGF Chairman, River state governor, Rotimi Amaechi. The wheeling and dealing that went on before the Friday poll saw governors of Katsina and Bauchi states go in and out of the race, underlining the crack in the NGF itself with the Akpabio-led PDP governors’ forum determined to oust Amaechi.

However, as it turned out, Amaechi who many had concluded would lose his position turned out to be the proverbial cat with nine lives, emerging victorious with 19 votes against his challenger, Jonah Jang of Plateau state, who garnered 16 votes.

Announcing the result at the Rivers Governor’s Lodge venue of the election, the Director General of the NGF, Dr. Asishana Okaoru, said: “All the governors present participated in the election. The governor of Yobe state was not present. We counted all the votes and the chairman, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state emerged winner with 19 votes against the governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang, who secured 16 votes”.

He disclosed that the Zamfara state governor, Abdulaziz Yari, emerged unopposed as vice chairman after Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo state

The NGF is fast losing direction in terms of its objectives including acting as a peer review platform Rivers Governor’s Lodge. Amaechi manufactured ballot papers to re-elect himself, hence his refusal to step down as chairman before the election”.

The controversy, no doubt, has raised a number of disturbing issues; it is shocking that governors are apparently unable to organise a rancour free election between just the 36 of them. This does not bode well for the nation come 2015 when general elections are held. Clearly, the level of desperation to snatch

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”

the chairmanship of the NGF from the incumbent as demonstrated

by Akpabio and, by extension, the Presidency and the PDP leadership, is an indication that elections are still a do or die affair.

It is disheartening also that the governors and the Presidency are willing to drag the nation through this unnecessary melodrama and tension in a self-serving effort to position themselves well for the 2015 polls. Obviously, the idea of giving Nigerians the freedom to determine who rules them has not sunk into our so called leaders yet. The NGF election and the controversy surrounding it drive home the point that the nation’s problems are essentially orchestrated by its leaders.

With the election seemingly over, we urge to governors to close rank by burying the hatchet in order to lower the tension that is threatening to over heat the polity. Rather than concentrate on politicking, we believe more good can be achieved for the citizens who have been ravaged by poverty, unemployment and a worsening insecurity situation an end to which does not appear in sight any time soon. The NGF, as far as we are concerned, is fast losing direction in terms of its objectives including acting as a peer review platform, with the governors focusing more on establishing themselves as king makers. We believe the enormous powers they wield and the resources they control should be used positively to deepen our democracy by providing good governance.

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Chairman Malam Wada Maida, Oon, Fnge Director/Editor-in-Chief Rufa’i Ibrahim Managing Editor Abdul-Azeez Abdullahi

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Head, Advert/Marketing Hussaini Abdulrahman, Cna

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Acting Editor, Weekend Jamila Nuhu Musa

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

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 13

Was the London killing ‘terrorism?’

By Glenn Greenwald

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wo men last week engaged in a horrific act of violence on the streets of London by using what appeared to be a meat cleaver to hack to death a British soldier. In the wake of claims that the assailants shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the killing, and a video showing one of the assailants citing Islam as well as a desire to avenge and stop continuous UK violence against Muslims, media outlets (including the Guardian) and British politicians instantly characterized the attack as “terrorism”.

That this was a barbaric and horrendous act goes without saying, but given the legal, military, cultural and political significance of the term “terrorism”, it is vital to ask: is that term really applicable to this act of violence? To begin with, in order for an act of violence to be “terrorism”, many argue that it must deliberately target civilians. That’s the most common means used by those who try to distinguish the violence engaged in by western nations from that used by the “terrorists”: sure, we kill civilians sometimes, but we don’t deliberately target them the way the “terrorists” do.

But here, just as was true for Nidal Hasan’s attack on a Fort Hood military base, the victim of the violence was a soldier of a nation at war, not a civilian. He was stationed at an army barracks quite close to the attack. The killer made clear that he knew he had attacked a soldier when he said afterward: “this British soldier is an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

The US, the UK and its allies have repeatedly killed Muslim

civilians over the past decade (and before that), but defenders of those governments insist that this cannot be “terrorism” because it is combatants, not civilians, who are the targets. Can it really be the case that when western nations continuously kill Muslim civilians, that’s not “terrorism”, but when Muslims kill western soldiers, that is terrorism? Amazingly, the US has even imprisoned people at Guantanamo and elsewhere on accusations of “terrorism” who are accused of nothing more than engaging in violence against US soldiers who invaded their country.

It’s true that the soldier who was killed was out of uniform and not engaged in combat at the time he was attacked. But the same is true for the vast bulk of killings carried out by the US and its allies over the last decade, where people are killed in their homes, in their cars, at work, while asleep (in fact, the US has re-defined “militant” to mean “any military-aged male in a strike zone”). Indeed, at a recent Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on drone killings, Gen. James Cartwright and Sen. Lindsey Graham both agreed that the US has the right to kill its enemies even while they are “asleep”, that you don’t “have to wake them up before you shoot them” and “make it a fair fight”.

Once you declare that the “entire globe is a battlefield” (which includes London) and that any “combatant” (defined as broadly as possible) is fair game to be killed - as the US has done - then how can the killing of a solider of a nation engaged in that war, horrific though it is, possibly be “terrorism”?

That is at least a coherent

definition. But doesn’t that then encompass the vast majority of violent acts undertaken by the US and its allies over the last decade?

What was the US/UK “shock and awe” attack on Baghdad if not a campaign to intimidate the population with a massive show of violence into submitting to the invading armies and ceasing their support for Saddam’s regime?

That was clearly its functional intent and even its stated intent.

That definition would also immediately include the massive air bombings of German cities during World War II. It would include the Central American civilian-slaughtering militias supported, funded and armed by the Reagan administration throughout the 1980s, the Bangledeshi death squads trained and funded by the UK, and countless other groups supported by the west that used violence against civilians to achieve political ends.

The ongoing US drone attacks unquestionably have the effect, and one could reasonably argue the intent, of terrorizing the local populations so that they cease harboring or supporting those the west deems to be enemies.

The brutal sanctions regime imposed by the west on Iraq and Iran, which kills large numbers of people, clearly has the intent of terrorizing the population into changing its governments’ policies and even the government itself. How can one create a definition of “terrorism” that includes Wednesday’s London attack on this British soldier without including many acts of violence undertaken by the US, the UK and its allies and partners? Can that be done?

I know this vital caveat will

fall on deaf ears for some, but nothing about this discussion has anything to do with justifiability.

An act can be vile, evil, and devoid of justification without being “terrorism”: indeed, most of the worst atrocities of the 20th Century, from the Holocaust to the wanton slaughter of Stalin and Pol Pot and the massive destruction of human life in Vietnam, are not typically described as “terrorism”. To question whether something qualifies as “terrorism” is not remotely to justify or even mitigate it. That should go without saying, though I know it doesn’t.

The reason it’s so crucial to ask this question is that there are few terms - if there are any - that pack the political, cultural and emotional punch that “terrorism” provides. When it comes to the actions of western governments, it is a conversation-stopper, justifying virtually anything those governments want to do. It’s a term that is used to start wars, engage in sustained military action, send people to prison for decades or life, to target suspects for due-process-free execution, shield government actions behind a wall of secrecy, and instantly shape public perceptions around the world. It matters what the definition of the term is, or whether there is a consistent and coherent definition. It matters a great deal.

There is ample scholarship proving that the term has no such clear or consistently applied meaning (see the penultimate section here, and my interview with Remi Brulin here). It is very hard to escape the conclusion that, operationally, the term has no real definition at this

point beyond “violence engaged in by Muslims in retaliation against western violence toward Muslims”. When media reports yesterday began saying that “there are indications that this may be act of terror”, it seems clear that what was really meant was: “there are indications that the perpetrators were Muslims driven by political grievances against the west” (earlier this month, an elderly British Muslim was stabbed to death in an apparent anti-Muslim hate crime and nobody called that “terrorism”).

Put another way, the term at this point seems to have no function other than propagandistically and legally legitimizing the violence of western states against Muslims while delegitimizing any and all violence done in return to those states.

One last point: in the wake of the Boston Marathon attacks, I documented that the perpetrators of virtually every recent attempted and successful “terrorist” attack against the west cited as their motive the continuous violence by western states against Muslim civilians.

It’s certainly true that Islam plays an important role in making these individuals willing to fight and die for this perceived just cause (just as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and nationalism lead some people to be willing to fight and die for their cause). But the proximate cause of these attacks are plainly political grievances: namely, the belief that engaging in violence against aggressive western nations is the only way to deter and/or avenge western violence that kills Muslim civilians.

Gleen Greenwald writes for The Guardian, UK

NGF and defeat of Garrison candidates

By Salihu Moh. Lukman

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he election of Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) finally held on Friday, May 24 and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has emerged victorious. Polling 19 votes out of 35 and his opponent Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau got 16 votes. The election result was significant not just for the NGF but for the nation’s democracy. One governor, Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State, was absent and did not vote. The election would have held since February but was postponed about twice.

One of the reasons that made the NGF elections very interesting was the strong interest of President Jonathan in getting Amaechi out of the NGF. Largely on account of perhaps the role of Amaechi as NGF Chairman in providing leadership to Governors which resulted in situations where the governors contested some issues with the Federal Government, President Jonathan wanted Amaechi out of NGF by all means. Some of the issues that pitched the NGF against the Presidency include the Sovereign Wealth Fund, campaign for constitutional review to reduce powers of federal government in favour of states, review of revenue allocation formula, etc.

In some ways, the governors’ awareness of their power as a

collective to contest issues with the presidency is not something that can be nullified through even the defeat of Amaechi. Assuming Amaechi has lost the election, it would have just been a matter of time before any person taking over the position of NGF Chairman finds himself in opposition to some position of the president, including Jang. For instance, will Jang or anyone on the side of PDP support the presidency on matters of discretionary declaration of oil revenue bearing in mind that what they get from the federation account is a function of what is declared which often is less than actual receipt? Will Jang or anyone tolerate unilateral policy initiative from the federal government that will result in committing state governments to expend resources? These are issues that in so many respects conferred undue powers and privileges to the federal government on matters of controlling resources and revenue there from over states. They are matters that are at the heart of national efforts to redefine the orientation of our federalism. There may be the temptation to dismiss these issues with reference to the performance of the Governors, especially in regard to problems of lack of accountability and mismanagement of resources in our state governments. This no doubt does not invalidate

the principles that democratic leadership is driven by the needs of members determined through processes of consultations.

We may disagree with the specification of what a people would define as their needs. The fact remains that members of organisations should have the right to determine what they want and it is a healthy democratic requirement which should proliferate on a national scale to guarantee national democratic order. Apart from the needs of members, the right of dissent is also an important attribute of democracy. Unfortunately, this too is continually being trampled upon.

As PDP member, Amaechi’s candidature was in itself clearly an act of dissent, if you like, a rebellion against his own party.

Together with Amaechi in this rebellion would be all PDP governors who supported and voted for him. From the result of the election, there are clearly 8 PDP governors, Amaechi inclusive. On the other side is also the fact that two so-called opposition governors, Peter Obi of Anambra and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo have joined PDP in the anti-Amaechi plot.

What is very instructive about the NGF election was that it was a victory against President Jonathan and PDP. Directed perhaps by the president, Governor Godswill Akpabio as Chairman of so-called

PDP Governors forum convened a meeting at Akwa Ibom House shortly after and declared that it was Governor Jang that was elected and circulated some purported results showing that 19 governors elected Jang.

Interestingly, among the 19 Governors that were alleged to have elected Jang include Yobe Governor who was absent at the May 24 meeting where the election held.

It is not so much that the result of the election is being contested but the manner of contest which seeks to basically generate confusion and in the process create legitimacy crisis for the second tenure of Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the Chairman of NGF. One would expect that the governors under Akpabio would seek to redress all grievances about the May 24 election through due process.

The issue is not so much that there is an election that was contested and has produced the defeat of the candidate promoted by the PDP and presidency.

The main challenge is that the response to the defeat by both the defeated candidate, Jang, and perhaps the ruling PDP is to create confusion that may lead to the dismantling of the NGF as an organisation. The implication of this is that it will give the federal government and the presidency unfettered and uncontested power to govern the country, including

trespassing into matters that are constitutionally reserve for states.

This is going to be very inimical to our democratic development as a nation for two reasons.

First, it would mean that all organisations in the country must exist at the pleasure of the PDP and presidency. Secondly, should the current approach to orchestrate confusion and delegitimize the NGF succeed, it would mean that any attempt to unseat President Goddluck using constitutional means can be greeted with similar response in 2015. It was the strategy that Laurent Gbagbo employed in 2010 in Cote d’Ivoire following his defeat by Hassan Ouattara which led to months of crisis resulting in loss of lives and property. The international community had to intervene to restore sanity and affirm the sanctity of the 2010 elections.

The lesson therefore is that with the Presidency and PDP being in the driving seat in the unfolding leadership drama in NGF, it may as well be a prelude of what to expect in 2015 should Nigerians decide to vote out PDP and Jonathan out of office. The possible response of both PDP and the president is to refuse to accept the result and declare himself the winner of the election as opposed to whatever INEC may return. One hopes this does not happen.

Salihu Muh’d Lukma is reachable on smlukman@ gmail.com

PAGE 14 PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Etok’s recall plan and Akpabio’s abuse of power

By Thomas Ajayi

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ppraising the recent events unfolding in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, where the state Governor, Godswill Akpabio comes from, I must confess that sad is a lig does not convey the fiendish politics being played out in the state that prides itself on being the land of promise.

Neither my humble self nor other celebrated heroes of democracy had actually expected such situation to occur which has raised fundamental questions on a cause which we struggled hard to bring to fruition.

The power play over who will take over the Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom-North West has generated a lot of controversy in less than two years into the present tenure of the occupant and has become an issue of unnecessary bickering fuelled by frustration from the camp of Governor Godswill Akpabio, a man who has gone public to declare that he is under immense pressure from his people to vie for the Senatorial seat of the District come 2015.

He had also in his new found obsession to take over the Senatorial seat currently occupied

by Sen. Aloysius Etok of the PDP, made a controversial statement which implied that he had rigged the primaries that produced Sen. Aloysius Etok. This statement

WRITE TO US

which was made Nigerian is public during highly regarded the Labaran by pensioners Maku led Good for his efforts Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, Governance at salvaging text messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written tour visit to the the pension state generated problems they contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters a lot of criticism have encountered - 150 words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your from democrats in years? These name and a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be who view the are pertinent statement of questions I addressed to: the governor as believe they depicting him have failed to The Editor, as an enemy of address in their democracy. desperation Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, After the to paint Sen. 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. press interview Aloysius Etok in Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com by the Governor bad light. with Channels This move SMS: 08134607052 Television a

by Governor Lagos based Akpabio’s camp only to turn down his admirers by Television indicated clearly that must be rebuffed. Nigerians in betraying the trust reposed on him spite of their religious, tribal or he has interest in the Senate come and are now having a rethink 2015 and the subsequent reaction political affiliations must rise to with a negative perception about from the incumbent Senator Etok the occasion and condemn this who the governor really is. replying that the seat in question crass display of power otherwise Does a disagreement between was not vacant has heightened it will become an ugly precedent two parties over who occupies moves and counter moves from which will blow nobody any good. a political position amount to both parties that with the camp The resort to recall should not a cause for recall?

Is it justified of the Governor aiming to teach be abused as is the case in Akwa to recall a Senator who has the Distinguished Senator some Ibom North West. A flimsy excuse performed creditably well without political ‘lesson’ which he will of not apologizing to the Governor an atom of controversy or scandal never forget in life. of a state in an issue where it is over the years he has served the The desperation of the glaring that the governor was the people? Should he be exposed governor’s camp smacks of first to have instigated the crisis to such ridicule by the people he the worse form of political is not acceptable to democratic has painstakingly represented chicanery exposing them as the norms. It is not a justification over the years through a self worse enemies of democratic for Recall no matter the excuse. centred perception of what should practice in this current political Those spearheading this ignoble necessitate a recall? Do these dispensation. For a man who has move are sycophants who are bent hawks fanning the embers of war persistently described himself on positioning themselves for consider that this Distinguished as a true democrat of the people 2015 using the present scenario as

a platform to achieve their plans.

The governor must be very careful of such characters because at the end of the day he will be responsible for their actions. the state he governs has been privileged to have experienced relative growth and development since the advent of democracy in 1999 making it one of the frontline states in the country today. It cannot afford to throw all these achievements down the drain just because of the ambition of a single individual.

It will make democracy exciting if he will be allowed to run the course of his mandate in the Senate successfully without being subjected to this unnecessary distraction. He should also be allowed to contest the Party’s primaries if he so desires to contest under his party platform. if he wins, fine and if he loses it will afford Nigerians the opportunity to know that the governor was not running his mouth when he said he was under pressure from his people to contest the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial seat. This is how democracy works and not this cheap resort to blackmail by so called loyalists who are bent on stamping their whims and caprices on the people of the district.

Thomas Ajayi is the National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Parliamentary Writers (APW)

The Woolwich killing: More questions than answers

By Femi Fani-Kayode

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ome things just don’t add up when it comes to the Woolwich killing. There are certainly more questions than answers. Let us examine the facts.

An off-duty British soldier by the name of Lee Rigby was walking down the street in the charming and peaceful London suburb of Woolwich. All of a sudden, and out of the blue, he was randomly selected and run over by a car which was being driven by two young black men. After they hit him to the ground with the car the two young men jumped out of it, armed with machetes, knives, a rusty old pistol and a meat cleaver, and in a deep and uncontrollable frenzy amidst shouts of ”Allahu Akbar”, proceeded to take his precious life by carving him up, mutilating him, butchering him and beheading him in full public glare. This all happened barely 100 metres away from Rigby’s Army Barracks home. The attack began at 2.30 pm whilst the soldier gave up the ghost at approximately 3.00pm on a fourpoint inter-section roundabout and crossroads.

Immediately after finishing their gruesome act, the killers then conducted their own impromptu press conference, brandishing knives and meat cleavers in blood-soaked hands, with random members of the public asking to be filmed and quoted whilst their clothes were soaked, drenched and dripping in human blood. After their “press conference”, they moved to the other side of the road and calmly waited for the police to arrive.

They had all the time in the world to do so but they plainly refused to run and attempt to avoid arrest or the imminent arrival of the police.

According to eye-witnesses (and I watched the footage on CNN) the police took no less than 30 minutes to get to the scene and confront the two killers. They did NOT get there in the 9 minutes that they are claiming.

When the police eventually arrived, instead of surrendering peacefully to them or attempting to run away, the two young men charged at them brandishing their knives and meat cleaver in a menacing way and attempting to shoot their old and rusty pistol.

Unfortunately for them the pistol exploded in the hand of the individual that tried to use it. They were promptly shot, wounded and disarmed. Yet, before the police arrived, another rather curious incident took place. A strange, yet very courageous, Scandinavian woman, who just happened to be sitting on a bus that was driving past, told the bus driver to stop

“

when she saw the carnage that was being inflicted on the dying soldier; got off the bus and calmly walked over to the killers even as they were still killing him. She then proceeded to have a detailed conversation with them asking them why they were doing what they were doing and assuring them that in the end they would lose the fight because it was ”just them against many”.

Is this not a rather curious encounter? Who really was that Scandinavian lady and who does she really work for? Is she a genuine hero or is she what, in security and intelligence circles, is known as a controller? Is she part of the system because to do what she did took immense courage?

So many questions still need to be asked and answered. For example why did the police take so long before responding? Why were the killers given all the time in the

Back to Woolwich. Are there not clear parallels between the Woolwich incident and the Boston bombings which took place just a few weeks ago? Are there not similarities in the profiles of the two sets of killers in both incidents? Both operations were conducted in full public glare and in the afternoon. Both operations were carried out by two Americans and two British citizens respectively

world to conduct a graphic, loud and unofficial press conference in the streets with members of the public after beheading and carving up the young soldier?

Even more curiously, the police and intelligence agencies have admitted that these two young men were “known to them”. If that were the case how come they were never put under close surveillance, monitored, questioned or arrested? Why did all this have to take place at approximately 3.00 p.m. in the afternoon, at that location (a crossroads of four junctions) and on that date? Why did the assailants have to cut off their victims head, hang around there for thirty minutes whilst ranting and whilst soaked and covered in their victims blood? Why did the killers insist that only women could come near the dying body of their victim? Why was this whole thing allowed to happen and to drag on like it did for 30 uninterrupted minutes by the authorities? Why did the police refuse to move in even though numerous members of the public were having detailed conversations with the assailants?

Was this whole thing some kind of state-sponsored illuminati-style human sacrifice?

Was it designed and orchestrated by the authorities to create more terror in the land and to give them the opportunity to introduce more draconian laws, curb immigration and do away with even more civil liberties on the grounds that they wish to fight the very terror that they themselves created.

Are we not being fooled again by the ”powers that be” and the state just as we were over ”9-11” and over the murder of Princess Diana, both of which were clearly inside jobs with strong illuminati

connections. If anyone doubts this assertion they ought to do themselves a favour and find the time to watch David Icke’s revealing documentary titled ”9/11-It Was An Inside Job”. It is on YouTube. They can also find his numerous books and watch his documentaries on the murder of Princess Diana. Their world view will change dramatically after that.

Back to Woolwich. Are there not clear parallels between the Woolwich incident and the Boston bombings which took place just a few weeks ago? Are there not similarities in the profiles of the two sets of killers in both incidents? Both operations were conducted in full public glare and in the afternoon. Both operations were carried out by two Americans and two British citizens respectively each of them with a foreign heritage and family ties with nations that are rife with and that are being torn apart by Islamist terror. In the case of the Boston bombers, the two perpetrators had strong links and family ties with Dagestan and Checnya, and in the case of the Woolwich incident, both perpetrators had equally strong links and family ties with Nigeria.

Both sets of killers were Muslim fundamentalists and both were “known to the intelligence agencies” of their respective countries.

As for the two British men of Nigerian descent (whose names I refuse to mention) that cut short the life of this brave young and heroic British soldier in the prime of his life for doing absolutely nothing wrong, may they both die a slow and terrible death and may they rot in hell.

Femi Fani-Kayode is a former aviation minister.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 15

Boko Haram: Jonathan’s positive move

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here was some positive news from the presidential villa this week: President Jonathan ordered the release of suspected Book Haram militants who have been held without charge.

Details of the freed prisoners are still classified as state secrets, even as I write. Informed sources are however saying that between 90 and 100 women and children are to benefit from this first phase of the presidential directive on the release of Boko Haram followers.

I call on the freed women and children to go home and offer prayers and thank their God for their survival. The recent history of military involvement in quelling internal insurrections in Nigeria is such that anybody who survives the ordeal has no option but to thank his God. Take a flash back to Odi, Bayelsa state, November 20 1999, when the Nigerian military invaded the predominantly Ijaw town. Prior to the invasion, twelve members of the Nigerian police were murdered by a gang near the town - seven on November 4 and the remainder in the following days. In revenge, the military invaded and proceeded to indiscriminately attack the civilian population and the town’s buildings. Men, women and children were killed abundantly.

Additionally, every building in the town except the bank and the health center was burned to the ground.

Then followed a similar attack in the Sankera axis of Benue State – mistakenly known in popular parlance as the Zaki Biam massacre. A detachment of the Nigerian Army invaded Sankera in a reprisal attack for the alleged cold blooded murder of 19 soldiers in Zaki Biam. The murdered soldiers

were on a mission to restore peace in area following ethnic violence between the Tiv and the Jukun in neighbouring Taraba.

In that operation, the entire Sankera axis was cordoned off by soldiers with an armada of armoured tanks that were given air cover by helicopter gunboats. The military juggernaut then proceeded to unleash systematic terror on unarmed civilians. At the end of that military action, hundreds if not thousands of persons including women, children, young and old were massacred with many of the women violated in that gory expedition.

Prominent amongst the victims of the attack was a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt_Gen. Victor Malu, whose houses were burnt and relations killed in the invasion. Same was the fate of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Chaha and lots of other prominent indigenes of the area.

Then, as recently as 16April 2013 came the Baga massacres.

This came after members of Boko Haram engaged government soldiers at a military post outside Baga town, killing one of them.

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Emmanuel Yawe 08024565402 royawe@yahoo.com According to residents, soldiers returned with reinforcements supported by armored vehicles.

They are alleged to have doused homes in gasoline and set fire to the village, shooting villagers who attempted to flee. Some hapless villagers attempting to escape into Lake Chad drowned there, while others were able to escape into the surrounding bush. Casualties were said to be especially high among children and the elderly.

This background explains my stand at the beginning that the freed prisoners owe God dozens of prayers; firs, because they survived the anti Boko Haram

encounters and now because they have regained their freedom.

Needless to say, any community that takes on the military in Nigeria invites the ordeal of Odi, Zaki Biam and Baga on itself.

It is a new day in the war against Boko Haram. The Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces wasn’t in this mood until recently. In March this year, President Goodluck Jonathan was in Damaturu on his first visit to Yobe and Borno states since his election nearly two years ago, where declared emphatically; “You cannot declare amnesty for ghosts. Boko Haram are still operating as ghost.” The president was responding at that time to a call by the Sultan of Sokoto urging him to use the visit to declare amnesty to Boko Haram fighters as a way of ending years of deadly insurgency in parts of the North.

Something must have turned the stiff necked president around. Soon after then, the President inaugurated an amnesty committee on Boko Haram. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who calls himself

In March this year, President Goodluck Jonathan was in Damaturu on his first visit to Yobe and Borno states since his election nearly two years ago, where declared emphatically; “You cannot declare amnesty for ghosts. Boko Haram are still operating as ghost.” The president was responding at that time to a call by the Sultan of Sokoto urging him to use the visit to declare amnesty to Boko Haram fighters as a way of ending years of deadly insurgency in parts of the North.

the President’s ‘attack Lion’ said the man had to bow to pressure from notable personalities from the North, who pleaded for an amnesty deal to stop further killings by the sect. Dr. Datti Ahmad who was appointed a member of the amnesty committee however rejected the offer on the grounds that in his earlier efforts to broker peace with the group, the President had rejected his advice that the detainees, specifically women and children be freed. It is therefore to the credit of the President if he sacrificed his personal conviction and principle to bring an end to Boko Haram in the interest of public good.

Boko Haram and its destructive philosophy to me must be wiped out. But this cannot be achieved by force of arms and armaments, no matter how massive they may be. We must however agree that there is something fundamentally wrong with a society that throws up the likes of Maitatsine and Boko haram. In northern Nigeria, the high rate of illiteracy and poverty, the almajeri system of education that churns out graduates without skills are all factors responsible for these kinds of social upheavals.

