Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday 27, November, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 77

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Again, Boko Haram names dialogue team >> PAGE 2

Jaji blasts: Air Force director still in coma >> PAGE 2

Al-Muharram 12, 1434 AH

N150

Reps summon petroleum minister over high rents >> PAGE 3

Daring FCT attack sets 30 suspects free

By Lambert Tyem

B

arely 24 hours after the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna was attacked by suicide bombers, some unidentified gunmen numbering between 40 and 50 in the early hours of yesterday attacked the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) office in Abuja where Boko Haram suspects and some hardened criminals were being held. 30 suspects were freed in the daring attack.

The surprise attack on the detention camp, located around Abattoir, Garki, Abuja was carried out around 2 am and it lasted for an hour during which heavy weapons were used by the gunmen.

It was gathered that a Mobile police officer and a police Inspector, Fakat Zaremi, were killed during the exchange of gunfire while one of the gunmen was said to have been killed and two others arrested.

Emmanuel Domsing, a lawyer and younger brother to the slain Inspector Zaremi, said he was informed early in the Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

26th Nov., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.76 246.91 197.25 0.2831 41

SELLING 155.76 248.51 200.54 0.3031 41.5

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 207 255 42 157

SELLING 209 256 44 158

. . . 2 policemen killed

L-R: Sokoto state Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, welcoming Chairman, Unity Bank Plc, Alhaji Nu’uman Barau Dambatta, who led the management team on a visit to the governor, yesterday at the Governor's Lodge, in Asokoro, Abuja.

Wada dares Jonathan, PDP, orders campaigns for 2015

By Lawrence Olaoye

K

ogi state Governor, Captain Idris Wada, yesterday dared President Goodluck Jonathan and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when he ordered the North

Central zone to commence political campaigns ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Addressing the North Central Executive Committee of the party in Abuja, Wada noted that 2015 is just around the corner and people have begun to really talk about the general elections.

But Jonathan and the Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, have at several fora ordered that no political office holder should talk about the 2015 general elections so as not to be distracted in their duties.

According to Wada, the PDP

in the region lost one of its states (Nasarawa) to the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2011 governorship elections because of inadequate preparations.

He pointed out that the opposition parties have begun to Contd on Page 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

CONTENTS

Again, Boko Haram names dialogue team

News

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

T

he Boko Haram sect yesterday re-iterated its earlier position to enter into dialogue with Federal Government.

Towards this end, the group has released names of six persons, which it said were selected to be its representatives in the dialogue deal.

The declaration was contained in a statement issued to newsmen and signed by one Abu Muhammad bn Abdulaziz, who claimed to be the sect’s commander in-charge of northern and southern parts of Borno state.

According to the statement, those chosen to represent the sect in the truce comprised of former governor of Yobe state and present member of the National Assembly, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

Others were elder statesman and pioneer indigenous minister of petroleum resources, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, and Justice Wakil Gana of the Borno state High Court.

Also selected in the dialogue deal were Barrister Aisha Wakil and an Islamic cleric Imam Gafciya.

As ANPP chieftain is killed in Borno The statement added that the members of the dialogue team were carefully chosen due to the confidence the group have in them.

It further explained that members of the sect are ever ready to embrace peace and lay down their arms, on the condition that the Federal Government will not betray them.

Meanwhile, unidentified gunmen in the early hours of yesterday killed the chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party,

(ANPP) in Magumeri local government area of Borno state, Alhaji Tar Kusurambe.

The latest attack came barely 24 hours after two other incidents in which the District Head of Gudumbali, Zanna Mulima and a businessman, Alhaji Dala Bama, were all gunned down by another group of gunmen.

Late Kusurambe was reportedly killed about 2.am when two gunmen stormed his residence.

Kusurambe was also said have

been murdered two days after returning from Saudi Arabia where he had gone to perform 2012 Hajj.

The assailants had reportedly fired several gunshots into the air, before heading to the home of their target. The man died on the spot, while the attackers fled the scene.

Both the state Police Commissioner, Abdullahi Yuguda and spokesman of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF), Lt-Col. Sagir Musa could not be reached for comment.

Jaji blasts: Air Force director still in coma From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

A

s families of those killed in the Sunday’s Jaji military base bombing continue to mourn, the Director of Air Services at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Air Commodore Alechenu Ekagbo, is said to be in coma at the 44 Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, where he is receiving treatment from injuries he sustained during the attack.

This is just as the Arewa

Consultative Forum blamed the attack which led the killing of about 50 persons with several others wounded, on the “failure of military intelligence”.

A family source said Ekagbo was resting in his room at the Brigadier Quarters when the bomb hit his residence located about 15 metres from the church adding that many thought he had already died until news filtered out that he was still alive but in critical state.

“We thought he was dead until we got the news this morning (yesterday) that he is still alive but

in critical condition”, the source said.

However, an army source hinted that the military authority has concluded plans to fly him abroad for better medical attention.

Also reacting to the attack yesterday, ACF national publicity secretary, Anthony Sani, urged the Federal Government and leaders of the Muslim sect, Boko Haram, to enter a truce in order to save the nation from human calamity.

Daring FCT attack sets 100 suspects free Contd from Page 1

How private schools exploit parents in Katsina state, Page 4

Int’l

34-36

Agriculture

37

Defence

38

Politics

39-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

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morning that Zaremi was killed by the gunmen while on duty.

“I was called that my elder brother was killed during the attack, but information is scanty on what actually transpired,” he stated.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, visited the facility around 1pm and was briefed by the SARS Commander and the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ade Shinaba.

The IG ordered a highpowered investigative panel headed by a Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

At the time of filling this

report, the security around the facility was tight as armed policemen turned back all visitors to the detention centre, a notorious cell for armed robbery suspects, hardened criminals and other undesirable elements.

Similarly, a photojournalist with Daily Independent, Jide Oyekunle was arrested and detained by the police for attempting to take pictures of the SARS office after the invasion by the gunmen.

Deputy Force Public Relations, Frank Mba, in a statement explained that about 30 suspects broke out of their cells and attempted to escape, but 25 of them were rearrested through “ tactical and coordinated efforts.”

He said, “In the early hours of today, November 26, 2012, at about 2am, unknown gunmen in large number attacked the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Federal Territory Police Command.

Policemen on duty responded swiftly and engaged the gunmen in a gun battle that lasted for some minutes, at the end of which the gunmen were successfully repelled.

“However, in the confusion that ensued, about 30 suspects in the detention facilities of SARS broke out of the cells and attempted to escape. Tactical and coordinated efforts to rearrest the fleeing suspects yielded instant result. So far, 25 of the suspects have been rearrested, while five suspects

originally being held in relation to robbery related offences are currently at large.

“Two Policemen died during the operation while two of the attackers have been arrested, needs to be emphasised here that no suspect held for terrorrelated charges, escaped from SARS detention facilities. No explosive or IED-related materials were used in the botched attack.

“Meanwhile, the IG has personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation and has ordered water-tight security around all government and Police -related facilities nationwide.”

The police appealed for calm and assured the public of its preparedness to provide security of lives and property.

Wada dares Jonathan, PDP, orders campaigns for 2015 Contd from Page 1

strategize for 2015 with the sole aim to torpedo the ruling party at the polls.

He said “Opposition wants to destabilize us but the mantle is with us now and we have to work harder.”

The governor commended the founding fathers of the PDP for their political foresight just as he declared his support for the party chairman’s programmes.

“I have continued to support the leadership of PDP in Kogi because without the party we will not be occupying the positions we are occupying

today,” he stressed.

But in a swift reaction, the party’s national leadership overruled the governor and directed its members to disregard Wada’s directives by staying away from politics ahead of the 2015 general elections.

Contacted for reaction, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh told newsmen that the Kogi governor must have been misquoted as his directive was in direct contradiction to the resolution of party.

“I believe Kogi governor must have been misquoted because it

is clearly against the directives of the President of the country who is the leader of the party; it is clearly against the directives of the National Chairman of the party.

“The National Executive Committee has taken a decisive direction on this matter. Our decision is that we will focus on achieving results; on performing our duties; on delivering on the mandate, on the promises we made to the electorates and this is the directive that the national chairman has given to all elected and appointed representatives of

the party.

“Kogi is one state that we directed to ensure that the performance of the governor should win us election again.

The governor should focus his energy, his attention on ensuring that his people are satisfied with his performance in office. That should be his priority at this point and not 2015.

“We don’t want any distraction at this point and nobody should deviate from what we are doing. This is not time for politics, this is time for performance”, Metuh warned.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 3

Subsidy scam: EFCC re-arraigns Ali’s son, others From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

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Gate of the headquarters of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) which was attacked by gunmen, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Reps summon Petroleum Minister over high rents by agencies T

By Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives yesterday expressed worry over high annual rents appropriated for several agencies in the Ministry of Petroleum and resolved to summon the minister, Mrs. Deziani Allison-Madueke.

The House Committee on

Petroleum Resources (Upstream) chaired by Rep Ajibola Muraina at the budget defense meeting with Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), pointed out that several agencies in the nation’s oil sector still appropriate several billions of naira as rents in their annual budget instead of exploring ways of getting

their own permanent buildings.

Ajibola who wondered why government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) could not synergise among themselves in the interest of good governance, lamented that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) lost over N1 billion spent on a land as its

headquarters only to be revoked by the Federal Capital Development Agency (FCDA).

According to him, “It baffles me why these ministers find it difficult to interact and resolve this land matters amicably. NEITI is saying that it has applied several times for land in the FCT without success.

This is unbelievable”.

Flood disaster: FG perfects plan to forestall food crisis

By Richard Ihediwa & Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Federal Government has assured that the flood disaster that ravaged farmlands in the last few months will not lead to acute food crisis as speculated by researchers even as it confirmed the release of additional N9.5 billion intervention fund for farmers in the affected areas.

This is just as Senate President David Mark has berated the

Ministry of Agriculture, saying its performance in the 2012 fiscal year was very low.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina gave assurance of food security yesterday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Agriculture to defend the ministry’s 2013 budget. He said the Federal Government had perfected plans to release from its reserves, the amount of food that would have been produced in the devastated farmlands.

The minister said satellite images showed that about 467,000 hectares of farmland was affected by the flood and that government has decided to release 1.4 metric tonnes of food to take care of the food shortage that might result from the flooding.

“There is no need to fear” the minister said against the backdrop of apprehensions by Nigerians many of who started stockpiling food ahead of the predicted famine.

He also confirmed the release of the N9.5 billion intervention fund saying such would be deployed to the procurement and distribution of high yielding and early maturing seedlings and other farm inputs to farmers in the affected areas.

However, at the hearing, the Senate President disagreed with the performance indices presented by the minister who earlier in his presentation maintained that the ministry performed beyond its target during the year.

2013 budget: Reps query NEPAD over N60m security vote

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives Committee on Integration in Africa, has expressed reservation of the adoption of envelope template for budget planning for ministries, departments and agencies without considering individual peculiarities of the MDAs.

The committee questioned the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) over its N60m security vote for 2013.

Speaking at the 2013 budget presentation of the agency, chairman of the committee, Abubakar Momoh, accused the agency and the Institute for Conflict Resolution of conspiracy for failing to submit their presentations

earlier, noting that the envelope system was a disservice to the development of the country.

On scrutinising the NEPAD budget document, the chairman of the committee asked the Special Assistant to the President on NEPAD, Dr. Tunji Olagunju to explain the ‘security vote’ and ‘teaching aids and laboratory’.

"We are aware that NEPAD

has no security issue to address on its own and one just wonders what use would teaching aids and laboratories will be for the agency.

The agency was asked to go back and prepare a comprehensive document for presentation on another day, as the one presented was considered incomprehensible.

amman Nasir Ali, son of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Ahmadu Ali and three others, were yesterday rearraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N4.4 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

The defendants were rearraigned before Jusice Adeniyi Onigbanjo on a 13-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.

One of the defendants, Abdulazeez Afis, is said to still be at large. Others arraigned alongside Ali were Christian Taylor, Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Nasaman Oil Services.

EFCC had initially arraigned Ali alongside Christian Taylor and Nasaman Oil Services on July 26 for an alleged N2.2 billion fuel subsidy fraud before amending the charge to re-arraign the defendants yesterday.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge and justice Onigbanjo ordered that Ali and Taylor should continue to enjoy the N20 million bail earlier granted to each of them by the court on July 26 when they were first arraigned.

Zaria Emir appoints new Ma’ajin Zazzau

By Abubakar Ibrahim

T

he Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris has appointed the head of corporate affairs of the Unity Bank Plc, Abuja headquarters, Alhaji Aliyu Ma’aji Iliyasu as the new Ma’ajin Zazzau.

In a letter dated November 22, 2012 and signed by the secretary to the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Garba (Dokajen Zazzau) notifying him of his new post in the Zazzau Emirate Council, The Emir expressed hope that “you will continue to assist the people of Zazzau Emirate, Kaduna and the country in general”.

The new title holder is also expected to give his maximum support on royal matters.

“HRH, the Emir of Zazzau has agreed to officially turban you as Ma’ajin Zazzau, God willing, on Friday 21stDecember, 2012 after the Jumma’at prayers (2.30pm) at the Emir’s place”, the appointment letter stated.

Agric minister warns agencies against budget deal with Reps

By Lawrence Olaoye & Mohammed Umar Puma

T

he Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, yesterday, warned agencies under the ministry against entering ‘deals’ with members of the House of Representatives as they continue with budget defence with the lawmakers.

Adesina in a letter to 39

agencies dated November 20th, 2012 with a reference number FMA/DFA/3415/1/117, threatened sanctions against any agency that sought an increase in the proposed budget as submitted to the National Assembly by the executive in September.

The minister's directive signed on his behalf by one Mr. Idris Mamman, read in part: "You are also to ensure that your

programmes /projects and capital ceilings are at par with what was approved in the Executive Bill as any deviation from the 2013 Executive Bill will be viewed as serious misconduct. Please ensure compliance".

The Minister also urged the agencies to avail his office of their proposals to the committee, with a view to ensuring that none of the agencies sought an increase of their

"envelopes".

"I am directed to request you (agencies) to submit to the Office of the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development soft and hard copies of documents prepared for 2013 Budget defence with National Assembly for his information and record purposes", the statement read in part.

The total budget of the

ministry for 2013 is N81.41billion.

But the chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Tahir Mohammed Monguno (Borno-ANPP), dismissed the minister's warning to the agencies insisting that the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to increase or shrink budgets estimates by the Presidency where and when necessary.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Extra lession: How private schools exploit parents in Katsina state W

ith our leaders so busy corruptly enriching themselves from the public till to spare the time and resources to improve the public education sector, it is little wonder that proprietors of private schools are always laughing to the bank at the expense of parents who pay through the nose for the, in some cases, sub standard, education their children and wards acquire from such schools. And the pupils/students do not find it funny or easy, either. Take for instance the parents of a Kindergarten (pre-nursery) pupil made to fork out N2000 or so for compulsory one-hour extra lesson for the child. Extra lesson for a child that is hardly out of his diapers! In Katsina state this is what parents and their children in private schools, from pre nursery to secondary, have to bear. In Katsina state we now have fewer boarding schools run by government.

According to a report of the Education Committee of the Katsina State House of Assembly under the chairmanship of Alhaji Halilu Ibrahim Karofi, the state has 36 registered private nursery and primary schools and 46 private secondary schools.

The criteria for establishing private schools in Katsina, according to the Assembly committee, include request for due approval from the state ministry of education, possession of land certificate of occupancy, course content conforming with the National Curriculum, satisfying minimum facilities standard, adequate furniture and toilet facilities, adequate number of qualified staff with good condition of service, provisions for playground and other recreation facilities, those on temporary sites to move to permanent sites within one year and any school that has SSS 111 students must have a minimum of three laboratories. The guidelines are however silent on the fees to becharged by these private schools thus leaving parents at the mercy of the proprietors of such schools.

After going round these private schools in all the three senatorial zones of Katsina state, the Assembly committee observed that due to lack of close supervision of these private schools, most of them are operating illegally, with others lacking basic infrastructures and facilities for conducive learning, while others are only centres for exams malpractice and exploitation of parents (charging exorbitant fees).

Similarly most of theseschools have no science laboratories. The committee visited all the schools to inspect their facilities. The committee further observed that

Although the intervention of the private sector in the development of education is not new in Nigeria, the failure of government, due to massive corruption, to give the needed support to the education sub sector in recent times is definitely responsible for the proliferation of private schools in the country and the attendant exploitation of parents by some of them, writes Lawal Sa’idu Funtua.

Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina state

Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i

only Hope International School, Barda International School and Mariamoh Ajiri Memorial School, all located in the state capital, that conform with the requirements and guidelines of the National education policy, whereas the rest are yet to comply.

However, another disturbing dimension in Katsina state is how these private schools exploit parents every now and then under the pretext of improving on their services. For instance, no private school in Katsina metropolitan charges less than N10, 000 per term. This is exclusive of examination fees, sport fees, report card fees and extra-lesson fees, inclusive of kindergarten and nursery levels pupils. An educationist in Katsina state, AlhajiAbubakar Saulawa noted that it was the uncaring attitude of government that encourages proprietors of private schools to unilaterally fix their fees and introduce all manner of services, including those that have dubious edifying values.

The Dean of the Faculty of Education, Umaru Musa ‘Yar’adua University, Dr. Mani Ahmad described the proprietors of these private schools as mare “merchants trying to sell their commodities who met parents

invest more on this western education at the detriment of Islamic knowledge”. According to him, now children have only Saturday and Sunday to attend to Islamic learning”, warning that “in the next 20 years the prospect of Islamic Studies in schools would surely dwindle’.

Dr. Ahmad advised that as a way of putting an end to the exploitation of parents, the government should assist owners of private schools by giving them subsidy in form of free land and the syllabus and scheme of work.

A Muslim cleric, Uztaz Umar Aliyu argued that to address the idea of these schools taking over

eager to buy at whatever price”.

On the stressful hours of learning these schools subject pupils to, Dr. Ahmad is of the opinion that “subjects like Mathematics and English language must betaught in the morning hours. You cannot subject these pupils to long hours of learning without recreation”.

Some stakeholders express the concern that the compulsory extra lesson introduced by the private schools do not allow Muslim children time to attend Islamic schools in the evening.

Dr. Ahmad observed further, “family values are changing; parents now are prepared to

“

With government officials, whose children are studying abroad courtesy of ill-gotten wealth, not giving a damn what happens in the private sector of education in the state, hapless and helpless parents and their children as well as the teachers would forever remain at the mercy of shylock proprietors of the private schools who continuously smile to the bank

the time of Islamic learning, Muslims must strive to establish their own schools that would give time for Islamic learning.

It is not only parents that are victims of exploitation by the private school operators; teachers recruited for these schools are under paid; their salary is very meager.

Investigation by our correspondent observed that in most of these schools, a graduate is paid N10, 000 monthly, and even then the salary does not come when due. A teacher in a private school in Katsina, Mr.David Iormen said “my concern is not even the pay but the fear that you may be sacked at any time. In my school I recently separate a fight between two pupils but when one reported that I was not fair to her, the proprietor summoned and asked me to go”.

With government officials, whose children are studying abroad courtesy of ill-gotten wealth, not giving a damn what happens in the private sector of education in the state, hapless and helpless parents and their children as well as the teachers would forever remain at the mercy of shylock proprietors of the private schools who continuously smile to the bank.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 5

Minimum wage: Zamfara NLC issues 2 weeks ultimatum From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

T

he Zamfara state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has given two weeks ultimatum within which to either implement the N18,000 minimum wage to civil servants of the state or face indefinite industrial action.

In a communiqué issued after its emergency meeting at its headquarters in Gusau, the state capital, NLC congress resolved to down tools over what it described as lukewarm attitude of the state government in respect of the minimum wage.

The communiqué which was signed by the chairman of the congress and his secretary,

Comrade Abdullahi Modomawa and Isiyaka Sabo Tsafe respectively, said the ultimatum begins from November 26, 2012 to December 10 , 2012 within which it expects the government to respect the earlier agreement reached between the two parties.

NLC also expressed its dismay over the systematic retirement of workers in the state, wherein

their names are being removed from the payroll, and called on the government to restore all those removed unlawfully, including those compelled to retire without reaching the age of retirement.

It further advised workers to use their November salary to stockpile foodstuff that would last the period of the industrial action.

Lack of funds, logistics hampers NAFDAC From Iliya Garba, Minna

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iger state Director of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mr. Dadi Nantin Mullah, has said that lack of funds and logistics has made it impossible for the agency to cover the 25 local government areas in the state to fight against illicit drugs.

“With only one Hilux truck, it has been very difficult to traverse the vast plains of Niger State where several markets have been identified in the local government areas selling drugs just like tomatoes and onions”.

He made this known yesterday in Minna at a workshop organized for local government Desk Officers, adding that the 25 local government officers would be trained on intelligence gathering for onward relay to NAFDAC in Minna for regulatory action.

Mr. Mullah however said that the D.Os would not assume the status of NAFDAC regulatory officers and carrying out the functions of the Agency, buy would be expected to continue normal duties by providing a desk at the Local Government Secretariat for coordination of NAFDAC activities in the LGs. The Unit head pointed out that although counterfeit medicines were first discovered in Nigeria in 1968, the situation worsened over the years but sounded positive that NAFDAC is winning the war, going by decrease in the incidence of counterfeit medicine in Nigeria between 2001 and 2012.

While declaring workshop open, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Babamini Sule advised NAFDAC to do all within its reach to stamp out the sale of fake drugs in the state.

Customs hands over recovered equipment From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

T

he Nigeria Customs Service recently handed over a total of 306 containers of NIPP – NEPA equipment recovered from the seaports in Lagos to the Minister of State, Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi at the APM terminal Apapa.

Making the presentation, Comptroller Dan Ugo, who represented the CustomsComptroller General at the ceremony, noted that the service will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government in ensuring the success of the transformation of the power sector.

He stated that the service will not relent to search for such abandoned NIPP-NEPA containers with a view to notifying the presidential task-force on power.

Receiving the documents, the Minister of State thanked the CGC for the patriotism demonstrated by the service and reiterated the determination of the Federal Government to solve the epileptic power situation in the country.

Police to arraign two SS2 students for stealing Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo (left), in a handshake with former President Olusegun Obasanjo (middle), during the opening of the Comptroller General Conference of the Nigeria Customs Service, yesterday in Katsina. With them is Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (right).

Nasarawa Assembly sacks NUDB boss From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Nasarawa State House of Assembly, yesterday, ruled that the acting managing director, Nasarawa Urban Development Board (NUDB), Engr. Edward Daudu, should vacate his office. It also ordered that the office remain under locked until a substantive MD is appointed.

While presenting his report, the Speaker, Musa Ahmed Mohammed, noted that the House did not recognise the letter of appointment issued to Engr. Daudu, which was presented on the floor of the assembly by the Secretary to the State Government, Mohammed

Hamza Elayo either in acting capacity or otherwise, arguing that there is no provision in the substantive law passed by the Assembly giving room for such appointment at the board.

The Speaker further ruled that the resolution of the House during its last sitting still stands, thereby ordering the closure of the acting MD’s office pending the appointment of a substantive one.

While observing that the state cannot afford to create a vacancy in that office, Ahmed Mohammed, requested Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura to submit a list of prospective candidates for the substantive managing director to the House for confirmation, giving

the governor five days within which to do so.

The assembly equally ruled out the resubmission of Engr. Daudu by the governor for confirmation as substantive MD of the NUDB. Peoples Daily recalls that Engr Edward Daudu's travail began soon after his failure to appear before the House committee on Housing and Urban development, to defend budgetary allocations.

Engr. Daudu told journalists that when the committee asked him twice, he was away on official assignment, while on the third occasion, he was in a session with the governor and by the time he arrived the Assembly, members of the committee had dispersed.

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

T

he new security strategies and operational system adopted by the Jigawa state police command started yielding good result in the state as the command succeeded in arresting about 10 suspected armed robbers within 48 hours including two SS2 students.

Speaking on the feat, the state commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Theophilus said under the new operational system, senior officers were posted out to head various teams that patrolled the capital city and other parts of the state in the night.

The police commissioner said, "myself, my DCP (deputy commissioner in the command), all ACPs (assistants commissioners) were part of the operation …we succeeded in nabbing an armed robbery gang leader and one of a five man syndicate who for the past two months have been terrorising residents of Dutse, the capital city of the state".

Maku enjoins religious followers to pray for Nigeria

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

M

inister of Information Labaran Maku has enjoined Christians and Muslims in the country to remain steadfast in prayers against insecurity and recurring violence in some parts of the country.

The minister expressed belief that joint prayers by the two

religious groups would encourage Nigerians and give them hope that in spite of the security challenges being witnessed in parts of the country, there are people who still believe in the oneness of God. Maku stated this as he received a joint group of Christians and Muslims under the umbrella of the Christian Association of Nigeria

(CAN) and Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

While recalling how Nigeria was able to overcome challenges such as the civil war and the June 12 crisis, the minister however disclosed that through fervent prayers and the commitment of citizens, the country would

surmount the present security challenges and emerge as a more cohesive and strong entity.

He therefore urged the delegation to embark on advocacy for peace and love wherever there is violence and hatred and commended the foresight of the group for proposing to use December 12, as a platform for joint prayers for the country and its

citizens.

Leader of the delegation, Inuwa Tula who spoke earlier, said that the group is committed to canvassing for national unity on an inter-faith platform, reiterating that they slated 1212-12 as a day for fervent prayers for unity, peace and harmony with recourse to its scientific and religious significance.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

EFCC re-arraigns Hembe, Azubuogu

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he suspended chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Capital Market, Herman Hembe and his deputy, Azubuogu Ifeanyi were yesterday rearraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before an Abuja High Court sitting before Justice Peter Kekemeke.

The criminal case which was formally before Justice Sadiq Abubakar Umar of an Abuja High Court in Maitama, was transferred to Kekemeke's court in Apo

following a petition by the antigraft agency alleging bias on the part of Justice Umar.

EFCC expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the accused lawmakers were allowed to stand by the side of the dock, against its application for them to be in the dock throughout the trial period.

The Chief Judge (CJ) of the FCT, Justice Hassan Lawal Gumi consequently re-assigned the matter to Justice Kekemeke for fresh trial.

When the matter was mentioned yesterday, prosecuting counsel, Onjefu Obe made an oral application for the accused persons

to take a fresh plea, in line with the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

Thoughs both counsels to the accused persons, Mr. Jibrin Okutepa and Emeka Etiaba did not object to the prosecution's prayer, they, nonetheless, urged the court to allow the accused persons remain on the bail terms earlier granted by Justice Umar, more so that the accused have kept faith with the stipulated conditions, one of which is to attend trial proceedings.