The military could only be useful in these circumstances in stopping the mass killing of innocent citizens. But to fashion out a long lasting solution, something less dramatic but more fulfilling than military action needs to be done. I hail President Jonathan for setting free the women and children who have been held in detention for only God knows how long. He must however take a step further and design a more sober and all time solution to the Boko Haram scourge.

All that is scandal becomes old news

By Akin Adesokan

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ewer events have generated as much indignation during President Goodluck Jonathan’s tenure as the controversial pardon of his former boss, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, early last month. Yes, we know of the subsidy removal of January 2012 and the renaming of the University of Lagos by presidential fiat later in the year. But these were quickly or eventually reversed, perhaps because of the overwhelming outrage collectively expressed by Nigerians, especially in the first case. But I think that the reversals came because, in the scheme of things, the president could not really afford to fritter his political capital on these relatively insignificant issues.

The big game is still at large, his advisers must have calculated, so why allow these civic matters to lay your trap to waste. And what is the big game? Second-term tenure in the presidency come 2015.

Having come to power against the wishes of the power bloc in Northern Nigeria, and not sure of

continuing acceptance in the other power bloc in the Southwest, Jonathan’s best bet remains the emerging bloc called South-South, his own political base, so to speak.

But even that cannot be taken for granted, politics being what it is, and Nigerian politics for that matter.

In addition to an uncertain political climate, there are several bees buzzing in the bonnet.

Henry Okah, an acknowledged leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, remained unsullied by the horse-trading that passes for politics, and was conceivably a person of integrity.

But Okah was in trouble.

Having been arrested and put on trial for the 50th independence anniversary explosions at Eagle Square in Abuja, Okah’s political value hung in the balance. Some of his statements to the court were leaked to the press, which indicated that persons close to the president had allegedly tried to blackmail him, but there was no knowing how he stood with the people in the South-South, the

political base he shared with the president. Only the president and his close advisers knew this.

Could the decision to pardon Alamieyeseigha have something to do with the political calculus around Okah’s trial? Look at this way. The militancy in the Niger Delta that grew out of the widespread state violence of the 1990s bred an astute sense of political awakening, which MEND did a lot to institutionalize, even with the travails of Asari Dokubo and, later, Okah. The emergence of politicians like Alams, Jonathan, Peter Odili, and many others can be traced to this political awakening.

The same process explained the indispensability of this geopolitical zone to the calculations of the ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party, in the run-up to the 2007 general elections: the Vice-Presidency just had to be zoned to the SouthSouth. Jonathan, initially deputy to Alamesigha until the latter was impeached, arrested, and convicted for money laundering charges, progressed from that

office to the governorship, then the Vice-Presidency, until circumstances thrust him into the President’s office. All in a little over three years.

Of all these figures, only Okah remained outside official politics.

Whatever his current travails, he is certainly not without his own constituency. Jonathan has benefited most from the political fortunes of the region, in actual terms. His ascent to the office of the president is a historic feat, and points to the legitimacy of the case for the redress of the imbalances in Nigerian politics, especially as far as the Niger Delta is concerned.

It appears that there is not a single political camp in the region, even in the smaller zone that is Bayelsa. On the national stage, the menace of Boko Haram and the fallout of wrangling within the ruling party seemed to be weakening the president’s hold on the party’s bridle. His desire to contest the forthcoming election was heading for a dead-end.

So, what to do? Okah’s trial looked likely to end in at least a

conviction, and if this happened without a counterbalancing development, the hold on power would be weaker still, his influence in the Delta eroded.

And so came time to rehabilitate Alamieyeseigha, the president’s former boss, a man reputed to be extremely influential among the leadership of the disarmed militant groups.

When he returned to his base after jumping bail in 2006, the former governor was warmly welcomed by his people. He was not a suspect in a criminal case; he was a victimized defender of their rights. If the president was going to lose some of his influence as a result of Okah’s conviction, it would seem like the perfect idea to regain more of the same by getting an equally stalwart figure on his side.Barely a week after the official pardon, Okah was sentenced in South Africa. The scandalous is old news.

Professor Adesokan teaches literary theory at the Indiana University in the United States.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

INSIDE FCT COURTS

Judge orders tenant to pay N642, 000 to landlord

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n Abuja High Court on Thursday ordered a tenant, Mr Victor Alele of Games Village, Airport Road, Abuja, to pay his landlord N642, 000 and quit his apartment immediately.

Delivering judgment in the matter, Justice Angela Otaluka held that the plaintiff’s claim against the defendant was established by the evidences before the court and were not challenged by the defendant. ``The plaintiff’s claim against the defendant, based on the evidences before the court, is incontrovertible and unchallenged. ``From the records before the court, the defendant was given ample time to respond and appear in court, but he decided to be absent,’’ she said.

Otaluka said that based on the above circumstances, the court had no option than to enter judgment in favour of the plaintiff and order the defendant to pay his rent arrears and quit the apartment. ``The court, therefore, holds that the landlord, having proved her case, should have an unfettered right to her property, and orders her to enter and repossess her apartment from the tenant. ``The defendant is, hereby, ordered to pay to the plaintiff the sum of N58,333.33 monthly from July 1, 2012, until he vacates the apartment, as well as N20,000 as out-of- pocket expenses,’’ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Ngozi Ihekwaba, Alele’s landlord, had sued him for refusing to pay his rent for 10 months or quit the apartment after a notice was served on him.

Ihekwaba, led in evidence by her lawyer, Mr Ezenwa Anunmu, told the court that Alele paid N700,000 for a year in July 2011, which expired since July 1, 2012.

The plaintiff said the defendant refused to renew the tenancy agreement by failing to pay his rent when due and also refused to quit the said apartment after he was issued a quit notice. ``The defendant was issued the statutory six months quit notice, but he refused to quit and or neglected to deliver the property to the owner. ``At the expiration of the said quit notice served on the defendant, a seven-day notice of owners’ intention to recover possession was also served on him, all to no avail,’’ Anunmu said.

NAN reports that Alele, who had refused to receive the service of court summons and was served by pasting on his door, did not enter appearance in court.

He was also not represented by a counsel. (NAN)

Scavenger out for business, along Masaka/Keffi road, Nasarawa State.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Court jails driver 190 days for tricycle theft

O

ne John Terhumba,a driver who was sentenced to 190 days imprisonment by an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for stealing a tricycle popularly known as Keke-Napep, valued at N375,000 said it is the work of the devil.

Terhumba, of no fixed address, was convicted by Senior Magistrate Zubairu Mohammed, but was given an option to pay N7,000 after he pleaded guilty to the offence.

He said, ``I am very sorry, I will not do it again, it is the work of the devil.’’

… It is the work of the devil, says accused The senior magistrate, while pronouncing judgment on the matter, said the accused’s plea was important but that he had to punish him to serve as deterrent to others. ``I put into consideration the plea of the convict as he did not waste the time of the court in admitting his offence, but the punishment will serve as deterrent to others,’’ Mohammed said.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Fiday

Idi, had told the court that one Hadiza Joshua and two others, all of Gwarinpa Village, Abuja, reported the case at the Gwarinpa Police Station, Abuja, on May 21.

Idi said that the convict burgled Joshua’s house and took away the tricycle that was parked inside the house, with registration number QZ 268 JJE. The prosecutor said that while Terhumba was removing the tricycle, he was sighted by

people in the neighbourhood who raised an alarm.

He said that the convict was arrested and handed over to the police, and that the offence he committed contravened Section 287 of the Penal Code.

Section 287 states that whoever commits theft in or from any building, tent or vessel shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or with fine or with both. (NAN)

Police drags female distributor to court for alleged criminal trespass

O

ne Gladys Joseph, a female distributor of beside Presido Hotel, Berger quarry Road, Mpape, Abuja, in a Wuse Zone 6 Magistrate Court, for alleged criminal trespass.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Musa Abdullahi, said that on May 18, one Binta Bunu, of International Food and Beverage Limited, Pedora Close, Maitama, Abuja, reported the accused to the Maitama police station.

According to Abdullahi, the

accused has been a distributor with the International Food and Beverage Limited since December, 2012.

He added that, on that accord, she was given free accommodation of a one-bedroom apartment by the company in February 2013. ``By April, she stopped functioning as a distributor for the company and was asked to vacate the apartment on April 20. ``She refused to vacate the said apartment and as such, have

criminally trespassed into the property,’’ Abdullahi informed the court.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Counsel to the accused person, Mr Kalu Anyaele, applied for bail of the accused on the premise that the offence was bailable.

He also supported his application with Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which presumes an accused

innocent until otherwise proven.

The Presiding Magistrate, Mr Emmanuel Iyanna, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100,000 and one surety, in like sum who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

He added that the surety must have a fixed and traceable address and produce utility bills in respect of the said residence.

Iyanna, thereby, adjourned the case to June 12, 2013 for hearing.

(NAN)

Boy jailed 3 months over stolen property

A

n Abuja Grade 2 Area Court in Kado on Thursday sentenced one Ibrahim Umar, 17, to three months imprisonment for being in possession of an air-conditioner suspected to be stolen.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr. Abdullahi Alhassan, told the court that, on May 16, Cpl. Ibrahim

Adamu attached to the State Criminal Intelligence Department (CID), Abuja reported the matter to the Mabushi police station.

Alhassan said that the complainant had said that, the convict, a scavenger at Mabushi dumping site, was caught with an air-conditioner suspected to be a stolen property.

He said when Adamu and one other officer attached to the CID questioned the convict, he was not able to give a satisfactory account of the air- conditioner in his possession and was thereafter arrested.

The convict pleaded guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor said the

offence contravened Section 319A of the Penal Code.

The offence carries a maximum of six months imprisonment or with fine or both.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Ahmed Ado, therefore, sentenced Umar to three months imprisonment or to pay a fine of N5, 000. (NAN)

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

FCTA sets up Polio/ Immunisation eradication task force

AEPB, Police, others sanitise Utako Park

By Adeola Tukuru

T

T

he FCT Administration has said a task force would embark on a new micro planning for each area council with the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) coming first as the biggest council.

The Minister of State for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, said this in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with the members of the Expanded Task force on Immunisation and Polio Eradication.

Akinjide said that the number of immunisation teams in AMAC should be increased to ensure adequate coverage of all the

settlements in the area council. ``The new micro plan has been developed in consultation with the development partners such as UNICEF, WHO and National Primary Health Care Agency,” she said.

She also added that a state of emergency in the primary health care sector with particular emphasis on the immunisation sub sector.

She said that the time had come to get rid of polio in the FCT and ensure that the primary health care system was functioning optimally.

Akinjide said that the team had challenged itself to ensure proper funding of polio eradication in the

territory. ``We are going to involve everybody from all sectors, including our development partners to ensure that we get rid of polio in the FCT. ``Everybody has a role to play, from the office of the minister of state, the secretary, health care, Area Councils chairmen, traditional rulers and religious leaders,” she said.

She said that the funding for immunisation would be paid at four levels -- Federal Government, FCT, development partners and area councils.

The minister said that the money from the area councils

would be deducted at source as a first line charge.

The Secretary, FCT Primary Health care Development Board, Dr Rilwan Mohammed, said that the meeting was called to assess performance, challenges and the way forward on polio eradication in FCT. Mohammed said that the task force had embarked on a sensitisation programme to churches, mosque, market places and houses on the need for polio immunisation.

He said that one of the challenges faced by the board was non-payment of vaccinators by the area council’s chairmen.

A female teacher of the Ummahaitul Muminin , Women Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies , Malama Hassanatu Muhammad Musa (5th right), in a group photograph with the graduating students, during their 1st Qur’anic graduation ceremony (Walimat), on Saturday, at Sabongari–Bwari, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Abaji chairman charges councilors on unity

By Adeola Tukuru

C

hairman of Abaji Area Council , FCT, Hon. Yahaya Garba Gawu has charged the newly sworn-in the Vice Chairman and ten Councilors representing different wards in the council to co-operate with each other and

share political differences so that ways for making meaningful laws will be enormous.

According to him, the purpose of governance is to impact on the lives of the people positively especially government at the third tier which is closest to the people.

In his words: “We took over

from a government that has performed creditably well in infrastructural development, it is in this regard that I want to challenge all of us to seat tight and have the mindset of providing service to our people and not to enrich ourselves”.

“You will recall that during

our electioneering campaign the slogan was “Continuous Transformation” which has affirmed our desire to key into the transformation of Mr. President and the mission of our able FCT Minister of building a model Federal Capital”, he said.

Bwari harps on peace among residents

By Usman Shuaibu

C

hairman of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Peter Yohanna, has called on the newly elected councilors as well as vice chairman-elect to maintain peaceful co-existence among their people in the area.

He also employed the elected councilors to shun

any act capable of generating crisis in their areas, noting that meaningful development cannot take place in a state of chaos.

Yohanna, who made the call an address delivered during the swearing- in of the elected councillors in Bwari at the weekend, urged people of Bwari to put aside their indifferences and work for the progress and

development of the area council.

The Chairman called on the elected politicians especially those politicians who did not win the election to support leadership of the council, saying that one who did not make it today could make it tomorrow.

In his words: “We must, therefore, not allow anything to impede the current wheel of progress in the council”.

He appealed to the staff of the council to continue to cooperate with his administration in the area of implementing the policy thrust of the administration.

On his part, the Vice chairman of the council, Hon. Abubakar Bala Matawalen, said that he would work hand in hand with the chairman for the progress of the area.

By Stanley Onyekwere with agency reports he Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) at the weekend carried out a clean off exercise at Jabi motor park, Abuja.

The exercise was a jointly carried out by the Police, Civil Defence Corps, the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the the exercise, illegal structures, shacks and make-shift restaurants, which had taken over the parks, were removed.

Speaking to NAN on the exercise, Mr Uche Agbanusi, the Deputy Director, Environmental Health and Safety of the board, said the exercise became necessary as the illegal structures had taken over the park, meant for buses.

According to him, the board noticed an abnormal situation whereby motorists had to load in front of the parks.

He said the board had planned to dislodge the motorists in front of the park but discovered later there was no space within the park for the vehicles. ``Our survey showed that illegal structures had taken over the park, thereby, forcing the vehicles owners to park outside. ``The space meant for public cars and buses going in and out of Abuja have been taken over by abandoned cars and trucks, illegal kiosks, restaurants and other structures. ``Before this clean-up, we had series of meetings and sensitisation programmes on health and security with the various unions and drivers in the park. ``Also, we have directed the illegal business operators to vacate the premises by giving them ample time. ``We also noticed that the instruction was not acted upon, so we wrote to the various unions operating in the park about today’s clean-up. ``So far, they have cooperated with us,’’ he said.

The deputy director said AEPB would have to open an office inside the park to be able to monitor the state of things to avoid a recurrence of such misuse.

An official of the park, Mrs Chidi Ibe, said the exercise was timely, stressing, ``The park is not a restaurant or shopping plaza. ``We invited the security operatives to ensure safety of the officials and workers in the park in case of trouble by the affected persons. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 17

Manpower, funding, major challenges at Kubwa General Hospital - MD

How would you access the Health sector particularly in the FCT, what are their lapses and what you think can be done?

So far so good; I think the health sector in the FCT has come a long way from the past where there has been scanty facilities to handle the plenty or many cases that we have to now a situation where there is a lot of improvement of government, private hospitals even though is still very inadequate considering the influx of patients coming from all other states especially in the bordering states to access the FCT health care that has been a big challenge but we have been able to cope.

At Kubwa General Hospital, how have you been able to manage the influx of patients?

Since we started with the opening of structures, we now have more spaces and facilities in the FCT hospitals especially here, it has been a lot of challenges to cope with the influx of patients. What we have tried to do is to see how we can increase the number of bed spaces that will accommodate more than what we can get in the past and also to increase the number of staff. I can say that in the last few weeks we have received few numbers of additional serving Doctors, Laboratory scientists, Nurses

Doctor, Ahmed Danfulani is the Medical Director of Kubwa General hospital, FCT. In this interview with Adeola Tukuru , he listed the achievements of his administration, their major challenges and the lapses facing the health care sector in the Federal Capital Territory, what can be done to ensure better service delivery to the residents , its environs and other matters. Excerpts: even though is still very inadequate but we are improving day by day , we have tried to improve on all of those areas so that we can increase our access of health facilities to the residents of Kubwa .

Can you briefly highlight your past and present achievements?

In the past what we have tried to do is to ensure that most basic facilities that will be necessary are made available in Kubwa general hospital and I can tell you that from that short period till now we have been able to ensure that virtually most basic health facilities and personnel are available ranging from the Eye clinic ,dental services ,introduction of Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) services ,Radiological services ,the Mortuary which is already functional and the expansion of existing facilities are been undertaken such as the laboratory and the Surgery department ,very soon we are doing to have Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and we are also planning to expand our Pharmacy to a much more bigger one than what it is

Dr, Ahmed Danfulani now and lastly we are trying to have an admission for Psychiatrists patients.

What are your major challenges so far?

Like I said earlier, manpower is a very big issue here because the large number of patients that comes to the hospital everyday correspondingly increase to the number of manpower, the rate at which they come is now been merged with rate of manpower that we need. Our second challenge is funding so that we can tackle some of these problems. We are also having a little bit of Security challenges

whereby patients are threatening our staff on a daily basis.

What are your needs from the Federal government?

My wish for this hospital is that more structures should be put in place, because in actual facts this is the nearest centre for Kubwa residents and Kubwa is a very large place, there is the need for the Federal Government to increase the capacity of this hospital especially the admission hospital, bring more equipments and manpower so that the residents of Kubwa will have no reason to drive down to town to access their health.

Malaria has been a major disease in country, what is your advice for the people in order to avert malaria.

Malaria is a very big public health issue and I think government is doing a lot to attack the menace of malaria, there has been so many interventional approach that the government is doing which I think the people should take advantage of most especially cleanliness of our environment is paramount by ensuring a very clean

environment . Then next is the use of Insecticide Treated Mosquito nets, Malaria can be transmitted when one is bitten by Mosquitoes.

The Net should be used on a regular basis that will ensure that one don’t get infected and then prompt treatment, once you begin to notice signs and symptoms of malaria especially in babies , children and pregnant women they should immediately come to the hospital for early treatment to avert the disease. One must also adhere strictly to the treatment ratio, don’t start the treatment and stop midway because you feel better, that malaria can come back much more severe.

I also wish to appeal here that the public should appreciate the challenges being faced by health workers in serving them. A lot of people will want quick services but that is not possible, for example when we have 3 to 4 doctors attending to over two hundred patients, so I urge them to wait patiently to see the doctor. Don’t be very unruly to the health care workers because they are all here to serve you better.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 19

INSIDE

Banks’ nonperforming loans drop to 3.8%

- Pg 20

N316bn investment for new Abuja industrial park - Pg 21

R-L: President, Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Ag. Company Secretary, Mr. Ityoyila Ukpi, and Vice-President, Dangote Group, Alh. Sani Dangote, during the 4th AGM of Dangote Cement Plc, recently in Abuja.

Nigerian exports remain weak

N

igerian oil exports are set to remain well below last year’s average in July, according to official export programs, as thefts and sabotage have continued to harm the country’s oil infrastructure, though the news has left the market nonplussed.

Nigeria plans to export just 1.92 million barrels a day of oil in July, according to details of Nigeria’s crude shipments provided on Friday to Dow Jones Newswires by traders active in the market.

That’s up from June when planned exports were scheduled to fall to a four-year low of 1.76 million barrels a day, but still well below the country’s average export volume of 2.24 million barrels a day last year, according to the website of the Joint Organizations Data Initiative, which gathers official data from member countries.

However, oil market analysts said the production cut has had little effect on oil prices, as booming production thousands of miles away in the U.S. shale oil fields has diminished the risk that these disruptions would affect the end consumer.

“It used to be that supply

disruptions were a problem,” said Olivier Jakob, Managing Director at Swiss consultancy Petromatrix. “Now (Nigerian supply cuts) are welcome to balance the market, and that says something about the structural change.”

“

Nembe Creek pipeline for repairs. Shell Petroleum Development Com of Nigeria Ltd. said that around 150,000 barrels a day of production had been deferred because of the shutdown.

The market’s indifference

However, oil market analysts said the production cut has had little effect on oil prices

Nigeria’s output has fallen this year as a result of damage to pipelines caused by attempts to steal the oil carried within. The stateowned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), said last month that production in the first quarter of the year fluctuated between 2.1 million and 2.3 million barrels a day, compared with expectations 2.48 million barrels a day.

In April, Royal Dutch Shell PLC’s Nigerian subsidiary said it would be unable to fulfill contractual deliveries of Bonny Light crude oil after a high number of thefts forced it to close the

”

to the fall in Nigerian cargoes comes as the U.S. production boom is already taking its toll on the country. Nigeria, which historically counted the U.S. among its largest export markets, saw its shipments there nearly halve last year.

This weaker demand for Nigerian oil means that, despite the disruptions in supply in the last few months, prices for the country’s oil have weakened, said TorbjornKjus, an analyst at DnB NOR. “It’s not only the supply now, but it’s also the demand from all of the key sources,” he said. “The U.S. is kind of slipping away.”

Speaking at a conference in Oxford earlier this month,Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke said, “shale oil has been identified as one of the most serious threats for African producers,” which could knock 25% off their oil revenue.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is expected to discuss the impact of shale oil on its members at its meeting in Vienna this week, several delegates from the group told Dow Jones.

Nigeria’s statistics chief has almost figured out the - Pg 22 economy

MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY

4 things every team needs

N

o matter how big or small your team or what its goal is, there are four things it needs to succeed. As a leader, it’s your job to help your group create and adhere to each of these: A meaningful common purpose. Most teams are responding to a mandate. But to be successful, your team must “own” this purpose by developing its own spin on it.

Specific performance goals.

Develop measurable goals to inspire your team and inject a sense of urgency. Shared goals require everyone to focus

on their collective effort, rather than on differences in titles or status.

Commitment to how the work gets done. At the onset, agree on who will do what jobs, how you will establish and honor schedules, and how you will make and modify decisions.

Mutual accountability.

You can’t force trust and commitment.

By agreeing upon purpose and goals, your team members forge their accountability to one another — not just to the leader.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 20

Money Market Company News

Sterling Bank Plc

S

terling Bank Plc and Westgate Computers have synchronised plans with Intel Corporation to increase effortless access to technology and improve the quality of living for its teeming customers and youths in general through the Sterling Bank-Intel new laptop acquisition scheme.

A statement by the bank said the new PC acquisition scheme was a scale-up on the ‘Create Your Tomorrow’ campaign rolled out by Intel late last year.

Speaking on the collaboration, the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Yemi Adeola said the scheme was sequel to last year’s and was sought to reinforce Intel’s commitment to being the sponsors of tomorrow and fuelling the potential of technology in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Checks revealed that this type of type of investment is proving increasingly popular with Nigerians, but finance can be hard to obtain from UK banks for anyone not living in the UK.

Banks’ non-performing loans drop to 3.8% Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Thursday revealed that the ratio of non-performing Loans (NPLs) in the Nigerian banking industry have reduced to an average of 3.8 per cent as at April this year, compared to the 35 percent it was as at November 2010.

This was largely attributed to the reforms and cleanup in the industry.

The CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido

Sanusi disclosed this in a conference on risk management organised by the CBN in Lagos.

The decline was as a result of the purchase of over N4.7 trillion NPLs in the industry by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Sanusi said.

Risks to the banking system include “rising flow of hot money into the financial system and terrorism,” he said.

He disclosed that presently, the country has 11 months

T

N

Accion Microfinance bank

A

ccion Microfinance bank Ltd has consistently worked towards the achievement of its mission to economically empower micro-entrepreneurs and lowincome earners as it has served over 100,000 customers with N1.8 bn of loans in 2012.

The gross loan portfolio of the bank grew from N89.8m in 2007 to over N1.8 bn in 2012, representing 1904 percent increase. Within one year period, the bank’s savings grew by 26 percent to N543m in 2012, from N432m the previous year.

The result of the financial year ended December 31, 2012 revealed that the bank’s loan portfolio grew to N1.8 bn in 2012 from N1.5 bn in 2011, representing a 20 percent increase.

rate stability which is an integral component of our price stability mandate at the central. Therefore, they were basically just looking at the capital gains and what they will make from the interest rate.

“Having said that, I think one of the greatest lessons from this is that we will benefit from getting as much information as possible.

Certainly, if we do have an oil price shock, there is a risk of reversal of capital flows”, he further said.

AMCON to pay bondholders N1.7tr in December – Sanusi

News Corp

ews Corporation in the UK has announced it will officially split its publishing and entertainment businesses on 28th June.

Its board approved the separation into two firms, which will both be headed by the current chairman and chief executive Rupert Murdoch.

The publishing firm will retain the News Corp. brand, while the other will be renamed 21st Century Fox.

imports cover, assuring that even it drops to eight months, it won’t hurt the economy.

Sanusi insisted that the CBN has enough “room” to support the naira, saying that “people should not worry about an imminent risk of devaluation.”

He added: “By 2012, about 90 percent of the portfolio flow that came into this country actually went to the equities market and not fixed income. Basically, the major consideration for the investors was exchange

Inflation rates from May, 2012 to Apr, 2013 Max = 12.9 %, Min = 8.6 % for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 9.1% Source: CBN

he Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria will pay N1.7trillion to holders of its bonds by December 2013, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, has said.

Sanusi stated this in Lagos at the National Risk Management conference, adding that bad debt bank would owe nobody apart from the CBN after December.

He said, “AMCON has bonds with face value of N5.7trillion. CBN holds N3.6tn while others belong to other public and private investors.

AMCON will pay N1.7tr to private and public holders of its bonds by December.

The remaining which belongs to the CBN will be refinanced and restructured.”

Earnings Report for Banks

Sanusi also said that Nigerians should not expect low interest rate at a time of increased government spending.

He said, “Everywhere in the world, if you have an election, that is when government spends more because at that time, you will have political office holders wanting to deliver dividends, they will want to show reasons why they should be re-elected.

“So, central bank governors all over the world know that election cycles are very difficult for monetary policy.

The point I am making is that if there is increased spending, what is likely going to happen will be higher interest rate.

AMCON said last weekend that due to the enormous progress made in its debt recovery and restructuring, as well as the “extraordinary cooperation of the Deposit Money Banks in fulfilling their commitments to the Financial Sector Resolution Fund- the Sinking Fund; AMCON is now able to retire about N2tr of its bonds during 2013 and 2014 and refinance approximately N3.6tr.”

This, according to the corporation, will enable it to reduce its bond liabilities by 35 per cent, which “is well ahead of schedule”.

The corporation had issued a three-year tenured zero coupon bonds with a principal amount of N3.9tn and a face value of N5.7tr, which had enabled it to fulfil its mandate of acquiring Eligible Bank Assets and also in recapitalising the banking system.

This helped to restore stability in the financial system.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 21

Capital Market

TOP GAINERS

Investors Newsbits

Glaxo Smithkline Plc

Source: NSE/Proshare

TOP LOSERS

T

he 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Glaxo Smithkline Plc got the pulse of shareholders as the Company approved the payment of N1.30 per dividend for its shareholders.

This was a reflection of a profitable financial year 2012, were the company recorded a N25.3billion turnover, an 18 percent increase over the previous year.

Speaking further on this stride the Chairman of the company described the stride as a remarkable performance.

Dangote Cement Plc

D

angote Cement Plc hassaid it grew its Profit After Tax from N120,941,567billion in 2011 to N152,652,762 billion in 2012 as a result of strong growth in cement sales which was at 19.9 per cent in 2012, increasing its market share with new capacity at Ibese and Obajana coming on stream.

Presenting the company’s annual report and accounts at its AGM, Chairman of Dangote Group of Companies, Aliko Dangote, said Dangote Cement sold nearly 10.4million tonnes of cement in 2012, of which all but 143,000 tonnes was produced domestically at the Group’s own plants.

“This represents a 19.9 per cent increase in total sales compared to 2011 with sales of locally produced cement rising by 50 per cent.

Sales of imported cement represented the clearing of stocks imported in late 2011”, he disclosed.

Union Bank UK

N

igerians planning to invest in the United Kingdom (UK) Property market can now heave a sigh of relief as Union Bank UK, a member of the Union Bank of Nigeria Group, is set to facilitate such investments.

The bank has put in place an investment outlet tolet mortgages to purchase properties in London, and across the UK, fo r Nigerian citizens, both living in Nigeria and overseas.

Checks revealed that this type of type of investment is proving increasingly popular with Nigerians, but finance can be hard to obtain from UK banks for anyone not living in the UK.

NSE ASI appreciates by 1.20% Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

E

quity transaction on the floor of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) last week recorded a loss of a total of 0.172 billion shares as a turnover of 2.120 billion shares worth of N25.676 billion in 31,806 deals were traded by investors in contrast to a total of 2.292 billion shares valued at N24.025 billion that exchanged hands in 29,048 deals the previous week.

However, the NSE AllShare Index (ASI) appreciated by 1.20% to close on Friday at 37,350.53 while the market capitalization of the listed equities on the mainboard advanced by 1.20% to close at N11.939 trillion and the NSE-ASI and NSE-30 Indices appreciated by 2.49% and 2.47%, respectively.

Analysis of the activity in market the Financial Services sector (measured by volume) accounted for 1.484 billion shares valued at N12.673 billion traded in 16,807 deals.

The Consumer Goods sector followed with 158.061 million shares valued at N5.679 billion traded in 6,284 deals.

The Banking subsector of the Financial Services sector was the most active during the week (measured by volume) with 1.105 billion shares worth N10.439 billion exchanged by investors in 11,839 deals.

Volume in the Banking subsector was largely driven by activity in the shares of Skye Bank Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, UBA Plc and Fidelity Bank Plc. Trading in the shares of the five banks accounted for 681.026 million shares, representing 61.65%, 45.89% and 32.13% of the subsector, sector’s turnover and total volume traded during the week, respectively.

The Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services subsector of the Financial Services sector, boosted by activity in the shares of Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc followed on the week’s activity chart with a subsector turnover of 220.151 million shares valued at N298.891 million traded in 974 deals.

All except one of the NSE sectoral indices also appreciated same as during the preceding week:

..as equity market loses 0.172 billion shares NSE Consumer Goods, NSE Banking, NSE Oil/ Gas, NSE-Lotus II, NSE Industrial Goods and NSE-ASeM Indices

‘Regional integration to drive next growth of Nigerian capital market’

A

s the second largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is the biggest frontier market in the continent and clearly the most influential country in West Africa, but the next momentous growth of its capital market will be driven by integration of West African markets, says an expert.

Iwa Salami of the School of Law and Social Sciences, University of East London United Kingdom, who is billed to speak at the 4th Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) 2013 North America Conference, which will focus on ‘Nigerian Capital Market in West Africa: Opportunities and Challenges’, is expected to give practical strategies to achieve this objective.

She will also discuss regulatory and structural

N316bn investment for new Abuja industrial park

V

ice-President Namadi Sambo, last Thursday, maintained that the new Idu Industrial Park in Abuja is projected to attract over $2 billion (about N316 billion) Direct Foreign Investment into the country.

He made the remark during the ground breaking of the industrial park.

He said the park is in line with the Federal Government’s national implementation plan under Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 and would facilitate competent investors and manufacturers to establish small and medium scale industries in the city.

The park, he said, is fashioned in line with the

guideline and philosophy of the Abuja master plan.

He said, “This project when completed will provide further testimony to the success in the implementation of Federal Government transformation under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Commending the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, for his level of ingenuity in ensuring wide spread infrastructural development in the territory, Sambo said the thrust of the national implementation policy is to promote private sector investment through the

advanced by 2.51%, 3.20%, 1.45%, 5.09%, 1.76%, and 0.31%.

However, NSE Insurance Index, depreciated by 2.83%.

creation of an enabling environment that will allow for substantial improvement in efficiency, productivity and profitability in manufacturing and other key sectors of the economy.

Sambo continued: “I was telling the minister that I am highly delighted and impressed with his performance because from the helicopter, right from the villa up to this location, it is project, after project and project after project.”

Earlier, Senator Mohammed said 250 hectares of land had been allocated to the industrial park, adding that the project is private sector driven.

barriers that have to be removed for capital market integration within the ECOWAS region to become a reality.

Speaking ahead of the conference, organised by Financial Nigeria International Limited, publisher of Financial Nigeria magazine, in partnership with Nigerian Export – Import Bank, with the support of Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC, she said, “For growth in the Nigerian capital market to be effectively harnessed through capital markets integration, the domestic legal and financial regulatory frameworks need to be strengthened.

This would require strengthening financial regulatory standards in all Anglophone states of ECOWAS. It would also require effective legal and judicial systems able to enforce contract, property and insolvency rights in a timely manner.

The conference, which will assess and discuss the policy anchors of mediumterm country outlook of Nigeria, will provide expert assessment on the state of the Nigerian capital market and how efforts to develop the West African regional capital market can enhance the growth of the Nigerian capital market.

NDFF 2013 conference, which will hold on 4th – 5th June, 2013 at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center in Washington DC, United States, will feature plenary sessions on Nigeria’s finance and investment climate, and targeted market policy briefings on the first day.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 22

Business Analysis

Nigeria’s statistics chief has almost figured out the economy

By Xan Rice, Abuja

O

fficials who spent their days under a mango tree falsifying forms; Villagers who were reachable only by canoe or whose first inclination was to attack the census takers.

Such a huge suspicion of government that businesses refused to provide data.

These were among the challenges that greeted Yemi Kale when he was appointed Nigeria’s Statistician-General two years ago – and some of the reasons why his quest to provide more accurate gross domestic product figures for Africa’s second-largest economy are taking so long.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has been working since early 2012 to gather enough data to rebase Nigeria’s GDP, which is at present measured against output and consumption patterns from 1990, when booming sectors like mobile telecommunications and the “Nollywood” film industry did not exist.

Most developed countries change their calculations every five years.

Analysts expect that Nigeria’s economy, which the NBS put at $258bn in 2012, will see a significant upward revision after rebasing, as happened in Ghana in 2010, when GDP grew by 60 per cent following a similar exercise.

Renaissance Capital said

Statistician-General of the Federation, Yemi Kale in a report this month it expected a 40 per cent increase Nigeria’s economy, which would measure it at $361bn, using current figures, close to that of South Africa’s, which is estimated at $385bn.

With growth of 6.6 per cent, more than double that of South Africa, Nigeria could soon have the bragging rights as Africa’s biggest economy.

“I am not allowed to be a betting man,” Mr Kale said, “but my gut feel says there will be a sizeable increase in our GDP. I think it is understated.”

Nigeria’s rebasing exercise was originally supposed to be completed

“

The NBS is still deciding on whether to make 2010 or 2012 the new base year for the GDP calculation.

A larger economy will increase percapita GDP, now at about $1,650, and make the budget deficit and debt-toGDP ratios smaller. But it will also highlight the low tax revenues and lack of savings from oil revenues, with just $6bn in the Excess Crude Account, down from $9bn in January.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala last year but the finish date has repeatedly been postponed.

Mr Kale admits he underestimated the size of the task. His staff are still collecting information on nine areas of the economy, including the prolific Nollywood industry, mining, hotel and restaurants, non-governmental organisations, and the huge informal sector, which is only partially accounted for under current measurements.

Censuses of the agricultural and business sectors, which were last surveyed in the mid-1990s, also need to be done. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and African Development Bank (AfDB) are providing technical assistance.

“I can guarantee that it [the rebasing] will be done in 2014, hopefully in the first half of the year,” Mr. Kale said. “But it depends how fast we can get moving with these surveys. We have

to make sure we get it right.”

The NBS is still deciding on whether to make 2010 or 2012 the new base year for the GDP calculation.

A larger economy will increase per-capita GDP, now at about $1,650, and make the budget deficit and debt-to-GDP ratios smaller.

But it will also highlight the low tax revenues and lack of savings from oil revenues, with just $6bn in the Excess Crude Account, down from $9bn in January.

The rebasing will offer a different and more representative picture of the economy. Agriculture, which last year made up 40 per cent of GDP, is likely to decrease in influence, with telecoms and entertainment sectors given larger weightings.

Credible data on Nigeria are in high demand, particularly from foreign investors who view it as an increasingly attractive frontier market, Mr Kale said.

Nigerian governments have not always seen it that way.

The NBS “was a place you were sent if you offended your boss” and had an annual budget of just $1m for data collection in 2011.

The response rate for most surveys was just 50 to 60 per cent. For business questionnaires it dipped to 20 per cent, leading Mr Kale to question whether the official economic statistics were accurate.

“We had good household data, not so much for GDP. But I don’t think the numbers were so bad that they misguided public policy,” he said.

With his budget having risen six-fold, data collection and quality has improved, Mr Kale says, and he is “100 per cent comfortable” with the growth rates reported since his appointment.

Even so, the NBS’s growth and poverty statistics have come under the spotlight recently, with the World Bank pointing out the “puzzling contrast” between the numbers.

GDP has increased by an average of 7 per cent for the past decade but poverty rates only declined slightly from 64.2 per cent to 62.6 per cent. Unemployment has risen to 23.9 per cent.

(Source: Financial T i m e s . c o m )

PAGE 24

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, Illegal / Wrong Parking to kindly Call KAROTA through the following number - 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on - 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888.

www.kn.gov.ng/new/

T

99th KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

he administration assumed office two years ago as a result of a free, democratic, and peaceful election. This administration is proud of this, and has since inception worked so hard to improve the social-economic situation of the State after the dismal performance of the immediate past administration. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso inherited a debt of over N70 billion, numerous abandoned projects worth billions of Naira with public servants on strikes due to either failure to fulfil promises or unpaid salaries. The first few months occupied Government’s attention towards the setting up of viable base for the development of the State. The administration’s key programs are in the sectors of education, agriculture, housing, health, commerce, Yourth and women empowerment.

Throughout the election campaigns, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso had made strong commitments to the people of the State to the development of these sectors. Education is now being made accessible to all with the construction of more schools, classrooms and laboratories.

The Government is expanding educational infrastructure in order to cope with the demand of the teeming population. More than 2000 qualified teachers were employed to man these schools. In the process of improving the quality of teaching staff hundreds are sponsored for higher education.

Of recent, agreement was reached for the sponsorship of teachers under the Science Technical School Board to attend training in Britain. This is besides the establishment of a new university, the Northwest University, which has already admitted over 1000 students.

On agriculture, the administration is determined in its transformation through the provision of inputs, such as fertilizer, mechanization, and training. Agricultural institutions, such as the Livestock Institute, Poultry Institute, Farm Mechanization Institute, Irrigation Institute and Fisheries Institute were established to train the teeming youths in modern methods of agriculture. Fertilizers worth over N4 billion were procured and distributed to farmers for rain and dry seasons farming periods. The aim is to ensure that farmers are engaged in agriculture all year round. Efforts are being made to transform the State farmers from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

Because of the importance attached to infrastructural development, the State is changing as roads construction within and outside the metropolitan Kano is consuming over N100 billion, while over N7 billion is being expended on housing projects at Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo cities. The administration is aware of the need for the provision of good shelter leading to this gigantic housing progress never seen in the history of the State. These cities are being established to be serviced by adequate drainage systems, roads and other infrastructures.

To accomplish more Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, presided over the ninety -eighth (98th) sitting of the Kano State Executive Council meetings during which deliberations were held upon policy issues and programs among which approvals were granted for release of funds to enable execution of various projects that positively touch on the lives of the citizenry and spans all sectors in a bid to provide complete transformation.

Reflectively, two sectors were highlighted in the most recent respective two (2) sittings (i.e. the 98th and 97th sittings). These comprised the Education and Agricultural Sectors. Vivid and tangible achievements were highlighted as accomplishments that have already transformed the highlighted Sectors. This way, road construction and infrastructure was focused upon during the ninety-ninth (99th) Kano State Executive Council sitting held today Wednesday 22nd May, 2013 (12th Rajab, 1434 AH).

The sitting was premised on the central theme “Provision of reliable Road infrastructure”. So, Council restated the incumbent administration’s resolve to continue with efforts of the construction of roads within and out of the metropolis. This was heralded by the granting of approval by Council for the release of the sum of N2,799,180,827.37 during its ninety fourth (94th) sitting to enable the construction of Tsanyawa Local Government five kilometer road, Yantaya to Kofar Dawanau road and Myoangu road.

Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, presided over the ninety-ninth (99th) Kano State Executive Council sitting today Wednesday 22nd May, 2013 (12th Rajab, 1434 AH) during which thirty seven (37) memoranda were submitted for deliberation from seven (7) MDAs. Twenty four (24) memoranda deliberated upon by Council were approved for execution with an expenditure of Three Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty Three Million, Eight Hundred Ninety Thousand, Three Hundred and Six Naira, Thirty Kobo (N3,283,890,306.30) covering twenty (20) projects. Thus: 1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT This Office submitted twenty two (22) memoranda on behalf of some MDAs for deliberation by Council. Ten (10) of them were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for Funds to Extend Assistance to the Bereaved Families of Two (2) Deceased Officers who were Victims of Terrorists Attacks on 25th February and 11th March, 2013 respectively:Office of the Acting Director General, Special Services Directorate requested the release of the sum of N2,000,000.00 to the bereaved families of Dahiru I. Majiya (Commanding Officer, MOPOL 9 Kano) and Bala Muhd. Juyi (Deputy Director, Entrepreneurship Institute, Kano). The two (2) Officers were killed by unknown gunmen. The request was approved.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of N1,000,000.00 to each of the respective bereaved families making a total of N2,000,000.00 in all.

In the same vein, the families of Late Soldier in the person of LCPL Musa Abdullahi and two (2) others PTE. Adamu Murtala and CPL Emmanuel Iriniya were submitted. The first person died while the other two (2) sustained injuries during a raid operation conducted on duty at Unguwa uku on 31st March, 2013.

ENGR. RABI`U MUSA KWANKWASO Executive Governor, Kano State Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N1,000,000.00 in respect of the three (3) persons to be distributed as follows; i. Family of deceased Soldier LCPL Musa Abdullahi = N500,000.00. ii. PTE Adamu Murtala

= N250,000.00. iii. CPL Emmanuel Iriniya = N250,000.00.

Approval was granted as requested by Council for the release of the sum of N1,000,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Office of the Acting Director General Special Service Directorate for disbursement to the respective families of the victims. b. Request for Funds to Offset Bills of Recurrent Bandwidth Charges Installed in Six (6) Schools Across the State:The Ministry of Science and Technology requested the release of funds to offset bills for recurrent bandwidth charges installed in six (6) Schools across the State. Details were presented for Council’s consideration while the aggregate sum of N7,652,474.99 was requested for release to address the purpose.

Considering the significance of the request, Council approved the release of the sum of N7,652,474.99 to the Ministry of Science and Technology to offset bills of recurrent bandwidth charges installed in six (6) Schools across the State according to the specific details presented. c. Request for Funds to Refurbish Ten (10) Divisional Libraries:Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted a request on behalf of Kano State Library Board, through contents of this memorandum.

Details were presented for consideration essence of which was that first phase of the refurbishing exercise on the ten (10) Divisional Libraries was successfully executed. So, the request was for the release of the sum of N12,257,657.46 to enable execution of the remaining part of the project to completion.

Approval was granted by Council for the release of the requested sum of N12,257,657.46 to the Kano State Library Board to enable execution of the remaining part of the project of refurbishing ten (10) Divisional Libraries across the State. d. Request for Clearance and Release of Funds to Enable Conduct of the 3rd Batch Vocational Youths Empowerment for 150 Prospective Trainees:The Kano State Hospitality and Tourism Institute has just graduated its second set of 145 trainees and is set and ready to commence training of the third (3rd) batch of 150. As such, Authorities at the Institute submitted its request for clearance and release of funds for the 3rd batch of training by Council. Selection of the 150 beneficiaries was proposed to be conducted in liaison with the State Community Reorientation Council (CRC). The new training session is scheduled to commence in the first week of June, 2013.

Six (6) major courses will be covered which include hospitality studies; commercial laundry; events planning and management; interior design and decoration; art planning and drawing as well as leather work. As such, the authorities at the Kano Hospitality and Tourism Institute requested the release of the sum of N30,954,000.00 to enable conduct of the 3rd batch of training for 150 beneficiaries drawn from across the 44 LGCAs in liaison with the State CRC. e. Request for Funds to Reactivate/Functionalize Kafin – Agur Community Irrigation Project:The 500 hectares potential Kafin – Agur Community Irrigation Project is thirteen (13) years old but mostly remains fallow and unutilized. So far only 100 hectares of the 500 are currently utilized.

With concern, the Ministry of Water Resources reported to Council that

even the 100 hectares currently under irrigation requires the following attention to be fully productive: i.

Hydro – pump (6”) repairs ii.

Approach Channel re – construction iii. Re – construction of stilling well iv.

Re – construction of field channel v.

Provision of working materials So, the Ministry of Water Resources requested for the release of the sum of N3,280,000.00 to enable refurbishing of the Community Irrigation Project at Kafin – Agur.

The request was considered relevant and congruent to the Agricultural policy of the present administration as Council approved the release of the requested sum of N3,280,000.00 to the Ministry of Water Resources to enable reactivation of the 100 hectares part of 500 hectares in use at the Community Irrigation Project situated at Kafin – Agur. f. Request for Approval and Release of Funds to Purchase One (1) 250 KVA Electricity Generator for Office Use and Four (4) 20 KVA Electricity Generators for Use by The Chairman and Three (3) Board Members of State Pension Funds Trustees:The Office of the Executive Secretary Kano State Pension Funds Trustees submitted a request for release of funds to enable purchase of five (5) Electricity Generators for use as specified at the sum of N20,967,012.00 for the use of the Headquarters and management staff of the Board to address the incessant power outages to complete the initiated effort at furnishing the new Office of the Pension Fund Trustees.

Council noted, considered and approved the sum of N20,967,012.00 from the Pension Fund Trustees’ fund to purchase the five (5) electricity generators for use as stated. g. Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of the 2nd Year In Office Anniversary of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE:Office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted a request from the Committee that organized the first year in Office of the 2nd tenure of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The request was for the release of funds by Council to enable conduct of the 2nd year in Office anniversary of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Details were presented for Council’s consideration.

Prudent consideration by Council of the proposal presented prompted the approval for the release of the sum of N50,000,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to State Government for onward payment to the stated Committee to enable the conduct of a befitting 2nd year anniversary ceremony of Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The first year in Office anniversary ceremony was considered as satisfactorily conducted by Council.

2. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING Three (3) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning. All were approved for execution as follows: a. Request for the Release of Funds to Enable the Construction of Five (5) Kilometer Road Project at Tsanyawa Local Government Council Area:The Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Land and Physical Planning politely reminded Council of its approval granted for the construction of five Kilometer roads in each of the 44 LGCAs Headquarters. Yet, only 38 of the contract have been awarded and are at various stages of progress.

The laudable policy is to actualize the urban status of each of the 44 LGCAs Headquarters.

Nevertheless, Tsanyawa LGCA is among the six (6) LGCAs whose Road Project remains to be awarded. Due process was adopted and followed

by Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), which informed the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to request from Council approval for the release of the sum of N1,735,325,110.13 to enable the execution of construction of the five Kilometer Road Project at Tsanyawa LGCA. Relevance of the request and congruency of the project with the policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N1,735,325,110.13 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the execution of the construction of the Road Project at Tsanyawa LGCA according to the details presented. b. Request for Funds to Enable the construction of a Dual Carriage Way along Kwanar Yan’ Taya to Kofar Dawanau Road:The contents of this memorandum submitted for deliberation by Council reminded the sitting of the laudable policy of construction/ repairing/maintaining general infrastructure within the State especially roads. In pursuit of this, KNUPDA has identified Kwanar Yan’ Taya to Kofar Dawanau road as a strategic 1.05 Kilometer dilapidated but heavily/ frequently used road linking Aminu Kano Way, Katsina Road and Gwarzo that requires the construction of Dual Carriage Way. The road is a major entry and exit route to Kano City with very high propensity to ease traffic congestion.

The KNUPDA assessed the level of works required which informed the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to request for the granting of approval by Council for the release of the sum of N908,294,924.18 to enable the construction of the road.

Considering the significance of the request, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N908,294,924.18 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to expedite action in the execution of the stated project in view of its significance. c. Request for Funds to Facilitate the Re–construction of Myoangu Road, Nassarawa GRA, Kano:Myoangu road is one of the roads that required reconstruction in Nassarawa area. It is a major road that links Race Course Road to Arakan

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

PAGE 25

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013 Road through Nassarawa Hospital Road but has dilapidated to a stage that causes vehicular damages and accidents. Reconstruction of the road will certainly ease traffic congestion and provide easy passage for the teeming road users.

As such, details of the level of work required in the execution of the project was presented for Council’s consideration and granting approval for the release of the sum of N155,560,793.06 to enable execution of the project.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N155,560,793.06 to the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning to enable the execution of the reconstruction of Myoangu road Nassarawa GRA in view of the significance of the project.

3. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE The Office submitted five (5) memoranda for deliberation by Council. All were approved for execution as follows: a. Notification of Appreciation Submitted by the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE:The Head of Civil Service presented a correspondence from the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics in which the Association expressed appreciation to Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE for approving its demands for the implementation of CONTISS 15 migration for both Teaching/Academic and Non–Teaching Staff of Tertiary Institutions in Kano State.

Further, the Governor was applauded by the Association on his track record for favorably acceding to various labor demands, which has noticeably contributed immensely in cementing the existing cordial relation between labor and Government in the State.

Importantly, it was resolved to extend such a singular message to the Governor during the General Execution Council meeting of the Association held on 26th February, 2013 in Ozoro Delta State. Council appreciatively acknowledged the presentation. b. Request for Additional Funds to Facilitate the Conduct of Pre–retirement Training Program for the State and Local Government Employees Due to Retire:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its approval granted for the release of the sum of N5,732,000.00 during its sitting of 2nd January, 2013 for the pre–retirement training of the first batch of 333 employees of the State and Local Government Services due to retire between January and April, 2013. Yet a date has not been slated for the flag – off of the training program for the first batch of retirees. Presently, a second batch of 263 employees is due to retire from the Services of both the State and Local Governments between May and August, 2013. So, it was proposed that the two (2) batches of retirees should be merged for the training program to be conducted towards the end of May, 2013. As such, an additional sum of N1,924,750.00 was requested for release by Council to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to enable conduct of pre – retirement training program for 596 retirees at the total cost of N7,656,750.00. The program is fashioned for the participants to be exposed to various income generating/earning trades and skills in Agricultural production as well as small and medium scale enterprises.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the additional sum of N1,924,750.00 to top up the earlier released N5,732,000.00 released to the Office of the Head of Civil Service for the conduct of the envisaged 1st and 2nd batches pre – retirement training program for retirees from the Services of the State and Local Government Services as presented above. c. Presentation on Application of the Tenure Policy:The Office of the Head of Civil Service reminded Council of requests by some MDAs regarding certain issues incidental to the application of the tenure policy. Council granted approval for a Director in the Office of the Civil Service to travel to Abuja to seek further clarification from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. This official was able to discuss possible solutions to some of the thorny issues with relevant schedule Officers and obtained copies of some circulars issued to clarify similar issues, which arose in the wake of implementation of the tenure policy at Federal level. Copies were presented for Council’s perusal. Essentially, most of the requests for clarification currently receiving attention are largely from the Academic (Judiciary Institutions) and the Medical profession. They usually want to know whether or not certain categories of their Staff would be affected by the tenure policy. Established contact with Schedule Officers in the Office of the Head Civil Service of the Federation and provisions of relevant Federal Circulars prompted Office of the Kano State Head of Civil Service to recommend the following clarifications on all issues presented. Thus: i. All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government including Tertiary Institutions irrespective of their status/quasi-Legal status are not exempted from the tenure policy and should therefore take necessary action/steps to implement it if they have not already done so. ii. In line with the contents of Federal Government ruling NO. C.2262T/71/ of 23rd December, 2009, the tenure policy does not apply to Medical Consultants and Lecturers of Tertiary Institutions. However, all Medical and Academic Staff/Non-Academic Staff serving as Directors or its equivalent at Headquarters of MDAs are also affected. iii. Further, migration from Salary Grade Level to another is not, and should not be regarded as promotion. Rather, it is an adjustment based on prescribed conditionality, which does not affect the seniority or terminal point of any Officer in the Service. By implication, Officers who prior to their migration were designated as Directors or its equivalent and have spent 8 years notwithstanding their migration are affected by the tenure policy. Such Officers should, therefore, proceed with activities preparatory to retirement.

Council acknowledged the presentation and granted clearance on issues raised in the circular as clarified and directed compliance by the affected MDAs. d. Presentation of Report from the 5 – Member Executive Committee on a Bill to Provide Amendment to the Koranic Schools (Registration and Movement) (CAP. 74) Laws of Kano State 1991:In his mandated role as Chairman to the 5 – Member Executive Committee on a Bill to provide amendment to the Koranic Schools (Registration and Movement) (CAP. 74) Laws of Kano State 1991, the Head of Civil Service presented recommendations of the Committee for Council’s consideration and subsequent approval.