Meanwhile, counsel to Hembe, Okutepa, protested what he considered an attempt by the EFCC to "intimidate and ridicule the

Nigerian judiciary" and described the commission's request to have the case transferred as worrisome.

Both prosecuting and defence counsels agreed for an accelerated trial and the court adjourned till January 23 and 24 next year for trial.

EFCC is prosecuting Hembe and Ifeanyi on a two-count charge

of abusing their privileges as chairman and deputy chairman respectively, when they allegedly converted into personal use $4,095 (about N600,000) being money allegedly released by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for them to travel to the Dominican Republic for a conference in October, 2011.

Reps want increased funding for Fiscal Commission

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he team leader of House of Representatives subCommittee on Finance, Alhaji Hassan El-Badawi, has called for increase funding for the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to enable it discharge its mandate effectively.

El-Badawi noted this when he led a team of the committee on oversight visit to the Commission's headquarters, expressing shock at the paucity of funds available to the commission.

In his words: "We have gone

through the budget of the commission and we are sad to find out that the commission is grossly underfunded. Even the meager amount allocated to the commission is not released as at when due".

El-Badawi said this situation was unwholesome, adding that this was what the House had been harping on, that quarterly releases should be done without delay.

Earlier, the chairman of the commission, Alhaji Aliyu Jibril Yelwa, had briefed the team on the activities of the commission and called for a review of its mandate to enable it prosecute erring agencies.

Jonathan tasks customs on corruption From Lawal Sa'idu Funtua, Katsina

L-R: Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. MacJohn Nwobiala, and Director, Learn Africa Publishing Plc, Mr. Julius Abiodun, during the minister's meeting with publishers of Federal Government free educational materials for basic education level, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Kebbi uncovers 9, 258 fake local council workers

T

he Kebbi State Verification Committee on local government staff has uncovered 9, 258 "ghost workers" in the 21 local councils, an official of the workers union, has said.

Alhaji Bello Barade, the state chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi, yesterday, that the figure included workers that failed to appear for clearance.

He said the exercise, conducted two months ago, had cleared 24, 126 workers "as genuine staff of the 21 local councils".

"The records of such workers were studied and they were cleared. The exercise was not aimed at witch hunting any worker", he said.

Barade disclosed that 12, 830 of the workers verified "were mere beneficiaries of political patronage".

"Such categories of staff would not be considered as workers due to the nature of their recruitment on political grounds, but they would continue to enjoy their salaries and allowances", he said.

The chairman, who was part of the verification team, said the

committee had recommended the retraining of some 1, 830 secondary school certificate holders, who were employed as teachers.

He said such workers would be fully absorbed into the service after the retraining.

According to him, genuine workers who were unable to attend the screening exercise will be given another opportunity.

"The committee has also strongly recommended that all serious omissions be reviewed", he added. (NAN)

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resident Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has tasked the customs service to rid itself from corrupt personnel in the service.

The President who stated this while declaring open the Comptroller General of Customs Annual Conference, yesterday in Katsina, noted that this was necessary to correct the negative perception of the service.

Jonathan who was represented by Vice-president Namadi Sambo, noted that the theme of this year's conference "Borders Divide, Customs Connect", was apt and timely.

According to him, borders should connect the country to the economic benefit of international trade.

He added that the customs service should always be guided in their operations by the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.

In a remark at the occasion, former Vicepresident Atiku Abubakar called on the service to work hard to erase the negative perception of the public on the service.

Also speaking, the customs Comptroller General, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde disclosed that the introduction of single window clearance has eliminated corruption in the system.

Obesity is a form of malnourishment, says expert

By A'isha Biola Raji

A

nutrition expert, Oluniyi Oyedokun, has warned that obesity is a sign of malnutrition in children who later in life can be exposed to terminal

diseases like hypertension, heart failure and other forms of killer diseases.

Oyedokun stated this in Kano at a training programme organised for media practitioners by the United Nations Children's Education Fund,

(UNICEF).

According to him, children who are not exclusively breast fed for six months are exposed to malnutrition.

He said,"Children with severe acute malnutrition are nine times likely to die from any causes than those

Borno to establish veterinary teaching hospital From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

I

n a bid to ensure the consumption and rearing of healthy animals, Borno state government plans to establish a veterinary teaching hospital.

The state's Commissioner for Animal Resources and Fisheries Development, Prof. Kyari Sandabe, said this yesterday at a ministerial press briefing.

Prof. Sandabe also revealed that within the year under review,

a total of 320,000 different species of animals infected with different disease were treated.

Sandabe explained that the measure was aimed at ensuring that all species of animals that may suffer from various ailments, receive effective treatment.

The commissioner noted that already, Governor Kashim Shettima has approved the upgrading of the veterinary hospital to be equipped with modern facilities for its take-off as the new teaching hospital.

He pointed out some of the strategies adopted for the successeful take-off of the project comprised of massive recruitment of veterinary doctors while those studying were placed on monthly allowances, pending their conversions into regular staff.

According to him, when established, the teaching hospital would offer effective services on animal health, veterinary public health, hides and skin development and livestock marketing, among others.

who do not suffer from malnutrition".

He described malnutrition as wasting or condition represented by measures of thinness which is often preceded by obesity or bilateral edema. He said severe acute malnutrition can cause 60 percent child mortality if not treated. He said malnutrition is not limited to rural areas and that given the population of Nigeria, the magnitude is significant especially in the Sahel states.

Oluniyi however implored concerned stakeholders to focus on the nutritional needs of a child which, according to him, is mostly essential for I.Q (Intelligent Quotient) development, through the first two years of the child's life. "The brain formation stops at two years, any intervention, after two year is irrelevant in the development of the child's IQ," he advised.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 7

Nigeria loses N105bn annually to vandalisation – Presidency

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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he Presidency has raised the alarm that petroleum supply crises looms in the country as Federal Government is losing an average revenue of over N105 billion worth of products and crude to pipeline vandals annually across 5,120 kilometres of pipelines in Nigeria.

The revelation is coming on the heels of discoveries that the emerging queues in petrol stations is due to reluctance by Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) and stakeholders in the chain of distribution of petroleum products in the country to continue the importation of PMS and other products, as a result of the non-payment of subsidy money due to them by the Ministry of Finance.

A top Presidency source said “the current fuel supply and distribution situation being experienced by Nigerians is traceable to recent vandalisation

of our products pipeline at Arepo; where Pipeline Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) engineers who went for repairs were shot and three of them killed. As a result of security challenges, PPMC is yet to gain access to the vandalised points to effect repairs”.

The said point, according to the source,” is along the Atlas Cove-Mosimi line that feeds five depots and accounts for products supply to the whole of the Southwest region and also contributes about 60 percent of total bridging to the North”.

The Presidency source who spoke on condition of anonymity argued that there was no way that Nigeria with a total land mass of about 910,770 sq km and with a population of about 167 million can effectively manage the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country using trucks.

The source added that with adequate security of the pipelines “a robust pipeline network of

about 5,120 km across the nation, 21 loading depots and 19 pumping stations,” the nation will be guaranteed stable and steady supply and distribution of petroleum products.

The source however noted that the over $9 billion assets have been unused due to the incessant pipeline vandalisation but “the present management of PPMC since it took over about 20 months ago is doing all it can to resuscitate some of these

abandoned pipelines. Without the support of security agencies, we cannot achieve much”.

Once the pipelines are available, the sources said “PPMC is ready to pump all products to the depots located in all regions of the country. It is only when the pipelines are not available that they are compelled to use other methods to make the products available. In the absence of security, the vandals have a field day and prevent the

pipelines from functioning effectively”.

The Presidency source added that despite the challenges “PPMC have re-commissioned Kaduna-Suleja line, KadunaKano line, Suleja-Minna line, Kaduna-Gusau line, Kaduna-Jos line, Port Harcourt-Aba line and Warri-Benin line. With these lines functioning, NNPC have been able to distribute products to Suleja, Kano, Minna, Jos, Gusau and Aba depots.

FCT minister tasks pilgrims on good conduct From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, yesterday advised intending Christian pilgrims from the FCT to be of good conduct while in the holy land.

Akinjide stated this at the orientation for intending pilgrims for the 2012 pilgrimage to Israel organised by the FCT Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board held at Aperin, in Ibadan.

According to the minister who was represented by a member of the FCT Christian

Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. Mathieu Akintola, there was the need for all the intending pilgrims to demonstrate good values as a way of improving the nation’s image in line with the determination of the Federal Government at changing the wrong perception of the international community about Nigerians.

Akinjide emphasised the need for the intending pilgrims to respect the country and themselves before, during and after the pilgrimage “by exhibiting the highest sense of exemplary conduct while in the holy land”.

EFCC to probe detention of 300 herdsmen, agric loan fraud From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to investigate allegations of fraud associated with agricultural loans and the illegal detention of about 300 herdsmen and farmers in Shira and Giade local government areas of Bauchi state.

EFCC’s visit to the area followed a petition the commission received on October 24, 2012 from the communities.

The beneficiaries were allegedly cajoled to open accounts with a bank (names withheld) branch in the area so as to benefit from agricultural and animal husbandry loans to boost their occupation.

It was further alleged that the villagers were deceived to receive the loans sometimes in 2009 which were interest free ranging from N350, 000 to N1 million.

The farmers and herdsmen however complained that throughout the procesing of the loans, they never went to the bank to fill or sign any document but were attended to under a tree near

the bank for all the transactions made with them.

It was also learnt that when the loans were approved, various sums of money were deducted upfront before the monies were handed over to the beneficiaries.

One of the alleged default victims while narrating his ordeals to newsmen, stated that for those collecting N500, 000, between N50, 000 to N100, 000 – which was not initially made known to them – were allegedly deducted as commissions and facilitation fees.

Sa’idu Umar, a farmer told newsmen that he applied for the loan of N1million but was given N870, 000 while the remaining N230, 000 was deduced as insurance fees by the bank.

“I have so far repaid the sum of N1.8 million but up to now, they are claiming that I am yet to settle my loan. If I knew that the loan would attract such interest, I would not have collected it because I have sold my car and farmland in addition to my arrest and detention for 19 days due to my inability to complete the payment”, he cried.

L-R: Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, and Chairman, House Committee on Labour, Hon. Ekpenyong Ayi, during the 2013 budget defence by the minister before the committee, yesterday at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Oil communities challenge payment of 13 percent derivation to states From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

O

il and gas producing communities have decried the 13 percent derivation fund paid to oilproducing states as.

In their memorandum to the senate committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution in Calabar, the Cross River state capital, the communities traced

their struggle to win the 13 percent derivation concession from the Federal Government to the 1994/95 constitutional conference through to the drafting of 1999 Constitution when the issue was captured in Section 162 (2).

The communities urged the senate committee to amend Section 162 (2) to read: “that 13 percent Derivation Revenue

accruing to the Federation Account directly from any natural resources be paid as first line charge from the Federation Account to the oil and gas producing communities through a National Derivation Board whose members shall be recommended for appointment by the President on the advice of leaders of oil and gas communities”.

Metropolitan Board to prosecute owners of houses without toilets in Jos, Bukuru

T

he Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB), has said owners of buildings without toilets within the Jos and Bukuru township would soon be prosecuted.

Mr. Mathias Hata, the General Manager of the board, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos yesterday that building of houses without toilets was a serious

environmental offence.

“Any building without a standard toilet in it does not merit to be regarded as a standard structure, as those without toilets usually litter the environment, hence their owners will be charged to court.

“We are saddled with the onus of making sure that both the environment and the health condition of the people is properly cared for”, he said.

Hata added that in the board’s quest to discharge its mandate of turning Jos and Bukuru into an admirable city in Nigeria, the health of the people would not be relegated.

He also said that any building within the Jos– Bukuru township must be in agreement with the planning, engineering, architectural and environmental guidelines provided by the board. (NAN)

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Rivers state Cultural troupe performing in Jabi dam, during the boat regatta event at the ongoing 2012 Abuja National Carnival, yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: Outgoing President, Nigerian Academy of Education, Professor Otonti Nduka, former ICPC Chairman, Justice Mustapha Akanbi, and former Rivers state Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, during the national conference on Sectoral Professional Development organised by Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values, yesterday in Abuja.

Catholic faithful in a procession to mark the feast of Christ the King, on Sunday in Abuja.

L-R: Director, Resource Mobilisation, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Dr. Emmanuel Alhassan, Director-General, Professor John Idoko, and Head Advocacy, GSS Garki Old Boys and Girls Association in a group photograph with their former Communication and Social Mobilisation, Natioanal Aids and STI’s control programme, Principal, Yakubu Musa Maikasuwa (middle), during the first annual reunion dinner of Mrs Gladys Ihunda, during the 2012 World Aids News Conference, yesterday in Abuja. the association, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photos: Mahmuda Isa, Justin Imo-Owo, NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 9

Most Kwarans live in extreme poverty, says group From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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L-R: Senate President David Mark, chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, and Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka, during the 2013 budget defence of Ministry of Agriculture, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Shira local government council of Bauchi state has conducted house to house immunizationexercise against polio disease.

The council caretaker committee chairman, Alhaji Maigari Mohammed Khanna who conducted the immunization on children from 0-5 years old during the flaggoff the exercise in the area in the effort to finally eradicate polio in the council and the entire state, urged parents to partake in the ongoing 8th round of polio Immunization plus days, to safeguard the future of their children.

Khanna said, district and village heads as well as community and religious leaders were mobilized to

Polio eradication is our priority, says LG boss ensure that there was no rejection of the exercise from anyone in the area.

Maigari who is also the former director of press, government house, Bauchi said government desires to see the eradication of the polo disease , adding that there was no concrete evidence to link the vaccine to any sort of contamination, stating that insinuations that polo vaccines contain family planning substance or HIV/AIDS treatment were untrue .

“If you do not accept this programme, that means you

will be part of those who would bring problems to our own country because if polio virus is detected in Shira LGA, it would affect the other LGA bordering Shira particularly Jama’are, Giade, Katagum and even Gwaram LGA in Jigawa state, so it is very important and that our people should accept this vaccines because it is free.’’ “you and me know that whoever is above 35 years must have been immunized and the immunization then was even different from now because now is children under 5, but then

Crime reporters hold 2012 annual lecture From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

T

he annual lecture/award ceremony of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (CRAN) has been slated for Thursday November 29, 2012 at the Main Hall, Radio Lagos/Eko FM, Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event is part of the association’s efforts at contributing to the development of the country in the area of security of lives and property; as recommendations are usually sent to relevant authorities for implementation after the lecture/award ceremony.

This year’s lecture entitled: “Rising up to the Rising Security

Challenges in the Country” will be delivered by the President, Society of Security Practitioners of Nigeria (SSPN) Mr. Davidson Akhimien who is also the Managing Director of King David Security Services.

The lecture is expected to focus on measures that could bring about lasting solution to the nation’s security challenges, with particular reference to suicide bombing.

Expected dignitaries at the event include; the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubarkar, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Charge of Zone II, Mr. Mamman Tsafe, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde

Fashola; his counterparts in Akwa-Ibom and Katsina States, Godswill Akpabio and Ibrahim Shema among others.

Royal fathers expected at the occasion include: Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Babatunde Akilu, the Onijanikin of Ijanikin Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Momodu Ashafa and the Elemure of Emure ekiti, His Royal Majesty Adewale Emmanuel Adebayo.

Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (CRAN) is the national body of journalists from both the print and the electronic media that are basically assigned to report crime, security, police affairs and deeply engaged in investigative journalism.

was almost everybody which in the olden days they called ‘ Cha chake’ so you can see it has nothing to do with the family planning if it had side effect many Nigerians would have had problems and by now Nigerians would have risen to say no, but Nigerians accepted it and say yes, so you who say no what is your own conviction that you are saying no.’’

Khanna added.

group, Patrotic Youth Initiative for Poverty Eradication (PYIPE) has disclosed that more than 75 percent total population of the people living in Kwara State lives in extremely poverty.

State Coordinator of the group, Yusuf Muftau Animashaun who stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin noted that the result was due to economic constrain.

He said” today more than 75 percent of the population in Kwara State live in extreme poverty. The overwhelming majority of them are women and young people in rural communities.

“The number of people living in poverty has increased dramatically and the risk of falling into poverty is higher for low income earner.

Residents of rural households are poorer beacause they have fewer economic opportunities and less or no skill to earn a living”.

The cordinator of the group noted that the previous political policies of Military government regions contributed a lot the problem of masses in the state.

He explained that if government must appreciate the role ig youths in nationbuilding and development.

Animashaun who suggested Community youth enterprise programmes to alleviate poverty among the youth said government need to provide vocational skills, life planning education and micro- credit for communities.

Saint Charles College, Ankpa old boys brainstorm From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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he deteriorating condition of structures and poor environment have formed the basis a meeting by old students of Saint Charles College, Ankpa, Kogi state,on how to salvage the school.

The recent ravaging flood occasioned by global warming completely submerged the school including the science laboratory, library, classrooms and hostels.

National President of old students association, Mr Christopher Ogala, at preconvention meeting yesterday at the school premises in Ankpa, noted that government alone cannot help most schools and so, the alumni of Saint Charles College should make it a duty to restore its glory.

“The school has done enough by bringing us to the different positions we are today.It behooves on us to plough back what the school had made us to be”.

“We cannot afford to watch our alma mater collapse under our watchful eyes, every individual Saint Charles product at home and in diaspora should endeavour to be home on December 27, 2012 for the convention on how to chart the way forward”, Ogala reiterated.

AVM Salihu Atawodi, Justice Huseini-Baba Yusuf, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin, ACP Yusuf Adejo, Air Commodore Mohammed Shaibu and Controller of Prison Kogi state, Adem Omale to mention a few were among old students of the school.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Fulanis to benefit from our education, economic plans – Kwankwaso From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has expressed his government’s determination to include pastoralists and all segments of society in its education programmes and economic empowering programmes.

In a meeting he held with members of Miyetti Allah Association and representatives of other Fulani organisations in Government House Kano, weekend, the governor also expressed the government’s willingness to educate and train them on the modern ways of animal rearing which will make

it more profitable to them.

In a press release issued by Baba Halilu Dantiye, Director of Communication and Public Relations Strategy to the Governor, Kwankwaso said the present ways of farming needs to be changed as it has little or no economic benefits to the Fulani herdsmen.

He told them that it was not

the number of cattle that matters but their production capacity for milk and meat.

He therefore informed them of the government’s plan to improve the present breed through artificial insemination and cross breeding.

He pointed out that, time was past when one risked his entire life

roaming to feed his cattle, as both cattle and rearers expose themselves to danger and diseases.

He said informed them that the state government is determine to settle them in one place and provide them with schools, hospitals and other social amenities and train them on the modern ways of farming.

NGO decry persistent budget delay From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

A

Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide (right), administering Vitamin C drug to a child, during the FCT Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, recently in Kubwa, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jonathan, Sambo, Wamakko, Maikasuwa others bag royalty awards

By Muhammad Nasir

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his year’s edition of the Nigerian Royalty Awards with the theme “Nigerian Womanhood; Distinctively Unique, Celebrating Excellence, A Catalyst For National Development” is slated for Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, on the Thursday, November 29, 2012.

Captain Chinyere Kalu would be the official guest speaker while Sir Mike Okiro, retired Inspector General of

Police, chairs the occasion which commences by 6:30pm.

The roll call of honorees include Pastor Folu Adeboye of RCCG, the First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, Hajia Amina Sambo, Dr. Becky Enenche, Justice Aloma Muktar, Justice Mary Odili, Chief Kema Chikwe, Helen Onma Mark, Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufa’i, Maryam Babangida (post humous recipient), Sen. Joy Emodi, Hajia Ladi Hamalai, HRM Queen

Florence of Kalabari, HRM Ugoeze of Obinugwu, Senator Zainab Kure, Hajia Zainab Maina, Rose Uzoma, Hon. Patricia Etteh and Mrs. Sarah Jubril, Others include Diezani Alison- Madueke, Omobola Johnson, HRM Erelu Dosumu, Sarah Ochekpe, Mulikat Akande, Erelu Olusola Obada, Vera Oguejiofor, Zainab Okino, Tosin Dokpesi, Eugenia Abu, Sa’adiyatu Dikko, Yeye Funke

Daniel, Fatima Shema, Stella Okoli, Dooshima Suswam, Hon Khadijat Bukar Abba, AADUM & Co., Fatima Maikasuwa, Victoria Okojie and Fatima Bamidele Other dignitaries who would also get a coveted trophy include eminent Nigerians like M.D Abubakar, Governors Aliyu Wamakko, Seriake Dickson, Rauf Aregbesola, Patrick Yakowa; HRH Eze Ilomuanya, HRH Gbong Gwon Jos, HRH Ona of Abaji among others.

especially women in the areas of agriculture and political leadership.

She also said, Oxfam would be intensifying its engagements with women farmers in the country in order to attain food security in order to address poverty.

“We are working on a standalone programme on women leadership towards the 2015 general elections to scale up the number of women in elective positions in the country”, Aniagolu-Okoye stated.

She further informed the minister that oxfam has other programmes focused on good governance, adding that on

harmonization of Oxfam activities would be held, to herald a single management structure for more effectiveness.

Responding, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina reiterated the commitment of her ministry to women empowermenteconomically, socially and politically,a key to the Transformation Agenda of the government.

According to her, the ministry was presently focusing on the ongoing constitution amendment to put forward proposals that would promote the development of women in the country.

From Inimidun Ojelade, Ibadan

non-governmental organiza-tion, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has decried the persistent delay in budget implementation in Bauchi state The CITAD Director, Ya’u Zakariyya Ya’u in a press briefing in Bauchi at the weekend, gave key areas of common concern and interest for the communities as education, rural infrastructure, poverty alleviation programmes and women issues as encapsulated in the charter.

He attributed the delay to recurring late presentation, passage and assent, noting that budget year starts constitutionally from January 1 to December 31.

Thus, he said, processes of consideration of appropriation bills including assent by the vgovernor should be completed within the stipulated period.

The organization said it was in line with its commitment to consultative processes in the development and governance that its partner, Bauchi Coalition for Improvement of Public Expenditure Management (BACIPEM) that it undertook series of community needs assessment in various communities across local governments in Bauchi state.

To this end, Ya’u therefore called for the amendment of some provisions in both the public Procurement Law and Fiscal Responsibility Law of the state to make them fit for effective implementation.

Oxfam budgets 4m euros for women in Nigeria Ede Descendents Union hold the Ministry to fast track the December 13th, a goal life event Mapo Arogun Day

By Maryam Garba Hassan development of vulnerable groups, to commemorate the

O

xfam in Nigeria has prepared an annual budget of 4 million Euros for Nigeria and about 50 percent of the sum would be earmarked for various women focused programmes towards enhancing their development.

According to the country Director of Oxfam, Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye, who gave the indication when she led other officials of the organization on a courtesy visit recently to the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina noted that Oxfam was prepared to partner with the Nigerian government, through

T

he Federal Council of Ede Descendents Union, an umbrella union of all sons and daughters of Ede at home and Diaspora have held the 19th Ede Mapo Arogun Day on Saturday at the Ede City in Osun state.

In his welcome address, the Timi of Ede Land, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal Laminisa I, thanked state governor Rauf Aregbesola for gracing the occasion and for transforming the ancient city of Ede to a modern one.

The monarch added that the city is bedevilled with several socioeconomic challenges, and harped on the indigenes of the city to rise

up to the challenges and contribute their quota to the progress and development of the country.

President of the council, Barrister Dele Adeyemi traced the history of the council with its formation on May 30, 2009, and expressed appreciation for the tasks, challenges and responsibilities imposed on the executives, “but with our antecedents and valour, Ede Mapo Arogun, aji lala Eso, they were able to meet most, if not all.”

The chairman of this year’s planning committee, Alhaji Sule Alao, in his speech, noted that this year’s Ede Mapo Arogun Day was designed to assess the progress of Ede Land and to chart a way for further development of the ancient city.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 11

How to start successful import business

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ost of the goods consumed in Nigeria come from oversea even though we are making effort to become industrialized, but right now we are yet to get there. There are goods out there that when brought into this country would sell like pure water, so how do you go about bringing these goods into the country in a legal way to earn mega income?

Until now import business used to be the exclusive right of people with plenty of money and technical knowhow, people who can travel around the world and all that. But right now, the story has changed; you can actually import goods from oversea right from your bedroom without having to travel anywhere.

One thing special about imported goods is that people get to respect it more than the locally made type (not necessarily superior in quality though) and tends to patronize it more.

Import business is a very big business, but you need to know how to go about it to be able to make a lot of money from the goods you

imported, you need to start by knowing what comes first and second and so on. So how do you proceed to setting up your import business?

1. Look for hot products In those days you'd need to travel to many countries to be able to identify products to import.

Now, you can seat back at the comfort of your bedroom and do it on the internet. Look for trending products or some that are not in the country presently that you think people will love.

First of all, bring small quantity into Nigeria to see how people will react to it. That is, to

quantify the acceptability of the product before importing. If a product is not acceptable, there is no need to invest your hard earned money into it because it wouldn't sell to make you your money back.

You must do this initial product trail by bringing small quantity first to see if people gonna like it.

After you showed it to your potential customers and they like it, make estimate of the quantity they would demand based on their interest and use the data to judge the volume of goods to be imported.

Use the same process to get your subsequent products. Until the product become a household name.

2. Where to get the products You don't have to travel oversea to get sample of the product, you can get it on the internet. Go to merchant websites like Alibaba.com, Ebay.com, etc or just Google the 'keywords' where to import goods from; browse through to see the type of product that may not already in Nigerian market.

Place your order by paying using your electronic credit or debit card. Most Nigerian banks now have cards that are acceptable on

these sites. You may write money through other means like bank deposit or money transfer. Once you have paid for the goods with shipment cost included. The next thing is to wait for the goods to arrive. You may not need the services of a clearing agent if the import is through premium currier services like DHL, UPS and others.

3. Sell off the products You must have talked to your potential customers about your soon to arrive product using the sample from the previous product sample you brought in. Now that you have the main products, get the product to them and sell off at whole sale price to make your profit.

Then repeat the process to as many times as it remains profitable. To be able to increase your capital, you need to reinvest your gain from the first and second trips until you have enough money to import in mega quantity.

Check from Nigeria import and export promotion commission to see types of products allowed into this country.

Hybrids maize farming - Time to start planting for this season

M

aize, also known as corn is one of the most useful cereal crop in West Africa, foods made out of maize is very nutritious as It is an important source of carbohydrate, protein, iron, vitamin B, and minerals, and is known to digest very quickly.

Most Africans tend to consume maize mainly as a starchy base in a wide variety of porridges, pastes, grits, and beer. The Green freshly harvested maize cob is eaten either roasted or boiled.