Arising from careful study of the Draft Law/Proposed amendments as well as intense deliberations, the Committee submitted the following observations for Council’s consideration; i. The State has already in place the referred subsisting Law. ii. The proposed amendment of the Law as contained in the Bill is in

respect of Sections 6 and 11 as tabled below. aggregate sum of N75,163,615.20 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Section Existing Provision Proposed Amendment Resources as counterpart funding and procurement of post training packages 6 No Koranic Malam shall migrate A Koranic Malam shall not abandon or for the beneficiaries of the training at Leventis Foundation/Kano State neglect any Almajiri entrusted to him

with any of his Students from Agricultural Training School, Panda for the year 2013.

one locality to another without and any Almajiri found begging in the b. Request for Funds for the Procurement of Organic Fertilizer for streets commits an offence and both the

valid Transfer Certificate.

Distribution to Farmers for the 2013 Cropping Season:Malam and Almajiri shall be liable for

Positive transformation of the Agricultural Sector is among the Cardinal committing an offence under this Law. resolutions of the present administration. Provision of correct qualitative

and modern inputs to boost agricultural production is among the cardinal 11 Any person who fails to comply with the Any person who fails to resolutions for which a lot has been achieved since inception of the present

provisions of this edict is guilty of an offence comply with the provision of administration. As such, the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources

and is liable on conviction; a. For the first this Law is guilty of an offence requested for the release of the sum of N110,000,000.00 for the purchase of

offence to a fine not exceeding one hundred and is liable on conviction for 1,000 metric tons of organic fertilizer for distribution to farmers across the

naira or imprisonment for three (3) months. a term of imprisonment which 44 LGCAs for the 2013 cropping season.

b. For a second offence a fine not exceeding may extend to two (2) years The request was considered relevant by Council as approval was granted

two hundred naira or imprisonment for four or with a fine which may for the release of the sum of N110,000,000.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture

(4) months, provided that where a person who extend to fifty thousand Naira and Natural Resources to enable the procurement of 1,000 metric tons of

is below the age of 18 commits an offence or both. organic fertilizer for distribution to farmers across the 44 LGCAs for the

under this edict he shall be arraigned before 2013 cropping season.

a Juvenile Court.

MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION iii. Based on the observations and recommendations from the Committee, Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council Council approved the adoption of the amendments to the subsisting Law from the Ministry of Higher Education. One (1) of them was approved so as to improve the regulation and management of the Almajiri System of for execution. Thus: Education in the State. a. Request for Funds to Enable Accreditation of Engineering e. Request for Funds to Facilitate Professional Training of Ten (10) Programs at Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Selected Staff of the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning:Wudil:The Office of the Head of Civil Service handled the referred issue as The contents of this memorandum notified Council of the requirements directed by Council in respect of ten (10) selected Staff of the Ministry of for the registration of graduates in Engineering to practice is the Accreditation Land and Physical Planning to undergo a one (1) year “Professional Training of the programs by Council for Registration of Engineering in Nigeria in Aerospace Survey” at the Regional Center for Training in Aerospace (COREN). As such, COREN communicated its intention to visit KUST, Surveys (RECTAS).

Wudil to conduct accreditation exercise. As such, the Ministry of Higher The Officers are to attend the postgraduate training on salary option Education requested Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum arrangement while the entire course costs an aggregate sum of N5,769,170.00, of N68,728,972.00 to enable KUST, Wudil face the accreditation visitation which was requested for release by Council to the Office of the Head of Civil by COREN. Details of the requirements were presented for Council’s Service to enable the selected Officers attend the one (1) year professional consideration. training.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N68,728,927.00 to the KUST, Wudil to enable the University satisfy its of N5,769,170.00 to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to enable the accreditation requirements for Engineering Programs. ten (10) selected Officers from the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning 6. MINISTRY OF HEALTH attend the one (1) year postgraduate professional training in Aerospace The requested sum of N28,971,535.77 was approved for release to the Surveys organized by RECTAS. The endeavour is considered in line with Ministry of Health to facilitate the procurement of the required equipment/ the empowerment policy of the present administration. furniture for the renovated Gezawa General Hospital in order to complete the 4. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION initiated project of renovating the highly required health delivery facility as Two (2) memoranda were submitted for deliberation by Council from the project is congruent with the policy of the present administration, which the Kano State Ministry of Education. Both were approved for execution. resolved to transform the health sector in its entirety.

Thus: UPDATE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE 99TH EXCO SITTING a. Request for Funds to Enable the Conversion of Challawa Cotton 1. GRADUATION OF STUDENTS FROM FISHERIES AND Ginnery into a Viable Secondary School:LIVESTOCK INSTITUTE, TUKWUI The conversion/transformation of unused/underused Government owned Council noted the successful graduation of 400 students from the fisheries buildings/structures into viable and required usage by the citizenry of the State is institute and 132 women from the livestock institute. among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration. The education sector 2. VISIT BY THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY COMMISSION TO is yet the utmost beneficiary of the policy. Many unused public buildings/facilities KANO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, WUDIL have been converted for use as Schools. Examples are; Gidan Ado Bayero, Council noted the visit by a delegation from the National University Magwan Water Restaurant, Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport Yard Commission (NUC) to Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil at Kofar Nassawara, Psychiatric Hospital Yadakunya, the WRECA Workshop and the successful accreditation of a number of courses. Similarly, Council at Tiga, which were converted to the temporary site of Northwest University, wishes to commend the Team and also assured Government’s continuous First Lady Government Girls Secondary School, Governors College, Jan Baki support to ensure that the University attains greater heights.

Government Girls Secondary School, and Technical College respectively.

3. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO THE GOVERNOR Once again, the Ministry of Education has identified the defunct Challawa Council witnessed the Presentation of Award to the Governor at a lecture/ Cotton Ginnery as a viable site for conversion into a Secondary School and symposium held on the 22nd May 2013 organized by the National Institute requested for the release of the sum of N42,678,392.28 by Council to enable of Management (NIM) as Best Governor ‘’Prudent with State Resources’’. the execution of the project.

Council also witnessed the presentation of award to the Governor by NAS for Considering the relevance of the project to the policy of the present his support to the rule of law, Good governance and Continuous Assistance administration Council approved the release of the requested sum of to the needy.

N42,678,392.28 to the Ministry of Education to expedite action in the project Similarly, Council also witnessed the presentation of an Award of of converting the Cotton Ginnery at Challawa into a viable Secondary School.

Excellence to the Governor by the Yoruba Community Kano Chapter for his b. Request for Funds to Enable the Conduct of Examinations and gigantic stride in transforming different sectors in Kano State.

Assessment of Mass Literacy Campaign Activities:4. GRADUATION OF THIRTEEN (13) INDIGENES OF KANO The on-going Mass Literacy Campaign exercise coordinated by the State STATE FROM THE NIGERIA AIR FORCE TRAINING SCHOOL Agency for Mass Education was launched by Governor Engr. Rabi’u Musa Council welcomed the (13) successful graduates from the Nigeria Kwankwaso, FNSE in May, 2012. The entire program has matured to a stage Air Force Training School who paid a courtesy call. During the visit, they that calls for the following: presented an Award to the Governor for his immense contribution towards • Conduct of Mid–Program Examinations for Mass Literacy Campaign generation of employment opportunities and educational progress in the State.

Classes including post literacy program for workers education; to assess learning 5. VISIT BY THE GOVERNOR TO MILE TWELVE(12) achievements after 3 months in order to assess program in curriculum coverage, MARKET aptitude of learners and performance of facilitators.

Council noted the visit by the Governor to Mile 12 Market, Lagos, • Conduct of Transitional Examinations for post literacy participants of where he inspected and discussed with the indigenes of Kano and other workers education program to be conducted after 9 months of post literacy Non-Indigenes making a living on the need to cooperate and ensure peaceful program in order to qualify the learners to move to the 2nd 9 months cycle of co-existence. To this end, Government is looking at the possibility of the program. incorporating some of them into the State empowerment Program.

• Conduct of external assessment by coalition of NGOs (CSACEFA and 6. MEETING OF STAKEHOLDERS/FLOOD VICTIMS OF NOGALSS), State partners in Adult Education delivery in the State to determine WARAWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT the efficacy of the program.

Council noted the stakeholders meeting in respect of Flood victims of The Ministry of Education requested Council to approve the release of the Warawa Local Government with the Deputy Governor. Council also noted sum of N8,916,900.00 to enable the State Agency for Mass Education conduct the successful completion of 70 units of phase one (1) houses, which were Examinations and Assessment of Mass Literacy Campaign Activities. constructed by the State Government out of over 800 houses at Molum Ward, Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum Warawa Local Government. The State Government is committed and has of N8,916,900.00 to the State Agency for Mass Education to conduct the stated budgeted billions of Naira for the construction and resettlement of citizens Examination and Assessments of Mass Literacy Campaign Activities. affected by last year’s flooding. The Federal Government has given a Grant 5. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES of N400,000,000.00 to assist the State in the resettlement of the flood victims.

This Ministry submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Council wishes to inform the general public that the official ceremony of Both were approved for execution as follows: handing over the keys of the first phase houses will be held soon at Molum a. Request for Funds to Enable the Settlement of the 2013 Counterpart Ward as the second phase of the exercise is in progress.

Funding of Leventis Foundation/Kano State Agricultural Training School, Council wishes to advise those who are yet to benefit from the exercise Panda:to take measures to avoid problems as the rainy season is fast approaching.

Counterpart funding of the Leventis Foundation/Kano State Agricultural 7. TRANSFER OF KANO PILLARS FOOTBALL CLUB Training School, Panda is a continuous endeavour agreed upon by the two (2) PLAYER parties on the current contribution formula of 70% Kano State, 30% Leventis Council noted the successful transfer of Kano Pillars Football Club Foundation. The 70% counterpart share funding from the State Government player, Papa Idris to an organization known as GBS Consortium, which was computed to be N52,663,615.20. Details were presented to Council for is based in London at a fee of Fifty one thousand US Dollars ($51,000). consideration. As such, the Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture Council also noted that the fee for the transfer has been paid into the and Natural Resources requested, through contents of this memorandum, Council State Treasury. to consider and approve the following: i. Release of the aggregate sum of N75,163,615.20 (i.e. N52,663,615.20 Signed: counterpart fund + N22,500,000.00 for post training packages).

Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State ii. Procurement of and allocation of one 40 – 50 Seater bus in respect of the Leventis Foundation/Kano State Agricultural Training School, Panda.

For update on the activities of Kano State Government click to www.kano.gov.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested ng/new.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Alleged N75.7bn fraud: Trial of former Minister, others resume today Stories by Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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Federal High Court in Abuja will today resume trial of former minister of works, Dr. Hassan Lawal and eight others on a 44-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, conversion, and fraud to the tune of N75.7 billion.

Lawal and his co-accused (Dr. Adeogba Godwin Ademola, Digital Toll Company Limited; Swede Control Interlink Limited; Proman Vital Ventures Limited; Nairda Limited; Siraj Nigeria Limited and Wise Health Services Limited), who were first arraigned on May 11, 2011, pleaded not guilty to the amended charge.

At the last adjourned date, an

Operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Chike Nwibe told the court, sitting before Justice Adamu Bello that Digital Toll Company Limited executed 30 percent of the project with N6.4 billion out of the N24 billion Guto/Bagana Bridge contract.

The Guto/Bagana Bridge Bridge contract designed to link Nasarawa with Kogi State was to be carried out on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) through a Build, Operate and Transfer agreement between the Federal Government and the two state governments (Kogi and Nasarawa States) on one hand, and the Swede Control Interlink Limited, the concessionaire, on the other

hand.

Mr. Nwibe, a deputy superintendent of police with the EFCC and a member of the investigating team told the court during a cross examination that Digital Toll Company Limited, the 3rd accused person in the charge has so far executed 30 percent of the contract and that only the sum of N6.4 billion was paid to the company in the course of the contract.

The prosecution witness had told the court earlier that investigation revealed that the public partners in the contract, (FG and the Nasarawa and Kogi state governments) paid their equity contribution of N6.4 billion while the private partner (Swede Control Interlink Limited) made zero con-

tribution.

He said, “Some of the documents available to the investigation team show that the N6.4 billion and other contributions in connection to the contract are to be paid into a joint account to be managed by signatories of the two parties.

“However, that did not happen as monies were most times released directly to another company, which later transformed into being the concessionaire”, he added.

Nwibe had also told the court in his testimony how a contract to build what was known as Guto Bagana Bridge project across River Benue from Nasarawa to Kogi state became an avenue to swindle the state by the former minister and his accomplices.

He disclosed how, despite objections to the handling of the contract by stakeholders, the inability of the concessionaires to pay their side of the equity fund, and the resolution not to approve further payments for the project, the former minister went ahead to release the sum of N3 billion to Digital Toll Company Limited.

Nwibe further stated that other anomalies discovered during investigation include, the award and payment of a satellite imaging contract to Sirag GIS Transport Limited to the tune of N438 million, even though the same project had earlier been awarded to Nairda Limited for N2.6 million and fully paid.

NBA comAlleged assassination: Court to resume hearing tomorrow Federal High Court in AbuCommission of the alleged act mends AU for ja will tomorrow resume either directly or indirectly. hearing in a suit linking “That the applicant’s affidaendorsing Ni- President Goodluck Jonathan vit in support of his motion on to assassination plot against the notice has not linked the 1st, 3rd, geria for UN Legal Adviser of the Akwa Ibom 4thand the 2nd Respondent to the state Chapter of the Action Conalleged acts.

Security Coun- gress of Nigeria (ACN), Barrister “That the 1st Respondent did Andem Adem. not partake in any injurious act cil seat The Plaintiff, Barrister Adem against the Applicant and was

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he Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Saturday commended African Union (AU) for endorsing Nigeria for the UN Security Council seat for a second term.

Nigeria served in the Security Council from 2010 to 2011 and is seeking re-election for another term, 2014 to 2015.

The AU Executive Council on Thursday endorsed Nigeria for the seat during its 23rd Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa.

The NBA Chairman, Lagos branch, Mr Taiwo Taiwo, who made the commendation in Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) that the approval showed that a lot was still desired of the nation.

He said for Nigeria to be reendorsed by the union after it had served in the council previously was a pointer that a good legacy was exhibited.

“The endorsement of Nigeria for the seat will have much impact on the nation’s democracy. I think it is time for the nation to prove to the world that it is truly the giant of Africa.

“The decision of the AU is very commendable and I am optimistic that the country will uphold the tenet of good work, which it is known for”, he said.

Also speaking to NAN, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, NBA Chairman, Ikeja branch, described the endorsement as a “healthy development”.

Ubani said it was undisputable that Nigeria had played frontier roles in crucial matters affecting sister African nations.

He said the endorsement of the country “bears eloquent testimonies to some of the virtues it possesses.

had in a suit told the court that there was an assassination attempt on his life by some government officials and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

In his motion for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, the Plaintiff linked the President to the assassination plot.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan asked the Court to strike his name out of the suit linking him to assassination plot against Barrister Adem.

The President, through his counsel, Cosmas Terenge Akighir, in a counter affidavit to

President Goodluck Jonathan the Plaintiff’s motion, begged the court to refuse the motion and all the reliefs sought as its relate to him.

Akaghir said in his response to the suit that the President did not partake in any injurious act against the applicant (Adem) and

was not privy to any mastermind to injure the applicant.

The Lawyer said: “That the applicant’s entire affidavit in support of his motion on notice from paragraph 1 to the last has not linked the 1st Respondent (President Jonathan) to the

not privy to any mastermind to injure the Applicant. That the deponent did not depose to the applicant’s affidavit in good faith and conscientiously believing same to be true.

“That it will be in the interest of justice that the 1st Respondent’s name be struck out in this suit”, he said.

Other respondents in the suit are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, Colonel Ibim Lawson, Captain Gambo, Corporal Hassan, Retired Captain Ini Ekong and Mr. Aniete Ekong.

Why I’m challenging my sack in Court – Maina

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he former Chairman of the disbanded Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina has dragged the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF) and the Senate before the National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting in Abuja.

The embattled former chairman is challenging his removal from office as Assistant Director of Customs, Immigration and Prison Pension Office (CIPPO), an establishment in the ministry of Interior.

Maina had a face-off with the Senate when he failed to honour several invitations by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service as well as State and Local Government Administration, saddled with the responsibility of probing the administration of pension funds to retired federal civil servants.

It would be recalled that the Senate President, David Mark, at the height of the face-off, signed

a warrant of arrest on February 2, 2013 directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar to effect his arrest.

Consequent upon the development, the police boss declared Maina wanted following a futile search for him, even though his counsel, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) claimed Maina was in the country.

The pension boss however succeeded in securing an order of a Federal High court, Abuja which quashed the arrest warrant against him and also granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the IGP from arresting him.

While quashing the order from the Senate, Justice Adamu Bello had, on March 27, held that the resolution of the Senate on that date was not valid, as same was neither gazetted nor published in government’s journal.

Part of Justice Bello’s judgment reads: “I grant an order of perpetual injunction restraining respondents from arresting the applicant

Abdulrasheed Maina on account of the warrant of arrest issued against the applicant.

“My decision is based on the failure of the Senate to annex the relevant document in its gazette.

“This should not send the wrong signal that the Senate does not have the power to summon any person for the purpose of investiga-

tion”, the Judge held.

Joined in the fresh suit before the NIC President, Justice Babatunde A. Adejumo are, the Federal Civil Service Commission, Attorney General of the Federation and minister of Justice, Clerk of the Senate as well as Clerk of the National Assembly.

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

wallybabe2010@gmail.com, 08050639900

Quality of teachers, teaching in public schools

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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he quality of teachers of every nation determines the future of that nation, since education is the fulcrum upon which development rotates. Indeed the quality of teachers is the most important factor that influences students’ achievements in the school system.

Therefore, there is no way effective teaching and learning can take place without the teacher having deep understanding of subject matter, the confidence, as well as the aptitude to effectively teach his students.

Worried by the embarrassment the country is facing as a result of low quality of teachers and poor quality of teaching being given students in both private and public schools, which reflects in the performance of students in national examinations, particularly in the two core subjects-Mathematics and English language, the federal government through the federal ministry of education initiated and currently implements policies aimed at addressing the challenges by way of boosting and enhancing teachers’ capacity through effective training, providing teaching and learning materials in schools, universities and tertiary institutions, recruiting of qualified teachers and continuous professional development at all levels, review of curriculum across all levels of education, to address the needs of all sectors of the economy among others.

Reports have shown that the national average credit pass in English language and Mathematics by Nigerian students vacillated between 30 and 37 per cent in the last five years, a development that is undermining the country’s quest for producing well rounded students and leaders who can creatively and independently contribute to national development.

Recently, at the basic and secondary level, 9 year basic curriculum was reviewed to enhance its effectiveness. For senior secondary level, a thirty four (34) trades/ entrepreneurship curriculum was developed and each student is required to choose one subject for the purpose of promoting self –reliance.

In addition, the teacher training curriculum was also reviewed to enhance the development of quality teachers and teaching.

These policies are being implemented in form of sensitization workshops, training and re-training of primary and secondary school teachers, lecturers in colleges of education, and other tertiary institutions nation- wide with a view to strategize towards assisting teachers to deepen their content knowledge of what they teach and equip them with innovative pedagogical skills suited to the specific or special needs of their students in the two subjects.

Early last month, the minister of State for education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, flagged off the first phase of the capacity building workshop for English and mathematics teachers of federal unity colleges, in the nation.

The workshop is to rehabilitate and retool the colleges with adequate learning resources in addition to improving the capacity of the teachers to effectively teach the students, particularly as in the last 14 years teachers have not gone for training.

To underscore the importance

Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i attached to the workshop, it was directed that consultants carry out a critical evaluation of the level of competence and commitment shown by the teachers through written and other exercises at the end of the workshop to determine how beneficial the workshop will be and whether it will be wise to continue to retain the teachers.

The National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) also held a sensitization workshop and training for the first set of teachereducators aimed at looking into teacher standards (TS) in the colleges of education in the country.

Speaking at the occasion, the commission’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Muhammad Ibn Junaid, said the training is part of the process of ensuring adequate implementation of Teacher Standards in colleges of Education, acquaint institutions with the contents of the standards and train lecturers on the modalities of implementing the standards for all S and T programmes in NCE awarding institutions.

The S and T standard is part of the newly introduced document to ensure quality of S and T teacher educators.

The documents will serve as a benchmark for the production

of intended specialist Teacher Educators to facilitate effective teaching and learning in the Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

It would be recalled that the documents S and T Teachers Standards and its implementation manual were officially launched by the minister of education in November, 2011.

In December 2012, the Federal Government and the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) organised the 2012 Millennium Development Goals capacity building workshops for teachers in 109 centres, a programme which was split into two and designed to target 40,000 teachers across the federation.

Just last month the federal government started the process of cooperation with the Czech government on the development of the nation’s technical and vocational education after the Minister of State for Education, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike met with officials of a secondary school – Vitkovice in Czech Republic.

The school represents Czech’s largest vocational institution.

Deliberations at the meeting were centered on the implementation process of the collaboration between the two countries to the technical and vocational education.

“

Minister of state for Education – Barr Ezenwo Wike The idea that underscores this collaboration is to overhaul the nations’ technical and vocational schools and ensure that they are relevant to the nation’s economy, train the youth in relevant trades that will make them self-reliant and also equip them with the capacity to work in companies within their environment.

The Ministry has prior to this arrangement, worked out partnerships with the Korean and Japanese governments on the development of technical and vocational education.

It is a fact that today, some of the impacts of these policies are increase in primary school enrolment by 3.7 million between 2010 and 2012, increase in junior secondary school enrolment by 1.1 million between 2010 and 2012, increase in carrying capacity at tertiary institutions by 50,000 in 2012, construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure and learning resources across all sectors of education, improved quality of education delivery through training of teachers, as well as building and equipping of libraries at all levels of education in the country.

The back to school campaign for the boy child in the South- East zone of the country where there exists high spate of boys drop-out from

Anothermajorfeatachievedbythepresentadministration in terms of boosting the education sector, is theAlmajiri education programme aimed at integrating at least 9 millionAlmajiri children into Universal basic education.

schools was also launched last year.

The aim is to address the challenges of high number of out of school boys by way of establishing and rehabilitating schools near major markets and apprenticeship centres in the south east.

Another major feat achieved by the present administration in terms of boosting the education sector, is the Almajiri education programme aimed at integrating at least 9 million Almajiri children into Universal basic education.

Presently, the construction of 400 schools for them is taking place across 27 states of the federation and the FCT and in few months will be handed over to the states.

The Girls education programme is yet another programme launched by the federal government to continue to address the high rate of girls who are out of school.

At the moment, the construct of Junior Girls’ Model Secondary School is in progress in 13 states.

However, recently in Dubai, at the global education and skills forum, President Jonathan pledged to continue to allocate 30 per cent of the country’s annual budgets to education as advocated by UNESCO. However, despite these achievements, there is the need for the Federal Government to increase the number of free text books on core subjects to primaries 1 and 2 pupils in the nation, a programme flagged off by the President represented at the occasion by the Vice President in 2011, to enable every child acquire the books.

Seconly,FederalGovernmentshould commit more resources to conduct workshops for teachers in the country and encourage them to attend regular workshops as skills and knowledge must be subjected to periodic updates.

With the programmes in place and if fully implemented and sustained Nigeria is most likely to meet the MDG goal two on education by 2015.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 28

wallybabe2010@gmail.com, 08050639900

FCE Yola inaugurates students caretaker exco

By Maryam Garba Hassan

I

n an effort to revive Students Union activities in the institution, the Federal College of Education (FCE), Yola has inaugurated a 35 Students Caretaker Executive and Representative Assembly committee to conduct elections and form a full Student Union Government.

This was contain in a statement issued at the weekend by head of information unit of the college, Bashir Abdullahi.

According to the statement, in his address at the inauguration ceremony, the Provost of the college, Prof. Abdul-Mumin Sa’ad said the management of the college under his leadership believes that the democratic participation of students in the affairs of the college will assist it in actualizing the dream of making the school one of the best colleges globally.

Sa’ad, while emphasizing the importance of student unionism, stressed that the college is not just in place to train its students to be qualified teachers but also to equip them to become better leaders in the future, the statement said.

He pointed out that the inauguration ceremony of the Caretaker EXCO was a foundation laid to enable him fulfill his promise to lift the ban placed on Student Union activities in the college about 10 years ago.

The Provost said the college management is committed to the welfare of students and has invested a lot in providing a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.

“It is important to state that because management is committed to the welfare of students, it budgeted for the complete renovation and equipping of the college Student Center, the renovation and upgrading of facilities at the college clinic that many now prefer calling “college hospital”.

“Management has made and is still making a lot of efforts in renovation of students’ hostels.

We have improved on the area of water and electricity supply to the college and we are doing everything humanly possible to sustain that within the limited resources at our disposal”, he said.

On her part the Registrar of the college, Fa’iza A. Ahmed urged, members of the Caretaker Exco to enlighten students in the college on the need to be tolerant and to avoid actions that will draw the college back in its efforts to ensure a full Student Union Government.

President of the Students Caretaker EXCO, Joshua David Adewala, while thanking the college management for its commitment to reawaken Student Union activities in the college, promised to promote and protect the welfare of the students, proffer solutions to their problems through the school management and to ensure that they improve in their academic performances.

L-R: Cross Rivers state Commissioner for Education, Professor Offiong Offiong, Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom wike, Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Suleiman Aminu and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwabiala, during the public presentation of the 2012 Federal Ministry of Education Annual Report, on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

2012 Annual report: VP commends Education Ministry

By Maryam Garba Hassan

V

ice President Namadi Sambo has commended the ministry of education for being the first to make public presentation of its 2012 annual ministry’s report.

Speaking on Friday at the public presentation of the ministry’s 2012 annual report, national education innovations exhibition for the year under review and report of the 3rd national conference on examinations, the Vice President said, the event is important because mankind’s progress depends on evaluation and record keeping.

Namadi disclosed that in the next few months, the

federal government will hand over the newly constructed Almajiri schools to states.

In her presentation, minister of education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I who presented the publications said the report of the ministry for the year under review provides the general public with the activities, achievements and actions taken by the ministry to transform the education sector and to provide information on disbursement of funds by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and its support to tertiary institutions to develop.

According to her, this is the first time the ministry is putting in the public domain, information on some of its financial commitment

from other agencies of the ministry to enable stakeholders and the wider public have access to information that can answer their questions concerning the management and utilization of resources in the sector.

She however expressed optimism that the ministry is gradually making progress towards restoring the glory of the educational institutions.

The minister added that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund is also expanding its support in the training of lecturers in higher institutions of learning and that so far, over 5,000 lecturers from across higher education are benefitting.

She disclosed that in

support of teacher Education and development focal area of the ministry’s strategic plan, President Jonathan has approved the construction of micro-teaching laboratories in all federal colleges of education and one state college of education per state at the cost of N200million for each of the 58 institutions involved adding that this will enhance the process of re-positioning collages of education to produce better teachers for basic education institutions.

Representative of UNESCO, Prof. Hassan Alidon said Nigeria is among the African countries that have signed education as key to achieving MDG’s goal.

Book on ‘Hausa Induced Error in the Use of English Language’ launched in Mubi From Umar Dankano, Yola

I

n a bid to improve reading culture and effective communication in Nigeria, a book on Hausa induced error in English language has been launched in Mubi, Adamawa state.

The book titled “Hausa Induced Errors in the use of

English: A Remedial Approach” was written by Dr. Jacob Helliandendum, a lecturer in the department of General Studies in federal Polytechnic, Mubi.

The book reviewer, Dr. Jacob Pongri, said the book is to correct the errors induced by mother tongue interference in the application of the use of syntax, semantics and phonology in day

to day use of English language.

Pongri who is the Provost of the College of Education, Hong, described the book as “timely and something necessary for the public” particularly in the northern part of the country.

He therefore enjoined the target audience to grab a copy and make use of it in enhancing their communication skills.

Chief launcher, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar and the chairman of the occasion Alhaji Gidado Sajoh, lauded the author and urged the public to patronize it.

The duo urged other lecturers to emulate the writer in contributing their quota to the education sector in Nigeria.

during the foundation’s 6th anniversary lecture in Abuja.

According to her, the story is not too different for the boys when compared with the quality and depth of knowledge they acquire from schools.

She expressed the foundation’s readiness to promote academic excellence in public and private schools and building positive

life skills that will produce self-reliant children who will contribute positively to the society.

“In line with our aims and objectives, we have engage in scholarship programme covering boarding and tuition fees to about 130 disadvantage children in remote public primary schools in Delta state in the last academic session, and awarded prizes to 250 children who have excelled

at the promotion examination in the 2011/2012 academic year”, she said.

She calls for a partnership between civil society organisations, the government and the private sector to form a fulcrum for educational development plans adding that existing resources available to government cannot shoulder all responsibilities entrusted to it by the nation’s laws and Constitution.

Philanthropist laments poor quality of education

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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resident of Emoeferotu foundation Ms. Pam Esiri, has said that only 10 percent of girls that enroll in primary one, transit to secondary school, especially in the northern part of the country.

Esiri, said this at the weekend

Peoples Daily, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 29

Synthetic medicines era is coming to an end, says Pharm. Amodu Chief Benjamin Amodu is a pharmacist and lawyer, but he has, in the last 30 years, been researching on Phytomedicines. Phytomedicines are drugs made from plants in addition to food materials or items.

The result is that the Igala, Kogi state - born Pharmacist, has made ground breaking discoveries in drugs that deal with diseases that have resisted conventional drugs.

Some of his products have been duly registered by NAFDAC and USFDA and have found their proper place in the Nigeria and US market respectively. They are being used for the management and treatment of critical diseases notably HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, cancer of any origin, diabetes, hypertension etc.

As a leading producer of herbal drugs in Nigeria for the management and treatment of noncommunicable diseases, notably cancer, the Federal Ministry of Health encouraged Halamin Herbal products, a registered subsidiary of Halamin Chemicals Nigeria Limited to participate in the International Congress LABIOFAM 2012+ 2nd Symposium of natural products in therapy against cancer in Havana, Cuba.

Amodu recently met with some selected journalists to share his experience in the field of Phytomedicine and points the way forward towards a healthier population. Excerpts:

W

hy did you set up Halamin Herbal Products?

Halamin Herbal Products was set up essentially to showcase the rich endowment of Nigerian herbs especially those from my own area; Igalaland in Kogi State. I have been researching on it for the past 30 years.

There have been misconceptions about herbal medicine and herbal products, what is your take on this?

At a meeting in Netherlands, the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO)told the whole world that the synthetic medicines era are coming to an end, that we should embrace herbal.

Having carried out survey in the whole continents of the world, it was found out that over 80 per cent of the world population (that is over five billion people) depended on their folklore medicines and that all we needed to do is to subject these folklore medicines to stability testing and non-toxicity testing, and that once these folklore medicines satisfies these two parameters, it should be registered by relevant agencies for human use.

It amazes WHO that over 80 per cent of the world’s population could depend on herbal medicine even including educated people who have taken them without telling their Doctors.

What I mean is this, for instance in my Igala Area, there is a leaf which if you are having headache, they place it on your head and the headache goes. That was processed further into a capsule and it is administered as capsule to treat headache in modern medicine today.

What differentiates Halamin Herbal from the rest of herbal medicines?

Halamin Herbal Products are completely different from the rest because ours is Phyto-medicine.

Halamin Herbal Products are extracted from the food we eat.

Our 12 anti- cancer recipes, our anti-malaria drugs known as SAABMAL which the WHO has given its nod for, on which some Oxford University professors, unknown to us have investigated.

We are 153 members in the Commonwealth of Nations and this group of professors went to investigate, if what we claim have been manufactured or copied from anybody or groups and before they informed us, they have gone to over 89 countries which are more than half of the member countries. They found out that those countries are not aware of what we are doing at Halamin Herbal Products which means that what we are doing here is original to us.

These professors got in touch with us saying that they are happy working with us. So, our products from Halamin Herbal products are purely gotten from the food items that we have consumed for many years without problems.

If you look at what happened in the jailing of the manufacturers of “My Pikin” drugs as a result of the use of chemicals as an admixture that caused the product to become poisonous, this can never happen with our products because all our product are purely from the foods we eat. We do not have any chemical in any of our procedures but are well blended in such a way that if you don’t get the blend it will not give you the therapeutic effect.

How would you

Pharm. Chief Benjamin Amodu, inventor of Phytomedicines describe the availability of Halamin Products?

For now, we are in talks with a top level marketing company which will soon kick-start the marketing of our products in order to make them readily available to the Nigerian market and beyond. Beyond that, we have pockets of relationship with marketers here and there.

What has delayed our coming out in full now is the approval we are waiting for SAABMAL. We believe that SAABMAL will be the main driving force in our range of products.

This is because the issue of malaria is so much that once the approval is ready; it will now drive the marketing of other products in our stable.

We have complied with all the requirementsfromtheNationalAgency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). As we speak now, our staff is sending the final materials online to NAFDAC. What is your stand on so much emphasis on communicable diseases?

HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A, B, C, Tuberculosis all fall into communicable disease group. Well, we don’t know what informs or directs the world public policy on health but I think with the hue and cry all over the world about the need to look at the non-communicable diseases is because in 2007, non-communicable disease was responsible for the death of about 35 million people, representing about 60 per cent of deaths all over the world. In 2008, it was responsible

“

for the total death of 36 million or 63 per cent of the total death of 57 million people.

So, non-communicable diseases remain the number one killer of human beings all over the world.

However, it is now gladdening that WHO is now focusing its attention on non-communicable diseases but we are happy that, today in Nigeria, we have been able to use food to deal satisfactorily in the areas of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Communicable diseases are HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E as well as Tuberculosis . SAAAB, HAABS and DAABS herbal capsules (already approved by NAFDAC ) will take care of these mentioned wasting diseases. When we talk about noncommunicable diseases, what do we refer to? Cardiovascular diseases, Hypertension, Myocardiac infarction, Ischeamia, Cancer, Diabetes, Stroke, chronic Kidney diseases etc. These products take care of these diseases without generating any side effects.

What would you say about the rise in infertility cases?

It is still very difficult to pin point the causes of rising infertility.

We don’t know whether it is the prevailing economic conditions, the prevailing lifestyle changes, but once in the lifetime of both the man and woman, a short reckless lifestyle might have taken place.

Again, there is this neglected issue of toilet infections all over the world.

For Nigeria in particular, the incidence is very high and most

for instance in my Igala Area, there is a leaf which if you are having headache, they place it on your head and the headache goes. That was processed further into a capsule and it is administered as capsule to treat headache in modern medicine today.

people are not treating it the way that will guarantee permanent cure. Part of the problem why there is rising infertility is that the treatment is not always conclusive, partly because the couple may not have the funds to complete the treatment therapy.

Maybe as a result of the high cost of the treatment, the couple stops halfway into the treatment. But the good thing is that we have the combination that can take care of it.

I must warn that it is not an easy treatment as it takes as long as three to six months to clear. The two partners must be treated and will take as long as three to six month for proper and effective treatment to guarantee total cure otherwise, there is every tendency that it will recur. Our combination also serves as a hormonal balancer and you know that it is difficult in modern medicine to get a hormonal balancer. For women, at times their period is irregular and the flow turns black, all these are signs of infection How can disease burden be curbed?

The government to partner with us so that these drugs can be manufactured in large numbers. Since we are following WHO guidelines in the production of our products, we are not selling our products too high since that is what WHO wanted to do with herbs so that it will be readily available in every part of the country.

That way, patients will not need to travel very far before accessing our products and at affordable cost too.

As a matter of fact, we are working out on our WHO standard laboratory where we are going to be carrying out increased animal studies on different illnesses including the neglected tropical diseases which the ministry of health has been talking about.

We have already made a headway in diseases like Leishmaniasis and Ataxia which are yet to get treatment, and one of these days, we are going to make presentations to the ministry of health which, if the ministry so desires, can send it to WHO as our own contribution to public health.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 30

My Pikin: More kndos for NAFDAC

By A’isha Biola Raji

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ccolades continue to pour in for the DG of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii and his management team for securing 14 years jail term for the manufacturers of the killer My Pikin teething mixture which killed 84 Nigerian children in 2008.

In a statement signed by Abubakar Jimoh, Ag Director, Special Duties, the Managing Director of FIDSON Healthcare Plc and Vice President of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Group, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae congratulated Dr. Paul Orhii and the entire management of NAFDAC for the victory obtained through the conviction of the manufacturers of the killer, My Pikin teething mixture.

Dr. Ayebae said the celebrated judgment of Justice Okechukwu

Okeke of the Federal High Court, Lagos which handed seven years each to the two accused persons who are employees of Barewa Pharmaceuticals Ltd, the manufacturers of the killer drug, is a victory not just for the pharmaceutical industry but the entire citizens of Nigeria.

He said the NAFDAC Director General, Dr. Paul Orhii’s commitment to the prosecution of fake drug offenders combined with the deployment of cutting-edge technologies has helped to reduce the incidence of counterfeiting.

He said, “The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector is eternally grateful to Dr. Orhii for the introduction of cutting-edge technologies, WHO-Prequalification programme and other strategies that have combined to improve production capacity and standardization of the

quality of drugs in the country.”

The Managing Director called on the Federal Executive Council to approve and forward the draft bill for the amendments of NAFDAC Laws to the National Assembly in order to give impetus to Dr. Orhii’s fight against drug counterfeiting in the country.

In his words “The law should be reviewed to immediately grant NAFDAC’s request for a life sentence for fake drugs convicts.

NAFDAC’s determination to achieve zero tolerance of counterfeit drugs would only be possible if the penalties are severe enough to deter prospective offenders”.

Dr. Anyaebe also threw his support behind NAFDAC’s quest for the properties of convicts to be forfeited to government so that victims can be compensated from proceeds of sales of forfeited items.

than white men, according to the American Diabetes Association, so they should be especially mindful of the risk factors for the disease.

The National Diabetes Education Program recommends making one to two achievable goals each week to lose weight, the biggest key to lowering your diabetes risk.

Prostate health The rate of death due to prostate cancer is more than twice as high among black men as white men. And while there is no sure way to prevent prostate cancer, screenings can detect it early enough to allow for effective treatment. Talk with your doctor about when and how often you should be screened and what the screenings

and possible treatments involve.

In addition, a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise, a low-fat diet and no smoking can help reduce your chances of prostate problems, too.

Lung cancer prevention Black men have a 37 percent higher risk of developing lung cancer than white men, according to the American Lung Association (ALA). To lower your odds, quit smoking. If you have tried unsuccessfully, talk with a doctor about the many proven products or programs that may help you. Also, reduce your exposure to secondhand smoke and look into having your home tested for radon gas, the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, the ALA reports.

DG NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhi

Health tips for black men

By James Roland

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here are health tips that apply to all men, such as exercising daily and eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. But there are certain conditions for which black men are at a higher risk than other races. The reasons for race-based differences in health risks aren’t always clear, but there is well-established research to support the extra precautions recommended by health care professionals.

Diabetes prevention Black men are 1.6 times more likely develop type 2 diabetes

Diet plan for an obese person

By Markee Marchini

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balanced diet is the same for all sizes of people, but obese people might have a greater challenge when it comes to diet. Influences from media and health fields often wrongly causes a negative stigmatization of obese people leading to increased pressure for weight loss.

Background Body weight is the result of calories consumed and calories

burned. If the calories eaten are greater than the calories used, the excess calories are converted into fat.

Fat cells in the body grow in number and size as excess calories are consumed. During periods of weight loss, the fat cells shrink in size, but do not decrease in number. For this reason, weight loss maintenance is often challenging for people who were once over weight. Physical activity is vital for increasing metabolism and maintaining weight.

Calorie needs of obese people Calorie needs are different for every individual based on gender, body size and activity level. Obese people need more calories than normal weight people. An obese adult woman needs 1800-2000 calories per day and an obese man needs 2000-2400 calories per day. If weight loss is desired, it is recommended to decrease your intake by 300-500 calories per day. It is important not to consume

less than 1200 calories per day.

Balanced diet 5 food groups have been outlined as a helpful for any obese person wishing to maintain a healthy diet. The food groups are grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat.

Beans servings per day are based on calorie needs. Eating variety from each food group is necessary to prevent nutrient deficiencies. The USDA also recommends a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity per

day as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Speculation Obesity is not a measure of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, obese people are wrongly stigmatized as unhealthy. The most important contributors to good health are physical activity and intake of a healthy diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Happiness and personal fulfillment are personal feelings and should not be determined based on body size.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 31

Developing and managing the mineral wealth of Zimbabwe for tomorrow By the Herald

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HE mining sector in Africa constitutes one of the largest industries in the world.

Africa is the second biggest continent, with 30 million km² of land, which implies large quantities of resources. For many African countries, mineral exploration and production constitute significant parts of their economies and remain keys to economic growth.

The continent is richly endowed with mineral reserves and ranks first or second in quantity of world reserves of bauxite, cobalt, industrial diamond, phosphate rock, platinumgroup metals (PGM), vermiculite, and zirconium. Gold mining is Africa’s main mining resource.

However, in spite of this rich mineralisation African countries are still wallowing in poverty. The primary problem has been the racist and colonial natural resource laws in Africa which empower the investor at the expense of the citizenry who are the bona fide owners of the resource.

Based on this flawed framework most of the mining deals and activities on the continent have been opaque and detrimental to Africans. Corruption by both public sector and private sector players has compounded the malaise. Secondly, mining in Africa has been largely extractive without beneficiation or value addition.

This has led to African countries exporting cheaply priced raw commodities, while importing expensive refined products. The lack of meaningful benefits to African people from their natural resources is a key part of what is currently being described as leakage of resources from the continent.

African leaders and industrialists need to make a lot more noise about the leakage of money from the continent.

Plugging the leaks is one of the major ways of keeping Africa’s growth steady. If this is addressed we will have enough resources on the continent.

We will have sufficient investable capital from the continent. This will smash the current unsustainable overdependence on foreign aid and foreign direct investment.

Intra Africa investment and investment outflows from the continent into the rest of the world will become practical propositions.

African governments and societies must harness the opportunities created by natural resources effectively. They must ensure the huge opportunities for economic development and prosperity provided by resource discoveries and commodity booms will never again be missed. Some of the poorest countries in Arica have large amounts of natural resources and these can provide a pathway out of poverty.

Yet in the past, these opportunities have often been missed, and resource abundant countries have consequently remained poor. Natural resources have the potential to be transformative if they are properly harnessed for development.

However, the decision chain from the discovery of natural assets through to their conversion into a productive economy is long and complex. This

is why the process has so often been unsuccessful on the African Continent.

Africa is too rich to be poor.

It is within this continental context that we assess Zimbabwe’s mineral strength and how it can be leveraged to improve the quality of our people’s lives. The recent work of Paul Jordan and ZEPARU has been instructive in identifying the key policy issues with respect to the mining sector in Zimbabwe, in particular around geological and mineralization issues.

Their research findings must inform and lay foundation to discussions in the Chamber of Mines.

Zimbabwe has a rich and diverse minerals resource base that should be an important contributor to sustainable growth and development.

The sector has rebounded dramatically from the hyperinflation economic crisis and with dollarisation the value of mineral production has increased six-fold to about $3 billion in 2011.

However, if this increased mining activity is to ultimately result in more than just holes-in-the-ground, the crucial mineral linkages need to be realized while the resources are still extant.

Zimbabwe has an extensive mineral value proposition. These mineral assets are mainly found in the following geological formations and bodies: The Greenstone Belts: Gold and silver, as well as considerable resources of iron ore, nickel, copper, cobalt and podiform chromite, also chrysotile asbestos (Mashaba Igneous Complex), limestone, pyrite and antimony; The Great Dyke: PGMs5 & Au with associated copper, nickel and cobalt. Also, chromium (chromite seams), as well as minor asbestos and magnesite; The Magondi Super group: Copper and silver (Dewera Group); The Karoo Basins: Considerable bituminous coal, coking coal, anthracite and coal-bed methane (CBM) resources; The Carbonatite Igneous Complexes:, phosphate (Dorowa, Showa); Kimberlite pipes: diamonds (Murowa, River Ranch); Pegmatites: Lithium minerals, columbite-tantalite, cassiterite, et al; Recent alluvial & placer deposits: Gold and diamonds (from Umkondo conglomerates).

Paul Jordan and his colleagues have emphasized that in order to optimise the economic linkages the current “colonial” minerals governance regime of “free mining” needs to be fundamentally overhauled to both encourage the discovery of new mineral deposits and to maximise

the developmental impact of known mineral assets through public tender against developmental outcomes.

In this regard a Mineral Cadastre Information Management System (MCIMS) being developed by the Ministry needs to be operationalised quickly. The current historically high mineral prices fuelled by strong Asian appetite are likely to continue for the next couple of decades, so long as the major Chinese and Indian economies continue to display robust growth.

Zimbabwe needs to take advantage of this window of opportunity to use its finite mineral resources endowment to catalyse wider national economic growth and development through the maximisation of the key economic linkages.

Zimbabwe’s mining sector has continued to be the lead in economic performance, contributing an estimated 16 percent to GDP in 2012, up from 13 percent in 2011. The sector also continued to lead in export earnings, rising to USD2 billion in 2012, from USD1.8 billion in 2011.

The major drivers of this growth in export earnings were diamonds, platinum and gold. Overall, mineral production maintained its upward trend, meeting most Medium Term Plan (MTP) projections for 2012.

This year, 2013, looks no different, assuming the current momentum is maintained.

Militating against higher growth rates, however, is the unavailability of medium to long term credit facilities for working capital and recapitalization requirements as well as perennial power shortages.

These enablers, if they remain unresolved, will continue to be major impediments to potential growth targets. Being number six in the world in terms diamond resource (potential control of about 25 percent of world diamonds), having 90 percent of world platinum between us and SA, and having extensive Gold deposits, Zimbabwe has massive natural resource potential. In fact, in terms of what is called the natural resource per capita we are number one in the world. So, why are we poor? Why are we hungry?

This 74th AGM of the Chamber is fortuitous as it occurs while we are currently fashioning a new mining policy framework leading to new Mines and Minerals Act. This policy seeks to ensure the sustainable development of the mining industry and its contribution to the economy.

The current Mines and Minerals

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How is this possible if claims have no value or their value is said be difficult to determine? Discovery of a mineral resource should not mean ownership.

In fact once a country has established its geology and mineralisation, the claims can be auctioned.

A diamond sorter evaluating the quality of the stonesPhoto: De Beers Act is clearly now an archaic piece of legislation which is in dire need of upgrading to bring it up to date with modern trends in the global mining industry and the country’s current and future aspirations. More specifically and accurately the current Act is a colonial law that empowers the investor at the expense of national interest.

The Government is working on having this Act repealed in its entirety and have it replaced by a totally new Mines and Minerals Act that caters for the dynamic modern day needs of the sector, while resolving historical institutional injustices.

Mining in itself is clearly not sustainable, as it depletes finite national assets. However, mineral extraction can indirectly become sustainable in so far as it catalyses sustainable economic activity in other, sustainable, sectors, through maximising the economic linkages while the resource is still in existence.

Strategies to develop these complex and diverse linkages are therefore key elements of the new mining policy. Mining proceeds must be used to develop secondary industries linked to the minerals, and other industries not linked to mining at all. Schools, hospitals, roads and community housing must also be spear headed by mining activities.

This way, when the mineral resource is exhausted the Zimbabwean economy and its communities can continue to flourish.

In redesigning the mining policy and laws in Zimbabwe we seek to achieve sustainable exploration, extraction, utilization, management, marketing and beneficiation of minerals.

The objective is to understand the status quo, and then fashion a framework for developing and managing the mineral wealth of Zimbabwe for posterity. The foundational objective is to ensure sustainable, shared and inclusive economic development of the country.

A key reform of the mining laws is that the right to mine should be linked to payment for the value of the un-mined asset.

As the State we must know the value of each mineral claim. This requires comprehensive knowledge

of our geology and mineralization.

Quantification and valuation of the un-mined asset should be done before engaging investors. New technologies such aero-magnetics, big data, and cloud computing must be deployed.

The state must invest massive resources in exploration The difference between working capital and equity capital must be understood and factored in all mining deals. The value of the un-mined asset is the country’s contribution to equity and the investor must acknowledge and match this. The investor’s contribution to equity must not be confused with working capital they deploy. Working capital must be separate and in addition to contribution to equity capital.

The situation where the value of the un-mined asset is not reflected on the balance sheets of corporates is not acceptable. Unmined assets have value and can be leveraged. How can mining claims have no value, and yet corporates list them on foreign stock exchanges and raise billions?

In some cases the investor goes on to sell the claims (they got for free) to other investors for tonnes of cash.

Moreover, when claims (green fields) are handed back to government serious cash is demanded.

How is this possible if claims have no value or their value is said be difficult to determine? Discovery of a mineral resource should not mean ownership. In fact once a country has established its geology and mineralisation, the claims can be auctioned.

The management of natural assets can be improved within a given political system by both domestic and international actions.

In setting the tax and royalty rates, the government faces an internal agency problem. The government must delegate the negotiation to a small group of its members and resource extraction companies have a strong incentive to bribe these individuals.

To protect itself the government needs to adopt a process that is transparent. Secret negotiations are ideally suited to corruption. The agency problem is compounded by an information problem.

Source: allAfrica.com

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

AU leaders tackle conflicts on the continent

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frican Union leaders have met to tackle ongoing conflicts on the continent, a day after the pan-African bloc celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Long-running unrest in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo dominated the start of the two-day AU meeting, as leaders from the Great Lakes region met for the first time since signing an agreement in February aimed at restoring peace in the region.

“A lot of progress has been made... I think we will be able to fix it, the Congo is going to be fixed,” Tanzanian President JakayaKikwete said after the meeting on Sunday, on the sidelines of the main summit at AU headquarters in the Ethiopian capital.

Tanzania is sending 1,280 troops to join a new United Nations brigade with a mandate to conduct “targeted offensive operations” against rebels in DR Congo’s mineral-rich east.

However, UN chief Ban Kimoon was more hesitant, saying that while progress was being

President DilmaRousseff (L) at the African Union summit in Ethiopia. made, promises on paper must be enacted on the ground.

“We will need the test of implementation,” said Ban, who visited the flashpoint Congolese town of Goma last week as part of a regional tour.

Leaders are also expected to discuss a proposal to urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to back off the trial of Kenya’s leaders on charges of crimes against humanity.

The proposal, agreed by AU foreign ministers on Thursday,

would ask the ICC to refer the trials of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto back to their home country.

The proposal would have no legal impact on ICC proceedings if passed, but would significantly boost Kenyatta’s standing on the continent.

Kenyatta and Ruto, elected in March, both face trial in The Hague for their alleged roles in orchestrating deadly violence after previous elections in 2007.

It would be first time the panAfrican body has moved formally against the ICC, even though Kenyatta is the second African leader to face trial after genocide charges were brought against Sudanese President Omar alBashir.

Amnesty International has urged leaders to throw out the proposal it said was a “worrying attempt by the Kenyan authorities to avoid justice”.

The rights group called on the 34 AU members who have signed the ICC’s founding Rome Statute - including Kenya - to “protect the international justice mechanism they have committed to”.

Mali is also expected to be discussed at the summit. It is about to receive a UN peacekeeping force to support French soldiers who have been fighting Islamist rebels in the country’s north since January.

The agenda will also likely include Madagascar - in political deadlock since a 2009 coup - as well as war-torn Somalia, where an AU force is battling Islamist fighters.

…Brazil ‘to write off’ almost $900m of African debt

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razil has announced that it will cancel or restructure almost $900m (£600m) worth of debt with Africa.

Oil- and gas-rich CongoBrazzaville, Tanzania and Zambia are among the 12 African countries to benefit.

The move is seen as an effort to boost economic ties between the world’s seventh largest economy and the African continent.

Official data in Brazil show that its trade with Africa has increased fivefold in the past decade.

The debt announcement was made during the third visit in three months to Africa by Brazil’s President DilmaRousseff, who attended the African Union summit in Ethiopia.

“Almost all (aid) is cancellation,” Ms Rousseff’s spokesman, Thomas Traumann, told reporters.

“To maintain a special relationship with Africa is strategic for Brazil’s foreign policy.”

He added that most of the debt was accumulated in the 1970s and had been renegotiated before.

A spokesman for Brazil’s Foreign Ministry told Efe news agency that the debt restructuring for some countries would consist of more favourable interest rates and longer repayment terms.

Congo-Brazzaville owes the most to Brazil - $352m - followed

by Tanzania ($237m) and Zambia ($113.4m).

The other countries to benefit are Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, and Sudan.

Brazil has been increasingly expanding its economic ties with resource-rich Africa as part of the so-called South-South cooperation.

Trade between the two blocks went from $5bn (£3.3bn) in 2000 to $26.5bn (£17.5bn) in 2012.

Latin America’s economic powerhouse has also opened 19 new embassies in Africa in the last decade, and is forecast to grow 3.5 percent this year.

But Brazil’s hunt for natural resources has not always been easy in Africa.

Niger President warns of Libya threat

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iger President MahamadouIssoufou has said that suicide bombers who attacked two targets in his country last week came from southern Libya.

He told reporters that Libya “continues to be a source of destabilisation for the countries of the Sahel”.

Last week’s attacks on a barracks and a French-owned mine claimed the lives of 24 soldiers, a civilian and 11 militants, he said.

The bombings were reportedly planned by Algerian militant MokhtarBelmokhtar.