In many Western countries like the USA, maize is used mainly for industrial products processing and for manufacturing of animal feeds or as straight Livestock feeds.

Whichever way it is used, maize is the most important cereal crop in Africa with rice and wheat which make up the three most important cereal crops in the world.

Maize is very simple to cultivate, easy to maintain, far less delicate that Rice, and take less capital too. Like rice, maize matures very fast, within 2-5 months of planting the crop is ready for harvest, depending on which stage you want to harvest your crop.

Maize grows in a wider range of soil type than rice; almost every part of Nigeria can grow maize on their soil. With the use of Hybrid maize and mechanized system of farming, yield of maize can reach

Quote Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business — Zig Ziglar

up to 10.2 tonnes per hectare, with traditional African type of cultivation, production is 2.1 tonnes per hectare which isn't too bad anyway.

Here are simple things you need to put in place to cultivate, harvest, and sell maize in your area this season; and if possible, cultivate and sell in large quantity to make more money.

1. Get spacious land Maize can be grown in all lands in Nigeria, but it performs better in a well drained fertile loamy soil.

Look for land that is predominantly loam, if you can lay your hands on forest land that will be very good because I've personally seen corn perform far better without fertilizer on forest lands.

Clear the land using manual labourers or mechanical means, the bottom line is to remove the weeds and keep the soil loose for proper maize seedbed and ensure the preservation of the topsoil.

Make sure you plant your maize seed as soon as you clear the soil to allow the maize grows ahead of weeds. Delay in planting will expose the hybrids maize to competition with the weeds.

2. Get improved maize variety If possible, look for recommended Verities of maize to improve your yield.

For early season planting, look for:Yellow open pollinated varieties. Western Yellow 1: TZSR-

Y-1 (Streak Resistant) DMR-LSRY (Downy Mildew & Streak Resistant).

Yellow Hybrids Varieties: 8425-8; 8329-15 White, Open Pollinated Varieties: TZPB (FARZ 27); TZB (FARZ 34); TZSR-W-1; DMR-LSRW (Downy Mildew & Streak Resistant).

White Hybrids: 8321-18; 9022-19; (Striga Resistant).

For late season:Plant early maturing, streak or downy mildew resistant varieties.

Yellow Open Pollinated Varieties: TZESR-Y; DMR-ESRY (Downy Mildew and Streak Resistant).

White, Open Pollinated

Varieties: TZESR-W; DMR-ESRW (Downy Mildew and Streak Resistant) Popcorn: White Pop: Yellow composite.

Get any of these seed varieties from your State and Institution's Agric departments or anywhere you can find them, just ask people.

Give space of about one feet to one and half feet from and between each plant. Planting is best by March ending to the first week of April, sometimes up to early May, depending on how early the rain started and the intensity.

3. Apply fertilizer and control the weeds You may not need fertilizer if the soil is quite fertile. However, the application of fertilizer will aid the crop to yield more.

For open pollinated maize varieties: Forest fallows 10 years or more.

Apply 200 kg (4 bags) of NPK 2510-10 per hectare at planting as band or broadcast application.

For hybrids corn varieties: For every high yields maize, you will need to apply 600 kg (12 bags) of 25:10:10 per hectare in two split that is, at planting (200 kg) and 5 to 6 weeks after planting.

Manual weeding: Start the first weeding on your maize farm from 15days after planting and not later than 25days or as soon as you begin to notice the growth of weeds in your farm. A second weeding may not be necessary before the second application of fertilizer (if there is need for second application of fertilizer) many farmers don't apply fertilizer twice.

Herbicide application: Apply Atrazine pre-emergence at the rate of 3kg ai/ha on a clean seed bed.

After all these have been done, next is to wait for the maturity of your corn for the harvest to begin.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

T

IGP Abubakar's unpardonable gaffe

he Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar did not do his image a lot of good last week when he displayed arrant ignorance of an existing law that is supposed to help him get on top of his job. The IGP's error would have been pardonable, after all he is only human hence liable to making mistakes. But with the prevailing spate of insecurity posed especially

by Boko Haram, the police boss' gaffe is unacceptable and inexcusable.

Addressing a conference on security which had all command Commissioners of Police and zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police in attendance, the IGP said: "There are many terror suspects in police custody but we are being hampered from prosecuting them because the National Assembly is yet to pass the amended anti-terrorism law, but when this is done, all the suspects will be charged to court". He concluded his lamentation by expressing his concern over what he described as the terrorist activities in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Kaduna and other states and said that strategies were being worked out to combat this menace.

We are disappointed by the fact that the one person who should know that this particular piece of legislation - as controversial as it is managed to have been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly and was subsequently assented to by

President Goodluck Jonathan is completely unaware of its existence.

The president signed the Terrorism Prevention Bill along with the Money Laundering Prohibition Bill on June 3 last year after it was sent to him a day earlier by the legislators. It is worth remembering also that he did so on the eve of his visit to the United States of

“

Excuses such as the IGP's not only assault our sensibilities and intelligence but suggest that he may not be fit for job America where he met with President Barack Obama. That photo opportunity, many believe, was made possible after Jonathan succumbed to pressure from the Americans to sign the bill into law.

Even though the current IGP was not in office back then it is still scandalous that he was not advised properly before making that no less scandalous a statement. The implication of it is perhaps manifest in the fact that - as the IGP said - the police has been unable to effectively surmount the security challenges

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facing the nation. But then whose fault could that be if not the IGP's for not knowing that the law he claims he needs to do so is already in existence.

It was no surprise that Senators who were principal actors in the passage of that bill were quick to draw the police boss' attention to what they have done. The chairman of the Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Eyinnaya Abaribe, while briefing journalists took a swipe at the IGP, saying "I have the bill here and it makes elaborate provisions for prevention of terrorism and for prosecuting those who have committed terrorism acts. I think that the IGP has not been briefed properly by his legal staff of the existence of a bill that has been here for a year and five months."

The police and other security agencies have thus far shown great incompetence in handling the ongoing security crisis. The unprofessional manner in which the Joint Task Forces scattered in parts of the country are going about the task they have been given leaves no one in doubt that they are chasing shadows and inflicting misery on hapless Nigerians while the criminals are still out there. We are tired of what seems like a merry go round that leads nowhere and excuses such as the IGP's not only assault our sensibilities and intelligence but suggest that he may not be fit for job.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

By Nasiru Suwaid

O

ne particular Saturday, two weeks ago was a momentous day in the annals of Nigeria’s constitutional development, as nearly most of the local government area headquarters in the country and constituency delineation zones became makeshift convention centers, with only the sounds of ayes and nays assaulting the ears , upon an approach by any unsuspecting passerby, a circumstantial creed I unfortunately belong to, by virtue of my ignorance on the current happenings within the polity and the patent lack of comprehension of the confusing nature of the internal workings of the Nigerian state. Generally the 1999 Constitution has been a document with a uniquely checkered origin, which was drafted by an intermediate military regime, to make available to the incoming civilian regime a guiding document, which enables for the act of governance to be conducted, adhering to certain aggregated and agreed codes, universally accepted by the cumulative Nigerian citizenry as their basic norm.

That the military administration which authored the current democratic arrangement was a draconian one, was lost in the euphoria of the emerging freedoms that were likely to occur under a civilian leadership, thus all the people cared for then,

By Olurotimi Adeola

A

t his age, he is expected to be a voice of wisdom; many young folks particularly of the Igbo extraction look up to people like him for guidance and tutelage.

But this man even at the closing hour of his life is failing the people; the very same way he failed them in his youth. Why would a man write falsehood at the last chapter of his life, if he is not a mischief maker?

Chinua Achebe’s life is one filled with hatred and resentment for the sage Awolowo and Yorubas. The man, both in his books and utterances have never seen anything good in late Pa. Awo and the entire Yoruba nation. This man harbours so much bitterness against a man that died close to twenty years ago. Refusing to realize the damage this bitterness might cause him when he faces the Creator.

The book, “there was a nation” was targeted at Awo (of blessed memory), simple. Forget what the Igbo columnists who came to the defence of Achebe want us to believe. This is not the first time Achebe have directed his writing to disparaged the character and person of Awo. But this time around, he is not going scot free.

So many Yorubas have spoken correctly in defence of the great Awo. They have shown that despite Achebe’s lifelong desire to rubbish Awo’s good name; People of honour will always come to Awo’s defence.

The Biafra story is not one I love to talk about. I did not witness it, since I wasn’t born then; like every human I know that wars are not something anyone would

PAGE 13

Ennobling a people’s document was the physical exchange of the batons of power and the promised dividends only a representative government could offer to its citizens, while the supreme codified body of rules, guiding the mechanisms for safeguarding the system, wasn’t given much wider coverage, involvement and interaction with the people. After the beginning of the operation of the document, it soon became evident to all and sundry, that some of its provisions are as inadequate as they are irrelevant to demands of running a complicated state like Nigeria. From electoral laws that aid rather than prevent rigging, to insertion of derivation principles with proactive redirection of budgeted funds, without effective provisions for proper accountable management of the endowed resources.

Perhaps, it is for this reason that the young document has withstood a number of alterations, amending provisions that seemingly clashed with the rational sensibility of a generally accepted democratic norms, especially concerning immediate electoral matters, which if it had not been corrected, it would have threatened the whole democratic system, by making the conduct of elections virtually impossible, within the constricted time frame allocated.

However, while constitutional amendments concerning issues that are directly

proximate to the interest of Nigeria’s politicians was given accelerated hearings, which is about securing and safeguarding the tenure of office of the numerous elected leaders.

A general alteration of the of the supreme national governance code, always seems to meet with the problem of apparent nonconclusion of the exercise, with the usual abandonment of the whole process midway into its beginning.

Perhaps, because of the level of suspicion which perpetually accompanies the act of changing some provisions of the principal commanding document, which is that it was purely inspired by the simple fact of personal interest, tenure elongation and security of the tenure of office, as against the national clarion call of conducting an amendment, to correct the clear anomalies, shortcomings and inadequacies imbued in the constitutional document.

Thus when the current exercise was announced, with the collation of some certain provisions, as having gained general universal agreement, on the need for their alteration in order to make the constitution relevant to the current realities of our time, a lot of Nigerians strenuously differed, on whether mere tinkering with a document having less than honourable roots, would make it gain the unflinching trust and

unquestionable obedience of an average citizen. As one thing that can never be disputed about the genealogy of the 1999 Constitution, is the fact of its emanating from an undemocratic military root, primarily the decree: The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria [Promulgation] Act No. 24 of 1999, which cleverly sought to severe the ties of its linkage, by clearly stating in its provisions under section 1(3) that; “Whenever it may hereafter be necessary for the constitution to be printed, it shall be lawful for the federal government printer to omit all parts of this decree apart from the schedule and the constitution as so printed shall have the force of law notwithstanding the omission.”

However, for a document that confers legality as well as legitimacy on the principal organs and institutions of the Nigerian state, mere inadequacy of its provisions is not really the issue, but the fact that by itself, it is clearly hiding its origination in the minds and psyche of its followers; indeed an individual who sought to hide his identity, is always dealt harshly on the premise of the Nigerian law for acting under false pretence. The simple fact of a military document assuming the veneer image of a people’s production, thus giving 20% or 50% of federally collected revenue as derivation returns to oil

Why I pity Achebe wished to be part of. The civil war is a painful part of our history, is time we bury it, and move on.

Bringing back tales; particularly those riddled with lies just to nail an individual who never hurt a fly will do no one any good.

Wars are fought by military strategists on both sides; why is the Nigeria/Biafra war made to look different? Are the Igbos through Achebe accepting the fact that Awo was more intelligent than the entire Igbo elites and their military strategists? This same Igbos who are known for bragging? If this Achebe’s lies would be accepted, then Igbos really have problems.

Casting aspersions on Awo’s good name is Achebe’s pastime. In his essay titled “the problem with Nigeria” Achebe singled out Awolowo and Shagari as those who stole Nigeria’s wealth and should be made to account for them. Everyone knows Awolowo and Shagari as men who live austere lifestyles. Awo never stole from the public treasury; he had no reason to do so. He was a man who was contented with what he honestly made from his legal practices and businesses. Yet Achebe hatred for Awo, beclouded his sense of reasoning and he accused the sage of stealing.

I didn’t want to glorify Achebe with a response initially; but the publicity given to the ill-informed and sadistic book he wrote made me rescind my decision. This man hates Awo, pure and simple.

Nothing about Awo is good in the eyes of Chinua Achebe. Those

trying to simplify his motive for writing this book; should please spare the rest of us, their lies.

Achebe is envious of Late Papa Obafemi Awolowo. The man had realized many years back that even if he has the opportunity to be alive in the next three hundred years, he cannot achieve a quarter of Awo’s achievements. He is jealous that Awo remained relevant and reverence in the hearts of millions of Nigerians who understand ideal leadership. That’s why Achebe is doing everything possible to demonize him.

Many of Achebe’s supporters are hiding the fact that Achebe joined the People Redemption Party (PRP) in the second republic, in order to be a political force in Nigeria. This party was formed by Late Mallam Aminu Kano; a strong political leader in the north.

During the upheaval in the north and the subsequent massacre of Igbos prior to the civil war; there was no record of Aminu Kano pleading with his people to stop the killings. The riot in Kano city recorded the highest Igbo casualties during that ugly period of our history. Yet it was to Aminu

Kano’s party this idiotic lover of Igbos placed his tent. Is it not obvious, his book was not about any love for Igbos; or any perceived genocide against them? The man simply hate Awo and is doing all he can to rubbish his good name.

Achebe has no love for his people. At no time was he involved in any building process in the eastern part of the country. This same man never partook in the civil war to defend the same people he wants us to believe he loved.

Today, even at eight two years, he live in self exile; shielding himself from the endemic social and political problems in his geopolitical zones.

Papa Awo was not part of the genesis of the Nigerian civil war; his people never laid hands on any defenseless Igbo man or woman, despite their frequent provocations. Yet these Igbos who on their own volition decided to declare war on Nigeria, now want to hang their travails on him.

Though the Nigerian civil war was unfortunate; Igbos collectively should admit that their greed for power led to it.

“

Professor Achebe needs help. He needs our prayers and pity; else he will leave the world with the same misguided bitterness that has engulfed his entire adulthood. I really pity him

producing areas, could not make the local politician to suddenly become accountable to the electorate, the abolishing of States and Local Government Joint Account, without making the chairpersons of the third arm of government to be responsible leaders is a sure recipe for financial disaster, while no amount of enactments could make a xenophobic Plateau man, to accept his immediate neighbor of donkey years as a fellow citizen of the state.

But rather only the unveiling of a properly constituted people’s convention, which is fully driven by the consent of the citizenry and mandatorily authenticated by them, through the process of a validly instituted referendum, could checkmate the evident crisis of identity afflicting the supreme national document. In fact, it would not be such a hard task to achieve a general loyalty and obedience to it, if the people felt that the constitution is not merely a foreign imposition, but an object of their creation, upon which any attempt at the subversion of its core objectives, constitutes a deep personal failure. More so, by a simple general import, such a constitutional congregation could not be so defective, as to promulgate any provision that does not truly cater to their individual and communal administrative needs.

Nasiru Suwaid resides in Kano.

Enough of playing victims; they are not. We the rest of Nigerians are the real victims of this Igbo induced war.

Any thoughts of Igbos being better placed than Yorubas prior to the war is a fallacy. Yorubas were the first to receive western education. In most of the academic disciplines, Yorubas recorded the first sets of graduates. So could the Igbos be better off? Even the army, out of the four Nigerian Brigadiers before independence, two were yorubas – Ademulegun and Ogundipe, the remaining were Ironsi and Malamari. Again where was the Igbo domination in the Army? Beside the first Navy admiral was Yoruba; so also was the first Nigerian Chief of Air staff – Colonel Alao.

Awo never had any cause to hate the Igbos. His people were better than Igbos, then and now.

Achebe should throw his conspiracy theory to the marine.

Everything Achebe wanted to become Awo was. To Yorubas and Nigerians in general, Awo remained the most upright and progressive leader ever. As a politician on the platform of People’s Redemption Party, Achebe couldn’t win a polling booth in Igbo land for his party. He has no political acceptance in his ‘treasure’ homestead. In the academia, he lost the noble prize in literature to Awo’s kinsman. Can you see why he is grieving?

Professor Achebe needs help. He needs our prayers and pity; else he will leave the world with the same misguided bitterness that has engulfed his entire adulthood. I really pity him.

Olurotimi Adeola is on Facebook

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Understanding Shagari’s political ideology

By Muhammad I Abdullahi Rimaye

S

okoto is one of the states in the northern part of Nigeria that are facing the challenge of youth restiveness. Many of the youths in the states are steeped in substance abuse, violence, rape, stealing and mugging. These crimes are a source of worry to many innocent and peace loving citizens. But, interestingly, these problems make up just one of three challenges youths pose to the state governments.

Indeed,in Sokoto state in particular, it is glaring that the government is less concerned about these problems than it is with other with lesser ones. But, this insensitivity is not shared by all those that are in government. The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Muktar Shehu Shagari, for one, is very disturbed about the plight of the youths and what their blameworthy attitude portends to the society. According to him, Shagari: “these young men are human beings like every other person. There are children like every other child. So, it behoves on all of us to ensure that they do not stray from the acceptable norms and values of the community. If we fail to do that we shall stand before God and account for our omissions regarding what they turn out to be that is negative.” He says these young men, often referred to as ‘area boys’, do not fascinate or annoy him. Instead, he is empathetic because “their

future is in jeopardy, considering the blameless supervision and not benefit from fruitful fact that they are growing old and guidance.

Eventually, the upbringing and caring they have family responsibilities. children grow up to be incorrigible. leadership? You do not have any What will become of them when Government, in his view, also, option but to take pity on them,” they are no longer strong enough? shares in this blame. the deputy governor emphasized.

What will people say about them Shagari explained that various All those observations considering the kind of life they led governments have chosen to surprise me. I am flabbergasted during their productive years? neglect the fundamental thing because my initial opinion, before “Secondly, currently they are they are supposed to do, which is I visited Sokoto and met Shagari, not useful to themselves. They have the improvement of the lives of was that he was a hardboiled abandoned school. person that did They are not not care for the engaged in any less privileged. form of Another thing I employment. learnt before Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text They don’t engage my visit was messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written in trade. They that the deputy contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 only enjoy the governor was words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and unlawful proceeds not generous. I a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed of their escapades asked him to: or hand-outs given about that and to them. Who else he replied in the would one pity if affirmative.

The Editor, not this category of But he quickly Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, people? They don’t explained: “It is 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. seem to know what true I am not Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com is good for them,” generous, but SMS: 07037756364 Shagari said. what do you The third refer to as reason he gave for believing the those their subjects. This, he stated generosity? I don’t just lavish youngsters’ lives are in danger is has created room for the hire of the money on people for no reason. that “those entrusted with the youths by politicians who use “Our people are used to collecting socialization and upbringing of them as thugs to intimidate their hand outs as gifts. This type of gifts these youths, families and opponents and scare the general reduces a person’s self esteem and government, have failed population into fearful dissuades him from seeking a woefully.” He blamed parents for followership. He said governments legitimate means of livelihood. not taking proactive steps to have abandoned their duty of One always waits on somebody ensure that their children are providing jobs for them or sending to take care of his responsibility,” properly brought up. He said them to school where they will get he said. He continued: “My own parents neglect to do what is right useful education that will help view of generosity is to give you from the time when their children them improve their lives. what will benefit you, so that were still small when they had the “Therefore, what do you expect tomorrow you will not come back opportunity to give them from such group of people who did to beg me again for something.

WRITE TO US

My idea of being generous in the political sense of the word is to teach you how to catch a fish and not to give you a fish. The point here is that if in the future I am no longer there for you, you can fend for yourself. “My biggest ambition in life is to see how I can be instrumental to people earning their meas of livelihood in a lawful manner. It is only through this that we can build a virile society that we can all be proud of,” the deputy governor added.

Those words certainly changed my perception of Shagari. I left Sokoto, after my encounter with him and the interview, with a new impression of the man. What I saw and heard from him was strange to me considering what my mind was prepared for, which are completely opposite to what I gathered. I left Sokoto feeling that if only we could be blessed with such politicians, who hold and practice similar ideology of daring to care for the less privilege and the endangered youths, then our society will not be on the precipice of danger as it is now.

If only we could eschew the worthless attitude of giving stipends to people, thus making them lazy, then we could have sanitized our political system, by establishing a system that promotes competitiveness in helping the people. This, will no doubt, would have been a good omen for our society and country at large.

Mohammed I. A. Rimaye wrote in this piece from Gwamna Road, Kaduna

Constitution amendment, the ruling class and rest of us

By Theophilus Ilevbare

R

eports say certain proposals on the ongoing Constitution review to redress the flaws in the 1999 Constitution handed down by the military, welcomed by an overwhelming majority of Nigerians, civil society groups, professional bodies, regional sociocultural groups and organizations, have been resisted by some political office holders. Their position is unpatriotic, anti-people, selfserving.

The rot that has brought the nation to its sorry state requires a more decisive and deft approach to solve the catalogue of unresolved scams. The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has vehemently resisted this proposal and they now canvass for punishment in line with international best practices.

Making it seem like a good argument, we all know that such recommendation is covered in hypocrisy so the looting partrimony can continue. In Nigeria, its an open secret that justice is for the highest bidder, laws are dubiously bent to give protection to criminals. Thesame laws are susceptible to criminal manipulation by the corrupt. We can take a cue from some Asian countries where death by hanging is the penalty for looting and embezzlement of public funds, the effect of such measure on all indices of economic growth is crystal clear for everyone to see.

It is however interesting to see their uneasiness at the thought of

capital punishment for corruption.

Introduction of such a penalty in the constitution will serve the best interest of the nation.

Another reason why the Ruling class of Nigerian politicians are afraid of the constitutional amendment is the clamour by Nigerians for the immunity clause to be expunged. This ‘clause’, for many years, has opened the floodgates for incumbent political office holders to loot the treasury without blinking an eyelid and even enough time to sort for ways of cleaning up their mess just before leaving office. Of high priority also should be the redefinition of the scope of the immunity clause against the backdrop of the constitutional logjam which arose when the former Governor of Bayelsa state was arrested in Britain. While the British authorities insisted he had no immunity in Britain, some international constitutional lawyers maintained that his immunity extended beyond Nigeria’s jurisdiction.

State police is a hallmark of true federalism. It is surprising that it has continued to generate so much debate. More alarming is the recent stance by the Northern Governors’ Forum to distance themselves from their counterparts in the south from canvassing for the introduction of state police even with the rising spate of insecurity occasioned by Boko Haram attacks.

Nigeria is yet to join the rest countries in Africa and beyond who have long adopted state police and

in some cases local police. Let us face the truth and be honest with ourselves, If the creation of state police will address the security problems facing the country, why can’t we do that? To those who argue that the state governors will turn it into a witch-hunting tool against perceived political enemies I say is the federal police as presently constituted any better?

Can we all not remember the impasse involving Chris Ngige, a former governor of Anambra state, now a senator, who had a bitter experience in the hand of the police even as a serving governor, when he was kidnapped by the police on the prompting of his political opponents in High places?

In the U.S for instance, their constitution gives the Federal Government the power to deal with foreign affairs and inter-state affairs.

For policing, this means if a nonfederal crime is committed in a state, so long as the offender does not flee the state, the Federal Government has no jurisdiction.

Once the fugitive crosses a state border, he or she violates the federal law of inter-state flight and is subject to federal jurisdiction, at which time federal law enforcement agencies may then be called upon. The result for the American society is there for all to see that such a robust working relationship between the federal and state police should now be articulated in the constitution amendment The southern governors opine that since in terms of equipment and allowances which account for up to

70 per cent of police spending in their respective state are funded by them so as to motivate and boost the morale of officers and men it would be logical too to have a force that will take orders from state Governors and respond more promptly to security challenges.

Gov. Amaechi queried that while a country like Kenya has decentralised down to local government police and other countries in African and around the world have long embraced this effective style of policing, Nigerian critics continue to raise unfounded argument against it.

It is my opinion that insecurity of lives and properties will be greatly reduced if state police is created. The present set-up, is an anomaly, whereby the governors are the chief executive of their states without commanding control on the police within their jurisdiction.

The ongoing review of the 1999 constitution should be disassociated from issues such as state creation, tenure elongation for political office holders, constitutional role for monarchs, rotation or zoning of elective positions and political power tussle about who gets what, when and why.

The Federal government, amusingly has become big business, a passport to loot and acquire instant wealth it has become, people are preoccupied in the jostle and desperation for juicy political appointments at the centre instead of contributing their own quota to national growth from

the units. In contrast the world over, countries operating federalism grant legal rights to federating units to have ownership of their affairs, resources and culture. True federalism recognizes that units are different, religion and cultures are different and manpower is unevenly spread; so are resources and means of development amongst the federating units. It also seek to bridge the unevenness in society not by assuming that all federating units must be at par but by throwing a challenge to each federating unit to develop at its pace using fiscal instrument such as taxes collected from the richer unit to mitigate, assist, and support such weaker units.

Nigeria is operating a federal principle which is rather close to unitarism. Federalism ensures that powers be devolved and not centralised. Governance at the central level must be made less attractive as it has created huge problems for the units. The feeling that pecuniary interest is the raison d’être for federal jobs must also be de-emphasised. This can be achieved by shifting attention of governance and economic production to the federating units, thus making the units stronger where economic and political powers can be exercised particularly as it concerns the day to day lives of the citizens as obtained in advanced democracies.

Theophilus Ilevbare can be reached via theophilus@ilevbare.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

By Kenneth Uwadi

I

eased my car into MmahuEgbema last week Sunday as fierce looking police officers of the Operation Rescue team in the middle of the road signalled me to pull over. I rolled down my window, greeting one of the officers with a “morning.” “Do you live here?

Where are you coming from? Who is the owner of the car” the officer asked.”I live here” I replied. For me, I have nothing to hide. The officer circled the vehicle. A long assault rifle dangled at his side. After a few more questions and checking of my particulars, he let me drive on.

Such checkpoints are not part of daily activities in Mmahu, the Headquarter of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state.

Ohaji /Egbema LGA has a population of more than 200,000 persons. The brief anxiety that I encountered with the policemen was as a result of a kidnap incident.

Gunmen the night before, kidnapped Dr John Udogu , a prominent Medical Doctor in Mmahu-Egbema . Udogu was reportedly forced into a vehicle near his house. With the help of the community Vigilante group in Mmahu and the Operation Rescue patrol team two of the kidnappers were caught and Dr Udogu was freed. Efforts are on to get the rest of the kidnap gang.