The attackers targeted a military base at Agadez and Areva’sSomair uranium mine in Arlit on Thursday but the operation ended only on Friday, when Niger soldiers backed up by French special forces shot dead two militants.

The president of Niger (R) with the head of French nuclear company Areva.

Belmokhtar’s Islamist Signedin-Blood Battalion said it had jointly led the attacks with the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao).

A statement said one of the

targets was French forces, who have spearheaded an operation to drive Mujao and other Islamist groups from neighbouring northern Mali.

Niger’s president warned of

the dangers emanating from Libya after a meeting with Areva chief executive Luc Oursel.

Mr Issoufou said he had already warned of the risks facing the region after the fall of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in October 2011.

“I had said that if the Libyan state turned into a Somalia or fell into the hands of fundamentalists, the solution would be worse,” he told France 24 TV. After Col Gaddafi’s death, much of southern Libya became ungovernable, armed Gaddafi loyalists crossed into Niger, and Islamists and Tuaregs went into Mali, prompting the takeover of the north of the country in 2012.

The Libyan authorities were doing their best to control a very difficult situation, the Nigerien president said, but “it is possible that in the future there would be more infiltrations”.

Deadly clashes rock Guinea ahead of poll

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t least five people have been killed when security forces in Guinea opened fire on protesters in opposition strongholds in the capital, medical sources and witnesses have said.

The violence brings to 11 the number of people killed since Thursday in unrest that began over election preparations but has frequently degenerated into looting and clashes between ethnic groups.

ThiernoMaadjou Sow, president of the OGDH human rights group, said that according to its information five people died after being shot.

A doctor who runs a private medical clinic said there were many wounded, including two girls between the ages of six and eight who had been hit by gunfire.

Government spokesman Damantang Albert Camara confirmed the toll since Thursday had risen to 11 with Saturday’s deaths.

“Rest assured that we are in the process of taking steps to stop this escalation of violence,” he said without giving details.

Legislative elections are intended to complete Guinea’s transition to civilian rule following a military coup in 2008.

The opposition accuses the government of trying to rig the vote, due on June 30, and regional diplomats have struggled to get both sides to take part in talks to reduce tensions.

The ruling party draws on the Malinke community for much of its support while the opposition is dominated by the Peul ethnic group.

Opposition activist, Mariama Bah said that people would continue to protest.

President Alpha Conde

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 33

Asia and Middle East

Two rockets hit Beirut’s southern suburbs

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wo rockets have hit a district in the southern part of Lebanon’s capital, wounding at least five

people.

Initial reports said one of the rockets landed in the Mar Mikhael district in Beirut on Sunday, while the second fell on a car exhibit on the street.

Lebanon’s state agency said security forces were looking for a third rocket that fell but did not explode.

Marwan Sharbel, the country’s interior minister, inspected the scene where the rockets fell, saying they were fired from the

southeastern side of the area but that it was too early to know who fired them.

It was an act of “sabotage”, he said.

Tensions have been running high in Lebanon as Syrian rebels have threatened to retaliate against the Hezbollah group for sending fighters to assist the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the battle to end a twoyear revolt against his rule.

Sunday’s attack came a day after a speech by the Shia armed group’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, in which he committed to fighting in Syria’s conflict.

Syria confirms role in Geneva peace conference

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yria’s foreign minister says President Bashar al-Assad’s government has agreed “in principle” to take part in peace talks in Geneva planned for June.

WalidMuallem told reporters in Baghdad that the conference was “a good opportunity for a political solution to the crisis in Syria”.

Russia and the US hope the talks will bring a negotiated end to the violence.

Syria’s main opposition coalition has said it is willing to take part if President Bashar al-Assad steps down.

A spokesman for the National Coalition, Louay Safi, told the BBC on Friday that the government would have to agree to a framework that involved a handover of power by President Assad “and his associates” as part of a settlement.

No date for the conference has yet been finalised, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry are due to discuss the planned talks in Paris on Monday with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.

Mr Fabius said in Abu Dhabi on Sunday that “there are also quite a few issues to resolve”. He also warned that the involvement of Iranian forces in the conflict meant that involving Tehran in the conference risked preventing a political solution.

The increased round of

diplomacy coincides with an offensive by Syrian forces and Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militants in the western Syrian town of Qusair.

And on Sunday, two rockets were fired at a Hezbollahcontrolled area of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Syria’s confirmation that it had in principle decided to attend the summit came after pressure from the Russian government. Mr Muallem’s announcement was also carried

by Syrian state media.

When a foreign ministry official in Moscow revealed on Friday that Damascus was planning to take part, an opposition spokesman told the BBC he wanted to hear the news from the Syrian government.

While the conference agenda is not yet clear, both Moscow and Washington have said any agreement should be based on the final communique issued in June last year, at the end of a meeting of the UN-backed Action Group for Syria.

The June 2012 communique calls for “a sustained cessation” of violence and the establishment of a transitional government that “could include members of the present government and the opposition and other groups”.

More than 80,000 people have died since the uprising against President Assad’s rule began in March 2011, according to the UN.

Al Jazeera’s Rula Amin, reporting from Beirut, said security forces surrounded the area where the rockets fell but have yet to provide more information on the attack.

“The attack does not come as a surprise and security forces had already been heavily deployed in the area in anticipation for any violence,” she said.

On Saturday, Hezbollah’s leader said his fighters were battling in Syria against Islamic radicals who posed a danger to Lebanon, and pledged that his group would not allow Syrian rebels to control areas along the

Lebanese border.

His speech offered the clearest public confirmation yet that the Iranian-backed group was directly involved in Syria’s war.

Hezbollah initially tried to play down its involvement, but could no longer do so after dozens of its fighters were killed in the Syrian border town of Qusayr and buried in large funerals in Lebanon.

He spoke as battles raged in Qusayr under fire for a seventh straight day as government forces backed by the Hezbollah fighters battled to drive out Syrian rebels.

At least 40 people were reported killed on Saturday in

what residents told Al Jazeera was the worst fighting they had seen since the start of the civil war.

Nasrallah vowed “victory” in Syria, warning that the fall of the Damascus regime would plunge the Middle East into a “dark period”.

In a televised address, Nasrallah pledged that Hezbollah would turn the tide of the conflict in Assad’s favour, and stay as long as necessary to do so.

“We will continue this road until the end, we will take the responsibility and we will make all the sacrifices,” he said. “We will be victorious.”

Iran asks the West to keep out of elections

Former president Hashemi Rafsanjani (M) was disqualified from running in presidential polls last week [AFP]

I

ran has accused the US and France of “interference” for criticising it for barring hundreds of would-be candidates in next month’s presidential election.

Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Sunday that Tehran was “highly sensitive” about comments targeting its internal affairs, while his spokesman Abbas Araqchi said: “Elections in Iran are free and transparent. They are held based on the country’s laws and regulations.”

Their comments came after the news on Tuesday that the Guardians Council, Iran’s unelected electoral watchdog, had cleared just eight male candidates out of 868 registrants to stand in the June 14 election.

Two key figures - moderate former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ahmadinejad ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaie - were

among those disqualified.

French foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot on Wednesday urged Iran to allow its people to “freely choose” their leaders.

Araqchi advised Paris against “interference in the internal affairs of others and instead focus on their own domestic problems”. He did not elaborate.

US Secretary of State John Kerry slammed the Islamic republic on Friday for disqualifying would-be candidates.

“I cannot think of anyone in the world... who would not be amazed by a process in which an unelected Guardian Council, which is unaccountable to the Iranian people, has disqualified... hundreds of potential candidates according to vague criteria,” Kerry said.

“The lack of transparency makes it highly unlikely that that slate

of candidates is either going to represent the broad will of the Iranian people or represent a change.”

Salehi warned US officials against making “unjustified” comments.

“The best advice to American officials is for them to get their information from reliable sources and specialised advisers.

“They should also be aware of the repercussions of such unjustified comments,” he said.

The June 14 poll is the first since 2009, when allegations of fraud sparked street protests against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

The election comes with Iran at loggerheads with world powers over its nuclear ambitions and struggling to cope with harsh economic sanctions targeting its vital oil income.

Japan cancels Burma debts, announce fresh loans

J

apan has announced fresh loans to Burma and cancelled the remainder of its debt with the country, as Tokyo seeks to boost economic ties.

The announcement came during a visit by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe

to Burma, where he had talks with President TheinSein.

Mt Abe pledged about $500m (£330m) in new loans and wrote off $1.74bn of Burma’s debt to Japan, officials said.

Japan, a key donor to Burma,

maintained trade ties with the country during its years of military rule.

Correspondents say Mr Abe’s visit - the first visit by a Japanese prime minister since 1977 - marks a further improvement in already warm relations.

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas

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rotests against seed giant Monsanto have been held across the US and in dozens of other countries.

“March Against Monsanto” organisers said they were calling attention to the dangers posed by genetically modified food and the companies that produce it.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Worldwide protests held against Monsanto Protests were being held in more than 250 cities on Saturday.

Genetically modified plants are grown from seeds engineered to resist insecticides and herbicides, add nutritional benefits and improve crop yields.

The company also produces many

highly toxic chemicals including pesticides, plastics and artificial food additives.

Some believe they can lead to health problems and harm the environment.

Opponents have pushed for mandatory labelling, although the

US government and many scientists have said that the technology was safe.

The Monsanto company, based in Saint Louis, said on Saturday that it respected people’s rights to express their opinion, but believed its seeds helped farmers produce more food, while conserving water and energy.

Rome mayor faces battle in Italy local elections

I

talians are going to the polls in two days of local elections seen as a test for the new coalition government.

The focus is on the Rome mayoral vote, where PM Enrico Letta’s centre-left is fighting exPM Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PfL) party.

The PfL incumbent, Gianni Alemanno, is trailing Democratic Party (PD) candidate Ignazio Marino in the polls.

Elsewhere, 565 local authorities, including Ancona, Brescia, Pisa and Siena, are also holding elections.

The results are expected to show the relative popularities of the PfL and PD after they decided to form a grand coalition government to end two months of post-general election deadlock.

BeppeGrillo’s antiestablishment Five Star Movement (M5S).which attracted a quarter of the vote in February’s general election, did not back the coalition.

He is hoping to consolidate his claim to be Italy’s biggest political force.

In Rome, Ignazio Marino was leading Gianni Alemanno by two points in recent polls.

In Rome, Mayor Alemanno was trailing by two points in recent polls.

The former neo-fascist, who has been in power since 2008, has complained of suffering from a “disastrous legacy” from his leftwing predecessors, who governed the city for the previous 20 years.

He says he has put the public

accounts “back in order”, increased tourism and expelled 61,000 Roma.

Mr Marino, a former surgeon, says he will give the capital a more transparent system of financial management, accusing his opponent of hiding the scale of the administration’s debt problems.

He has also promised to improve public transport and

give 10,000 unemployed young people who enrol on job training courses a 500-euro (£425) monthly allowance.

The third major candidate is Marcello De Vito of BeppeGrillo’s M5S. If none of the 19 candidates in Rome wins more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will

Guatemala’s ex-president extradited to US

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uatemala has extradited ex-president Alfonso Portillo to the United States to face charges of laundering $70m.

Portillo was put on a plane under the escort of US agents.

“Hasta luego (see you later), people of Guatemala,” Portillo, 61, said, after describing his extradition as a “kidnapping” and accusing the Guatemalan government of breaking the law.

“They have acted illegally against me from the beginning.

They have violated all my rights,” he said as he boarded the flight at the Guatemalan air force base, holding two books in his hands.

“I will be back,” he declared after being taken from the military hospital where he was being treated for health problems.

Portillo, who was president from 2000 to 2004, had been fighting extradition since it was approved by then president Alvaro Colom in 2011.

Following a request from a New York court, he was arrested in January 2010 as he was trying to flee to Belize. Portillo has described the case against him as a “political persecution”.

Portillo was indicted by a US grand jury on charges of embezzling tens of millions of dollars of public

Alfonso Portillo amid tight security before departure funds and laundering the money through US and European banks, including $1.5m intended for Guatemalan school children.

His attorney, Mauricio

Berriondo, said the extradition was “outside any legal framework” and was conducted “by force”.

In 2011, a Guatemalan court acquitted Portillo and two of his

former ministers of conspiring to embezzle $15m from the defense ministry in 2001. His acquittal was confirmed by an appeals court in April.

China warns EU against telecom probe

C

hina’s Premier Li Keqiang has slammed the European Union for plans to investigate the country’s telecom products and impose taxes on its solar panels, according to Chinese state media.

Cited by the Xinhua news agency on Saturday, Li said the planned measures would “not only cause serious damage to related industries, enterprises and employment in China, but will also hurt the personal interests of users and consumers in Europe.”

Li said he hoped the EU would uphold the principles of free trade while keeping ChinaEU economic and trade relations in mind.

The critique, delivered in a speech to business and financial leaders during a visit to Switzerland on Friday, echoes previous warnings by China, which has threatened the EU it will take “assertive measures” to defend its interests.

The two sides are embroiled in tit-for-tat trade disputes on items ranging from agricultural products to steel tubes, highlighting growing trade tensions amid financial uncertainties around the world.

Last week, the European Commission said it would open an anti-dumping and antisubsidy investigation into mobile telecommunications network equipment and components from China if bilateral negotiations fail.

Earlier this month, the European Commission approved imposing a custom duty of 47 per cent on China-made solar panel products to protect European manufacturers.

Li warned that if the EU goes ahead with the moves, it risks promoting protectionism and may harm Chinese companies and employment.

“In the current economic circumstances all countries should strive to maintain a stable and open international trade environment and be cautious in using trade remedy measures.”

China is the world’s secondlargest economy and the EU is its biggest trading partner.

In an apparent retaliatory move, Beijing’s commerce ministry in November launched an anti-dumping and antisubsidy investigation into solargrade polysilicon from the EU, a key material used to make solar cells.

It also recently opened an anti-dumping probe into some seamless steel pipes from the EU and other markets, after slapping punitive taxes on another type of steel tube imports from the region and Japan.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 35

Lion’s meat on menu at Burlingame restaurant Whoa-oh, here lunch comes -- and it’s a man-eater.

Lion meat is on the menu at Mokuntanya Yakitori Restaurant in Burlingame.

The meat is “reportedly as tough as the animal itself,” according to SF Weekly, and the king of the jungle on a plate also fetches a pretty penny -- $70 for one skewer, or about five ounces of meat.

This is not new for Jason Li of the restaurant, who recently has also made peacock and swan available to diners.

Animal-rights activists are stomping mad over the leonine treat. Lions are a “threatened species,” for whom going extinct is a “risk,” the newspaper reported.

There is about two weeks’ worth of lion meat in the kitchen at the restaurant, but beware: Li says last year, he sold out in seven days.

Lion

The amazing tree houses of the Korowai tribe

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n our part of the world, grownups are known to build tree houses for their kids, but there exists a parallel culture on this very planet, where the grown-ups themselves live in tree houses.

I’m talking about the Korowai tribe of Papua, Indonesia, that has engineered and survived in towering tree homes as high as 114 feet above the ground. The tribe inhabits an inaccessible jungle located 150 km inland from the Arafura Sea, and was completely isolated from the world, until 1974, when they were discovered by a Dutch missionary. The Korowai tribe consists of a small society of traditional family ties, hunter gatherers who have been quite popular with the press for their cannibalistic tendencies.

However, what’s most fascinating about the Korowai people is the way they have designed their homes. There are a few reasons why they live up in the trees – to protect themselves from swarming mosquitoes, evil spirits, and of course, troublesome neighbors.

What better way to escape the pesky next-door-neighbor than to hide up in a tree? Ideally, a Korowai tree house is constructed in a clearing, with a large Banyan or Wambom tree serving as the main pole. Once a suitable tree has been located, its top is removed.

The floor frame is laid down first, made from branches and covered with sago palm. Walls and a roof are added, bound together with raffia. Additional poles are added to the corners for extra support. The average tree home ranges between 8 to 12 meters above ground level, but some go as high as 35 meters.

Each house is sturdy enough to accommodate up to a dozen people.

The Korowai people even have house warming traditions for their tree homes. Every new home is blessed by smearing animal fat at the threshold. A typical Korowai home is inhabited by a whole family group, pets included. Larger homes have separate fire pits and living spaces for men and women.

Quite understandably, fire is one of the major dangers to these tree-

dwelling tribals. That’s why they have specially designed fire pits – with cut-away floor sections in case of accidents. Even with their superior construction techniques, the lifespan of each tree home is only 5 years.

Ever since their discovery, the Korowai tribe has been an object of fascination for the outside world.

Several articles have been written and documentaries made about their way of life. Their practice of cannibalism has been a cause of some sensation, but the truth is that the practice is only used by the tribe for criminal justice. The family of the victim is permitted to kill and eat those accused of the crime. The Korowai tribe is not just adept at constructing tree houses, but they are also excellent hunter-gatherers and horticulturalists, practicing shifting cultivation. One of their prime means of income since the early 1990s has been from selling tours into the Korowai region. And to think that just over three decades ago, they did not even know that a world existed outside of their own!

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Tribe practises finger cutting as a means of grieving

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n some cultures amputation is a form of mourning. This was especially true of the Dani tribe from Papua, Indonesia.

The members of this tribe cut off their fingers as a way of displaying their grief at funeral ceremonies.

Along with amputation, they also smeared their faces with ashes and clay, as an expression of sorrow.

It isn’t very surprising to learn that women were mostly subjected to this gruesome ritual.

The religious beliefs of the tribe prompted this sort of ritual. If the deceased person was considered to be powerful, it was believed that

their spirits would contain equal power too. In order to appease and drive away these spirits, several shocking practices were followed.

Girls who were related to the dead had the upper parts of their fingers cut off. Before being cut, the fingers would be tied with a string for over 30 minutes. After the amputation, the finger tips were allowed to dry, before they were burned and the ashes buried in a special area.

Another explanation offered for the finger-cutting ritual is that the physical pain symbolized the suffering and pain due to the loss of a loved one. In such a case,

the finger would be cut by a close family member, like the mother, father or a sibling. In a similar bizarre ritual, the tip of the little finger of babies are bitten off by their mothers. This perhaps originated from a time when most newborns died, from several causes. The hope was that by biting off the finger tip, the baby would be different from the others, and would perhaps, live longer.

The practice has been banned in recent years. However, older women of the tribe are often seen with snipped fingers – all five of them.

Photo via Digital Grin

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 36

Feet home to more than 100 fungi

By Helen Briggs

W

e all have nearly 200 different types of fungi colonising our feet, scientists have discovered.

Fungi live all over the human body, but their favourite spots are the heel, under toenails and between the toes, according to a US study.

A new map of the body’s fungal diversity could help combat skin conditions such as athlete’s foot, researchers report in Nature journal.

Harmless fungi live naturally on skin but cause infection if they multiply.

In the first study of its kind, a US team catalogued the different groups of fungi living on the body in healthy adults.

A team led by the National Human Genome Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, sequenced the DNA of fungi living on the skin at 14 different body areas in 10 healthy adults.

Samples were taken from the ear canal, between the eyebrows, the back of the head, behind the ear, the heel, toenails, between the toes, forearm, back, groin, nostrils, chest, palm, and the crook of the elbow.

The data reveal that fungal richness varies across the body.

The most complex fungal habitat is the heel, home to about 80 types of fungi. The researchers found about 60 types in toenail clippings and 40 types in swabs between the toes.

Other favoured fungal hotspots include the palm, forearm and inside the elbow.

These had moderate levels of fungi, with each location supporting 18 to 32 types.

In contrast, the head and the trunk harboured fewer varieties of fungi - just two to 10 each.

“The data from our study gives us a baseline about normal individuals that we never had before,” said lead researcher Dr Julia Segre.

“The bottom line is your feet are teeming with fungal diversity, so wear your flip flops in locker rooms if you don’t want to mix your foot fungi with someone else’s fungi.”

The study defines the normal populations of fungi across the skin, which provides a framework for investigating fungal skin conditions.

In 20% of volunteers, the researchers observed problems consistent with fungal infections.

An imbalance of microbes may provide an opportunity for harmful microbes to flourish and establish disease, they believe.

Commenting on the study, fungal expert Dr Paul Dyer of Nottingham University, said fungi could normally co-

exist quite happily on the body without causing any harm, except in people with poor immune systems.

“It illustrates the tremendous diversity of fungi that grow on the human body,” he told BBC News. “This is much higher than we previously knew.”

Source: BBCNews.com

The feet are home to a whole community of fungi

Sunshine vitamin ‘may treat asthma’

By James Gallagher

T

he amount of time asthma patients spend soaking up the sun may have an impact on the illness, researchers have suggested.

A team at King’s College

Lo n d o n s ai d l o w l e ve l s o f vitamin D, which is made by the body in sunlight, was linked to a worsening of symptoms.

Its latest research shows the vitamin calms an over-active part of the immune system in asthma.

Is time in the sun a new weapon against asthma?

However, treating patients with vitamin D has not yet been tested.

People with asthma can find it hard to breathe when their airways become inflamed, swollen and narrowed.

Most people are treated

with steroids, but the drugs do not work for all.

“We know people with high levels of vitamin D are better able to control their asthma - that connect i o n i s q u i t e striking,” said researcher Prof Catherine Hawrylowicz.

Her group investigated the impact of the vitamin on a chemical in the body, interleukin-17. It is a vital part of the immune system and helps to fight off infections.

However, it can cause problems when levels get too high and has been strongly implicated in asthma.

In this study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, vitamin D was able to lower levels of interleukin-17 when it was added to blood samples taken from 28 patients.

The team is now conducting clinical trials to see if giving the sunshine vitamin to patients could ease their symptoms . They are looking at patients who do not respond to steroids as they produce seven times more interleukin-17 than other patients.

Prof Catherine

Hawrylowicz told the BBC: “We think that treating people with vitamin D could make steroid-resistant patients respond to steroids or let those who can control their asthma take less steroids.”

She said a culture of covering up in the sun and using sun cream may have increased asthma rates, but “it is a careful message because too much sun is bad for you”.

Malayka Rahman, from the charity Asthma UK, said: “For the majority of people with asthma, current available medicines are an effective way of managing the condition but we know that they don’t work for everyone, which is why research into new treatments is vital.

“We also know that many people with asthma have concerns about the side effects of their medicines so if vitamin D i s s h o w n t o r e d u ce the amount of medicines required, this would have an enormous impact on people’s quality of life.

“We look forward to the results of the clinical trial.”

Source: BBCNews.com

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

PAGE 37

Opposition should proffer alternatives to PDP’s policies - Metuh INTERVIEW

B

y May 29, Nigerians will be marking 14 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. How would you assess the journey so far?

It has been 14 years of challenges; 14 years of successes; 14 years of addressing the rot we inherited from previous administrations; 14 years of trying to salvage, to recover a nation from the damages inflicted by previous administrations. In these 14 years the party has been able to stabilize democracy. For the first time we have witnessed transitions from democracy to democracy, from on presidents to other presidents and the biggest achievement the party has made is that it has brought democracy to stay. Secondly, is the fact that we have improved on the process of elections and democratization. The biggest achievements in democracy is making sure democratic tenets and principles are imbibed by Nigerians and parties as it is done in developed world.

The provision of infrastructurs can be done by a dictator or by the military. So, on the issue of democracy we have improved on the process of elections and the tenets of democracy. Now, President Goodluck Jonathan has been able to show that one man, one vote can work in Nigeria. We have better conducted elections in Nigeria.

On the issue of infrastructure, as a party we believe that the achievements of Mr. President and PDP government has been grossly under publicized and undervalued.

We are aware of the massive infrastructural development going on in this country. From the briefings we have been taking from the ministers, we are shocked at the developments and achievements of this particular president and his team. For the party, if we go to sectors by sectors, Nigerians can see the areas the PDP has improved the living standard of Nigerians.

On telecommunication we have better communication now and telephone is now available for all Nigerians. On issue of roads, there have been massive award of contracts by the states, by the federal, by the local governments and this is getting down to the people.

Talking about entrenchments of democratic tenets in this country, the opposition just came together to merge and form APC. Is your party worried about this development?

No we are not worried, we welcome them. The merger or coming together of tortoise cannot produce an elephant. They will still remain plenty tortoise and it is not an elephant. The fact that these

As the nation inches towards 14 unbroken years of democracy, National Publicity Secretary of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, in this interaction with newsmen appraises the situation and submits that the party has delivered democratic dividends even as he challenges the opposition to be more proactive in its criticisms of government policies. Lawrence Olaoye was there. Excerpts: are mushroom parties that have been parading as ethnic voices and religious factions cannot make them a national party. We are just disappointed that they have not lived up to billings of opposition party. We expected that by the time they are coming together that they will move to a different level on issue of how they conduct their activities. We expected that there will be debates on issues, we expected that they will tackle us on our programmes; show why our programmes are not good and show alternatives that is best for Nigerians but we are very disappointed that all the we get are insults, all we get are propaganda, lies, deceit of Nigerian people.

Our challenge to the opposition is that they should move up to the next level of politics in Nigeria.

Let them try and take up issues.

If the President or if the party or the government in power provides a particular programme let the opposition party criticize and show better alternative or other options.

Let the opposition prove why they do not believe in the programmes of the PDP-led government. They can’t get up today and criticize the party that we are not dialoguing with the opposition. The President decides to create a committee for amnesty to dialogue with Boko Haram and they say ‘no it is not good, you can’t do that’. They criticize him. Then he decides to impose state of emergency and they say no again. What do they want, have they been able to proffer solutions to the challenges of security? What is their option, what are they providing?

Besides the issue of tacit support and endorsement of these religious and acts of insurgency what else, apart from condoning it, what else have they been able to do. They have never offered any solution, they have never condenmned them, they have never offered any solution on how we can get out of it. They just criticize the President, criticize PDP, criticize the National Assembly and criticize everybody.

One day they will question whether we are human beings the way they are going about it. They will question everything, they always criticize everything. Life is not about noise making, life is about making progress. Let the opposition proffer solutions on how we can make progress.

Talking about insecurity in the North, don’t you think the handling of this situation may affect the PDP by 2015?

Affecting the PDP is secondary; the most important thing is

Chief Olisa Metuh protecting the life and properties of the citizenry. That is what is paramount to Mr. President. Mr. President is motivated by the interest of the country, by national interest, unity of this country and not the interest of whether PDP will win election or whether it will harm PDP. That is secondary.

Let us maintain peace in this country. When there is peace and stability and the unity of Nigeria is no longer threatened then we can talk about which political party will win. The President believes that it is better we have peace and stability under any party’s rulership, under anybody’s rulerhip than we have destruction for us to remain in control. That is what is paramount. We want peace and stability first before we talk of the interest of PDP. PDP controls almost 80 percent of elected offices and some people believe opposition parties are weak because PDP infiltrated and planted agents in these parties to weaken them. How do you react to this?