Criminals practice kidnapping to demand for a ransom to make money. Economic kidnapping is

By SOC Okenwa

P

olitics is said to be a game of numbers, but one must add here that it is one for the strong and the brave — especially in Africa! All around the world the men folk dominate political spaces because they bear certain things women can’t bear and withstand a lot of pressure that comes with being in public life.

Some women have distinguished themselves nonetheless on global scenes, and we owe them appreciation for their ability to be in command in spite of the men. It takes more than mammary glands or gender element for a woman to be in a powerful position surrounded by men and women, some of them her opponents, who wish her nothing but failure. Politics, for the avoidance of doubt, is never a fair game for the faint-hearted!

In Nigeria like elsewhere around the world women are not doing badly in their chosen politico-economic endeavours.

Back home you have super Ministers like Ngozi OkonjoIweala and Diezani AlisonMadueke holding out with sound professional backgrounds. And in the Securities and Exchange Commission you have another super-woman with sound connections Arunma Oteh in command. Across the states we have some female Deputy Governors and prominent members of the legislatures. Lest I forgot we have a powerful First Lady who ‘rules’ Nigeria with her husband! In the National Assembly you have some good and bad women doing ‘deals’ in equal terms with their male counterparts and taking home

PAGE 15

Imo: Winning war against kidnapping one of the fastest growing criminal industries. Kidnappers primarily target wealthy businesspersons.

However, occasionally these gangs target Western and other foreign citizens.

The kidnappers sometimes ab-duct their victims from urban areas and transport them to rural areas while they conduct negotiations. They use more violence to frighten those negotiating to pay up quickly.

Some of the victims are murdered after ransom negotiations.

As the Christmas trees are being lit, fools who are driven by animalistic instincts will take to crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery so as to keep up with the Joneses. Yes, the red and green garlands are beginning to appear at the entrance of buildings.

Phones are now blaring Christmas carol when they ring. We are indeed winding up activities for that all important Christmas. One big question in the mind of Imo people abroad remains whether the Imo State government is winning the war against kidnapping. True, So many NdiImo abroad have asked me this question.

As a man who have severally criticised Owelle Rochas Okorocha the executive governor of Imo State over kidnapping in the state, I can now say comfortably YES. Imo state government is stopping criminals in their tracks. Imo has

chalked up major victories and from the look of things will continue to do so. I say this because of the initiated strategies aimed at reducing the level of crime. Among the initiated strategies are the strengthening of vigilante policing structures all over our communities and putting up stronger law against kidnapping and crimes. Imo has put a law which empower the state to acquire and destroy properties belonging to kidnappers.

I must confess that this new tactics, this new measures of Governor Okorocha are measures in the right direction. These measures are welcome development in the state. I must commend him in this robust and determined war on kidnapping that has great prospect of success. This new law on kidnapping and crimes in Imo state has seen significant achievements. The houses of a notorious criminal in Mgbidi, Oru West and another accomplice from Otulu, also in Oru West were demolished recently. The house of a prominent traditional ruler Eze Cosmas Onyeneke the Ekwueme IV of Lagwa Okwuato in Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo State was destroyed. The house of a notorious kidnapper said to be a relation of a Traditional Ruler from Orlu Local Government was also demolished. Onyeneke’s factory premises was a safe haven for

kidnappers.Another family in Orlu got their house demolished because their son was involved in kidnapping.

Perhaps it is easy for those who have never felt the violent hand of kidnapping to say, “Wait, this new law is too harsh.” But when you have seen kidnappers kill your loved ones because you can’t afford the ransom ; when you have seen hate filled criminals beat , kick and even rape your sister; when you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year old daughter why she can’t see her mummy again because she was kidnapped and killed, and see tears welling up in her eyes then you will understand why harsh action on kidnappings and crime are necessary.

While I express my satisfaction with the government’s performance in this war against kidnapping , I must admit that there are still a lot of work ahead in making sure that the vigilante police system function effectively. We still need to provide more facilities to our Vigilante groups such as batons, handcuffs, uniforms, walkietalkie radios, crowd dispersers, licensed riffles and vehicles to enable them to respond to calls in time. Their salary should be stepped up a little. They need to be equipped properly and

remunerated very well. You will discover that it has become extremely difficult for robbers to invade communities at night in any part of Imo state. It is as a result of community effort at policing. We should make them to assist the police during the day.

If adequate incentives are provided for Vigilante personnel, they would discharge their responsibilities effectively.

Community policing is very important. Community Policing remains the best security tool to stamp out all shades of criminal practices that has been existing at the grassroots of the state. The people perpetrating the various shades of crimes are resident of the various communities. This system of community policing would usher in a healthier, peaceful co-existence amongst the communities guaranteeing people to sleep with two eyes closed. Law enforcement agencies and communities are in this together.

Time-tested relationships and informed understanding of communities and police will reinforce this. Experienced officers recognize that engagement and partnerships between police and the communities consistently bring about success in the fight against crimes. The people are watching.

Kenneth Uwadi wrote in from Mmahu-Egbema, Imo state

Corruption: Between Yulia and Gloria (I)

their own part of the ‘national cake’ guaranteed by oil.

In Africa there are two female Presidents: Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Malawi’s Joyce Banda. While JohnsonSirleaf has been accused by the local opposition of nepotism (having employed her two sons in controversial top positions) Banda is riding high in Lilongwe dismantling the late Mutharika’s dictatorial legacy and taking full charge. These two women are doing well relatively, drawing international sympathy and local solidarity in their respective countries. We wish them more “transformation” agendas in their presidential briefs!

President Barack Obama recently paid a state visit to some Asian countries including the changing Burma, Cambodia and Thailand. In Bangkok Obama was hosted by the Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Ms Shinawatra happens to be the sister of the controversial billionaire-politician living in self-imposed exile in Dubai, Thaksin.

The Shinawatra political dynasty has dominated Thai politics for decades drawing its strength from a combination of factors: systematic corruption, high-wire connection and public hoodwinking and blackmail. But the truth remains evident in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand that the Shinawatra’s family pedigree is rooted in grassroots politics, and they delivered in the imagination of the majority poor Thais.

In France there is this raging cold war involving the current

First Lady Valérie Trierweiler and the mother of President Francois Hollande’s children Segolene Royal who was defeated by the former President Nicholas Sarkozy in the 2007 presidential election in France. While jealousy could be blamed for the animosity and bitter rivalry between the two ‘femmes de Hollande’ the President tends to ‘favour’ the First Lady for some obvious reasons which could include new-found love experiment that worked! As a professional journalist Ms Treiweller is controversial and courts same wittingly. She is an audacious woman with sharp intelligence!

In Brazil President Dilma Rousseff is trying to bring back the fond memories of the immediate past President Lula da Silva whose economic transformation placed Brazil in a good stead in the comity of nations. Brazil is hosting both the 2014 FIFA world cup and the 2016 Olympic games. Efforts are being made to make the global

events a huge success given Brazil’s international clout in soccer. Her ‘godfather’ Lula (whose rag-to-riches life-story is legendary) is providing quality advice, and support as the woman seeks to maintain a democratic hold of a potentially great Latin American nation.

In Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel is working hard to save Euro and Europe from debilitating financial crisis.

From Athens to Madrid, Lisbonne to Paris she is always there demonstrating leadership and proving herself worthy indeed of being referred to by Forbes magazine as the world’s most influential woman. Right after her on that list of the powerful women is the out-going US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. We wish Mrs Clinton well in her future endeavours and hope to see her on the Democratic podium in 2016.

In Argentina the President is one glamourous woman called Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a cerebral lawyer who succeeded

“

The “New Evita” of Argentinian politics is equally receiving sound presidential advice from her husband and ex-President Nestor Kirchner. Ex-President Juan Peron’s third wife Isabel was the first female President of Argentina from 1974-76 after her husband’s death. Eva Peron (Evita) was his second wife

her husband in 2007. The woman is feeling the political heat right now as opposition grows at home over her poor economic management records and cases of corruption. But she is weathering the storm refusing to be intimidated or dictated to by political forces beyond her executive control. The “New Evita” of Argentinian politics is equally receiving sound presidential advice from her husband and ex-President Nestor Kirchner. Ex-President Juan Peron’s third wife Isabel was the first female President of Argentina from 1974-76 after her husband’s death. Eva Peron (Evita) was his second wife.

The 51-year old (still!) unmarried and childless Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is becoming more and more controversial with her failure to embrace domestic life; this has brought some criticisms from the opposition led by the firebrand Tony Abbott. Ms Julia still lives with her glorified boyfriend! (Or should one speculate ’mischievously’ that a gigolo is at work here?) On a state visit to India last month she stumbled and fell after a visit to the Gandhi Memorial in New Delhi. The lanky PM seems to be happy with her childless situation rationalising it positively and saying nebulously that she chose to concentrate on her job rather than mixing up things with bearing children and managing both — a feminine task she appeared to abhor!

SOC Okenwa is reachable on soco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Ex- bank manager allegedly defrauds man of N3.4 million O

ne Otsenye Egyekwenge 32, of No. 9, Justice Street, Karu, Abuja has narrated to the Karu Chief Magistrate Court , Abuja how an ex manager of Diamond Bank, defrauded him of N3.4 million Egyekwenge in his evidence, said he was introduced to the exbanker, Michael Kelikume, of Block H, Flat 5, FCDA Estate, Site II, Garki, Abuja by one Chinedu Agbu “Kelikume said he runs a cow

business, where he buys cows from the North and sells to customers at the eastern part of the country. He said if I invested N3.4million in two months, I will get back N5.2million and that is interest plus capital,” he told the court.

Egyekwenge told the court that after two months, Kelikume began giving excuses that the deal flopped, but that he would pay back the money.

According to him, he gave

me a Diamond bank cheque with No. 07202834 which bounced.

“I, in company of my friend, Nwafornso Oyebuchi 31, we went to his house to get back my money. He became aggressive and slapped Oyebuchi and said we should meet him in his office not his house,” Egyekwenge added.

Earlier, Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Abiola Oyewusi told the court that Kelikume committed the offence contrary

to Sections 312 and 267 of the Penal Code.

At the first mention of the case, Kelikume pleaded not guilty to the offence.

When asked why he could not pay back the said amount for over a year, he said “I have been having financial challenge. I will pay back, all I need is time’’.

The Chief Magistrate, Ahmed Shaibu, adjourned the case to January 13, 2013 for hearing.

A scavenger searching for valuables in a refuse dump, yesterday in Area 2, Abuja.

Photo Justin Imo-owo

Area councils to get better infrastructure, social amenities

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

I

n a bid to fast track the development of infrastructural facilities and social amenities in the six area councils and satellite towns in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has established a Ministerial Committee on Baseline Data Surveys for the Planning and Development of the Area Councils and Satellite Towns in the FCT. The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who inaugurated the committee at the weekend said several efforts had been geared towards the provision of infrastructural facilities and social amenities in the councils and satellite towns by the administration and other developmental agencies.

She said: “The FCT Administration has observed that various developmental efforts and provision of social amenities are becoming difficult to measure due to the lack of community baseline data to form the benchmark for tracking growth and

developmental progress over time. ”The lack of coordination in the provision of facilities and amenities by the various developmental stakeholders has also contributed to the inability to properly measure the developmental efforts.

These have resulted in the concentration of services/facilities in certain areas while some have grossly been neglected,” she added.

The Ministerial Committee is chaired by the Special Adviser (Lands) to Permanent Secretary, FCT, Chief Steven Awoniyi and has

as members Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba, who is representing all the six area councils chairmen; Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the Minister of State, Mrs. Jummai Kwanashie; Senior Special Assistant (Technical) to the Minister of State, Engr. Kunle Mokuolu; Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency, Alhaji Tukur Bakori, and Director of Economic Planning, Research & Statistics, FCTA, Alhaji Ari Isa Mohammed, among others.

Akinjide also listed the terms of reference of the committee to include: to identify all development agencies responsible for the provision of facilities and services in the area councils and satellite towns; to profile infrastructural facilities and amenities available, stage of utilisation, challenges and potentials in FCT; and to x-ray all services available and identify service gaps in the areas of Agriculture, Education, Health, Transport Water, Sanitation, and Parks & Recreation.

Provost lauds FRSC for safety

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he provost of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) College of Education, Zuba in Gwagwalada Area Council, Professor Ismail Tijanni, has commended the men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for their efforts at ensuring safety along Zuba-Suleja road on daily basis.

Tijanni made the commendation at the just concluded commissioning

of FRSC/NYSC Road Safety Club of batch “C” 2011/2012 at the college premises.

He said that the FRSC alongside other security agencies had done a lot towards minimizing accidents on the roads.

He said that his administration would continue to partner with security agencies for the smooth running of the college.

Responding, the FRSC Deputy Unit Commander in charge of Zuba, Mr.

Mohammed Imam said that the authorities of FRSC in the FCT would continue to support the special marshalls and cadets.

Imam appealed to them to work hand in hand with the FRSC officials to protect lives and property of commuters as the yuletide approaches.

On his part, the Zuba Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Mr. Femi Danis said that his leadership would continue to fight criminals in the area.

Residents deplore defacing of FCT with posters

S

ome residents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) yesterday, frowned at the continued defacing of the territory with posters on bridges and culverts, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

In an interview with NAN in Abuja, the residents expressed their displeasure at how the city was taking on a riotous look because of pasting of various kinds of posters.

One of the respondents, Mr Kayode Adeniji, said the way people indiscriminately paste pictures on every space available was not good for the environment.

“The way these people just go about stamping the whole place with these posters you will think that the posters are part of the master plan of the city.

“They do not realise this is another type of pollution; when we say pollution it is not only refuse, smoke from the exhaust of cars or smoke from firewood that cause pollution.

“Even excessive noise from musical sets constitutes pollution, but the plastering of these posters everywhere is fast getting out of hand and I think the FCT authorities should do something about it,” Adeniji said.

Another respondent, Mrs Jumai Kadiri, said that the posters were making the environment to lose its beauty and serenity in that the many colours created a chaotic ambiance.

“Just look at the pictures all over the place, today you see one, tomorrow its torn off and another is pasted, it’s as if they are in a competition.

“I think there should be a charge and a process before people are allowed to paste things in the city centre, Abuja is supposed to be a model and by all means we should try to keep it that way,” Kadiri said.

Also a resident, Mr Patrick Ogah, was in agreement with the opinion of the other respondents.

Ogah added that these people “even go as far as placing mobile bill boards on the culverts in places like Mararaba, a neighbouring town close to the FCT. “I don’t get it, why should people be allowed to turn the whole city upside down and no one does anything about it. The ones in Mararaba are even more audacious; the mobile stands just take up the space on the culverts as if they are meant to be there.

“You see people with their big buckets of gum pasting these posters and no one queries them; the FCDA should awaken to its responsibility and take control of things. The posters are really becoming a menace,” Ogah said.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 17

Young women hawking yam, yesterday in Utako District of Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imoowo

FCTA takes sanitation exercise to Abaji, Kwali

By Josephine Ella Ejeh and Etuka Sunday

A

s part of efforts to ensure a hygienic environment in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) at the weekend conducted a sanitation exercise in Abaji and Kwali area councils, advising residents to sustain the tempo by promoting cleanliness in their areas.

The exercise which was tagged ‘clean and green, greater Abuja’ was part of the administration’s commitments towards making Abuja clean and habitable for residents.

Speaking to reporters during the exercise, the Head of Waste and Sanitary Unit, Ahmed Abubakar

••• Tasks residents on cleanliness said the Minister of State for FCT Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, through the Satelite Town Development Agency (STDA) inaugurated a sanitation committee and that was working to ensure a clean environment in all the six satellite towns.

The Information Officer for Abaji Area Council, Musa Haruna said the project was successful as the residents were fully sensitised and involved, compare to the previous ones.

Haruna further said that the exercise was a mop-up program and a committee has been formed in the community to ensure that people

do not go back to dumping refuse in the evacuated areas.

Angwan Ashara, Ajana road and Abaji market where refuse were formally dumped were totally evacuated.

Meanwhile, the residents expressed their gratitude to the FCTA for the initiative, saying the areas had been evacuated three times before, but this latest effort was the best.

They, however solicited assistance of the FCTA towards provision of other basic amenities.

In Kwali Area Council, the exercise was also successfully carried

out in Angwan Ashari, Yangoji, Lambata settlements among others.

Speaking, the Assistance Director of Environmental Health, Yusuf Yakubu, who stood for Alhaji Abdullahi Tarkwa, Head of Department on Environment said “we are impressed with what has happened today and we want to encourage that this partnership continues”.

He said ”the department is actually new but we are doing our best to ensure that this activity is ongoing. Our only challenge is working implements but we are

working towards that”.

According to him, waste management is a difficult task but series of committees that embark on back to back sensitization was also already on ground to ensure continuity, adding that market women are fully involved in the exercise through their representatives at the committees.

He rated Kwali very high in hygiene, saying it was the first on the list in terms of cleanliness.

According to him, the council has twelve dumping sites, warning that penalty would be melted out to those who violate environmental rules or dump refuse indiscriminately depending on the severity of the offence.

Man remanded for allegedly duping another of N14m

By Amaike Beauty

O

ne Mustafa Yahaya of No. 52, Bayan Street, Dutse was yesterday, remanded by an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court for criminal breach of trust and cheating.

Police Prosecutor, DSP Yusuf

Auta told the court that on November, 23, 2012, one Barrister Nwafo of No.3 Panama Street of IBB Boulevard Maitama Abuja, on behalf of his client, Mr. Bronu Emeka Ezuogu of Kelving ventures Abuja wrote a petition to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Police Headquarters Abuja.

According to him, sometimes in 2007, the accused, Hon. Isah Garba and Kelvin now at large, paraded themselves as businessmen who deal with dogs breeding, training and sales of same.

The accused was said to have introduced himself as a Personal Assistant to Hon. Garba, who is also

now at large, so they fraudulently collected the sum of N14 million from him under false pretences that he was going to procure a contract of supplying of dogs from Kaduna state.

After he collected the money, the accused, the prosecutor told the court, disappeared into the thin air.

The prosecutor said that the

offence is contrary to Sections 312, 322 and132 of the Penal Code.

However, he pleaded not guilty to the offence.

The Chief Magistrate, Okeagu Azubuike remanded the accused in prison custody and adjourned the case to January, 23, 2013 for hearing.

Pick pocket bags six months imprisonment for stealing

A

n Abuja Senior Magistrates Court has sentenced a 27-year-old man, Lekan Azeez of Gishiri village, Abuja, to six months imprisonment for stealing N1,200 from one Alhaji Bala.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Ann Akobi, however, gave the convict an option of N2, 000 as

fine.

Akobi said that the offence, commonly known as “pick pocket’’ was becoming a common practice in the FCT and the best way to curb it was punishment.

She said that the sentence would serve as deterrent to other offenders of like minds.

Earlier, the prosecutor,

Monday Akor had told the court that the case was reported at the Maitama Police Station by one Inspector Ayuba attached to the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Akor said that Azeez stole N1, 200 from Alhaji Bala of No. Katsina-Ala Street, Maitama, Abuja, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

He said that the money was recovered from Azeez during investigation, an offence which contravened the provisions of Section 287 of the Penal Code.

Azeez pleaded guilty to the charge and begged for mercy.

He said: “I was hungry. I did not know what came over me on that day that made me to steal. I

have never stole before and pray the court to forgive me’’.

Magistrate Akobi said that the accused had not been able to give tangible reasons to the court on why he should not be punished for the offence.

She also ordered that the money recovered be returned to Bala.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Man, 45, arraigned over N8.4m land scam M

Masquerades bring life to Abuja carnival

By Amaike Beauty with agency report

A

45-year-old man, Ibrahim Saleh, of plot 225, Gado Nasko road, Kubwa, Abuja, has been arraigned before a Karu Chief Magistrates Court in connection with land fraud.

Saleh was charged for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating and forgery.

The police told the court that one Patrick Nwaka of Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, lodged the complaint at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Abiola Oyewusi, said in June, 2011, the accused collected N8.4 million from the complainant with the intention of selling a plot of land to him.

“The accused went as far as forging land documents of offer of statutory Right of Occupancy which he claimed was issued to him by the Abuja Geography Information System (AGIS).

“He converted the said money to his personal needs and absconded to an unknown destination.

“Further investigations revealed that the accused fraudulently used the forged documents which he claimed was issued to him by AGIS to defraud the complainant,’’ Oyewusi said.

According to Oyewusi, the accused has refused to refund the money.

The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Sections 312, 322, 364 and 366 of the Penal Code.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Counsel to the accused, Tope

Festus, applied for bail for his client, quoting Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

The section states that “an accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the court of law’’.

Oyewusi, however, objected to the bail application, saying that investigations were still in progress.

He added that the accused would tamper with police

investigations if released.

“The accused was granted bail sometime last year and he jumped bail for over a year until the police arrested the person that stood as surety for him. The police later traced the accused through his mobile phone which he used to threaten the complainant to ask the police to stop going after him or he would kill him.

“Considering the money involved in this matter, I urge

the court to still retain him in prison custody to enable the police to carry out their investigation properly,” he said.

The Chief Magistrate, Ahmed Shaibu, refused to grant the accused bail and ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody till the next adjourned date.

Shaibu adjourned the case to November 30 for hearing and presentation of witnesses.

Truck driver off-loading fire wood from his vehicle, yesterday in Kubwa, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Sales boy allegedly carts away cash from beer parlour

By Amaike Beauty with agency report

A

29-year-old sales boy, Victor Eze, of Durumi 3, Garki, Abuja, is standing trial before a Karu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for alleged theft.

One Victoria Onwolasoeze, of

Damagaza village, Apo, Abuja, reported the case to the Apo Police Station on Nov. 15.

Police prosecutor, Mohammed Garba, told the court that Garba told the court that the accused, a sales boy in the complainant’s beer parlour, stole

the sum of N98, 420 from her.

The prosecutor added that the offence contravenes Section 288 of the Penal Code.

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

Ruling on the matter, the judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko,

granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety in like sum who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Kagarko adjourned the case to January 21, 2013, for hearing.

asquerades from different parts of the country yesterday brought life and sensation to the ongoing Abuja carnival with acrobatic displays to the excitement of audience and tourists witnessing the festival.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 19 states, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Oyo, Niger, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ebonyi, presented the masquerade performances which thrilled the audience.

Masquerades are found in many communities in Nigeria and are seen as spirits, representing communication links between the ancestors and the living.

Among the notable masquerades are the Egungun of the Yorubas; Dodo in some North Central states; the Ekpe/Ekpo of the Efiks/Ibiobio; the Egwugwu of the Igbo stock; and the Alagba and Igbelegbe of the Niger Delta area.

Abuja carnival parades an array of beautifully adorned masquerades with different dance steps from most of the participating states.

Mr Onaolapo Dauda, a participant, said the display of the masquerades from different parts of the country represented the rich cultural background of Nigeria, and urged the people to preserve it.

Miss Catherine James, one of the contingents from Imo state, said the country is blessed with cultural diversity, and called on the government to key into the carnival to boost tourism.

“The government should avail itself of this carnival to further boost tourism. People are willing to come and watch the carnival if the leadership of the country can encourage it and put more resources”.

NAN reports that the Eagle Square, the venue of the masquerade display, was fully charged as people were thrilled and entertained to exciting performances, including Chief Edem Duke, the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation.

A man, whose identity could not be ascertained, however, dazzled the audience when he rode on his bicycle fully decorated with the colour of Nigeria’s flag and carrying some inscriptions.

The inscriptions read: “Do the right thing, no one can share Nigeria on a table like groundnut`` and `` say no to war and pray for peace and justice for development”. (NAN)

Abuja carnival: Children complain of low turnout at Millennium Park

M

illennium Park, the venue for the Children funfair for the 8th Edition of the Abuja carnival at the weekend, witnessed low turnout compared with the previous years.

A cross-section of the children who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that they were happy but regretted the low turnout of other children who should have made the carnival

more interesting.

A student of Government Secondary School Tudun Wada, Abuja, Miss Ifeoma Ojinta, said that the low turnout of children was due to the insecurity challenges in the country.

“This year’s carnival is incomparable with the previous years as there are few people that attended. What I can say is that insecurity situation in the country might be responsible.

People are afraid to bring their children for fun. Just imagine there is bombing in Kaduna today,’’ she said.

A student of Stella Maris Private Secondary School, Abuja, Miss Zainab Isah, also attributed the low turnout to finance; pointing out that salaries had not yet been paid to civil servants who were expected to bring their children.

“I believe lack of money

prevented many people from celebrating with their fellows,’’ Isah said.

Mr Odey Sylvester from Orozo Technical College, said that the low turnout was as a result of government’s policy to mark the event on a low key.

He said that the previous year, the event was more interesting and bigger than this one.

Mr Tobi Temisan, a student from Government Secondary

School, Gwagwalada, justified the low turnout by attributing it to inadequate publicity.

Temisan said that the publicity ought to have started three months before the event to create more awareness for people to attend.

“The publicity started late.

This is the major cause of not seeing many people at the event when compared with the previous years,’’ he said. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 21

Sony’s smartphone aims at Iphone, Galaxy S3

Mob: 08033644990

Price of rice climbs 20% to N9,000

By Muhammad Nasir

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he price of rice has c r e a s e d by 20 percent, to a minimum of N9,000 per bag, up from N7,500 on the back of a new benchmark price for imported rice, investigation has revealed.

The Federal Government has put the benchmark price for imported rice at USD$673 (N106, 334) per ton, which is the equivalent of 20 bags of rice in the fourth quarter of the year (October - December).

The government has explained that the new benchmark is to discourage importation of rice and improve on domestic production, to meet local consumption.

Peoples Daily findings however show that the commodity still attracts varied i

n

prices, as different brands sell for N9,000. N10,500 and N12,000 per bag, as the case may be.

Our findings also show that the market will still witness more price increases as the yuletide season usually comes with increase in demand for consumer goods, particularly rice.

A rice dealer who spoke to Peoples Daily said that prices usually go up in expectation of increased household demand, along with the Federal Government’s new benchmark.

In a statement signed by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, and published by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the breakdown of the new benchmark price of rice, shows that the importer is expected to pay USD$613 per ton for Free on

Board (FOB) and USD$60 per ton for freight, totaling USD$673.

According to the circular, the new benchmark price was arrived at, based on advice of an Inter-Ministerial Committee, comprising of the Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractices (PCTM); Federal Ministry of Agriculture (FMA); Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment (FMTI); Budget Office of the Federation and Federal Ministry of Finance; Rice Millers; Importers and Distributors Association of

Nigeria (RIMIDAN).

“The price is inclusive of freight charges and should be noted accordingly for implementation”, said the minister in the circular. She further enjoined the officers and men of the Customs to ensure strict compliance with the above benchmark in their appraisal, as well as valuation of all consignments of rice within the quarter.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government at the beginning of third quarter (1st July 2012) increased the

levy paid on imported brown rice to 25 percent and duty paid rate of 30 percent. Also, the levy paid on imported polished rice was put at 40 percent, including duty paid rate at 50 percent, while the domestic production duty rate received 100 percent, which is to commence on December 31st, 2012 into 2013.

According to government, the effort is geared towards discouraging Nigeria from depending on imported rice, through massive domestic production.

FirstBank goes HoldCO, lists shares on NSE From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

F

irst Bank of Nigeria has announced that, in compliance with regulatory requirements made by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Company’s shares will subsequently be replaced by shares of FBN Holdings Plc and commenced trading on the NSE under the new ticker FBNH yesterday.

The holding company structure was ratified through shareholder votes at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 24 September 2012 and the relevant approvals have been obtained from the regulatory authorities and the NSE. The adoption of the holding company structure aligns the ownership and operation of the Bank’s subsidiaries and businesses within the current CBN regulatory framework, which require the separation of commercial banking business from other financial services businesses.

This structure also creates an operating model to profitably grow the Group’s presence in the market for commercial banking and non-banking financial services. In addition, this enables the Group to streamline its businesses by aligning and clustering similar or overlapping businesses under four broad business groups, namely: Commercial Banking, Investment Banking & Asset Management, Insurance and Other Financial Services.

The proposed listing will not alter the current beneficial shareholding structure of the Group. Existing shareholders will surrender their shares in

FirstBank in exchange for receiving ordinary shares in FBN Holdings equal to the number of shares held in FirstBank. The issued and fully paid-up share capital of FBN Holdings will be 32,632,084,345 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each (?16,316,042,172.50) which is the same as the current issued and paid-up capital of First Bank of Nigeria Plc. Commenting on the new ownership structure, FirstBank’s GMD, Bisi Onasanya stated: “The new structure demonstrates the Group’s ambition to be at the forefront of positive corporate governance developments. This structure provides significant benefits to the Group by aligning and clustering similar overlapping businesses as well as streamlining governance controls at the Group level.

Ultimately, the holding company structure is designed to enhance the Group’s overall competitiveness, and further explore opportunities for synergies between various subsidiaries.”

Shoe seller waiting for customers, during the on-going 2012 Abuja Carnival, yesterday at the Eagle Square in Abuja Photo Mahmud Isa

Unity Bank to dazzle again at this year’s Kano International Trade Fair

By Stanley Onyekwere

U

nity Bank Plc is once again offering its customers and the general public the full range of its services at the 2012 Kano International Trade Fair, which opened Monday, November 19, 2012. The bank said its stand at the fair is fully staffed and

equipped to attend to customers’ needs and enquiries.

The Fair is bringing together diverse local and international businesses to showcase the latest products, technology and commerce in the country.

Unity Bank is deploying its full arsenal of products and services at the Trade Fair. Some

Management Tip of the Day Use sound bites to make your presentation stick

C

lear and well-articulated presentations are a pleasure to listen to, but they won’t necessarily be remembered. On the other hand, great quotes get picked up and repeated — whether at the water cooler, in blog posts, or on social media. Embed these types of sound bites when you want to make a speech memorable:

· Rhythmic repetition.

Repeat a key word or phrase at the beginning, middle, or end of sentences. Use this rhetorical device throughout the presentation and people will walk away remembering that word or phrase. · Concrete comparison. Use a simile or metaphor to help your audience understand your

message and recall it later. · Slogan. Deliver a concise statement that’s easy to remember. For example, Steve Jobs said “reinvent the phone” several times at the iPhone launch and the phrase ended up in PCWorld’s headlines the next day.

Source: Harvard Business Review

of the services that customers and the general public can benefit from are: Account opening (Current and Savings), deposit and withdrawal and reactivation of dormant accounts, also welcome prospective customers.

The bank is also offering its range of e-products to its esteemed and valued customers’ These include MasterCard Holy Trip, Generic MasterCard (Naira/Dollar Denominated), Unity Mobile, MasterCard, Verve Card.

Additionally, existing customers can access their accounts and make transactions at the fair. This capability is possible due to the fact that the fair stand is powered by the bank’s state of the art communication platform. The bank has also deployed an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to ensure that customers and the general public have quick access to cash withdrawals during the fair.

PEOPLES DAILY,TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Main One Cable coy, Phase3 Telecom

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wo leading indigenous telecommunications infrastructure companies, Main One Cable Company and Phase3 Telecom, have entered into a strategic business agreement geared towards increasing broadband Internet penetration in Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.

Under the partnership, the firms will be offering Nigerians high capacity broadband Internet services at very affordable costs using Phase3 Telecom’s extensive aerial fibre network and Main One’s huge bandwidth deployed through its undersea cable.

The partnership, which will offer joint provisioning of services, requires the integration of their networks and collaboration in provisioning and service delivery. This partnership is however expected to increase broadband Internet penetration across Nigeria, as internet customers will be able to obtain quality services at affordable prices.

StanbicIBTC bank

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here are indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued Stanbic IBTC Bank the required licence to operate a holding company structure, in line with its new banking arrangement.

The approval allows Stanbic IBTC to retain its non-core banking businesses which it will however operate under a new holding company (HoldCo) model that allows it hold investments in its subsidiaries.

It was also learnt that the CBN has issued the First Securities Discount House, (FSDH) operating licences for merchant banking businesses, making it the second of such licences issued for merchant banking under the CBN’s new banking regime. The same licence has also been issued to Rand Merchant Bank of South Africa.

Oil and gas sector, 4 others to receive boost in 4 years – FG

By Muhammad Nasir, with agency report he oil and gas sector is about to receive boost by the Federal Government in four years alongside ministry of information communication and ministry of agriculture.

The disclosure was made yesterday by the Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson at the second Annual Capital Market Committee Retreat organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Warri, Delta.

“The N40.75 trillion earmarked for development of infrastructure between 2011 and 2015 would be used to develop the power, oil/gas, transport, information communication and agriculture sectors, Johnson noted.

She said that the capital market was very essential for the provision of long-term funding because of the huge investment needed to meet these needs.

According to her, if you look at the amount of

T

money government has spent on infrastructure, it is very high and that is where the capital market comes in.

She said there was the need for the private sector to invest N16 trillion on infrastructures in the next four years to complement the efforts of the federal government.

Johnson, who spoke on “Transformation Agenda, the Capital Market and Information Communication Technology Development”, said that the Transformation Agenda would be difficult without the contribution of the capital market.

She called for more awareness on the capital market activities through investment in information technology.

According to her, investor education and awareness on the capital market can be promoted through the use of mobile phones and post office services.

"We have over 1,000 rural information centres that can be used for awareness to increase retail investor participation in the capital market," she said.

Oil, reforms make Nigeria top pick in frontier markets

O

il reforms has el evate Nigeria to top pick in frontier as it joined the JP Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) last month as the second African country to join after South Africa, and this is likely to generate “substantial capital inflows, thereby helping deepen the local debt market and boost the Naira”.

According to Societe Generale emerging markets strategist Souheir Asba, said “this should overall be positive for the Nigerian naira, assuming no major issues in the fiscal calendar of the new government, adding that the currency appreciated to the highest level in 2 weeks last week, as portfolio inflows from investors buying fixed-income securities rose.

Asba noted that at the beginning of November, S&P (Standard Poor’s) raised Nigeria’s rating by one notch to BB, with a stable outlook, saying that the fiscal assets in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) rose to about $8.4 billion in October, “which provides a reasonable fiscal buffer” and its external reserve buffers had also been strengthened due to strong exports and high oil prices.

Fiscal assets in the ECA were around $2 billion at the end of

2010.

However, the West African country is the continent’s top oil producer and Asba said the oil sector is another reason why Nigeria is her favorite frontier market pick.

“While we anticipate an increase in portfolio inflows, the main source of inflows will continue to be FDIs (foreign direct investments), mainly in the oil sector,” she said.

Nigeria is making “substantial efforts” to enhance its non-oil sector to cure its “Dutch disease,” but it still depends heavily on oil exports, according to Asba.

Reform momentum continues, the S&P said after its recent upgrade, citing measures taken by the government over the past year such as halving the fuel subsidy, overhauling the electricity sector and raising electricity tariffs.

In her words: The main source of risk is the fiscal policy, as there has been no agreement on what oil price to include in the budget.

The key issue, said Asba, is to find an optimal benchmark that would allow increasing oil revenues to fund the rising government spending on wages and infrastructure.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Consumers harp on NCC and operators over call chargers ubscribers have accused N i g e r i a n Communications Commission (NCC) of taciturnity and lacking the will to enforce its directive over telecom operators in the country.

Last month, NCC had issued a directive that all telephone call cost and SMS be made available to consumers in order to provide accuracy and accountability to consumers’ cost at the end of every transaction.

NCC issued the directive in a bid to curb subscriber complaints over billing irregularities.

Weeks after the directive, deluge of complaints have persisted as operators make haste slowly to provide full details of the cost of each call, and the credit balance available to the subscriber.

The Commission however said it was committed to

ensuring that the directive is fully implemented by all the operators.

Lawal Sule a subscriber said that “it is very frustrating that NCC just came out and make such pronouncement and can not stick to it or follow it up.

“I have all the GSM networks and despite the directives to telecoms providers to show the cost of each transaction undertaken by subscribers, none of them have sent me a single text on my balance” Sule said.

Mathew Tensel a telecom vendor said that “in particular I have noticed that MTN sometimes will deduct severally the cost of a single text sent once but no notice had been sent to me. Also Emmanuel Peters, said he was surprised that MTN and etsalat is yet to implement the directive.

“I use Etisalat and I do not receive any SMS after my calls or SMS; NCC should make them

obey them” he stated Tony Ojobo, Director, Public Affairs, NCC, said that the Commission is committed to ensuring that the directive is fully implemented by all the operators before the end of the year.

Ojobo advised any subscriber whose network operator has not started sending him or her cost of calls or SMS to notify NCC through its help desk- 0800 SMS only.

He promised that the Commission will give such complain the deserved attention it requires.

It would be recalled that the NCC had recently directed operators in the country to provide instant Short Message Service (SMS) and call cost to phone users at the end of every transaction.

This service which the regulator says is free to all subscribers is with effect from this month, attracting a fine of

apanese handset manufacturer, Sony Corporation has reportedly churning a new smartphone to dethrone the current market leaders, Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3, according to the latest reports.

According to a CNET report, sales and marketing head of Sony Mobile Dennis Van Schie has confirmed this in an interview with Financial Times Deutschland (FTD) published on Friday.

The possibility of a smartphone from Sony has been speculated for a long time and now with the officials of the company confirming the report, the chances of the rumours turning into reality are rife. Van Schie, who reportedly termed the upcoming smartphone as flagship model, said that the

company was closely watching the Windows phone market too and if it succeeded, Sony would gun for that platform next.

“If it succeeds, we will not be caught off-guard,” Van Schie said of Windows Phone as quoted by the CNET. The official did not shed much light on the specifications of the upcoming smartphone as well as on the possible date of launch.

The latest reports suggest that the company is working on a phone which is codenamed Xperia Odin, but it’s not sure whether this phone is the flagship model of Sony or if there is any other phone which is sharpening its edge to take on Apple and Samsung.

However, the popularity of the upcoming phone from Sony is elevating day by day and it was reported that the

phone is likely to come with a 5-inch Full HD display powered by 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset. The device is also rumoured to arrive with 2GB of RAM and 13MegaPixel rear camera.

“As detected in its UserAgent Profile (UAProf), the phone looks to run Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean and Sony’s 10.1.A.0.XXX firmware. To be clear, there is no other evidence to support the claim of ‘flagship’ device. Considering that we’re talking about early 2013, the idea of anything older than 4.1 would be met with a collective grumbling by the Android masses. Yet, if Sony is able to build on the momentum of recent models (Xperia T), then the Odin could be mythical indeed,” Tech 2 quoted a report published earlier.

Stories by Chris Alu

S

N5, 000, 000 million against any operator that fails to offer the service a further sum of N500, 000 million per day as long as the contravention persists.

The Commission in a directive issued at the end of August mandated “that from November 1, 2012, all mobile operators shall send, free of charge, a message or an alert to both postpaid and prepaid subscribers after every call, SMS, or system generated charge or tariff, with a proviso that a subscriber can opt out if he or she so wishes”.

The order mandates operators to send messages

containing six critical information including: exact duration of call minutes and seconds, total cost for each call or SMS; customer accounts balance after the last call and SMS for prepaid customers; customer account balance after a charge or tariff and the reason for the charge or tariff; cumulative call charges up to the last call within the charging period for post-paid customers; cost of services and credit balance upon request by customer for data service.

NCC said that the recent development is in line with the provisions of Section 53(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003.

Bang & Olufsen unveils Beolab 12-1 speakers

Sony’s smartphone aims at iPhone, Galaxy S3 J

A

pair of rear Beolab 12-1 speakers designed to complete existing surround sound setups has been unveiled by Bang & Olufsen.

Having them mounted on a stand if you don’t fancy drilling any holes in your living room shows its Wall-hugging discreetness, its power and compactness.

Available in silver or white and featuring the same separate

ICE-power amplifiers found in its existing 12-3 and 12-2 predecessors, the last piece in its customers’ fully kitted out B&O setup can now be complete.

Though no price tag has been place on these pieces yet nor the release date announced but it something the world over should expect as the next generation of sound, which cost well over what such device should cost averagely.

African Airtel customers to now get free incoming calls while roaming on its South Asia Network

B

harti Airtel (Airtel), a leading global telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, at the weekend introduced the world’s first free intercontinental incoming roaming service by including India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to its current bouquet of ONE NETWORK services for its African customers. Airtel customers already avail this facility across the company’s mobile network in 17 countries across Africa.

Airtel customers in Africa will

…To benefit African businessmen, tourists and students traveling to the Indian sub-continent not need to register for the ONE NETWORK service or buy new SIM cards as they will now be automatically provisioned as ‘citizens’ of Airtel’s borderless network across 20 countries in Africa and Asia.

This offers opportunities to a base of 60 million Airtel customers in Africa to roam at affordable tariffs in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. By

offering free incoming calls whilst roaming, the service ups the ante for global telecom providers as the seamless service across continents is a world-first amongst mobile service providers. This will greatly benefit the travelling population, consisting of tourists, corporates, businessmen and students who want to keep in touch with people

back home.

Within 17 African countries, ONE NETWORK also allows Airtel customers to use their local Airtel SIM cards whilst abroad, giving them access to attractive rates for calls made, access data, enjoy value added services and recharge using local top up vouchers in the country visited.

The service is poised to

benefit increasing intra-regional trade between Africa and the South Asian nations which currently stands at over USD 60 billion. Equally, the number of travellers between Africa and the 3 countries has been growing.

India is the main destination for most of African travellers for trade, its tertiary educational institutions and affordable medical facilities.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 22

By Sharmila Devi

N

igeria’s healthy economy, compared with the anaemic growth of the developed world, has already lured back many of its nationals educated or working abroad while sparking growing interest among others looking for challenging and well-paid jobs.

Nigeria, the most populous African country with more than 150m people, has committed to reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, enhancing macroeconomic management, and fighting corruption, says Rachel Adams, head of marketing at Global Career Company, an international recruitment firm.

Her company specialises in recruiting internationally based candidates for jobs in their home countries and has recruited for more than 100 companies based in Nigeria and placed more than 150 Nigerians into work.

“Candidates we have placed in jobs back in Nigeria have found that they are able to make a large impact quickly in the companies they work for,” she says. “They are highly regarded and respected by management and their peers, especially in regard to their experience and the contribution they make to the company.”

Although the overall demand for labour declined this year, as company results were hit by fuel crises resulting in strikes, she says opportunities exist in oil and gas, banking and insurance, engineering, accounting and finance, manufacturing, and IT. “The focus is on succession planning now as companies continue to expand but don’t necessarily have existing staff who can move into top management roles,” she says.

There is also a large expatriate community from the UK, US, India, Greece, Japan and other countries, working in Nigeria.

John Avberhota, one of GCC’s candidates who was recruited by G4S, the security company, at a 2010 Careers in Africa recruitment event in London, says people should think hard before moving.

“Anyone who is thinking of relocating to Africa should consider the move carefully and discuss it with their family and friends. On the whole, it is a fantastic environment to work in and one cannot help but feel the buzz of the direct impact you will be contributing towards the business, as there is really a strong working ethic in Nigeria,” he says.

“Life in Nigeria has been great. The culture and general attitude of the people has really enabled me to integrate into the working environment without feeling a sudden culture shock, having worked in the UK for over 15 years.”

To work in Nigeria, it was vital to have a “flexible mindset” and be a “go-getter”, says Seshni Samuel, Africa People Leader at Ernst & Young.

“Nigeria realises that to leverage all the opportunities, it needs to have the best people who

Working in Nigeria: Talent needed to match rapid growth

Can one truly appreciate the immense talent of millions of Nigerians like these? want to ensure their part in the growth story,” she says. This means Ernst & Young has little difficulty obtaining work visas.

However, Ms Adams says other companies might face regulatory restrictions: “It is not always an easy process.

Employers hiring foreign workers must obtain an Expatriate Quota and Business Permit from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.”

Another sector Nigeria is seeking to develop is travel and tourism. “Over the next five years, Nigeria will have 95,000 new jobs because of large flows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” says Ms Samuel. “So

there will definitely be a need for both local and foreign resources and there are huge opportunities.”

An Ernst & Young report released this year says Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Africa as a whole is forecast to grow between 4 and 5 per cent in the next decade and that FDI would reach $150 bn by 2015.

But the report also speaks of a “perception gap” because the continent only attracted 5.9 per cent of global FDI projects in 2011.

“Despite optimism, high growth and high returns, the perception gap still exists and the African continent as a

“

Nigeria came 60th and bottom of Heidrick & Struggles' 2011 Global Talent Index conducted, in partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit that measures a country's propensity to attract talent.

whole still attracts fewer FDI projects than India and far fewer than China,” says Ajen Sita, managing partner for Africa at Ernst & Young. “There is still clearly work to be done

by Africans – government and private sector alike – to articulate and ‘sell’ the growth story and investment opportunity for foreign investors.”

Although many Nigerian companies, including banks, would like to hire locally, which is often cheaper, there is a tradeoff in terms of the skills on offer, says Allen Shardelow, a partner with the Heidrick & Struggles search firm in Johannesburg.

He is a former South African diplomat who finds “C-suite” executives for companies in Nigeria.

He says any expatriate thinking of working in Nigeria should have experience of working in a developing economy. “If someone has never worked outside, such as in Latin America or Asia, they’re not a smart hire,” he says. “You’ve got to have a good disposition, enjoy uncertainty and the infrastructure challenge.

Moving around on roads that are jam-packed – you’ve got to see that through a particular lens.”

He says people sometimes underestimate what it takes to cope with life in Nigeria, with some executives leaving after a year or so, often because they are separated from a partner or their families cannot fit in.

There is demand for skilled staff because companies are “scrambling” to position themselves to take advantage of a consumer market set to grow sharply, he says. Talented staff are paid what the market demands but there is not an “open cheque book”, given the cost constraints placed on all companies in the current climate.

Nigeria came 60th and bottom of Heidrick & Struggles’ 2011 Global Talent Index conducted in partnership with the Economist Intelligence Unit that measures a country’s propensity to attract talent.Mr. Shardelow says Nigeria is particularly let down by its educational system.

However, another Heidrick & Struggles survey finds that after compensation, when choosing a new job executives rated a company’s brand and prospects for career advancement and growth as their main drivers, making Nigeria look more attractive because of the opportunities there.

Most job are in Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, rather than Abuja or Kano, says Paul Mercier, managing director for Africa at the Michael Page recruitment agency, who is based in Paris.

English-speakers have a natural advantage as does anyone with experience of similar markets, hence the many Indian nationals working in Nigeria, he says. But given Nigeria’s hopes to expand into the region, which is dominated by former French colonies, French-speakers are also in demand.

“Nigerian businesses have ambitions to expand outside their country and in the region, so we do look for French speakers, such as bankers and managers, to work at the corporate level in Lagos,” he says.

Companies often instruct him to make a shortlist of candidates including not only the traditional expatriate but also those with experience of business in the developing world. As an example of a good candidate, he describes someone who knows how to sell mobile phone SIM cards in India because it poses similar challenges to those in Nigeria.

Although there was instability in the north of the country because of attacks by Bako Haram, the Islamist sect, he says most of the rest of Nigeria is no more unsafe than Johannesburg, if not safer.

“You probably have to develop a way of forwardthinking if only to deal with the traffic jams in Lagos,” he says. “But if you live in a good area and get good remuneration, you can have a happy life.” (Source: Financial Times)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 34

ANALYSIS

By Richard Falk No peace n the background, but not very far removed from the understanding of observers, are two closely related developments.

The first is the degree to which the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements has made it unrealistic to suppose that a viable Palestinian state will ever emerge from direct negotiations.

The second, underscored by the recent merger of Netanyahu and Lieberman forces, is the extent to which the Israeli governing process has indirectly itself irreversibly embraced the vision of Greater Israel encompassing all of Jerusalem and most of the West Bank.

The fact that world leaders in the West keep repeating the mantra of peace through direct negotiations is either an expression of the grossest incompetence or totally bad faith. At minimum, Washington and the others calling for the resumption of direct negotiations owe it to all of us to explain how it will be possible to establish a Palestinian state within 1967 borders when it means the displacement of most of the 600,000 armed settlers now defended by the Israeli army, and spread throughout occupied Palestine. Such an explanation would also have to show why Israel is being allowed to quietly legalise the 100 or so "outposts", settlements spread around the West Bank that had been previously unlawful even under Israeli law. Such moves toward legalisation deserve the urgent attention of all those who continue to proclaim their faith in a two-state solution, but instead are ignored.

This brings us back to Gaza and Hamas. The top Hamas leaders have made it abundantly clear over and over again that they are open to permanent peace with Israel if there is a total withdrawal to the 1967 borders (22 percent of historic Palestine) and the arrangement is supported by a referendum of all Palestinians living under occupation.

Israel, with the backing of Washington, takes the position that Hamas as "a terrorist organisation" that must be permanently excluded from the procedures of diplomacy, except of course when it serves Israel's purposes to negotiate with Hamas. It did this in 2011 when it negotiated the prisoner exchange in which several hundred Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of the Israel soldier captive, Gilad Shalit, or when it seems convenient to take advantage of Egyptian mediation to establish temporary ceasefires.

As the celebrated Israeli peace activist and former Knesset member, Uri Avnery, reminds us a cease-fire in Arab culture, hudna in Arabic, is considered to be sanctified by Allah, has tended to be in use and faithfully observed ever since the time of the Crusades.

Avnery also reports that up to the time he was assassinated, Jabari was in contact with Gershon Baskin of Israel, seeking to explore prospects for a long-term ceasefire that was reported to Israeli leaders, who

I

Israelis protesting against their government for bombarding Gaza

The latest Gaza catastrophe (II) unsurprisingly showed no interest.

Waiting for justice There is a further feature of this renewal of conflict involving attacks on Gaza. Israel sometimes insists that since it is no longer, according to its claims, an occupying power, it is in a state of war with a Hamas governed Gaza.

But if this were to be taken as the proper legal description of the relationship between the two sides, then Gaza would have the rights of a combatant, including the option to use proportionate force against Israeli military targets. As earlier argued, such a legal description of the relationship between Israel and Gaza is unacceptable. Gaza remains occupied and essentially helpless, and Israel as occupier has no legal or ethical right to engage in war

against the people and government of Gaza, which incidentally was elected in internationally monitored free elections in early 2006.

On the contrary, its overriding obligation as Occupier is to protect the civilian population of Gaza.

Even if casualty figures in the present violence are so far low as compared with Operation Cast Lead, the intensity of air and sea strikes against the helpless people of Gaza strikes terror in the hearts and minds of every person living in the Strip, a form of indiscriminate violence against the spirit and mental health of an entire people that cannot be measured in blood and flesh, but by reference to the traumatising fear that has been generated.

We hear many claims in the

“

West as to a supposed decline in international warfare since the collapse of the Soviet Union twenty years ago. Such claims are to some extent a welcome development, but the people of the Middle East have yet to benefit from this trend, least of all the people of Occupied Palestine, and of these, the people of Gaza are suffering the most acutely. This spectacle of one-sided war in which Israel decides how much violence to unleash, and Gaza waits to be struck, firing off militarily meaningless salvos of rockets as a gesture of resistance, represents a shameful breakdown of civilisation values. These rockets do spread fear and cause trauma among Israeli civilians even when no targets are struck, and represent an unacceptable tactic. Yet such unacceptability must be weighed

There is a further feature of this renewal of conflict involving attacks on Gaza. Israel sometimes insists that since it is no longer, according to its claims, an occupying power, it is in a state of war with a Hamas governed Gaza.

against the unacceptable tactics of an Israel that holds all the cards in the conflict.

It is truly alarming that now even the holiest of cities, Jerusalem, is threatened with attacks, but the continuation of oppressive conditions for the people of Gaza, inevitably leads to increasing levels of frustration, in effect, cries of help that world has ignored at its peril for decades. These are survival screams! To realise this is not to exaggerate! To gain perspective, it is only necessary to read a recent UN Report that concludes that the deterioration of services and conditions will make Gaza uninhabitable by 2020.

Completely aside from the merits of the grievances on the two sides, one side is militarily omnipotent and the other side crouches helplessly in fear. Such a grotesque reality passes under the radar screens of world conscience because of the geopolitical shield behind which Israel is given a free pass to do whatever it wishes. Such a circumstance is morally unendurable, and should be politically unacceptable. It needs to be actively opposed globally by every person, government, and institution of good will.

Concluded.

Source: Aljazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 35

Jacob Zuma makes sacrifices for re-election M23 rebel leader heads to Kampala for talks

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he leader of the Democratic Republic of Congo's M23 rebel group Colonel Sultani Makenga is travelling to the Ugandan capital Kampala for talks at the invitation of the head of the Ugandan military, a rebel spokesman said on Monday.

Congolese President Joseph Kabila met M23 for the first time at the weekend after a summit in Uganda where regional leaders gave the rebels two days to leave the eastern Congo city of Goma, which the rebels seized last week after U.N.-backed government troops melted away.

Congo said it would not negotiate with the rebels until they pulled out of Goma, but the rebels said the government was in no position to set conditions on peace talks.

"Makenga's on his way to Kampala, he has been invited by the military chief of Uganda," rebel spokesman Amani Kabasha told Reuters by phone from an undisclosed location.