No, no, no.There is no reaction to it. Everybody wants a winning team. PDP is in every hamlet, every village every town, every city, every family. In your family they have PDP. There is no family in this country without PDP members. PDP is a large party, a mass movement. Our founding fathers are credible, they are decent Nigerians, they are nationalists and they are the best of their generation. Those are the people that formed PDP. So, Nigerians want to identify with

this party that was formed by these elders and fathers of the nation.

Consistently, we have proven that we have overall interest of the nation at heart in all our activities and in all our actions and PDP has been able to perform. That is why people are still in PDP. For the opposition we do not know what they are doing but we know that some people that run elections in PDP when they don’t get ticket they run to other parties and they call themselves opposition.

Oppositions are grown out of PDP. 90 percent of the people who could not get appointments or get elected under PDP and could not get our party flag are the ones in opposition.

Who is in the opposition that had not been in PDP? I want you to name it. Right from the formation of the PDP, they were with us when we were forming PDP. It was when they felt it could not accommodate them, when they felt they could not struggle for their own right amongst the national leaders that they decided to have a sectional party. Tomorrow maybe if they are guaranteed they will win election, if they are guaranteed or if they think there is possibility of PDP appointing or nominating them as candidates, they will rush back. But no, we can’t do that, we don’t appoint candidates like other parties. We go through primaries, very serious primaries that are more hotly contested than elections before we can bring our candidates and that is why our elected officers always show the difference from the opposition. That is also why when

you are elected in PDP we put you through a lot of tests, you must live above board.

PDP is quick to expose any corrupt activities of our leaders, whether appointed or elected, we are very quick to expose it in national interest. We take the interest of the nation far above that of promoting our party. If you are elected on the platform of PDP and you do not stay above board we will make sure that you are brought to book and let the law take its course. Other parties condone corrupt activities of their leaders. They do not have any example of any leader or any member of their party that they ever exposed or brought to the fore for corruption.

Is it true that the PDP has a hand in non registration of merger APC? That issue has been over flogged because if they say that we are blocking them from registering APC they can register QED. But I understand that the people that registered APC are negotiating with them and they are going to settle with them.

I understand that they paid it off. I don’t have any problem with that. Their negligence, inefficiency, incompetence to handle the registration of a simple political party cannot be ascribed to PDP. We are not their functionaries. They were completely incompetent in handling the matter. We have no business with them. I understand that they negotiated with them and I can tell you that we don’t have any problem with that. They are free to answer APC; they are free to answer QED. In fact, if they like they can answer PHD, we are waiting for them in 2015 election.

The founders of PDP had a vision of establishing a very strong party and that was why the set up the PDI (Peoples Democratic Institute). But it looks like your party is under-utilizing that institute.

I can inform you that the party is in the process of appointing a new Director General for PDI. The National Chairman has a vision on what he intends the PDI to be and how he wants to get them active.

Let me assure you that from the end of the third quarter you will see a brand new revitalized PDI in operations in Nigeria. They are going to be active in promoting party interests and party positions on all matters, especially in organizing seminars and making sure that our people are more knowledgeable on party affairs and organization of the party.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

ACN denies using state fund in Ajimobi’s title ceremony, says Oyo ACN From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oyo State chapter, has said that a penny of the state funds was not involved in the chieftaincy titles recently bestowed on the governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and his wife by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1.

State Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon Dauda Kolawole, made this known in a reaction to an allegation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that state fund was committed to the title.

According to the party, Governor Ajimobi is too frugal with the state funds to allow hard-earned public money to be spent on private matter.

“The PDP euphoria is understandable. We know what they did with state fund while in power here for eight years. They must have thought our own government is taking a cue from theirs. Apart from Ajimobi’s pedigree that will not allow this, we have learnt very fundamental lessons from the travails of the last two former PDP governors who could not differentiate public from private funds and they are, as the Yoruba people will say, today folding their hands backwards while attending to litigations over charges of siphoning Oyo state funds.

Ajimobi is too thrifty with public funds to allow anyone dip their hands into state funds. Even the people of Oyo State know this renown of the governor,” the ACN said.

The ACN said that the governor was a self-made man who had risen to the pinnacle of becoming the Managing Director of a multinational oil corporation and that feeding the appreciative crowd which had come to honour him for his efforts at reforming Oyo State could not be a herculean task for him.

“The bulk of what happened at the ceremony was feeding the crowd which Ajimobi, one of the first governors to declare their assets in Nigeria, and whose assets run into billions of Naira, could do from his private purse without batting an eyelid. That was what he did. The others, like advertorials in the newspapers, were done by individuals nd friends of the governor who were celebrating with the governor,” the party said.

Stating that it understood the euphoria of the PDP and its Accord Party variants who had been going on a campaign of calumny against the urban renewal efforts of its partyled government, the ACN urged the opposition parties to own up to the fact that, for once, a government that was accountable to the people was in place in Oyo State.

“Let the PDP and Accord Party own up to the fact that Ajimobi is teaching them how to govern properly. We understand that the ratings of our government which have gone astronomical in the last one year have given them sleepless nights. They will continue to have insomnia till election period,” the ACN said.

L-R: Rivers state Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Adamawa state Governor, Admiral Muritala Nyako (rtd), and Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, during the Nigeria Governors Forum meeting, on Friday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Senator urges politicians to shun politics of deceit

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he Senator representing Kwara South Senatorial District, Sen. Simeon Ajibola, has advised politicians to shun politics of deceit and make the well-being of the electorate their priority.

Ajibola gave the advice in Ilorin at the weekend while presenting an 18 seater bus to Kwara South chapter of the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP).

He said that only sincerity of purpose and harmonious working relationship between political office holders and their constituents would ensure speedy development.

“It is only sincerity of purpose and total avoidance of politics of deceit that can fast-track development.

“Closeness to the people at the

grass roots as well as the general well-being of the electorate should be given greater attention,’’ he said.

Ajibola urged the leadership of the party in the state to prevent infiltration by ‘unscrupulous’ people who, he said, were only desirous of pulling down the structures of the party for selfish gains.

He promised to deliver more

dividends of democracy to his constituents.

PDP chairman, Kwara South Senatorial District, Alhaji Soliu Yusuf, commended the senator for his political astuteness.

He described the senator as `a pride’ of the senatorial district, and commended his commitment to development at the grass roots.

(NAN)

Fashola’s promise of Fourth Mainland Bridge a ruse, says PDP From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he lagos State PDP has described the attempt by the ACN controlled Lagos State Government to commence the construction of a fourth mainland bridge in the state as belated, propagandists and only to take the shine out of the good intention of the Federal Government to construct the bridge for the yearning Lagos residents.

The party stated that after several ignored calls to the Lagos State Government to fulfil the electoral promise of a Fourth Mainland bridge, the Lagos State Government

eventually admitted that it cannot solely construct the bridge because of the high cost implication! This is as he state government has not made public any detail on how much it would cost to construct the necessary Bridge.

The party notwithstanding agreed that the state government may not be able to bear the cost as a result of the “deliberate exaggerated cost of road constructions in the State”. It particularly cited the Falomo link bridge of less than 500 meters which was said to have been constructed at 1.3 billion Naira!

“The lagos State PDP leadership consequently approached the FG

to come to the aid of the suffering lagosians by constructing the bridge described as “impossible” by the Lagos State Government.

The FG resolve to construct the bridge has now reached advanced stage and work should begin on the project soonest”.

The party thus warned Lagosians not to take the ACN state government serious on its promises, especially the fourth mainland bridge. It described the Statement that the State Government is finalising plans to commence construction of a fourth mainland bridge as mere political statement with the motive of cajoling lagosians to support

their party in 2015.

It admonished the state government to complete the abandoned Light Rail and Water transportation projects, instead of embarking on a project it has itself described as “impossible to achieve” According to the PDP, the new excuse of right of way portrayed as impeding the construction is an after thought and diversionary as it wonders whether the leadership of ACN now in government did not consider that warped excuse while campaigning with the project only to characteristically turn around to abandon the promise after the elections.

Party official urges politicians, INEC to play by the rules

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lhaji Ganiyu Galadima, the National Secretary of Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), at the weekend in Abuja called on other politicians and INEC to play by the rules.

Galadima told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that this would greatly help to improve democracy in Nigeria. ``INEC and all politicians should demonstrate to other Nigerians and the rest of the world that they are competent and capable of conducting free, fair and peaceful elections. ``This can be only be done if they all work according to the laws as

entrenched in the Electoral Act and the country’s Constitution,’’ he said.

Galadima said there would not be post-election crises and any other conflict if there was sincerity on the part of government particularly to conduct free and fair elections.

He said ``challenges in the Nigerian electoral process and the insincerity of influential members of the political class must be tackled for the 2015 elections to be meaningful’’.

The politician said this would enhance the right atmosphere that would help the leaders to achieve and create the needed dividends of democracy.

He said taking such steps was an absolute necessity, as Nigerians have made enormous sacrifices in seeking an enduring democratic process since 1999. ``Only some significant members of the political class have shown they have less commitment to a free and fair electoral process. ``But when all of us play by the rule, democracy will be deeply rooted in this country,’’ Galadima said.

He however noted that democracy has been deepening its roots in the country with regular and improved elections. ``This can however only be sus-

tained when politicians develop the necessary attitude and right courage to participate in the electoral process with good intentions. ``In addition to that, they should also learn to accept the wishes of the people for whoever emerges the winner to take his position,’’ the ACPN official said.

He said any failure to do this would seriously jeopardise the sustainability and stability of the nation’s democracy. ``There is no democracy anywhere in the world that is perfect. But more needs to be done for the betterment of the nation,’’ Galadima said.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

PAGE 39

NEITI uncovers $11b, recovers $2b

By Etuka Sunday

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igeria was yesterday awarded the “Best Extractive Industry Transparency Implementing Country Award” among 39 member countries by the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

This was in recognition of NEITI’s interventions, which made Nigerian government to have recovered the sum of $2 billion while another outstanding sum of $9.6billion was uncovered as potential revenues to the Federation.

Theawardistoencourageresourcerich countries to embrace the principles of transparency, accountability and prudent management of revenues from oil, gas and mining to aid national

...As Nigeria wins best EITI implementing country award development and support poverty reduction.

In a statement by its Director of Communications, Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, NEITI said that the award was announced at the 6th global conference of the organization in Sydney, Australia.

According to the statement, the Chairman of the International Board of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Claire Short, described NEITI’s implementation of the principles of Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in the oil, gas and mining sectors as the most comprehensive, courageous and

ambitious.

The Board explained that the award was in recognition of the increasing demands by Nigerians for accountability and massive reforms in the extractive industry.

The EITI international commended the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative for the agency’s timely provision of information and data through regular and independent audits of the oil, gas and mining sectors in Nigeria. “While implementation by other member countries was limited to reconciliation of revenue flows of what companies paid against what government

received, the Nigerian government through parliamentary legislation extended the mandates of NEITI to include independent physical and process audits.

The EITI International Board expressed delight that from NEITI’s interventions, Nigerian government recovered $2 billion while another outstanding sum of $9.6 billion was uncovered as potential revenues to the Federation.

“These efforts by NEITI have led to government’s response to public demands for reforms in the sector resulting in the introduction of the Petroleum industry Bill now before the

National Assembly for consideration and passage into law among other impacts.

“I congratulate NEITI, the government and people of Nigeria especially the civil society and the media” the EITI International Chair, Claire Short, added, amidst ovation by over 1200 delegates drawn from about 95 countries that were in Sydney for the conference.

Bauchi spends N40 million on clearing of cemeteries From Ahmed Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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auchi state government has expended N40 million on 1,840 youth who engage in clearing and cleaning of the state capital cemeteries.

The Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Garba Dahiru, disclosed this to newsmen while distributing the money to the youth involved in clearing and cleaning of cemeteries in the state capital, at the multipurpose hall in Bauchi at the weekend According to him, we are giving them the sum of N20, 000 each and they are about 1,840 as part of empowerment.

“This token, if properly utilized in a venture, will fetch you more, because N20, 000 is good money for any beginner”.

Dahiru said the government was determined to reduce crime rate and youth restiveness, develop a healthier and well fed population as these would make for an economically more empowered youth in the State

L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Kano state Governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during the 3rd convocation ceremony of Kano University of Science and Technology, on Saturday in Wudil, Kano state.

FCTA nullifies appointment of Gwagwalada community head

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he Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has nullified the appointment of Mr. Ismaila Iyah, the village head of Dobi in Gwagwalada Area Council.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Oluyinka Akintunde, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of State for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide,

on Sunday.

The statement said that Iyah’s appointment was irregular and did not follow the due process.

It said that the FCTA had directed Mr Abubakar Giri, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, to suspend the appointment of the village head until further notice. ``The FCTA wishes to reiterate

that, in all matters of appointment of district and community heads, the administration’s approval must be sought before such appointment is made by any area council. ``Consequently, based on this breach of the regulation by the area council, the appointment of the village head of Dobi is, hereby, invalidated until laid-

down procedures, rules and administrative processes as well as due process are complied with by the council,’’ it stated.

The statement said that the FCTA, however, advised members of the Dobi Community and their leaders to remain law-abiding and peaceful, while the appropriate procedure was adopted in handling the matter. (NAN)

Stakeholders applaud GE acquisition of Salof Companies, USA

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alof Industries Nigeria Limited, a sole agent of Texas-based Salof Group of Companies USA, has applauded the recent acquisition of the companies by GE Oil and Gas, expressing confidence that this would benefit global players in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Vice Chairman, Salof Industries Nigeria Limited and member of the yet to be inaugurated Board of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma,

said the company was happy to join hands with other multinational companies in the task of expanding the frontiers of oil and gas business in the world.

Agbonayinma stated that the board members of Salof Nigeria, comprising Dr. Chris Chidi (Chairman), Sir Karo Jockey (Managing Director) and himself unanimously endorsed, at their recent meeting, GE acquisition of Salof, describing it as “a step in the right direction for oil and gas sector growth

in Nigeria.”

According to him, “our board congratulates GE for taking a bold step and hopes for better and greater future business opportunities.”

Salof is a United States of America specialist in small-scale Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) technology based in Schertz, Texas State with about 200 employees, and focuses on cryogenic design and fabrication for small-scale LNG. GE Oil & Gas president, Daniel

Heintzelman, was quoted to have said: “This move is not only good for GE and Salof, it also will provide more options for customers around the world as they look for new ways to cut both emissions and costs by using cleaner burning natural gas.”

Both companies, according to reports, “see a growing North American market for turning a glut of natural gas into a transportation fuel with uses including trucking, rail, marine and industrial uses.

Power outage cripples Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara states From Mahmud Muhammad, Sokoto

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ocial and economic activities have been grounded in Sokoto and the neighboring states of Kebbi and Zamfara by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

However, no official statement has been issued as to what led to the power outage that has crippled activities in the states for four.

Investigations conducted by Peoples Daily yesterday showed various parts of the states use generators and inverters by those who can afford them.

When People’s Daily visited the most popular commercial area of Sokoto, Emir Yahaya, only few buisness centres were seen open and conducting skeletal services.

A PHCN official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the outage was as a result of the breakdown of two electricity distribution turbines in Kebbi state, which supply the entire zone with electricity.

A PHCN technical staff who also spoke on condition of anonymity in Sokoto appealed to customers in the affected areas to bear with the company, adding that all inconveniences caused by outage were regretted.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2013

Plateau women call for peace, unity

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lateau State Women Development Association (PWDA) has called for peace in the state and the country, saying the killings of innocent citizens must be quickly brought to an end.

Speaking in Abuja at its first congress at the weekend, the PWDA National President, Mrs. Rifkatu Ladi Izang, noted that without peace, no meaningful development will take place.

She said, “we as women plead

with the authorities to intervene timely to curtail further onslaught of humans in our various communities.

“Development can only take place where peace and unity prevail.

“The pathetic sounds of dying women, children, men and even passersby who have been massacred in cold blood in the past and recently dampen our hope for progressive development on the plateau.

“This has extended to other parts of the country unfortunately.

“We also call on all individuals, the aggrieved and residents of troubled areas alike, to be ambassadors of peace, to preach peace, sponsor peace and market.

“We must not be selfish in existence but remember our children and generations to come.”

According to Izang the association plans to build a “Plateau state women centre” which will serve as a vocational centre where the girl-child, the abused and the

trafficked, will be trained in skills acquisition and formal education to restore peace and create a future and hope for them.

Also speaking at the occasion, Hon Beni Lar, a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau state, said the women decided to collaborate for the development of the state, explaining that women in every society play great roles to attract development to their states.

BRIEFS Group demands compensation for Boko Haram victims

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youth organization, Democratic Alliance for Youth (DAY), has advised the federal government to dissolve the amnesty committee and inaugurate a committee that will work out compensation for victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos at the weekend, the group’s President, Kabiru Abdullahi, also appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to solve the insecurity problems, especially in the northern parts of the country.

“Federal government must immediately dissolve the amnesty committee and inaugurate a sincere committee that will take data and work out compensation for the families of these satanic act victims,” Abdullahi said.

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

Unilorin hosts campus journalists conference L-R: Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Chief Anthony Muoneke, and Technical Coordinator, Power System Corporation, Mr. Christopher Matthews, after their meeting with Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, on Saturday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Hajj 2013: Sokoto gets 6,450 seats From Mahmud Muhammad, Sokoto

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ational Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has allocated 6,450 seats to Sokoto state for the 2013 Hajj operations.

Alhaji Muntari Maigona, the Chairman, Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, said this in an

interview with the press in Sokoto on Saturday.

He expressed satisfaction with the ways and manner intending pilgrims conducted themselves during last year’s hajj exercise but bemoaned the sudden demise of two Sokoto state pilgrims who died while performing the hajj.

People’s Daily gathered that Governor Aliyu Wamakko had

approved over N25 million for the provision of computers and other accessories, for the establishment of an ultra-modern ICT-compliant Hajj at the registration centre.

It was also learnt that the centre would be operated in the 23 local government areas of the state.

Muntari, confirmed the release of the funds, saying

that part of it would be used for intensive training of the Hajj registration officials to ensure the success of the on-going biometric registration of all prospective pilgrims.

He said that all the seats had since been distributed to the 23 local government areas for onward sales to the prospective pilgrims.

Kwara spends N6.9b on abandoned roads, water projects From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he Kwara state government said at the weekend that it spent N5 billion on the ongoing road projects embarked upon by immediate past Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, and N1.9 billion on underneath water pipes.

Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Isiaka Gold, Commissioner for Works and Transport, Dr. Abubakar Kaninke, and Commissioner for Water Resources, Abubakar idris, confirmed these at a joint press briefing held at the Government House as part of activities marking the 2013 Democracy Day. Abdulfatah Ahmed in the last two years.

The SSG who had earlier hailed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for earmarking on laudable socio-economic projects since

his assumption of office, said the government was planning to establish four mega schools to improve the standard of education in the state.

He disclosed that the Governor will also commission five general hospitals in addition to the Ilorin General Hospital, Offa, Share, Kaima

and Omu-Aran that are about to be completed .

Listing some of the road projects completed by the administration, Kaninke said that the administration inherited 28 projects which covered a length of 256.127 kilometres.

“From 2011 to date, the

administration has expended N3.8 billion on the completion of on-going roads which represents 77 per cent of the proposed N5 billion for this purpose.

Eleven of these roads which represent about 40 per cent have been completed and handed over”, he said.

NSGF commiserates with Bayero

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he Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has expressed its sympathy with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero over the passage of his wife, Hajiya Rabi.

The NSGF in a condolence message by its Chairman, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger state, said Hajiya Rabi died at a time when her supportive hands were most needed by her husband to continue

to provide leadership to the people of his domain.

The statement signed by Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, also noted that the forum expressed deepest sympathy to the Emir, members of his family and the entire people of Kano state.

“We at the Northern States Governors Forum share in your pains and wish that Almighty Allah

in His infinite mercies grants you, members of your family and the entire people of Kano the fortitude to bear this great loss,‘’ the statement said.

The forum urged the bereaved family, the government and people of Kano state to take solace in the fact that late Hajiya Rabi left a legacy of a virtuous wife and mother who touched the lives of people positively.

A

former Director of Corporate Affairs, University of Ilorin, Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has enjoined campus journalists to strive to make a difference through the practice of developmental journalism.

Adedimeji, who is also a Senior Lecturer at the Department of English in the institution, gave the charge while delivering an address at a conference of the National Union of Campus Journalists hosted by the University of Ilorin.

In his address, entitled, “Positioning Campus Journalism for Change,” Adedimeji noted that journalists are the reflection of the larger society and should use their unique position as student practitioners to create change.

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

Plateau plans additional markets for Jos, Bukuru

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lateau state government is to establish four markets in Jos and Bukuru to accommodate more traders in public markets, Ms Helen Maina, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, has said.

She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that it had been observed that more trading activities were going on with the return of peace to the state.

The commissioner stated that the two existing markets in Jos, Terminus Market and the Kabong Satellite, were found to be grossly inadequate.

PAGE 41

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Mikel now ready for 2014 W/C qualifier vs Kenya, Confederations Cup A

fter playing Chelsea’s opening two pre-season friendly against Man City in the USA, Mikel Obi, has expressed his readiness to team up with his Super Eagles’ colleagues for the next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA Confederations Cup. The Eagles have crucial World Cup qualifying matches against the Harambee Stars of Kenya and the Namibian national side respectively and later the FIFA Confederations Cup featuring

continental champions.

The Eagles’ midfielder, who did not feature in the latter part of Chelsea’s end of season battle for top four positions because of back injury, says he will be available for World Cup match against Kenya

and Namibia on June 5 in Nairobi, kenya and Windhoek, Namibia on June 12.

Obi, who spoke to Team Secretary, Enebi Achor, said he would be at the Embassy of Brazil in London today for his visa, but

would not be part of the squad to play Mexico on May 31.

Before, he along with teammate, Victor Moses, Reuben Gabriel, Kalu Uche had opted out due to injuries as had Emmanuel Emenike, whose injury prompted

the invitation of Joseph Akpala.

However, Head Coach Stephen Keshi has yet to call up other replacements for the rest, instead has said that he was satisfied with the quality of playe rs available for selection.

1 Div wins Nigeria Army Combat Sports From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

1

Division Nigeria Army Headquarters, Kaduna has emerged the overall champion of the Nigeria Army Combat Sports held over the weekend at the Nigerian Defence Academy old site Kaduna.

The division also known as the white horse won a total of 43 medals in boxing, wrestling and taekwondo. A break down show that 17 gold 11 sliver and 15 bronze medals were won by men from the division.

The Army Headquarter Garrison Team came second with 14 gold, 10 sliver and 21 bronze, while 82 Divisions Team came third with 10 gold 8 sliver and 25 bronze. 81 division team and 2 Division Team came 4thand 5th respectively.

The trophy for the best female and male team in taekwondo was won by the 81 Division and Army Headquarter Garrison teams respectively, while the best male and female boxing team medals were equally won the former and latter respectively.

In her remark at the closing ceremony, the guest of honor, Honorable Minister of State, Defence, Erelu Olusola Agbeja Obada expressed her delight that there was no event of doping or cheating of any kind throughout the campership, saying “this is a good exemplary conduct.”

The minister also said the Nigerian Army have always been in the forefront of sports development in the country.

“We will recall with profound memory how Army athletes particularly boxers have made this country proud in the past in international sporting events such as the All African Games, Common Wealth Games as well as the Olympic Games. From the bouts we have seen in this championship particularly the final boxing bout, I am sure we have Olympic gold medalist in the making.”

Mikel Obi

Victor Moses

Again, Heartland dethrone Pillars, go top of NPFL

K

ano Pillars’ reign in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL),

has proved to be temporal, as Heartland of Owerri have dethroned them following a 1-0

home win over bogey team Sharks of Port Harcourt yesterday.

‘The Naze Millionaires’ now

3SC blame ref for Enyimba loss

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eferee Peter Shinyi came under fire from 3SC for alleged unfair officiating that gifted Enyimba FC of undeserved victory in yesterday’s league action.

The referee from Abuja, they alleged awarded a controversial penalty to the hosts who capitalised on it to secure the maximum points.

Striker Ifeanyi Edeh converted the penalty to earn Enyimba the home win and with that Enyimba now have 22 games from 15 matches, while 3SC remain on 19 points.

Shooting Stars spokesman Jubril Arowolo alleged that the referee was a kill joy with the

award of the controversial penalty stressing that but for the unfair penalty he side would have picked at least a point. Besides, he also claimed some of their players were attacked by the Enyimba fans.

“Centre referee Peter Shinyi from Abuja was responsible for our loss to Enyimba in Aba as he awarded a controversial penalty to Enyimba in the 68th minute when Yomi Adigun blocked a shot with his leg only for the referee to say it was a foul,”Arowolo said.

“This capped the hostile reception the team experienced on arrival at the stadium when a section of the fans pounced on our players for daring to walk through the playing pitch. Otherwise, we

played well to the admiration of home fans.”

Nduka Irabor, Chairman LMC

have 25 points to lead the table ahead of Kano Pillars, who also have 25 points but fell 3-0 at Kwara United, also yesterday.

Incidentally, both Heartland and Pillars are due this week to replay an abandoned league fixture earlier this season.

Heartland goalkeeper Ebele Obi said they deserved their win, while giving some credit to Sharks.

“We deserved to win the game.

We played well, Sharks did well too, but we showed that we are the better team,” Obi said.

Amarachi Ukaegbu scored the only goal of the game in the first half when he connected home a corner kick.

Last season, Sharks ran away 1-0 winners in Owerri. Also yesterday, Wolves massacred Bayelsa United 4-0.

It would be recalled that Enugu Rangers were the leaders before Kano Pillars regained leadership only last weekend.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 2, 2013

Obuh gives reasons for U axing Ajagun, others

Udinese success in Success’ record signing

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oach John Obuh has given reasons for dropping skipper Abduljelil Ajagun and six other first team members of his squad for the Toulon tournament in France.

Jonah Usman, Chidi Osuchukwu, Chizoba Amaefule, Agboyi Ovbokha, Sikiru Alimi and Lucky Omeruo were the other experienced personnel dropped for the warm up tournament in a move many interpreted to mean their exclusion from the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

However, Obuh has dismissed the speculation noting instead that he wants to give the other freshers in the team opportunity to fight for places in the squad. Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the coach had three weeks ago called up 12 new players to the team.

“It’s not true that the players dropped for the Toulon

tournament will not make the final

world cup list. I don’t understand where all those stories are emanating from,” Obuh exclusively told supersport.com on Saturday.

The Flying Egles coach further explained that he was merely looking to see how well the other members of the team would acquit themselves at the warm up tournament.

“I just want t o see what the

other members of the squad can do and the tournament in France gives me the best opportunity to do just that.