The Ugandan military said it could not immediately confirm Makenga's visit but that it was probable since Uganda's chief of defense forces, Aronda Nyakayirima, was apparently coordinating M23's withdrawal.

"I am not aware of his arrival but I wouldn't be surprised if he were here because meetings have been going on and since Aronda has been tasked to coordinate the withdrawal (from Goma) he would need to talk to him (Makenga)," military spokesman Felix Kulayigye said.

A diplomat said the African Union was due to hold a Peace and Security Council meeting later on Monday to discuss the crisis.

Col. Sultani Makenga, commander of the M23 rebels

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outh Africa's President Jacob Zuma has appealed to his ancestors to help him hold on to the leadership of the ruling African National Congress (ANC).

Mr Zuma attended a ceremony at his village on Sunday, where 12 cattle were slaughtered and incense burnt as people prayed for his re-election.

His opponents are pushing for him to be ousted as ANC leader at the party's conference next month.

Mr Zuma, a polygamist with 21 children, is a well-known Zulu traditionalist.

He beat his predecessor Thabo Mbeki in a bitterly contested election in 2007 for the leadership of the ANC. He later forced Mr Mbeki to resign as South Africa's president, installing Kgalema Motlanthe as caretaker leader until the 2009 general election, when he took power.

The ANC's influential youth wing and several government ministers are now campaigning for Mr Motlanthe, the deputy president, to run against Mr Zuma at the ANC conference in Mangaung next month.

The Zuma family slaughtered 12 cattle and burnt incense at a traditional ceremony at their village in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province on Sunday to appeal to the ancestors to guide him ahead of the elections.

"We are here to give our father a send-off to Mangaung. With this ceremony we are now sure he is protected and he will come back to celebrate with us," Nomthandazo Zuma is quoted by South Africa's The Mercury newspaper as saying.

Traditional leader Inkosi Bheki

Zuma gave the president, who was dressed in leopard skins, a Zulu spear and shield and told him to use the weapons to protect himself from his ANC opponents, the newspaper reports.

Mr Zuma has been dogged by corruption allegations throughout his term, but he is expected to be re-elected

as ANC leader, analysts say.

South Africa's Auditor-General Terence Nombembe and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela are investigating whether taxpayers' money has been improperly used to upgrade Mr Zuma's residential complex in Nkandla, reportedly at a cost of about $27m (ÂŁ17m).

President Jacob Zuma

'Kony out of touch with his commanders'- Okello

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former escort of Maj. Gen. Caeser Acellam, has revealed that the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), Joseph Kony, has lost contact with all his commanders following intensive pursuit by the UPDF and the American commandos.

Godfrey Okello, 21, was forced into rebellion after he was abducted in Teso at the age of 11 when he was in P3. Kony assigned Okello to be

Acellam's escort. Acellam was captured nine months ago.

"The pressure has forced Kony not to meet his commanders for over two years now. They do not even talk on phone," revealed Okello, who escaped from the bush in May this year.

Okello was reunited with his family in Amusu village in Amuria district last week. Okello said Kony had instructed them not to use any

kind of device for communication because the army could easily locate them. "Acellam told me that they stopped using mobile phones and radio calls," Okello said.

He said this could have been one of the reasons Acellam opted to surrender. He added: "Many rebels want to surrender, but remain back because the commanders always told us that if we surrendered, the UPDF would kill us." "When they

suspect that you are planning to desert the force, they either kill you or transfer you to another camp," Okello said.

In an exclusive interview just after the reunion with his family, he also revealed that Acellam told him about his plans to surrender a year before his capture.

"Life became hard and Acellam told me to prepare for escape, but we failed," Okello said.

Fresh dispute over south Sudan oil pipeline agreement

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udan has put a fresh obstacle in the way of allowing its landlocked southern neighbor to pipe its oil to the Red Sea, South Sudan's president Salva Kiir said on Monday, dashing plans to re-start production after 11 months and unsettling last year's still fragile peace agreement.

South Sudan took over the

national oil company when it seceded last year but left the northern state with 25 percent of the oil fields which straddle their border as well as the sole pipeline to Port Sudan and the adjacent refinery.

In January South Sudan shut down its entire oil output of 350,000 barrels a day after tensions with

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir speaks after signing a border deal with Sudan

Sudan over oil fees escalated but an agreement to re-open the export pipeline was announced in September.

But Kiir said on Monday Sudan had now demanded as a new condition for reopening the pipeline that South Sudan now disarm rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement North (SPLM-North) which operate in two states bordering South Sudan.

"It is an impossible mission which our brothers in the government in Khartoum would want us to undertake. Because of this Khartoum authorities have refused to accept passage of South Sudan oil through their territory to market," he told a meeting of government officials in Juba which was attended by Reuters.

"We are a different country, SPLM-North is in a different country.

You cannot imagine that a foreign army can cross to another country to go and conduct disarmament.

That can't be. It will not happen," he said.

South Sudan denies supporting

the SPLM-North, which plans together with rebels from the western region of Darfur to topple Sudan's veteran president Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

Juba denies it supports the SPLMNorth in the South Kordofan and Blue Nile states but diplomats say such support is likely in retaliation for suspected Sudanese backing for anti-government militias in South Sudan.

Kiir said he spoke to Bashir two days ago by phone to restart border security talks.

"He (Bashir) assured me that he is going to direct the minister of defense to write now an invitation letter to our team in Juba so that they go to Khartoum to start negotiations," he said.

"When we signed the cooperation agreement (in September) we thought it was going to be implemented unconditionally. Now it appears that we have to renegotiate its implementation again. We will do all that it takes to maintain peace between our two countries and avoid any return to war," he added.

PAGE 36

Asia and Middle East UN climate summit opens in Qatar

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he 18th United Nations climate change conference (COP18) has opened in the Qatari capital.

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South African foreign minister, officially handed over on Monday the COP presidency to Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, Qatar's deputy prime minister and the conference's president, at the Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha.

After brief speeches by both, Christiana Figueres, UNFCCC executive secretary, pointed out the "unique" location of this year's COP. "Each COP is unique - and this is no exception," she said.

"This is the first time the COP is being held in the Gulf region. On this historic occasion, the region has an unequaled world stage to showcase the contributions being made to reduce the Gulf's food and water vulnerabilities, to put regional energy growth on a more sustainable path and to build a safer, stronger and more resilient energy future for all countries."

For the next fortnight, up to 17,000 people will attend the conference. Delegates will be negotiating a new global deal on climate, but there are ongoing tensions between rich and poor countries.

A central issue at the summit is the problem of "hot air" carbon permits.

The term refers to attempts by some wealthy countries to carry over unused carbon permits so they can be offset against future cuts.

Developing nations say this is unfair and reduces the value of any commitment to reduce carbon dioxide.

In one of the summit's first announcements, Australia said it will aim to cut its emissions by 0.5% from 1990 levels by 2020 in a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol.

A Nauru delegate, speaking on behalf of the Alliance of Small Island States - a group representing 44 mostly low-lying countries particularly vulnerable to climate change - called for greater ambition for a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which binds many developed countries to make emissions cuts.

"This conference is about nothing less than preserving the fundamental integrity of the climate change regime," she said, "and that must begin with a strong second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol.

"If developed countries cannot live up to their current obligations, how can we have any confidence in a future agreement?"

Nauru also called for stronger commitments from developed countries to help developing countries finance ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Australia apologises to victims of abuse

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ustralia's government has apologised to hundreds of victims of abuse within the military, clearing the way for victims to receive compensation.

In an address to parliament on Monday, Stephen Smith, defence minister, acknowledged that soldiers, sailors and member of the air force had suffered abuse, often by superiors under the excuse of toughening up younger recruits, since the early 1950s.

"Young men and women have endured sexual, physical or mental abuse from their colleagues which is not acceptable and does not reflect the values of a modern, diverse, tolerant Australian society," Smith told parliament.

"On behalf of the government, I say sorry."

An independent report into abuse within the military earlier this year found 775 plausible allegations of sexual, physical and mental abuse within the armed forces since 1951.

The report detailed 24 allegations of rape that never went to trial.

Smith said senior military leaders were committed to changing a defence force culture which has often turned a blind

eye to abuse and was often hostile to women or those who spoke out or complained about their treatment.

Independent report The apology follows an independent report sparked by an incident in 2011, when footage of a female defence academy cadet having consensual sex with a male colleague was streamed online to other cadets without her knowledge.

"That at the time, was said to be an isolated incident," Al Jazeera's Andrew Thomas, reporting from Sydney, said.

"But very quickly, other people came forward and said similar sorts of abuse had happened to them while they were in the military.

"The government asked a law firm to conduct a review and over 1,000 people came forward, saying they had suffered some form of abuse."

General David Hurley, defence force chief, also apologised, saying he recognised "the damage and suffering that has been caused to some".

The Australian Defence Force has begun addressing these causes through its cultural reform programme," he said.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith Smith said an independent task force would now examine specific allegations and rule on compensation of up to A$50,000

($52,200) for victims. It will also refer matters to police or the military justice system if there is evidence of a crime.

Vietnam refuses to stamp new Chinese passports over map Vietnamese officials are refusing to stamp new Chinese passports bearing a map that lays claim to disputed areas.

Border authorities have instead been issuing visas on separate pieces of paper and stamping those issued previously as invalid.

Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan have objected to the map because it shows disputed islands in the South China Sea to be a part of China.

India is also embroiled a row over the map's inclusion of disputed areas.

Official Chinese maps have long shown Taiwan and the South China Sea to be part of its own territory despite ongoing disputes with its neighbours.

China's Communist party newspaper, The People's Daily, said that Vietnam and other

neighbours were trying to contain China with help from the United States.

Vietnam, the Philippines, and Taiwan have already complained to China about the

map on the new passport, which they say is an infringement of their sovereignty.

The potentially oil-rich Paracel islands, claimed by Vietnam and also claimed by Taiwan, appear

Neighbouring countries are protesting against a map on new Chinese passports

on the map, as do the Spratly islands, part of which are claimed by the Philippines.

India, which disputes two Himalayan regions also claimed

by China that is included on the map, is stamping its own map on visas it issues to Chinese citizens.

Meanwhile, the Philippines is still currently accepting the new Chinese passports while it considers its options, says Foreign Ministry spokesman Raul Hernandez.

Last week, a meeting of the Association of South East Asian (Asean) nations in Cambodia saw China and the Philippines openly clash over disputed islands.

Asean has been trying to reach consensus over how to resolve the various territorial disputes with China.

Fire hits second Bangladesh garment factory

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fire that broke out in a 12storey building housing four different garment factories in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, has been almost

brought under control, police say.

There were no reports of deaths in Monday's blaze in the suburb of Uttara, but eight workers were injured due to heavy smoke, Abu

Workers managed to escape by jumping onto this nearby building from the roof

Nayeem Mohammad Shahidullah, fire brigade directorgeneral, told Reuters news agency.

The fire occurred just days after a similar incident killed 121 textile workers in a different facility in the city.

Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque, reporting from the scene of Monday's fire, said many workers coming out of the building were angry because the fire happened just two days after the deadly blaze.

"These are workers who make clothes for the world's leading brands, so it's expected that they should have international standards in these factories," he said. "But since 2006, 600 factory workers have died in fires like this one."

He said the new fire happened

in a densely populated area and that had helped workers escape.

"They made their way up to the top floor and jumped out onto nearby buildings," he said.

Separately, thousands of garment workers staged protests demanding better protection after the deadly inferno on Saturday night.

In that incident, fire engulfed a garment factory with no emergency exits that employed more than 1,000 workers. Some of the workers jumped from the eight-storey building where they made clothes for major global retailers.

Ahead of the first of a series of mass funerals for the victims, survivors of the blaze joined several thousand colleagues to block a road and march in the manufacturing hub of Ashulia.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 37

Flood: Abakaliki rice mill chairman laments high price of rice

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he Chairman, Abakaliki Rice Mill Owners Industrial Association, Mr Joseph Ununu has said the price of rice had risen in Ebonyi State as a result of the recent floods in parts of the arera.

Ununu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that price of rice would continue to rise as a result of the flood that ravaged most rice farms in the state.

He described the effect of the

By Mohammed Kandi

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any years of research by experts indicate that Nigeria’s agricultural sector; no doubt, possess an extraordinary possibility that has not been fully harnessed for economic benefits of the country’s teeming farming population.

It is on the records that Nigeria’s agricultural potential have remained untapped, even with an arable land potential of 98 million ha, out of which only 84 million ha is cultivatable. Only 34 million ha is cultivated or 48% of the available land for agriculture.

Similarly, the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) report on Competitive Commercial Agriculture for Africa, shows that Africa, especially Nigeria and Mozambique, have vast areas of savannahs that can become the breadbasket for the rest of the world, if properly harnessed.

Also, the International Food Policy Research Institute states that, the value of agriculture in Nigeria at constant 2010 dollars was 99 billion dollars. This is projected to grow to 256 billion dollars by 2030. The growth is expected to come from yield expansion (44%), area expansion (33%) and diversification into high value crops (23%).

But, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, in his recent presentation at a convocation lecture delivered at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, expressed regrets amid optimism, saying the country could again take its rightful place among committee of nations with robust economy tied to agriculture, if proactive approach is deployed by key players in the sector.

The minister recalled that, “In the 1960s we had glory. That glory was visible for all to see. Nigeria accounted for 42% of the world’s exports of shelled groundnuts. Our total export volume was 502, 000 MT. This declined to zero by 2008.

“The major problem we had was aflatoxin which we did not bother to fix. Nigeria lost her leadership position and was overtaken by USA, China and Argentina. Nigeria was also the largest exporter of palm oil in the world and accounted for 27% of the global export volume for palm oil. Total export volume for palm oil by Nigeria was 167,000 MT in 1961. This declined to 25,000 MT by 2008. As the global export volume rose from 629,000 MT in 1961 to over 33 million MT in 2008, Malaysia and Indonesia took over using the oil palm seedlings obtained from Nigeria! Today, Malaysia earns $ 18 billion from export of palm oil alone,” Adesina grieved.

On food importation, Adesina regrets huge funds being expended, “Nigeria is now one of the largest food importers in the world. It spent over 1.3 Trillion Naira per year on imports of wheat, rice, sugar and fish.

flood disaster as terrible, saying that majority of rice farmers in the state had their rice farms completely washed away by the flood.

He said that a bushel of rice that sold for as low as N2,000 in November 2011 and the highest quality sold for between N2,500 and N3,000.

He said that a bushel of rice was now selling for between N3,600 and N4,000, depending on the variety.

Ununu said that the low quality

ones were now selling for between N2,800 and N3,400.

He said that the best improved varieties known as “fero44’’, “fero52’’ and “fero57’’ long grain rice was now selling for N4, 500.

“We have never experienced this type of situation where the price of rice is so high in the month of November.

“November is usually a peak period in rice harvesting and sales but the reverse is the case in 2012

because of the flood.

“The rice mill complex this period is usually filled to capacity with buyers and sellers of the commodity but you can see there are only a handful of them,’’ he said.

The chairman maintained that there would be shortage in the supply of the commodity in view of the destruction caused by flooding which ultimately would lead to more increase in the price of rice.

Some farmers - Elias Nwogu,

Samuel Ogodo, Albert Onwe, John Ugbala, Pius Nwauruku and Sunday Eje decried the rising cost of the commodity which they blamed on low production.

“It has never been this bad before that a bushel of rice will sell above N3, 000 in November; it is indeed affecting business,’’ Nwogu said. “ Most traders could not afford to buy the product at prevailing market price,’’ Ogodo said. (NAN)

Underutilizing Nigeria’s agricultural potential

From left Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Bukar Tijani, Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Muhammad Kilgore and Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Olufemi Bolarin,at the meeting of the Minister with 9 state Commissioners of agriculture on Accelerated rice production in the forthcoming dry season recently in Sokoto.

“In 2010 alone, Nigeria spent 635 Billion Naira on import of wheat, 356 billion Naira on import of rice (that means we spend 1 Billion Naira per day on rice alone), 217 Billion Naira on sugar imports, and with all the marine resources, rivers, lakes and creeks we are blessed with, Nigeria spent 97 Billion Naira importing fish,” he disclosed.

According to Adesina, “Nigerian rice farmers cry because the import of rice undermines domestic production.

Our farmers sow in hope, but reap in tears, as cheap food imports dash their hopes of better prices and incomes.”

Admitting that there are indeed enormous potentials for the country’s agric sector, Adesina, however, urged that should be transformed into possibilities using private sector as key driver with government’s support so as to achieve success.

“To reverse this trend, we have articulated a clear vision to achieve a hunger-free Nigeria, through an agricultural sector that drives income growth, accelerates achievement of food and nutritional security, generates employment and transforms Nigeria into a leading player in global food markets.

“Our vision is to move Nigeria to become an agriculturally industrialized economy, to create wealth, jobs and markets for farmers, and revive the rural economy. We plan to grow the size of the agricultural

sector from the present level of $99 billion per year today to about $300 billion per year by 2030,” he informed.

He said: “To turn things around, we have embarked on a major effort to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s agriculture and to move the country from its ignoble status as one of the largest food importers in the world, to a food self-sufficient country, with expanded exports.

We are focused on achieving this through the rapid transformation of agricultural value chains.”

Nonetheless, Nigerian farmers are still skeptical about the sustainability of the ‘beautiful reforms’, which had given them a sigh of relieve after years of Agric Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina dashed hopes,

arising from unfulfilled promises by successive governments.

Although the present regime is doing a lot to better the lots of Nigerian farmers through its Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), there are still critical questions unanswered.

Many farmers, especially, the smallholder farmers in the country want to know when they are getting out of the hooks. Are these incentives going to end-up as the previous ones? If not, what is the government doing to ensure that farmers become direct beneficiary of their efforts?

For instance, some critics have opined that at this period of the year, the government ought to have commenced mopping-up farmer’s harvests (farm produce), thereby creating money for them against the next farm season. Through this practice, the government itself would have enough food in stock as a reserve.

Moreover, there is the need for the government to ensure proper monitoring of all the programmes that it is rolling out for farmers under the ATA. It should also carry out followups, as well as take data as to whether the schemes are successful or not.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 38

Jonathan calls for integrated approach to stop terrorism

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Delta state Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan presenting a souvenir to the Chief of Defence Staff, LtGen. Azubuike Ihejirika during a courtesy call on the governor yesterday.

Photo: Joy Baba

Insecurity: Uduaghan solicits military support Stories By Joy Baba from Asaba

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he Delta state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on the Nigerian Army to support the state government in ending the security challenge the state is facing at the moment. The governor called the military's attention to the resurgence of criminal activities like kidnapping and theft of petroleum products, and urged the military should assist in stamping out.

Uduaghan stated this in

Government House Asaba on Sunday when the Chief of Army staff (COAS) and his entourage paid him a courtesy call to mark the beginning of the 2012 COAS annual conference.

The governor said that the military has contributed immensely to maintain peace in the state and commended the Commander of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian in Benin, Brig Gen. Obi Omahi and the Commander of the Nigerian Army Battalion in Effunrun, Col. I Otu, for been so helpful in responding to urgent security

issues in the state.

Speaking earlier, the COAS, thanked the governor for always being there for military in the state and supporting them to do their work in the state.

He further commended the governor for constructing block of classrooms at the barracks in Warri for the use of children of officers and soldiers and also facilitating the construction of a jetty which has helped the army in no small way in supporting the state to keep the water ways peaceful and to help secure vital installation.

Navy decry inadequate budget

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he Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Dele Ezeoba, has said Nigerian Navy (NN) will not meet the mandate given to it by the President to stop oil thieves and illegal activites in the high seas with the current budget being approved for it noting that there is need for a review of 2013 upwards.

Ezeoba stated this while defending the NN budget before the Senate Committee on Navyled by Senator Chris Anyanwu.

He explained that what was budgeted for the Navy was far from what was required to meet President Goodluck Jonathan’s mandate to the force to deal with oil theft and illegal activities in the nation’s territorial waters.

According to him, just N6.8 billion was captured as against N24.5bn put forward noting a 38 percent decrease of its 2010 budget.

In the CNS words, “This sharp cut in our budget is incomprehensible considering

the rising cost of goods and services and increased need to address the acts of criminality in our waters. We are requesting that this be reviewed if we are to do what we are supposed to do.”

‘I make bold to say that this amount of money is grossly inadequate. This probably will just meet the consumables of just one ship’ he further said.

“When I mean consumables, that is the day to day requirement in terms of filters, gaskets and a few other stuffs like that just for a ship like the NNS Thunder, which is our most recent acquisition. This amount of money will just be enough for a week’s maintenance requirement. So, if we have a fleet of 20 to 25 ships and you are providing N116.7m for ship spares, then we have serious problems”.

If you don’t have these enablers, we can’t do much he continued stressing the need for the NN budget to be reviewed to capture what is required.

Chief of Naval Staff, ViceAdmiral Dele Ezeoba “The NN on its own part is aware of the responsibility placed on our shoulders by the Constitution. Therefore, we have captured what we want to achieve in the long, medium and short terms, the CNS added.

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the country should develop an integrated approach crucial to effectively combat threats of terrorism so as to create a stable atmosphere for economic activities to thrive effectively in areas mostly affected by the scourge.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olushola Obada stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Chief of Army Staff Conference holding in Asaba with the theme "Consolidating Nigerian Army Transformation Drive Towards Enhanced National Security".

The President further said the Nigerian Army must intensify its current efforts and work closely with other security agencies to develop new strategies that will address the current security challenges facing the country noting that the threat of terrorism in some parts of the country remain an issue of serious security concern with the potential to impede the present administration's trans formation drive.

Jonathan also said the aim of the transformation agenda of his administration is to fast

tract socio-economic revitalisation through massive job creation and the rejuvenation of national infrastructure. This agenda he said can be successfully pursued within a peaceful, friendly and secured environment that offers every citizen the right to greater freedom and liberty.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Azubuike Ihejirika said Nigerian Army training and re -training are some major focus of the transformation drive.

According to him, Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency (CTCOIN) training has been made mandatory for all new recruits and newly commissioned officers.

The essence of the training he said is to equip the young officers and soldiers with the requisite skills to meet the asymmetric threats of contemporary challenges. 278 officers and 1,952 soldiers have received CTCOIN training and a significant number of Nigerian Police Force personnel he also said.

Ihejirika further said the Army has increased the tempo of internal security operations in conjunction with the Nigerian Police, Department of State Security Services and other security agencies.

Nigeria set to restore peace to Africa

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he Minister of State for Defence, Erelu (Dr) Olusola Obada had said that Nigeria will fulfill all her promises and commitments to support ECOWAS enthrone permanent constitutional government of Peace and stability in the region.

The Minister stated this when the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Suleiman, paid her a courtesy visit.

Obada said, that terrorism is an international crises adding that it should be nipped in the bud in Mali so that it does not spread to other parts of the continent.

She called on International partners to join hands with ECOWAS in order to overcome it and restore normalcy for the good of all of us.

The Minister also confirmed that troops are about moving into Guinea Bissau to ensure Peace and Security.

Speaking earlier, Mrs. Suleiman said ECOWAS deeply appreciates all the steps taken

by Nigeria in handling security challenges in Africa.

She also noted Nigeria’s efforts in assisting ECOWAS

Minister Of State For Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada with the current security challenge in Mali and Guinea Bissau and not forgetting Nigeria’s role in restoring permanent and constitutional governments in Liberia, SierraLeone and Cote’ D ivore.

The commissioner further said Nigeria has been outstanding in maintaining Regional and International Peace and Security and urged the Ministry of Defence to continue to support and show case Nigeria’s excellent work in Peace Keeping.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 39

Constitution Amendment: Delete federal character, state of origin – Okolo INTERVIEW What should top the agenda in the current constitutional amendment exercise? ne key aspect is state creation. The political equation shows imbalance in the state structure of this country. The South East has five states while other regions have six and some seven states. Balancing this inequality should be of major concern.

Another one is Federal Character and State of Origin.

In a modern democracy, no one asks a citizen of a country where he or she comes from. Let’s borrow a leaf from the United States of America. Nigeria is ripe to practice true federalism.

Do you believe lack of a sound constitution is the bane of Nigeria’s political stability?

I will say yes because that is the beginning of the journey.

The other aspect is good leadership which is anchored on the objective implementation of the provisions of the constitution.

With good leadership, Nigeria will be propelled higher. We should eschew ethnic and religious affiliations and think above self.

Once we bring in subjectivity in who becomes who in this country, basically we will remain stagnant.

Do you think Senator David Mark-led National Assembly is capable of amending the 1999 Constitution again?

There are great men in the Senate. But we have seen good heads who get soiled by the system. David Mark has kept his head high in all his dealings. He has been disciplined, focused and coordinated. It is true that opposition is the spice of democracy, but at times it can be a clog in governance. Mark has used his mastery of the system to stem the tide of the excesses of the opposition to move this country forward. I have confidence he and his men in the National Assembly will break the jinx of constitutional

O

As the National Assembly continues the process of amendment of the 1999 Constitution, Chidi Okolo, a political analyst and a former Public Relations Officer of Nigerians in the United Arab Emirate, in this interaction with newsmen says the principle of Federal Character and State of Origin should be deleted from the constitution just as he canvasses for the creation of more states. He also expresses confidence on the ability of Senator David Mark-led Senate to move Nigeria forward. Lawrence Olaoye was there. Excerpts.

Chidi Okolo amendment and make sound laws for this country.

Although President Goodluck Jonathan has said it is too early to talk about 2015 presidential election, who would you say can move this country forward according to your own definition of sound leadership?

President Jonathan is right because whatever he says on the 2015 elections now will generate much tension that can even derail his efforts to move this country forward. This country is endowed with great intellectuals in all ramifications.

Unfortunately

money has taken over our consciences; no morals again. I am not an opportunist looking to score cheap political gains. But in fairness, Senate President David Mark has got the wherewithal to steer the ship of this country to stardom.

President Goodluck Jonathan is doing wonderful things, although overtly many people will not understand.

Nonetheless, Senator David Mark is a symbol of stability in this country.

He is from the North, and the region is blessed with many presidential hopefuls.

What is your take?

Obviously, I am aware of former President Ibrahim Babangida, former military head of state Gen Mohammed Buhari and former vice president Atiku Abubakar.

Buhari is a wonderful leader, but he has issues with Babangida over the toppling of his government. Atiku had issues, especially political flirtations.

Babangida and the June 12 live forever. We heard that Obasanjo is supporting Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido, but experience counts. Let’s call to mind Jonathan’s emergence from southern minorities. So David Mark from a northern minority will entrench political equity and reawakening in the polity of Nigeria because the time for the major blocs alone to hold political positions is over. US President Barack Obama’s victory should teach us lessons.

The north politically has lost their brothers in the North Central. David Mark is a bridge between the North and the South.

He is alleged not to have delivered in the infrastructural development of his constituency in Benue?

Go and do your investigations well. The Otukpo road which people used to judge him has attracted the Federal Government’s attention. But it is also a vindication on his part. Even with his influence, he has reduced himself to the due process. Mark could influence any project, but being a Nigerian servant, he thinks beyond self. Nigeria’s interest supersedes selfish interests. Mark has excelled in all federal assignments he has had.

NASS clerk seeks effective legislative libraries in Nigeria

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hief Muyiwa Adejokun, the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly (NASS), has called for a functional and an upto-date legislative library to broaden the knowledge base of the staff.

Adejokun made the call yesterday at a workshop for legislative librarians in Nigeria organised by the National Institute for Legislative Studies in collaboration with NASS. He said that the legislative library was mandated to provide research and information services to members and staff of the assembly but rarely did that because of lack of materials.

He said this had led to limitation of service to the staff, while on-site access to materials that would have helped in building the knowledge base of the staff was not available.

“The NASS library’s mission is to further the process of NASS in Nigeria by providing confidential, nonpartisan information services to the legislative assembly and to sustain a research and legislative collection unique to the country.

“But the libraries are not adequately provided for, thereby hampering their mandate; there is hardly a sound world standard library in any of the NASS branches.

Adejokun stressed the need for

library advocacy in the country, adding that the federal and state legislatures most play important roles to make accurate and analytical information to the citizens.

He urged librarians to be user friendly, focused and security conscious checking the books and the users of the books.

The out-going Director of the institute, Mr Oyegoke Adeola, said that the workshop was a milestone in the commitment of NASS library to help strengthen the capacity of the Houses of Assembly.

Adeola said that though the NASS library had suffered stunted growth in the past, it had blossomed

since the onset of democracy in 1999.

He reiterated the National Assembly‘s commitment to building the capacity of the state assembly libraries for effective growth.

Earlier, Dr Ladi Hamalai, The Director-General of National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS ), thanked NASS for collaborating with the institute to build the capacity of legislatures across the country.

Hamalai said that the library was the backbone of all legislative work, especially in information service, and should not be ignored.

She said that library services were a serious business across the world.

(NAN)

Benue LG Polls: PDP clinches 15 LGAs as opposition protests From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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he Benue State Independent Electoral Commission yesterday declared results in 15 out of the 23 local government areas of the state amidst complaints of irregularities in the conduct of the election by the opposition party.

The result released shows the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) clinching all the local governments which include Ohimini, Otukpo, Ushongo, Tarka, Buruku, Logo, Ado, Gwer West, Gwer, Agatu, Konshisha, Okpokwu, Obi, Oju and Katsina-Ala. This is even as results in 8 LGAs were been awaited at the time of going to press.

Our correspondent reports that the election witnessed poor turn out of voters in most local governments, while in Konshisha and Ohimini LGA, the BSIEC Chairman, Prof. Phiilp Ahire told journalists that election was disrupted in two (2) wards where political thugs carted away election materials.

In Guma Local Government, home of Minister for State, Trade and Investment Hon. Samuel Ortom, election was conducted in a peaceful atmosphere as there was no reported case of violence. The State commissioner for Land/ Survey Hon. John Tondo who also hails from the place attributed the success of the election to the consciousness and political awareness of the electorates, adding “we, the stakeholders did a lot to sensitize them and they listened to us”.

Same was the situation in Kwande LGA where there were allegations of widespread electoral irregularities including ballot box snatching and massive thumb printing.

It was also learnt that in Tarka LGA, there were cases of malpractices as election materials were allegedly diverted to unknown destination by some PDP chieftains with active connivance with supervisors and other electoral officials.

In a letter titled, ‘Report on Conduct of Local Government Election In Tarka LGA’ signed by Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria Hon. Tyopie Bemhemba and copied to Benue State Commissioner of Police, the Director, SSS and Commandant, NSCDC and also made available to Peoples Daily, the party alleged that in Mbanyagber, Tse-Nenger, Mbachaverkyondo and Ifeer council wards, election materials were diverted by senior government officials and thumb printed in favor of the PDP. They claimed that at the end of the election and to the chagrin of all Tarka people, results from polling units where elections successfully held, BSIEC Returning officers were not at the Ward headquarters to collate and declare the results even as the Presiding officer later moved to Wannune, the LGA headquarters to meet the Returning Officer but could not find him.

The ACN frowned at the subversion of the collective will of the people and urged the BSIEC to address this anomaly.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Ekweremadu commends Sierra Leoneans on peaceful election

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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L-R: Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, presenting a plaque to International President, MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Jonathan Fanton, during the latter's visit to INEC headquarters, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Adamawa lawmaker laments extortion from constituents From Umar Dankano, Yola

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lawmaker representing Mayo-Belwa Local Government in Adamawa State House of Assembly, and the immediate past chairman of Assebly Committee on Information, Hon. Musa Kallamu Mahmoud, has lamented what he described as ’’ beggarly attitude’’ of his constituents, especiallyouths.

The member made the allegation at outskirt of MayoBelwa town, the home town of the state governor while trying to sneak out of the town for Jimeta the state capital. “I’m now on my way out of the town, they have already collected all my money and I had to run away to avoid them,’’ he said.

Mahmoud, who was in MayoBelwa for this Saturday local

government elections, said, he has to quit the town to avoid mob action from the desperate youths.

The lawmaker who spoke to journalists while sitting in his car, said he could not risk coming out for fear that the youths are still after him. ‘’You can meet me in Yola, in a secluded place for more details,’’ the lawmaker said while zooming off heading towards Yola, the state capital.

Reports indicated that the lawmaker could not cast his vote for fear of the angry youths whom he alleged are ‘’beggars.’’

Reeacting, youths in the area had expressed disappointment at the lawmaker whom they described as a bench warmer in the state Assembly. ‘’Tell him we are not after his money ,our problem with him is that he has not given us quality representation and that’s

what we want to tell him in clear terms, but he decided to escape as a guilty man and now resorting to cheap blackmail,’’ said Musa Kolere.

While declaring the lawmaker as persona non grata in the area, the youths threatened to initiate recall process over poor representation. Investigations have revealed that the embattled lawmaker had in many occasions engaged in a physical brawl with members of his constituency. An eyewitness said that “dignity and decorum were thrown to the winds as you can see him scuffling and punching each other.”

“There were mob actions against him over what they called his poor representation and lack of patronage since he was elected to the Assembly,’’ said a resident of Mayo-Belwa.

LLPP commends Lagos Council Election Tribunal decisions

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he Lagos League of Political Parties (LLPP) on Sunday hailed some of the decisions taken by the Lagos State Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal led by Justice Ade Owobiyi on Friday declared the PDP candidate as the validly elected Chairman of Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area.

The tribunal also ordered a rerun election in Yaba Local Council Development Area.

In a statement signed by LLPP’s

Lagos State Chairman, Mr Udoka Udeogaranya, the league said that the tribunal was living up to expectation.

He said that tribunal’s courage was what was needed to give the 2011 Lagos State council polls its expected credibility.

“It is a quintessential verdict to order the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) to immediately issue a Certificate of Return to the PDP candidate.

“There is hope for justice in future polls in this state.

“It is, however, our view that this merited order to conducted a

PDP sweeps Adamawa LG polls

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he People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has won all the 19 chairmanship seats so far declared by the Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was conducted on Saturday.

Chairman of the commission, Malam Zailani Ahmed, who declared

the results on Monday in Yola said, however, that results for two local governments were inconclusive.

Ahmed explained that election did not hold in Madagali Local Government due to violence and destruction of election materials.

“In Song Local Government, we also have violent incidences, which affected the exercise in many wards.

re-run in Yaba LCDA must not be delayed by LASIEC,“ the statement read.

The league said “LLPP counsels that the judiciary has an expedient role to play in creating a harmonious political environment that often eludes African societies after elections.

“It is worthy to note that justice delayed is justice denied.

“Judicial justice will give hope to expeditious recovering of a stolen mandate or dissipation of false claims by politicians whose sole intention is to create disorder.“ (NAN) “We are going to conduct that of Madagali on Monday while that of Song will be conducted at a later date,’’ Ahmed said.

NAN reports that the chairman issued certificates of return to winners of the election immediately after the announcement of the results.

One of the winners, Mrs Hilda Eneas of Lamurde Local Government emerged as the first elected female chairman in the state. (NAN)

he Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has commended the people and government of Sierra Leone for the peaceful conduct of the recently held presidential election in the country.

In a congratulatory message issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, Ekwerenmadu said that the peaceful, free, and fair conduct of the election confirm the commitment of the citizens in consolidating democracy and transformation of their country.

“This, coming at a time the subregion is grappling with challenges in Mali and Guinea Bissau, is no doubt a great encouragement and further reassurance that democracy has truly come to stay in the West African sub-region,” he

stated.

He restated the commitment of the ECOWAS parliament in entrenching credible polls in West Africa, assuring of full compliance with all protocols relating to the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, and the provisions of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

Ekwerenmadu, who doubles as the Deputy President of the Nigeria Senate, particularly praised the political parties and the Sierra Leone’s National Electoral Commission for making the process peaceful and transparent.

While reiterating that the election had put the sub-region in the right and expectant frame of mind, he expressed optimism that as the people of Ghana vote in the December 2012 general election, more impressive result would be seen in the sub region.

TUC urges Rivers Assembly to review waste management bill

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he Rivers chapter of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has advised members of the state House of Assembly to properly examine the proposed Waste Management Bill, to avoid subjecting the people to tyranny.

The state Chairman of the Congress, Mr. Chika Onuegbu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt yesterday that a proper examination of the bill would harness environment issues.

“The state house of assembly should ensure that two aspects of the bill are critically reviewed, so that people will not inadvertently be subjected to tyranny through the bill.

“People’s life should not be regulated, especially demanding for power to grant approvals before citizens can hold events, like wedding, party, ceremonies among others.

“We think that this power will make nonsense of our fundamental human rights and it is clearly undemocratic.

“There is already adequate provision for the regulation of waste in public and private places elsewhere in the bill; therefore, no need to subject citizens to tyranny,’’ Onuegbu said.

He said that the penalties proposed in the bill were also harsh and excessive, adding that if reviewed, it would pave way for a healthier environment.

“Finally, I must commend members of the state House of Assembly for their contributions in the development of the state; they have done well so far,” Onuegbu said.

NAN recalls that the Rivers Waste Management Bill 2012, intends to establish a waste management agency, to replace the State Environmental Sanitation Authority. (NAN)

Work for PDP victory, Chairmanship aspirant tasks aspirants, stakeholders

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he PDP Chairmanship aspirant in Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr Isaac Bodam, yesterday urged PDP aspirants and stakeholders to work for the party’s victory at the poll.

The defeated chairmanship aspirant in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kagoro, Kaura Local Council on Monday, called on other defeated PDP chairmanship aspirants to accept defeat and remain united for the forthcoming local government election slated for Dec. 1.

He said : “I have accepted the outcome of the recent primary election in Kaura as the will of God Almighty, Who gives and takes power from whomever He pleases.

“I have the belief that it is only Him that can give power and nobody else. Therefore, I want to call on my colleagues and all other people of Kaura to rally round the PDP candidate.

“I am confident that with the support of aspirants, stakeholders and all good people of the area, Mr Kumai Badu, the PDP candidate will clinch the position.

“I will similarly call on my colleagues across the state who were not successful in the primaries to accept the will of God and work collectively for the party’s success in Dec. 1 poll,” he said.

Bodam stressed the need for politicians to play politics without bitterness to pave way for socioeconomic growth and development of the nation.

He observed that there was nothing to gain “whatsoever, in partaking in anti-party activities,” describing it as an outdated approach to politics.

Bodam said the success of PDP was a collective success to all party members, hence the need for all members to contribute their quota toward the party’s victory. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 41

Eko 2012

Lagos agog as National Sports Festival kicks off today From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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reparations were on top gear yesterday at the Taslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos for the 18th annual National Sport Festival which kicks off later today.

Sports Contingents from across the states of the federation were seen doing some work out after the long journey to the games which is hosted by Lagos

state.

Our reporters who was at the stadium at the early hours of Monday witnessed the arrival of athletes from Akwa Ibom, Gombe, Cross Rivers among others whose athletes had arrived the stadium to warm up for the opening ceremony today.

While the likes of weight lifters, lawn tennis players, and basketball players utilise the training pitches inside the

complex of the National Stadium, the Taslim Balogun venue of the 2012 games had majority of the calisthenics rehearsal inside its mainbowl.

Aside athletics, men of the Nigerian Army also carried out final touches on their band with the police and a detachment from the anti-bomb squad combing the entire stadium arena for any explosive.

Our correspondent also notice

painters putting finishing touches to the walls of the stadium while the swimming pool was been fill with water from two points connected via a pumping machine.

T Malam Abba Yola, Scribe MOC, NSF

NFF may reverse decision on NPL congress

By Patrick Andrew

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he executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) may reverse its indefinite suspension order placed on the congress of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), when it holds an emergency meeting tomorrow in Abuja.

Peoples Daily Sports learnt last night that efforts were in top gear to get the members to lift the suspension order to allow the league body to organise its congress where salient decisions on the kick-off of the new season would be taken and then forwarded to the general congress of the NFF for ratification.

According to trustworthy sources, the need for the reversion of the suspension order became inevitable following CAF’s directive for all continental competitions-bound clubs to register before the deadline.

However, without proper registration that would hardly be feasible hence the need reverse the order to allow the congress to hold.

Besides, other leagues equally depend on the authorisation of the NFF for the season to take off but since the flagship premiership is yet to hold its congress to decide on date for the season, their subordinates are equally hindered.

Accordingly, agitators for the reversal of the suspension are said to have prevailed on the leadership of the NFF to take an independent decision away from the scarcely veiled directive of the National Sports Commission (NSC) on the NPL. A member of the NFF board, confirmed yesterday that the president of the federation, Aminu Maigari has agreed to convene an meeting tomorrow in Abuja, stressing that crucial decisions would be taken.

The source, who agreed with the decision of the zonal coordinators to boycott the NFF congress if the executive committee insist on Port Harcourt as venue in protest against Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s description of the NFF as “the most corrupt government agency”, said the football federation wants to act to safeguard the integrity of the game and from the influence of external interference.

“Do not forget that there are so many critical issues before the

NFF. We cannot afford to relapse into late commencement of the season. We worked hard to arrest that situation and brought our league in line with the others in Europe.

“But as we speaking, two months have passed by without our knowing when exactly the season will kick-start. That’s retrogression.

“Besides, the premier league has no sponsorship and may not if we continue to run the league as if weren’t a professional game; a big thriving business where organisation is near perfect,” the source said stressing that even decisions on the Nations Cup must also be taken.

Further, the source said that the NFF AGM is crucial adding that the controversy over venue must be addressed. “I think, we are going to consider the options available, maybe there are responses.

We should fix a definite date for the AGM and well as the venue,” the source concludes.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that there have been brickbats over Amaechi’s comments even as the football federation has insisted it would consider alternative venues.

Aminu Maigari, NFF President

Akpabio redeems N10m pledge to Eaglets

Bolaji Abdullahi, Sports Minister

he Nigeria Football Federation has expressed appreciation to Governor Godswill Akpabio for redeeming his N10 million pledge he made to the Golden Eaglets few weeks ago.

“We are very appreciative of this gesture by Governor Akpabio. He has always been a man of his words. This also underscores the fact that he is a true sportslover,” NFF President Aminu Maigari was quoted by the release forwarded to Peoples Daily Sports said.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said the gesture was a huge boost to the team which departs Nigeria tomorrow for the crucial CAF U-17 championship return final clash against their Malian counterparts in Bamako, slated for Sunday.

The Akwa Ibom state governor had made the pledge when he met the team at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja early September while on its way to a 2013 African U-17 Championship qualifying match against Niger in Niamey.

“You mean these boys are the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria? They are so young. Surely, this is the youngest set of Golden Eaglets I have seen in the history of Nigeria football,” Governor Akpabio said at the Abuja airport that day.

Two goals from defender Wilfred Ndidi and midfielder Alhassan Ibrahim steered the Eaglets to a 2-0 victory over the Malians in the first leg in Calabar penultimate weekend.

The winner on aggregate will qualify for next year’s African U-17 Championship in Morocco.

Zonal Coordinators meet in Abuja today as Kwara Utd want league kick-off date resolved

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embers of the NFF zonal coordinators are expected to hold a meeting today in Abuja where they hope to consider issues bordering on the NFF congress and the controversies surrounding the venue.

The body had championed the campaign against the boycott of the Port Harcourt as venue in reaction to Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s descrition of the NFF as “the most corrupt government agency” in the country.

Peoples Daily Sports learnt on good authority that the members are determined to force their way much as they did in the election that brought the present NFF executive committee to office.

Meanwhile, Kwara United FC of Ilorin yesterday urged the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to urgently resolve outstanding issues affecting the early kick-off of the 2012/2013 Nigeria Premier League (NPL) season.

The club’s Media Officer,

Olayioye Ajide, said in a statement in Ilorin that starting the league early would help to avoid any unnecessary rush in league matches.

The statement said that any further delay would affect the performances of the players as clubs might be compelled to play midweek and weekend games, amid bad roads and other hazards.

It also said that continued delay would affect the budgets of the clubs because playing

more than four games monthly would tell on their finances.

The statement added that clubs playing continental championships would equally be affected, noting that the African Cup of Nations in January would take away most members of the Nigerian football ruling body.

It also said that no fewer than 13 new players had been confirmed for Kwara United in the coming season.

“The newly-signed players will be listed with the 20 retained

from the old squad to make 33 players which the Afonja Warriors have pencilled for the new league season.

“Top among the new players is Iyoro Evans from Football Club De Pioneer, Port Harcourt; Fuad Ekelojuoti of Ocean Boys, as well as Rising Stars marksman Olutokun Nojeem and Dare Ojo. “Others are Amaefule Chizoba of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt and the trio of Mayegun Taiwo, Taiwo Sunday and Adegbenro Samuel.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

LOC repairs toilets at National Stadium, Lagos

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Officials throw gates open for opening ceremony

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he Local Organising Committee (LOC) on the 18th National Sports Festival has said that the gates of the Teslim Balogun Stadium would be thrown open for today’s Games opening ceremony slated to begin at 4: 00p.m.

Peter Bolumole, Secretary, Protocols and Ceremonials Sub-committee of the LOC, said in Lagos yesterday that the venue for the historic event was ready for the formal opening ceremony for the biennial Games, tagged “Eko 2012’’.

He noted that the gates would be thrown open from 3 p.m., free of charge to sports-loving Nigerians.

“Lagos State is ready and we promise to put up a thrilling opener to the historic Games because the sports festival is one that we value a lot.

“The official time for the opening ceremony is 4: 00 p.m. but the gates would be thrown open by 3:00 p.m. and entry is free for all sports lovers,” the sub-committee secretary said.

Bolumole revealed that among expected dignitaries are President Goodluck Jonathan, who would be represented by VicePresident Namadi Sambo; Gov. Babatunde Fashola, as well as all other state governors.

He expressed confidence that the event would be colourful and would also reflect the state’s cultural heritage.

The sub-committee Secretary also disclosed that one of the country’s best musical artistes, Banky W, is expected to grace the ceremony with his performance.

“We are confident of a colourful and delightful ceremony that will reflect the cultural richness of the state.

“Also, Banky W, who is one of the country’s best musical artistes, will be performing.

As such, we expect this will turn out to be a magnificent event,” he said.

The secretary also assured Nigerians that security would be tight at the venue and urged sports fans to have no cause for alarm.

he Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 18th National Sports Festival has repaired more than 25 toilets at the National Stadium, Lagos for use by table tennis players and spectators.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday showed that the facilities, which had not been in use, now had water flowing in them, while the lighting system has also been restored.

However, the floors of the toilets needed some thorough cleaning, to ensure a complete tidiness

of the conveniences during the Games.

The toilets, located at the Indoor Sports Hall, adjacent to the Knock-up Hall, venue of the table tennis event, had been locked because of their deplorable state.

Alanamu Abolore, Manager of the stadium, told NAN that the renovation was sponsored by the LOC, as part of its activities to upgrade some conveniences at the stadium for the festival.

“Our guests will have no reason to complain because the LOC has got everything ready to make them

comfortable during the period of the festival,’’ he said.

Abolore said the second part of the job, which was cleaning the floors of the conveniences, would commence on Tuesday, adding, “the major job has been done’’.

He thanked the Lagos State Government for repairing the conveniences which have not been in use for some years and promised to continue to maintain them.

In his reaction, a former Manager of the Indoor Sports Hall, Basil Iweagbu,

told NAN that he was impressed with the overhaul of the toilets, describing it as a welcome development.

“I am really delighted with what is on ground now, I must confess that the festival in Lagos has done us well and brought life to the National Stadium once again,’’ he said.

Iweagbu said that lack of attention and poor response from the sports ministry to requests for the maintenance of the facilities had been a major problem.

The Enugu State Stadium Manager, however, urged the stadium management to safeguard the renovated facilities from vandals.

Abia to present welltrained athletes, officials, says Director of Sports

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he Abia Director of Sports, Mr Ejikeme Ikwunze, said yesterday that the state would be represented by a formidable contingent at the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) which opens in Lagos on Tuesday.

Ikwunze, disclosed this during an interview in Umuahia with the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), noting that the state sports council had assembled a team of “about 350 well-trained athletes and officials”.

He said that the athletes and officials had been carefully selected and adequately equipped to produce maximum results.

“The sports council, with the support of the state government, has properly motivated the athletes and officials, to ensure they put in their best at the sports festival, “ the Director of Sports said.

According to him, the Abia team will participate fully in 18 sports, some of which include athletics, football, boxing, weightlifting and paralympics.

“I am proud of the athletes and officials and I believe they will function efficiently in the various sporting events, “ he added.

Dambe fighters in action

Delta urges athletes to sustain Garden City performance

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ov.

Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta on Sunday, urged the state athletes to the 18th National Sports Festival, “Eko 2012’’ to sustain their performance.

The governor, who gave the advice in his farewell speech to the athletes and games officials in Asaba before they departed to Lagos, recalled that the state emerged best in four out of the six National Sports Festivals organised since 1999.

He further advised the state contingents to be disciplined and committed in order to come out top in the game.

“The state athletes are the shining light at the games and as athletes or officials, you must at all times eschew any act that can destroy this good name and good sports records of the state.

“Delta won four out of the six national sports festival organised since 1999, therefore, the state’s good performance must be maintained at the games being hosted by Lagos State,’’ he stressed.

He, however, assured them of “government’s sumptuous handshake” if the state could top the medal table at the games.

The governor attributed the state’s performance to

God’s benevolence.

He thanked Dominion City Church for organising prayer session for the contingents to seek God’s face for victory, journey mercies and hitch-free games.

Responding, Mr Amaju Pinnick, Chairman, State Sports Commission, thanked the governor for supporting the sports development in the state.

According to him, the contingent has “imbibed the virtue of discipline, hard work and prayers to God during their training for the sports festival. This, I believe will earn the state the first position on the overall medal table at the end of the game,’’ he said.

Wada warns Team Kogi against drugs abuse From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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ogi State Governor Capt Idris Wada has warned Team Kogi contingent to the to the 18th National Sports Festival which begins today in Lagos to avoid the use of performance enhancing drugs.

Instead on relying on extraneous forces to win medals, the Governor urged the state athletes to depend on natural talents and not stimulant because the latter demeans the individual and brings shame to the person and the state as well.

Governor Wada in a goodwill message to the contingents from Kogi to the National Sports

Festival Eko 2012 warned that any athlete caught in the act of drug taking would be punished.

He charged the contingents to be good ambassadors of the state while in Lagos and assured that those who excel at the sports festival would be rewarded.

He described sports as a strong instrument for national unity.Wada promised to continue to promote sporting activities in state.

Earlier the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dr. Anthony Kupe thanked the governor for the sponsorship nothing that the state will do its best to win medals.

95 athletes, 15 officials to represent Kebbi

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ebbi State will be represented by 95 athletes and 15 officials at the 18th National Sports Festivals, Eko 2012.

Alhaji Abubakar Udu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, who addressed the athletes over the weekend revealed and advised them against any conduct that could tarnishthe reputation of the state.

He also urged them to ensure they abide by the rules and regulations of the festival, stressing that they should not be desperate to

win medals at all cost.

The permanent secretary, who did not announce the amount the government released for the festival, said members of the contingent would be paid 50 per cent of their allowances before departure.

He said the remaining 50 per cent would be paid on arrival in Lagos.

The acting Director of Sports Garba Libata, told NAN that the state would participate in Hockey, Volleyball, Taekwondo, track and field events, Badminton and Chess.

Capt. Idris Wada, Gov of Kogi state

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 43

No more home defeats for Celtic, Ambrose vows

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uper Eagles and Celtic defender, Efe Ambrose, has made a vow that he and his teammates will not lose again at home this season.

The Hoops were stunned by Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1-0 at Parkhead on Saturday which prompted the fans to react angrily.

Manager Neil Lennon copped the brunt of the abuse and centre-back Ambrose wants to ensure that does not occur again by getting back to winning ways at Celtic Park.

“I am short of words as losing at home is not something any of us enjoy and everyone was silent afterwards,” he said.

“We are most unhappy at the situation. I don’t believe it was really that bad a game for us against Inverness, but we just could not get the ball into the net. From now on, we will make sure this never happens again at Celtic Park.

“You can’t just do it with words though, we have to say it on the pitch. I believe we will go back to the training ground and put everything into place. We still believe in ourselves and will work extra hard to do it.”

Efe Ambrose

Official says Delta Queens to retain Super Six trophy

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an Evumena, the Coach of Delta Queens FC said that his team would retain the Super Six trophy it won last year.

The Super Six is a competition organised by the Nigeria Women League, where the top three clubs in the two groups of the league are pooled into two to play round robin matches and winners of each group will play in the final.

Speaking yesterday during an interview, Evumena said that winning

the trophy again would boost the Queens’ morale for the new season.

“Every team in the Super Six is thinking of winning and as defending champions, we are under pressure to win.

We are under pressure in the sense that when you are up there, other teams will want to pull you down.

“So, we feel the heat more than any other team taking part in the competition but as defending champions, we are not resting on our oars to ensure victory in spite the

Players’ union to take squash to grassroots, says President

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resident of the newlylaunched Professional Squash Players Association of Nigeria (PSPAN), Seun Peters, said yesterday that the association would mainly focus on the objective of regenerating the game at the grassroots through regular competitions.