“After the tournament, I will have a clearer idea about the players who will eventually make my 21-match squad,” he said.

The Flying Eagles are making their debut at the famous Toulon Tournament and kick off their campaign on Wednesday, May 29, against defending champions Mexico.

Abduljelil Ajagun, Flying Eagles’ skipper who is dropped from the team to France

… As F/Eagles leave Germany for Toulon tourney today

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he Flying Eagles, will today evening leave Munich in Germany for Toulon in France where they will participate in an invitational.

A statement yesterday by the team’s Media Officer, Samm Audu, said the team of 30 players and 10 officials would on Monday leave Elfershausen, venue of their recent camping. ``The team will embark on a

four-hour bus ride to Munich by 9am local time on Monday and then fly to Marseille by 3.45 p.m local time and then go by road to Toulon in a trip expected to take them about two hours,’’ it said.

The Flying Eagles had been training for about two weeks in Elfershausen in preparation for their trip to Toulon.

They will be participating in the Toulon invitational

tournament as part of their preparations for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup scheduled to begin in Turkey inw June.

The junior Eagles will open their Toulon campaign against defending champions Mexico on Wednesday from 5.30 p.m, which is 4.30 p.m Nigerian time.

On June 2, they will face Belgium and two days later they will meet world under-20 champions

Brazil, who incidentally did not qualify for next month’s FIFA U-20 World Cup. Their final group game is on June 6 against Portugal, who they will also face in their opening World Cup Group B match on June 21 in Kayseri.

The team is expected to announce its final 21-man squad on June 7, and will after the tournament fly out from Germany to Turkey on June 17.

dinese have signed Golden Eaglets striker Isaac Success on a recordbreaking four-year deal worth 1.4 million Euros, according to a wire service report.

A top source, who was part of the deal, confirmed yesterday morning that the Italian Serie A side have sealed a four-year contract with the Golden Eaglets player.

“Udinese have signed Success on a four-year deal. It’s a great deal for both the club and the player.”

The deal, which was brokered by a France-based FIFA agent, will see the Serie A club splash out a transfer fee of 400,000 Euros to the young striker’s youth club in Benin City, while he will earn 250,000 Euros a year for the next four years.

It was further gathered that Success will be sent to Spanish La Liga side Granada on loan to gain experience and playing time.

Udinese are believed to have shares in Granada and another Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo has been playing on loan in Spain from the Italian club.

This is believed to be a massive transfer coup as Udinese have thus beaten bigger clubs like Manchester City, Lille and Benfica to the promising centre-forward.

Udinese though are yet to announce the capture of the young striker, who was top scorer at the recently concluded African U17 Championship in Morocco where he scored seven goals as Nigeria reached the final.

2013 Afrobasket

NBBF invites 12 home-based players as camp begins today

Dejected Nigerian players after losing their second group match to Lithuania

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igeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) on Friday invited to camp 12 players from the domestic basketball premier league to camp, which begins today in Abuja preparatory to the 2013 Afrobasket scheduled to dunkoff from August 20 through August 31.

Tijani Umar, the President

of NBBF, confirmed yesterday that the invited players were in the camp as at last night while formal training will roll of f the ground today.

He said the national team camp was to kick-start preparations for the 27th edition of the African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire tagged ``2013 Afrobasket’’.

``On Sunday, 12 players from our league clubs in Nigeria are going to come to Abuja for the n ational camping to kickstart the process of preparations for the Afrobasket 2013 which will start in Aug. 20,” the NBBF president said.

Umar said the players were picked from the two conferences of the Nigerian top league known

as the DSTV/NBBF Basketball Premier League. ``From the Savannah Conference of the domestic league, we have Stanley Gumut, Ohiero Michael and Abduwahab Yahaya from Abuja-based Markmentors. ``Others are Abubakar Usman and Matthew Onmonya, both from Kano Pillars, and Mohammed Shehu from Niger Potters of Minna. ``From the Atlantic Conference are Edem Ekpenyong of Lagos-based Union Bank, Atisele Ozoemeha of Royal Hoopers and Balogun Olukunle from Islanders of Lagos. ``The rest are Ojougboh Nkechukwu and Ugo James, both of Comets of Akure, and Azuoma Dike of Dodan Warriors,’’ he said.

The NBBF president said the federation was determined to ensure that Nigeria improved on its past performances at the continental competition. ``In times past, we had always finished at the second or third place at this African tourney. But this time around, everything has been put in place to win the tournament,’’ he said. ``We all remain focused, and we have reached out to all prospective players that can make the team,’’ he said.

Isaac Success

Morocco to host African men’s, women’s handball championships

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he Executive Committee of the African Handball Confederation (CAHB) has confirmed Morocco as hosts for the 2013 African men’s and women’s handball championships.

The Moroccan bid defeated those from Tunisia and Kenya.

The previous championships, won by Egypt’s Al Ahly (men) and Angola’s Petro Atletico (women), were held in the Moroccan city of Tangiers from Nov. 14 to Nov. 25 2012.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MON DAY, MAY 27, 2013

Froch beats Kessler on points to keep IBF title

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arl Froch beat Mikkel Kessler on points in a memorable supermiddleweight fight in London on Saturday night.

The Englishman, holder of the IBF title, beat the Danish fighter 118-110, 116-112 and 115113 at the packed O2 Arena to take over the WBA belt as well.

Froch started brilliantly, looking too fast, too big, too strong and too good as he outclassed Kessler in the opening rounds. But then Kessler came back at him as Froch slowed down and lost his structure in the fourth round.

In the end it took a strong finish from Froch to avenge the loss he suffered in Denmark in April 2010.

He did not kill Kessler as he had promised in a media conference. He did not knock

Carl Froch ( R ) punches Mikkel Kessler during the fight

him out. He did not even knock him down. But he certainly beat him by landing more scoring blows in a bout that will be a candidate for Fight of the Year.

The two put on an exhibition of excellent entertainment,

especially in the middle rounds when they punched and counterpunched like two welterweights.

Froch improved his record to 31-2, with 22 knockouts and Kessler’s fell to 46-3, with 35 wins inside the distance.

Gay wins as Vlasic makes emotional return T yson Gay roared to a 100-metre victory while high jumper Blanka Vlasic made an emotional comeback triumph in Saturday’s New York Diamond League athletics meet.

Gay won in 10.02 seconds with US compatriot Ryan Bailey second in 10.15sec and Keston Bledman of Trinidad and Tobago third in 10.16sec.

Gay, a former 100m and 200m world champion who won the Jamaica Invitational earlier this month in a world-leading 9.86 seconds, is pondering a 100m-200m world double bid if he can qualify at next month’s US nationals.

Sanya Richards-Ross was a no-show at the 400m start line and explained her absence in a Twitter posting, saying she was not yet fully recovered from right big toe surgery. She had planned for this to be her first race since winning London Olympic 400m gold.

In her absence, reigning world champion Amantle Montsho of Botswana won the women’s 400m in 49.91sec, 0.03sec off her season’s world best.

Instead of Richards-Ross’s return, the stunning comeback story was left to Croatia’s Vlasic, a four-time world champion and the 2008 Olympic runner-up who won by clearing 1.94m.

It was her first competition after a 16-month layoff due to complications following Achilles tendon surgery.

Reigning Olympic champion David Rudisha of Kenya won the 800m in 1:45.14. Rudisha is less concerned with chasing his world record, 1:40.91 set last year at London, than he is with winning at Moscow.

Two-time Olympic champion and 2011 world champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica won the 200m in 22.53sec.

Ethiopia’s Hagos Gebrhiwet won the men’s 5 000m in a season world best of 13:10.03 while Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic won the women’s discus with a season world best of 68.48m.

Reigning Olympic women’s pole vault champion Jenn Suhr won on 4.63m with world

champion Fabiana Murer of Brazil second and 2012 Olympic runner-up Yarisley Silva of Cuba third, both at 4.53m.

American Ryan Whiting, the reigning world indoor champion, won the shot put at 21.27m with former world champion Reese Hoffa second on 20.69m.

Tyson Gay

RESULTS Men’s 100m 1. Tyson Gay (US) 10.02 2. Ryan Bailey (US) 10.15 3. Keston Bledman (Trinidad and Tobago) 10.16 Men’s 200m 1. Warren Weir (Jamaica) 20.11 2. Alonso Edward (Panama) 20.38 3. Jeremy Dodson (US) 20.65 Men’s 400m 1. Joshua Mance (US) 45.59 2. Kevin Borlee (Belgium) 45.71 3. Jeremy Wariner (US) 45.72 Men’s 800m 1. David Lekuta Rudisha (Kenya) 1:45.14 2. Andrew Osagie (Britain) 1:46.44 3. Timothy Kitum (Kenya) 1:46.93 4. Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (South Africa) 1:47.46 Men’s 5000m 1. Hagos Gebrhiwet (Ethiopia) 13:10.03 2. Vincent Kiprop Chepkok (Kenya) 13:15.51 3. Ibrahim Jeilan (Ethiopia) 13:16.46 Men’s 110m Hurdles 1. Ryan Brathwaite (Barbados) 13.19 2. Orlando Ortega (Cuba) 13.24 3. Sergey Shubenkov (Russia) 13.29 Men’s 400m Hurdles 1. Michael Tinsley (US) 48.43 2. Javier Culson (Puerto Rico) 48.53 3. Johnny Dutch (US) 48.78 8. Cornel Fredericks (South Africa) 50.73 Men’s Triple Jump 1. Benjamin Compaore (France) 16.45 2. Christian Taylor (US) 16.42 3. Gaetan Saku Bafuanga Baya (France) 16.15 Men’s Shot Put 1. Ryan Whiting (US) 21.27 2. Reese Hoffa (US) 20.69 3. Cory Martin (US) 20.60 Women’s 100m 1. Aleen Bailey (Jamaica) 11.37 2. Mikele Barber (US.) 11.39 3. Lakeisha Lawson (US) 11.44 Women’s 200m 1. Veronica Campbell-Brown (Jamaica) 22.53 2. Anneisha McLaughlin (Jamaica) 22.63 3. Shalonda Solomon (US) 22.91 Women’s 400m 1. Amantle Montsho (Botswana) 49.91 2. Natasha Hastings (US) 50.24 3. Francena McCorory (US) 51.06 Women’s 1500m 1. Abeba Aregawi (Sweden) 4:03.69 2. Hellen Onsando Obiri (Kenya) 4:04.84 3. Brenda Martinez (US) 4:06.25 Women’s 3000m Steeplechase 1. Lydiah Chepkurui (Kenya) 9:30.82 2. Etenesh Diro Neda (Ethiopia) 9:33.76 3. Sofia Assefa (Ethiopia) 9:33.84 Women’s High Jump 1. Blanka Vlasic (Croatia) 1.94 2. Emma Green Tregaro (Sweden) 1.91 3. Brigetta Barrett (US) 1.91 Women’s Long Jump 1. Janay DeLoach (U.S.) 6.79 2. Shara Proctor (Britain) 6.72 3. Eloyse Lesueur (France) 6.67 Women’s Pole Vault 1. Jennifer Suhr (US) 4.63 2. Lacy Janson (US) 4.53 3. Fabiana Murer (Brazil) 4.53 Women’s Discus Throw 1. Sandra Perkovic (Croatia) 68.48 2. Gia Lewis-Smallwood (US) 61.86 3. Melina Robert-Michon (France) 61.45 Women’s Javelin Throw 1. Christina Obergfoell (Germany) 65.33 2. Maria Abakumova (Russia) 64.25 3. Kimberley Mickle (Australia) 63.93 7. Sunette Viljoen (South Africa) 57.87

Serena buries first-round exit ghost with win, Errani also

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op seed Serena Williams beat Anna Tatishvili 6-0 6-1 yesterday to emphatically book her place in the second round of the French Open and avoid last year’s embarrassment of an opening-round exit.

The American, whose only singles title at Roland Garros came in 2002, entered the tournament on a 24-match

winning streak and showed no signs of taking her foot off the gas as she steamrollered the 83rd-ranked Georgian in 51 minutes.

Williams, chasing a 16th grand slam title, looked ominously athletic as she wrapped up victory in an unseasonably chilly Paris, putting to bed the memory of her

only first round loss at a grand slam, last year’s exit to France’s Virgine Razzano.

After her opponent sent a forehand wide on match point, she waved to all four sides of the stadium before embarking on the greater test of conducting the courtside interview in French.

Earlier, Italian fifth seed Sara Errani, the 2012 runner-

up, was the first player to reach the second round, breezing past Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus 6-1, 6-2.

Errani, beaten by Maria Sharapova in last year’s final, needed just 54 minutes to get past world number 86 Rus, who made the fourth round in 2012, but has not won a match on the main tour this year.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Vlasic recounts despair, hope during 20 months lay off A ll Blanka Vlasic wanted to do was jump. It was what she had done nearly every day for 13 straight years. Jumping was all she knew. It was what she did best.

There was a time when the only questions about Vlasic’s ability to jump were how high would she go, and who would she beat along the way?

However, that was before surgery and a su bsequent bacterial infection threatened a premature end to her storied career and left the 2010 IAAF World Athlete of the Year and two-time World champion, both indoors and outdoors, asking all of the questions.

Why are there are so many complications?

Why is the bone healing so slowly?

Will my left foot and right foot ever feel the same again?

Will I ever be able to compete again?

“There were so many questions, they were like bugs in my head,” said Vlasic. “And when you don’t get answers, you go searching for them and that can take you to some pretty dark places.”

As she has tended to do, Vlasic followed her troubles into the dark recesses of her mind.

But, unlike some past journeys, she has emerged without all of the answers and seemingly with a renewed psyche.

The Vlasic who competed at the Diamond League adidas Grand Prix, winning in her first competition since 16 September, 2011, was unburdened by expectations, disinterested in bar measurements, and genuinely happy just to be able to back at the sport she loves.

“I don’t dare to expect anything at this moment,” she said. “The beginning of the season is a little tricky, especially after 20 months of not competing. It would just be ungrateful for me to expect something special or to put myself under pressure now. I decided that when I came back, I was just going to be happy that I made it back. I need to keep that promise.”

It is understandable that Vlasic is flooded with a sense of

able to tell her in detail why her recovery was so prolonged.

They began a course of therapy that steadily began to bring her back to form.

Blanka Vlasic

relief after the ordeal that she endured. Sixteen months ago, a fragment of bone in her left ankle broke off and embedded into her Achilles tendon, requiring surgery on 30 January, 2012, to shave off part of the tendon on her takeoff foot.

One morning, the following

April, she woke up to find her foot completely swollen and experiencing a pain, “Unlike anything I had ever felt before.”

She soon learned that one of the stitches on her ankle did not close and the opening had become infected, requiring another procedure and three months of antibiotics to clear up the additional problem.

Also eradicated was any chance of her competing at her third Olympics in London last summer.

“I’ve gone to some dark places before, but this was the worst because I was forced to live a life that wasn’t used to,” Vlasic said. “For a couple of days, I was in really bad shape.”

Unlike some other points in her career, notably during her struggles early in 2010 when she admits that she allowed those emotions to drag her to

precipice of a breakdown, this

time Vlasic let it all go.

“I don’t know what kept me going,” reflected Vlasic.

“Call it crazy faith, crazy motivation, a blind belief that there was still something

out there for me in this world of high jumping.

“I just knew in my heart that I was not done, I was not finished. Even on the days when I didn’t want to get out of bed, I would get myself together and get myself to

training to do whatever I could, no matter how little.”

Unable to run or jump, Vlasic continued to work on her fitness, her core strength, and her power, but the process to get back into actually jumping was

“

Call it crazy faith, crazy motivation, a blind belief that there was still something out there for me in this world of high jumping.

Blanka Vlasic

tedious.

“It was like the longest preparations of my life,

the longest training camp at home,” she said. “There were so many moments when we needed to go back, take some time off, because we had hit the wall and could go no further.

Like the first time I put my spikes on we saw it was still too painful to jump in them, so we had to go back and jump in training shoes with a shorter approach. It was a constant forward, backwards, forward, backwards. I’m happy that I didn’t lose my mind.”

Meanwhile, many of her doubts and questions remained unanswered, at least until September, when a doctor in her hometown of Split was

Not being able to compete during the indoor season was a blow but, given everything she had gone through, Vlasic took it in stride.

“Of course I had questions like why me, but why not me,” Vlasic said. “In the end you realize that everything that happens to you happens for a reason. God knows why this is good for me.

During last autumn, Vlasic was able to return to jumping, with the help of a custom-made spike by her sponsor adidas. It wasn’t anything special. It began with a four-step approach, but then graduated to six steps and then eight steps. Now, she is back to a full approach.

“My coach says that I have a good memory,” she said. “I haven’t forgotten how to jump.”

Vlasic now appears to be a changed athlete after having gone through these difficult times.

For one, she says her days of going to meets and voicing her expectation to jump two metres , a height she has cleared no less than 157 times in her career, the second most prolific statistic behind the 195 clearances made by the Bulgarian World record holder Stefka Konstadinova, are over.

She isn’t putting a timetable on getting back over a bar that high, for the first time in her career she is managing expectations.

“I believe that big heights are going to come again and that I will be able to jump as high as have in the past, I just don’t know when that is going to be.

Right now, whatever comes is a bonus.”

Vlasic said this experience has put her feet back on the ground.

“I have greater appreciation for every moment I was able to do the job that I love and didn’t have to think about pain,” she said.

PAGE 45

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

1] ArjenRobben’s match-winning goal for Bayern Munich last night in the UEFA Champions League final sees the Dutch forward go full circle on the emotional roller-coaster that begun in the same match a year ago.

1

2

3

4

6 pictorial 2] Brazil and Santos star Neymar has announced he will sign for Spanish champions Barcelona, signing a five-year contract at the Camp Nou. 3] Bayern Munich coach JuppHeynckes has indicated that Robert Lewandowski is set for a move to the Allianz Arena.

4] Serena Williams laid the ghost of Roland Garros 2012 in emphatic style by powering through this year’s opening match against Anna Tatishvili.

5

5] Great Britain’s Andrew Osagie secured his best finish at a Diamond League meeting with second place behind Kenyan David Rudisha over 800m in New York.

6] Carl Froch says Andre Ward must travel to England if he wants to challenge for his IBF super-middleweight crown.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

Some Interesting Facts Did you know 11% of people are left handed?

Did you know August has the highest percentage of births?

Did you know unless food is mixed with saliva you can’t taste it Did you know the average person falls asleep in 7 minutes?

Did you know a bear has 42 teeth?

Did you know an ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain?

Did you know most lipsticks contain fish scales?

Did you know no two corn flakes look the same?

Did you know lemons contain more sugar than strawberries?

Did you know 8% of people have an extra rib?

Did you know 85% of plant life is found in the ocean?

Did you know the Hawaiian alphabet has 12 letters?

Did you know ‘Topolino’ is the name for Mickey Mouse Italy?

Did you know a lobster’s blood is colorless but when exposed to oxygen it turns blue Did you know armadillos have 4 babies at a time and are all the same sex?

Did you know reindeer like bananas?

Did you know the longest recorded flight of a chicken

PAGE 47

was 13 seconds?

Did you know birds need gravity to swallow?

Did you know the most commonly used letter in the alphabet is E Did you know the least used letter in the alphabet is Q Did you know the 3 most common languages in the world are Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and English?

Did you know dreamt is the only word that ends in mt Did you know the names of all continents both start and end with the same letter?

Did you know the first letters of the months July through to November spell JASON? Did you know if you try to say the alphabet without moving your lips or tongue every letter will sound the same?

Did you know a cat has 32 muscles in each ear?

Did you know Perth is Australia’s windiest city?

Did you know the flag for Libya is unlike any other being a solid green color Did you know goldfish can see both infrared and ultraviolet light?

Did you know the smallest bones in the human body are found in your ear?

Did you know cats spend 66% of their life asleep?

Did you know Switzerland eats the most chocolate equating to 10 kilos per person per year?

Did you know money is the number one thing that couples argue about?

Did you know when lightning strikes it can reach up to 30,000 degrees celsius (54,000 degrees fahrenheit) Did you know spiders are arachnids and not insects?

Did you know each time you see a full moon you always see the same side.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

SUDODKU

Don’t look down: Reinhard Kleindl walks along a 185 metre high rope between two towers in Frankfurt, Germany, despite having a fear of heights Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013

SPORTS LATEST

Neymar to sign with Barcelona

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razil’s gifted World Cup hope Neymar is moving to Spanish champions Barcelona, the striker said he will sign a five-year contract today.

Neymar chose Barcelona over their Spanish arch-rivals Real Madrid after Santos ended three years of resisting offers for the 21-year-old forward and let him go before next year’s tournament in Brazil.

“Today I’m signing a contract with Barcelona,” Neymar said on his Instagram page and Twitter account.

“My family and friends already know about my decision... I want to thank Santos’ fans for these nine incredible years. My feelings for the club and the fans will never change,” Neymar added.

Santos play Flamengo at the capital’s completely refurbished World Cup stadium in their opening match of the Brazilian championship on Sunday.

Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper put the latest offer from Barcelona at 74 million Brazilian Real ($36.12 million).

Neymar has been a target of top European sides for at least three years, including Chelsea in 2010, but Santos managed to reject all offers and improve his deal with sponsorships.

Fans welcome Dortmund back

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bout 15,000 fans braved cool and rainy weather on Sunday to welcome Borussia Dortmund at its stadium following the team’s return from the Champions League final in London.

Dortmund lost 2-1 on a late goal by Arjen Robben on Saturday at Wembley.

“It’s like all the wounds have healed overnight,” Dortmund’s coach Juergen Klopp said after the team’s return. “It was the best game against Bayern by any team in a long time.”

Dortmund’s fans chanted “You’ll never walk alone” as the team left the field after thanking the fans for their support.

About 50,000 fans saw the final on a giant screen in a downtown square.

ADVERT: 0803 BUSINESS: 0805 NEWS: 0814 LAGOS: 0805 0803

. . . putting the people first

QUOTABLE QUOTE If emergency rule could stop crises probably Plateau state would have been a peaceful state by now.

— Col. Hammed Ali, former Military Administrator of Kaduna state

Ok, just refund our money, president

O

rdinarily, I wouldn’t lose sleep over this. But this is not an ordinary matter. It involves our president. And that gives me goose pimples. In his mortal hands resides the fate of over 150 million citizens. And that is a conservative estimate.

All Nigerians should worry. Each time I ponder this, my skin crawls with soldier ants. Not so much for the brazen act but for the excuse advanced to explain our leader’s admirable lack of shame. Certain acts of commission or omission can be forgiven but not when it involves the embodiment of the country as the president. Time and again, our president has come across as a complete stranger to the demands of his office.

Most times, he seems to operate on a different clock from the rest of humanity. At times like these, it is impossible not to lampoon the “transformative” president, Goodluck Jonathan. For a man desirous of “transforming” his country, he has demonstrated an admirable penchant for frolic. On Saturday, at the 50th anniversary of the formation of the African Union, our president, in far away Ethiopia, made a complete mess of eating boiled egg. He transformed into a ghost and disappeared at the precise hour he was billed to address the Special Assembly.

I wrote this piece at 6pm yesterday. Up till this time, there has been no official explanation. Most Nigerians are used to the regime’s lethargy or, more appropriately, contempt, for accountability. To expect an account of the president’s movement while spending tax payers’ money is to expect Jonathan to forget 2015. Not to worry. The rumor mill is awash with details.

One explanation for the president’s disappearing act was that he was in the toilet at the time he was called to give his speech.

Answering nature’s call is inevitable. Leaders are, after all, human. Ordinary folks asked to do the extraordinary. A few deliver that but most falter. I, therefore, can understand why the president didn’t turn up. What I am mystified about is how long the Jonathan spent in the rest room as to miss his moment on the podium.

I, like most tax paying Nigerians, would want to know what the president ate that gave him stomach upset. Spending that long period of time in the loo can only mean one thing- diarrhea.

311 689 292 327 454

7458 1765 9046 1969 0344

MONDAY with

Ali M. Ali aliyumaliyu@yahoo.com

President Goodluck Jonathan Dame Patience must be livid with rage. How come her husband is not well taken care of in a foreign land?

Is it that the funds earmarked for the trip had been mismanaged and the president fed on junk food? I recommend that Aso Rock chef be fired. Embarrassing the President like that in continental public is a sin that calls for an instant sack.

I find the second explanation a

“

bit more plausible. It was rumored that at the precise moment our president was to inspire the rest of Africa, he was holding bilateral talks with another head of state.

Don’t ask me which country and the name of its president. Undoubtedly, Nigeria is an important country in Africa. Her president is equally prestigious. Two solid reasons why smaller countries should

I find the second explanation a bit more plausible. It was rumored that at the precise moment our president was to inspire the rest of Africa, he was holding bilateral talks with another head of state.

Don’t ask me which country and the name of its president.

Undoubtedly, Nigeria is an important country in Africa. Her president is equally prestigious.

wait for our president to finish his speech at the AU. But nay, for some inexplicable reasons, Jonathan decided to have those bilateral talks at the time all of Africa’s leaders, past and present, were seated waiting for an awe inspiring and transformative speech.

The third and final reason sits well with me. The rumor mill reported that the president had frolicked till the wee hour. Those who know our leader know this penchant only too well. I have no quarrel with a president who unwinds every now and then.

Were the president a ‘She’, letting his hair down every free moment is not negotiable. I repeat, for a healthy president and, therefore, a healthy nation, kicking up his heels is imperative. In the course of his long night, he and his strategists, according to this rumor, had labored in vain how to stop Amaechi’s re-election as chair of the Nigerian Governors Forum. Frolic and subterfuge in a foreign land are a dangerous mix.

Tired and possibly inebriated, the president went to the “toilet” and remained there till his time to deliver his speech had elapsed. It won’t be the first time our leader played “ghost president”. In October 2011, at The Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meeting in Australia, Jonathan played the “disappearing act” trick for the first time. He amazed participants at the Presidential Country Roundtable by simply not showing up as if he was attending a PDP caucus meeting. He was supposed to use the occasion to outline Nigeria’s mining potentials and thereby lure investors.

Australia is reaping a bounty from mining. It is considered a world leader in that department. But our president, leading the biggest delegation of 120 people, acted true to type - he failed to appear to give a scheduled speech.

I am pretty certain, that our president has routinely missed listed meetings, botched appointments, ruined schedules, confirming what most informed citizens have known – that he talks big but delivers at the height of a pygmy. Eating a boiled egg, for example, has proved too much of a task. Our president has routinely betrayed an admirable lack of insight that the knowledgeable waste away in envy. All taxpaying Nigerians should insist, demand, in fact, a refund on the president’s latest junket in Ethiopia.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234 814 292 9046. Cell: +234 802 443 2099; 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141