Peters said in Lagos that the country’s squash players now had a medium of their own; through which they could air their views, stressing that it would lean on its trustees and other enthusiasts to achieve its aim.

The body was formally inaugurated on Sunday at the Ikeja Country Club, also featured an exhibition match between Onaopemipo Adegoke and Oladele Pratt, with the former running away with 2-0 win.

The winner went home with a cash prize of N5, 000 while the loser went home with N2, 500.

“We intend to reposition squash in this country; we, as players, have decided to come under one umbrella

and channel a way forward, to ensure that we groom players in their tender ages.

“The support of squashloving people would be needed and we are optimistic that the passion of our board of trustees will guide us through because they are squash buffs,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the board of trustees, Funmi Bankole, has charged members of the executive committee to make transparency their watchword.

Bankole commended the effort of the players and urged them to sustain their current efforts at repositioning squash in the country.

“I call on the president and members of the executive committee to carry the players along in their decisions, in order to make the association formidable.

“The initiative is a commendable one and we hope that this association outlives you; we want you to build a legacy that will be enduring,’’ Bankole added.

stiff opposition,” Evumena said.

The competition has Sunshine Queens of Akure, Nasarawa Amazons of Lafia and Kogi Queens of Lokoja competing in Group A, while Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt, Bayelsa Queens of Yenagoa and Delta Queens of Asaba are in Group B. Delta Queens and Rivers Angels could face each other in the final, having won all their matches so far at the ongoing competition.

Delta Queens defeated Bayelsa Queens 2-1 in the first group match played on Saturday, while Rivers Angels pipped Sunshine Queens by a lone goal.

Delta Queens conquered Kogi Queens 2-0 on Sunday in the second group game, while Rivers Queens overpowered Nasarawa Amazons 1-0.

It will be recalled that Delta Queens defeated Rivers Angels 1-0 in the final of the last edition to emerge champion of the Women League.

The final and third place match of this year’s edition will come up on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at the Area 3 Sports Complex, Abuja.

Dan Evumena

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

2013 Nations Cup finals

Cheerless for Chipolopolo

I Newcastle and Cheick Tioté’s bad series

N

ewcastle United and Elephants midfielder Cheick Tioté suffered their third consecutive defeat in the Premier League this weekend when they were defeated by Southampton 2-0 during week 13.

On top of that, the Ivoirian international picked up a yellow card during the match.

The Magpies are now lying in fourteenth position in the league at 16 points from Manchester United.

Worries over Yaya Touré

M

an City and their Ivoirian playmaker Yaya Touré were held to a goalless draw by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in the thirteenth week of the Premier League and in so doing lost their leader’s seat to rivals Manchester United.

The Elephants international midfielder just missed scoring on the hour mark with a 30yard strike nicely saved by Petr Cech.

f the 29th African Cup of Nations were to be played this week, the defending champions the Chipolopolo of Zambia would probably sweats over some players’ fitness level.

In fact, no fewer than 10 players were either bench warmers or made paltry contributions to their clubs and therefore are of some concern to coach Renard Helve.

Though returnee, Collins Mbesuma was in action for 76 minutes for Pirates, his

games in the Eredvisie this season.

Joseph Musonda: The defender featured the 90 minutes in Golden Arrows’ 2-2 away draw at SuperSport United on Sunday.

Davies Nkausu and Justin Zulu failed to make the starting lineup for SuperSport and Golden Arrows. Emmauel Mayuka warmed the bench again in Newcastle last game.Fwayo Tembo did not impress either.

Jacob Mulenga

Hayatou blames CECAFA region, urges bid for Nations Cup

C

AF President, Issa Hayatou, has blame the leadership of CECAFA region for failure to bid for the hosting rights of Nations Cup and other tournaments under the CAF jurisdiction.

Hayatou said unlike Rwanda, a CECAFA member, that have hosted CAF U-17, U-20 championships and also bided to host AFCON, no other CECAFA member had ever done so.

“We do not designate the host nation. Members (nations) have to ask by placing their bids then CAF sends out the scouts to the bidding nations to see whether they suit the standards. But we don’t just choose the host nation,” Hayatou said.

He was in Kampala to open the Council for East and Central Africa congress held at Imperial Royale Hotel on Friday. The Congress preceded the CECAFA tournament that is hosted in Uganda from November 24 through December 8.

Hayatou, who was a guest at the assembly together with the Uganda sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi was impressed by the unity in the region and their being able to hold tournaments, which other regions were not doing. He promised CAF support to the region in seeing that they continue with their football development programme.

The meeting, that was held in camera, was attended by all the 10 member countries including Zanzibar, who are recognized as a nation in the regional tourney.

Hosts Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi were the other countries that attended the event, while Djibouti, who is having restructuring in their federation, did not attend the congress.

CECAFA president Leodgar Tenga thanked the member federations for working hard in seeing that the regional activities become relevant.

Ideye, Lawal, others tickle Keshi

C

oach Stephen Keshi must have grinned from ear to ear following the delectable performances of some of his probable players across Europe.

Of the lot, Brown Ideye of Dynamo Kiev leads the chart as he continues to give reasons why he should be considered a factor in the Super Eagles’ squad for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.

Trabelsi calls 18 players for camp

S

ami Trabelsi, coach of Tunisia The Tunisian coach, Sami Trabelsi, has called 18 of players for a short camp to take place from Monday the November 26 to 28 to access their capabilities and mental readiness for selection into his final squad for the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The 18 players included Aymen Mathlouthi, Moez Ben Cherifia, Zied Jebali, Karim Aouedhi, Khaled Souissi, Bilel Iffa, Aymen Belaid, Walid Hichri, Bedoui Rami, Khalil Chammam, Sameh Derbali, Ferjani Sassi, Fateh Gharbi, Khaled Mouelhi, Maher Haddad, Lassaad Jaziri, Fakhreddine Ben Youssef and Youssef Msakni.

Tunisia are in Group D along with Ivory Coast, Algeria and Togo. Their first match will be against Algeria on January 22.

contribute was minimal, as was the the case with Gent striker, Rodger Kola, who failed to break his draught for a third successive game for the 10th placed Belgium club following his just-ended 12-week suspension.

Prominent frontman, Jacob Mulenga drew barren for 90 minute and thus extend his dry spell for 10-man FC Utrecht in their 2-0 away loss in a top eight clash at NEC on Friday.

Mulenga has five goals from 12

Brown Ideye

Ideye, who scored again for the second straight with a brace on Sunday in a 4-0 spanking of Arsenal Kiev, has 10 goals to his credit and remains the second highest goal scorer in the Ukraine Premier league.

He is now looking good to make the cut to AFCON after he also scored for the Eagles against Venezuela recently.

Ike Uche: He was on from start to finish in Villarreal’s 1-1 draw at home with Lugo, though he did not score, but he was a constant threat for the opposing team.

Efe Ambrose: The defender has settled down fully at new club Celtic even though they lost 1-0 at home to Inverness. He was again solid in the defence though he could not stop the visitors from getting the winner.

Taye Taiwo: He was in action from start to finish for Dynamo Kiev. Media reports have now suggested he will be given a second chance to fight for a place at the AFCON after he was left out of the team since February.

Raheem Lawal: The ex-36 Lion player was a delight to watch for Adana Demirspor in Turkey lig 1 game as they won 2-1 away at Gaziantep. He was commanding in the heart of midfield for his team

as usual. Still looking good to feature at the 2013 AFCON. Mikel Obi: He was on for 79th minutes in a 0-0 draw at home with champions Manchester City before he was replaced by the Spanish youngster Romeu. He now has to prove he is the man for Rafael Benitez.

Joseph Yobo: Eagles captain started for Fenerbahce and was a Trojan in the defence for his team as they spanked Gerclerbirligi 41. His full recovery from a knee injury will be good news to Stephen Keshi.

Kalu Uche: The former Almeria star scored his seventh league goal at the weekend for his tabletopping Turkish club Kasimpasa.

But is that enough to convince Keshi to recall him for the AFCON? Obinna Nsofor: He scored his second goal for Lokomotiv Moscow, but this may be coming too late for him to be considered for the Nations Cup. Michael Eneramo: The big striker scored again for Turkish side Sivaspor, but his goals may be coming a little too late...

Who is not?

Onyekachi Apam: The Rennes defender was an unused substitute against Evian TG. He needs to

start playing games to get consideration for AFCON squad list.

Emmanuel Emenike: The powerful Nigeria striker was an unused substitute as Spartak Moscow lost scandalously 5-1 at home to Dynamo Moscow. You have to go back several weeks to when the big striker last scored.

Shola Ameobi: One-cap Eagles striker was not listed for Newcastle United in their 2-0 loss to struggling Southampton due to groin injury.

Raheem Lawal

Drogba’s headache, Elephants’ pains

D

idier Drogba, who by all standard will down in history as a Chelsea legend is in a delimma. FIFA turned down his request to take up aloan deal in out of the transfer and thus enjoy match fitness ahead of the January Nations Cup fiesta.

The Shanghai Shenhua’s Ivoirian striker failure meant that the captain of the Elephants

now finds himself deprived of competition just a few weeks before kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations 2013.

But, the Elephants would be happy with the performance of SC Lokeren and Copa Barry’s seventh consecutive victory SC Lokeren and their Ivoirian goalkeeper Copa Barry signed their seventh consecutive victory

this weekend in the Belgium championship when they won their away game against AEC Mons 2-1 during week 17.

The Elephants keeper has only conceded four goals during these seven consecutive wins. SC Lokeren are lying in third position on the log, at four points from the leader, Anderlecht.

Also, Saint-Etienne and their

Ivoirian striker Max Gradel have seized third place in the Ligue 1, after beating Valenciennes 1-0 on Friday evening in the opening match of week 14. The Elephants winger put on a satisfactory performance for les Verts, then saw himself replaced just after the hour mark by Romain Hamouma, the solitary goal scorer of the clash.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL 1] Brazilian Football Confederation president Jose Maria Marin yesterday dismissed reports the five-time world champions are going to sign former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola to lead their 2014 World Cup campaign.

2 1

2] Rafael Nadal will end his six-month, injuryenforced absence from tennis by playing back-toback tournaments in the Gulf before launching his assault on the Australian Open.

3] Alastair Cook says Kevin Pietersen was the difference between the sides in England’s 10wicket win over India.

Pietersen made a superb 186 to set up a serieslevelling victory inside four days in the second Test in Mumbai.

4] Usain Bolt won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year award for the fourth time on Saturday over United States hurdler Aries Merritt and Kenyan runner David Rudisha. The Jamaican sprinter, who defended his 100 and 200 metre gold medals at this summer’s Olympic Games, had previously won the award in 2008, 2009, and 2011.

5] Ricky Hatton knows his boxing career is over. He admitted it after losing to Vyacheslav Senchenko on Saturday night. “I needed one more fight to see if I’ve still got it – and I haven’t,” Hatton said after the bout in Manchester. “I found out tonight it isn’t there anymore.

3

4

5

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

Lagos gymnasts fear archrivals Edo

MOC appeals to media for objective coverage

T

he Main Organising Committee (MOC) for the Sports 18th National Festival (NSF) in Lagos has called on the media to be objective in their reportage of the Games.

Tayo Balogun, Chairman, Media Sub-Committee of the Main

O

yeronke Adeyi, Gymnastics Captain of Team Lagos to the 18th National Sports Festival, has expressed fears that the medal table may likely be cleared by their archrivals Team Edo. Adeyi confirmed that their opponents have strength in depth and could pose serious threat to their ambition to make significant impact at the Games stressing that they would rely on their intensive training and experiences to attempt to edge Team Edo. “Edo State is our major fear in clinching most of the medals in gymnastics, but I want to trust that our preparations are adequate to give us an edge over them,” she said.

Adeyi recalled that Team Lagos clinched 18 gold medals and a bronze in gymnastics at the 17 th edition of the festival, tagged “Garden City Games’’ in Port Harcourt in 2011.

She said that they will be participating in the vault, beam, floor routine, pummel horse, parallel bar, high bars and unbars in the male and female categories.

On the situation at the University of Lagos Games Village, Adeyi said that “the experience is fascinating, but the hall is not neat.

“But in spite of the fact that we are not happy that we were not given new mattresses like other states, we will all the same cope with it and hope for the best’’.

The other Games Villages are at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Yaba and the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka.

LOC fixes security scanners at TBS ahead opening ceremony

A

head of today’s formal opening ceremony of the 18th National Sports Festival, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) yesterday commenced the installation of security scanners at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The aim is to ensure a hitch-free opening ceremony, Dele Adeniran, the Secretary of the Security SubCommittee of the LOC, who asserted that the measure was meant tighten security at the stadium.

According to him, everyone will be scanned to ensure that they are not coming in with dangerous implements.

“The LOC is fixing the scanners to ensure the safety and well being of the spectators and to ensure that the opening ceremony is hitch free. Everyone that will come will be scrutinised to ensure absolute safety,’’ Adeniran said.

The LOC has assured Nigerians of a colourful opening ceremony for the sports fiesta that will hold from today through December 9.

Organising Committee (MOC) made the appeal at a news conference yesterday in Lagos.

“We know the festival is a media affair and we know too, that not much will be achieved without the support of the media. We are partners in progress as far as this event is concerned,’’ Balogun said.

He urged the media to always liaise with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and the MOC on issues they were not clear about, before going to press.

“The main objective of the sports festival is to create unity among the country’s federating units and to discover new talents,’’ Balogun said.

He also appealed to media practitioners not to publish anything that could derail the aim of the festival.

Balogun, however, promised the media a good working environment, adding that arrangements had been made for vehicles that would convey journalists to event venues.

Abia, Plateau lose first matches in football

A

Team Rivers that won the basketball event at the Garden City Games

damawa state walked over its Plateau counterparts which had not arrived in Lagos as at the time of the match. The opening game was scheduled for 8:00 a.m.

In the second match of the male category, Delta also walked over Abia which also did not arrive in Lagos in time for their scheduled match at 10:00 a.m.

All the matches in the male category are being played at the Onikan Stadium.

Olushola Ogunnowo, Head, Friendly Matches Unit, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the two teams walked over did not notify the Football Event Committee of the Games on why they were absent.

Ogunnowo, Secretary, Nigeria Olympic Team Competitions

Department of the NFF, said: “Currently, we have not heard a word about both teams who lost in the competition so far.

“We can not say for certain whether or not they are still in the competition because they have not written formal letters to inform us about their present state. Maybe they are faced with logistics and funding problems, but I am not too sure about it,’’ he said.

However, Elias Gora, Chairman, Sub-Committee on Accommodation and Welfare of the Main Organising Committee (MOC) later confirmed the arrival of the Abia contingent .

But their officials could not say what delayed them as they were still meeting the conditions for being admitted into the Games Village.

Main Organising Committee (MOC) could not be reached for comments as his cell phone was switched off.

NAN, however, observed that mattresses, toiletries and plastic buckets were some of the items just being delivered, just on Monday morning.

Officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were seen providing security cover and patrolling the Games Village.

The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) vehicles were also on standby at the Games Village, to provide service.

Gov. Babatunde Fasola of Lagos

Zamfara, Jigawa, Benue, others stranded at YABATECH Games Village

S

ome 24 hours to the opening ceremonies of the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF), several state contingents stranded at the Games Village at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).

The stranded states were Ogun, Benue, Jigawa, Sokoto and Zamfara. They were to be lodged at the MKO Abiola, Post Graduate, Akata, Bakassi and Augustus Aikhomu Halls hostel facilities.

The states, which were supposed to be accommodated at the Village, had to sleep inn the open penutimate night because the hostel facilities though opened had not been allocated to the respective contingents..

“We have been stranded since last night. We slept outside because

we could not secure accommodation and up till now, our officials are still sorting things out,’’ one of the athletes, who sought anonymity, said.

Also, it was observed that some of the hostels were far from receiving finishing touches and thus ready to be used to accommodate the athletes. It was observed that paintings; repair of electricity fittings, plumbing works and other sundry activities were still ongoing.

David Ayobami of Team Ogun lamented the bad reception that was accorded to them, stressing that they arrived in the Games village at about 11:00 p.m. on Sunday and slept outside.

“We slept outside in an open place, without anybody to attend to us,’’ he

said, saying that frantic efforts by their officials to secure accommodation for them were futile.

Fatimoh Abudullahi, a Zamfara female athlete, who said they arrived in the early hours of yesterday, lamented that they were still outside as renovation was still ongoing.

She said that electrical fittings had yet to be completed as some of the doors of the hostels were not good, saying that she hoped things would normalise before evening.

“We were eager to come to Lagos because of the good works that we hear that Gov. Babatunde Fashola has been doing there, but we are surprised to be treated this way,’’ she said.

Uthman Okunnu, Secretary, Sub-Committee on Accommodation and Welfare of the

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 47

Say what?

SUDOKU Getting Started Each sudoku puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of horizontal and vertical rows, evenly separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces each. Instead of word clues, each puzzle’s solution is determined by the pattern of the numbers already filled in you. You solve the puzzle by filling in the missing digits so that, when completed, each row and each square will have all the number from 1 to 9; each number will appear in exactly nine spaces within each puzzle.

FACTS * Earwax production is necessary for good ear health.

While many people find earwax to be disgusting, it's actually a very important part of your ear's defense system. It protects the delicate inner ear from bacteria, fungus, dirt and even insects. It also cleans and lubricates the ear canal.

Quick CrossWord (77)

* Babies are always born with blue eyes. The melanin in a newborn's eyes often needs time after birth to be fully deposited or to be darkened by exposure to ultraviolet light, later revealing the baby's true eye color. * Every human spent about half an hour as a single cell. * After eating too much, your hearing is less sharp.

Source: Weird facts

PHOTO OF THE DAY

ACROSS Hydraulic device (5,4) 8 Dame __ Neagle, British actress (4) 9 People who call meetings (9) 10 Mountain’s high point (4) 13 Suddenly attack (3,2) 16 Powdery hair-colorant (5) 17 Frequently (5) 18 Compare (5) 19 Portents (5) 20 Dwarfs (5) 21 Concluded, over (5) 24 __ the Terrible, Russian tsar (4) 27 Decontaminating (9) 28 Munches (4) 29 Triangle with two equal sides (9) DOWN 2 River of Bristol and Bath (4) 3 Brand-name cream ‘sherry’ (4) 4 Board (5) 5 Awe__, Roman Catholic prayer (5) 6 Abusive language (9) 7 Crazy behaviour (9) 11 Speculates (9) 12 Works reciprocally (9) 13 Untrue (5) 14 Teamed together (5) 15 Shaded (5) 22 Words used as names (5) 23 Goes out (5) 25 Extravagant publicity (4) 26 Patella’s location (4)

Yesterday’s solution

Yesterday’s answer A lone apartment building stands in the middle of a newly built road after an elderly couple refused to relocate.Luo Baogen and his wife insist on living in the half-demolished building in the city of Wenling, in Zhejiang province, China because they believe that the relocation compensation offered by the government is not enough.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE Women lack the financial base to sustain political activity. (This) results in compromising their votes and candidacy.

— Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Olusola Obada

SPORTS GEJ and his aides: The real problems LA TEST LATEST

Tevez barred from driving

M

anchester City striker Carlos Tevez was disqualified from driving yesterday after failing to provide the required documentation when his car was caught speeding.

Tevez's vehicle broke the speed limit in Morecambe, northwest England, on March 28 when he played for City's reserve team against Morecambe reserves.

The Argentine's solicitor, Gwyn Lewis, told magistrates in Lancaster that Tevez accepted he did not provide identification – which carries six penalty points – and that under the totting up procedure he was now liable for disqualification.

"My instructions are though he was not the driver on that occasion I am not going to argue against a ban on grounds of exceptional hardship," Lewis said.

Lewis asked the magistrates to impose an interim disqualification and adjourn sentencing so that the "no licence case" from Manchester could be dealt with at the same time.

"He (Tevez) has been told that he will not be able to drive this morning," the solicitor added. Tevez, who did not attend the hearing, will discover the length of the suspension on December 20.

Menezes sacking throws CBF into turmoil

B

razil's decision to sack coach Mano Menezes has opened a rift in the country's football federation (CBF) and left a key director saying he was on the brink of quitting.

As speculation over Menezes' eventual replacement increased, Andres Sanchez, the CBF's national teams director and a friend of the coach, said he was not consulted over Friday's surprise firing and was likely to abandon ship.

Brazil's 2002 World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari, Corinthians coach Tite and Santos coach Muricy Ramalho are considered the favourites to take over, however the name of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is also gaining momentum.

Brazil has never had a foreign coach and the idea was unthinkable until recently.

However, the idea has been well received by the media.

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

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I

f the chief aim of the President's media chat two Sundays ago was to let Nigerians, and the rest of the world hear from the president's mouth and, therefore, gain more useful insights and a fuller understanding of the issues of governance and policies than is possible through reading newspapers or watching television, the event left much to be desired.

Not many people would say that their labours of watching the screen or listening to the radio for about two hours were richly rewarded in that they became much better informed about things than before the chat. And even fewer would say that they found the president's performance and handling of the questions very impressive, showing a leader with a full grasp of and on top of the issues that came up, even if in the end they didn't learn much that was new from the event.

What in my view the media chat succeeded in doing was to heighten the intangible sense among especially enlightened Nigerians that all is not well with the nation, that things could go wrong largely because, among other reasons, the nation is not in safe and competent hands. This sense of apprehension is not new; it has been with us for some time now, hardly said outright but always just below the cloud cover, influencing the thinking and actions of many forces and interests in the country. I suspect, in fact, that it was this intangible sense, more than just the desire to keep the presidency in the North, that informed the spirited efforts put forth by the Northern elders to get the PDP to respect and enforce its zoning formula during the 2011 presidential election.

GEJ's problem, and our worry, is that far from working to counter this sense of apprehension, he seems, by most of his actions and utterances, to be fuelling and imbuing it with new meaning.

In the course of the chat, as may be recalled, GEJ contradicted his aides on three major issues.

One, his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati had on November 14, categorically told the world in a statement that "Mr. President has cancelled the Manitoba power contract with immediate effect."

Manitoba Hydro, a Canadian stateowned company, had emerged the highest bidder, under the power privatisation scheme, to manage Nigeria's transmission network, and was supposed to commence work in September. GEJ, contradicting Abati, and in no less categorical terms, said the contract was not revoked, but that

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FOR THE MASSES

By Rufa’i Ibrahim ruf585@hotmail.com

President Jonathan it was being regularized as due process was not followed.

Two, Abati had told the world that dialogue between government and Boko Haram was going on, though through "backroom channels." GEJ, contradicting Abati once more, said emphatically: "There is no dialogue between the Boko Haram and government."

Three, Abati had dismissed as baseless rumour talks that the First Lady was sick and was receiving treatment abroad some months ago, just as her own spokesman, Ayo Osinlu, told journalists on September 3, that she was not sick and was therefore not abroad for treatment but for "a moment's rest." GEJ dismissed both claims.

"She was ill, she received treatment", he said, matter-offactly, adding that she had to recuperate on return from the treatment abroad.

Now, it is impossible to resist the urge to ask: Who do we believe, the President or his handlers? But this is hardly the issue here and shouldn't, therefore, detain us much. Abati and Osinlu are agents working and speaking for and on behalf of the President and First Lady, respectively, who are the principals or masters. We must therefore assume that whenever and wherever these two agents issue statements, they are doing so for and on behalf of their principals, expressing the latter's' views and positions on the issues in question.

Can it be that Abati and Osinlu acted on their own, and issued the statements without clearance from

their principals? Or, as the lawyers would say, were the two out on their own frolics when they issued those statements? This is most unlikely, though not entirely impossible. Agents or aides have been known to go beyond their briefs, or do things without their masters or principals' authorisation. But were this to be the case here, there would have been a retraction, or the two aides would have been called on to the carpet and scolded, or they would even have been fired -unless the GEJ's presidency is one in which there is absolutely no discipline, no order and no one to enforce it. After all, power and insecurity in the country are today by far the biggest challenges before the presidency and the nation, and it is unthinkable that the president would tolerate anyone or anything that misrepresents or is capable of misrepresenting the official position or sending the wrong signals. Yet, to the best of our knowledge, none of these three consequences attended Abati and Osinlu's actions.

And so, following the precedent or tradition set by the GEJ presidency itself of treating newspaper reports that have not been denied as "notorious facts", what Abati and Osinlu said in their statements became "notorious facts", and remained so until they were denied by the president himself two Sundays ago during the media chat.

It seems that what GEJ said on the three issues here during the chat represents the true position of things. The president has come clean with us on these matters, we may say. And perhaps he even expects that we show some appreciation for this.

But, if so, then his denial of his aides' statements is in itself and by itself not just an indication but real evidence that the nation had been lied to and deceived in these matters. And by the president himself and his men! The denial does not change, alter or reduce the gravity of the original act of lying and deceit. In more serious climes, this could ground impeachment.

But this whole affair of statements by aides being

contradicted by the president is freighted with even much more serious and negative implications.

It has cast a revealing but very unflattering shaft of light on the depth and nature of the decisionmaking process in the GEJ presidency. The affair came loaded with intimations and hints of confusion, muddles and competence deficiency at the very top in GEJ's Villa. And when this is viewed alongside the more recent case of the banning of Lufthansa Air and the reversal of the decision by the President, it becomes impossible not to reach the conclusion that GEJ runs a system in which action oftentimes precedes thinking. Act first and deal with the implications later seems to be the guiding principle.

And in all this, GEJ himself comes across as a leader whose decisions and positions change in line with who has spoken to him last or whispered sweet things into his ears.

All this is disturbing and bodes ill for a country bedevilled with so many problems. Yet, what have been said above are only symptoms of a bigger problem. Sometimes one feels that we are asking too much of the man. GEJ got to the presidency not on account of any political skills, oratorical gift, a long career of public service or a commitment to some principles or ideals which has made him popular around the country.

Mother Luck has been what has catapulted him from one office to the other until he attained the presidency. But having taken him that far, Mother Luck, as is its custom, has now stepped aside, leaving the man to rely on his own resources and devices to make a success, or failure, of what has been given him. And this is where there is a big problem.

GEJ is not a man of big ideas.

Apart from the now monotonous waffling about transformation, what else is there that the reader can identity as the big idea that forms the core of GEJ's thinking and actions and around which policies are fashioned and pursued?

A good leader is one who has a core or big idea that guides his actions and policies and to which he sticks firmly, fashioning new ideas and responses only at the periphery, when forced by circumstances to do so, without compromising the core idea. When and where there is no such big or core idea, confusion, inconsistencies and policy summersaults and reversals are the inevitable consequence, and a sure recipe for failure. And this is where we are today, with very little hope that things will change for the better any time soon.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141