Peoples Daily Online

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 99

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Customs nab passenger with $456, 000 at MMIA

. . . putting the people first

LG chairman’s wife, councilor in boxing bout

>> PAGE 2

>> PAGE 2

Safar 13, 1434 AH

N150

Nigeria, Cameroon plan MoU on Ladgo Dam >> PAGE 6

The fire-cracker warehouse that was gutted by fire yesterday at Oko Awo, in Jankara Area of Lagos.

Photo: Ayodele Samuel

Lagos explosion kills 7-yr-old, three others

. . . 50 injured, over 15 houses, cars razed

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

A

bout four people including a seven-yearold boy, yesterday lost their lives in the Jankara area

of Lagos when a store fully loaded with fire-crackers exploded in a building, injuring more than 50 people.

The blast also razed several cars and affected about 15

houses.

An eyewitness said the explosion occurred at about 9:30am at Oko Awo in Jankara Area, close to the popular King Ado Secondary School, leaving

about 15 multi-storey buildings and about 10 cars consumed as the raging fire spread in the neighbourhood.

It was learnt that the fire broke out when a boy ignited a

fire-cracker popularly known as ‘knockout,’ which hit some of fireworks stocked in the shop and triggered the explosions in the building. The ill-fated which Contd on Page 2

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Earth

26

LG chairman’s wife, councilor in boxing bout From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

D

ecorum was thrown to the winds in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina state when the wife of the local council chairman, Hajiya Bilkisu Sani Haliru, engaged a supervisory councilor, Hajiya Hadiza Matazu in a boxing bout within the premises of the council.

Our correspondent gathered that the show of shame took place at the office of Director Administration and Finance of the local council, Alhaji Isiyaku Rufa’i Safana while he was trying to broker peace between the duo over a lingering dispute between them.

The source of the crisis, a competent source within the

local council told our correspondent on condition of anonymity, was a list of those to benefit from the government’s poverty alleviation programme; where the chairman’s wife felt shortchanged by the councilor.

It was further gathered that when the animosity between the two became glaring, the director called for a meeting of other local government officials in his office including the councilor. The chairman’s wife, it was alleged, burst into the office and allegedly rained abuses on the councilor.

Our correspondent gathered that when tempers became high the director tried to calm the warring factions but failed as the chairman’s wife was alleged to have slapped the

councilor who also retaliated from where the fight began with each side throwing punches.

It was also gathered that after the first round of punches ended, the women set upon each other again to the amazement of those present at the scene of the show of shame.

After the bout, the supporters of the two sides rushed to the scene threatening one another with each side promising that should their principal be touched, terror would be let loose. It took the intervention of the security agents in the area to stop the ugly situation from getting out of hand.

When contacted, the supervisory councilor, who heads Water and Sanitation

unit of the council, Hajiya Hadiza Matazu, confirmed the incident to our reporter, alleging that the chairman’s wife used her finger nails to inflict injuries on her face during the fight.

The councilor alleged that the chairman’s wife had been accusing her of sabotaging her and her husband by supporting a faction in the PDP led by the Economic Adviser to the state governor, Dr. Garba Shehu Matazu.

Efforts by our correspondent to hear, the chairman wife’s side of the story failed as repeated calls and text messages to the chairman’s number were not responded to as at the time of compiling this report.

Customs nab passenger with $456, 000 at Lagos airport

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

T

he Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), has arrested a passenger with $456,000 (equivalent to N71, 660,400) during the outward clearance of passengers of a Qatar Airways flight to China en route Doha on Christmas Eve. Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Thelma Williams, said that the

passenger was apprehended for not being able to explain to the Customs authorities the source of the foreign currency with either Bureau de Change or bank slip which was a prerequisite for a proper documentation of the currency.

The passenger with the passport number A04073478, Williams continued, was arrested at the ‘E’ Wing section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport screening hall from where he was interrogated by officials on

duty before being handed over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).She noted that the passenger was guilty of the law for his inability to convince relevant authorities over the source of the money as well as his defiance of rules concerning the movement of huge sums of foreign currency outside the country.

“During the outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight to China via Doha, our officials reported that one passenger identified as

Ikebude Akome, with passport number A04073478, declared f$456,000 at ‘E’ Wing screening hall of the Lagos Airport.

“On further investigation, it was discovered that the passenger had no proper document like the Bureau de Change or bank slip”, the PRO stated.Williams, disclosed out that the passenger had been handed over to the EFCC for further investigations and necessary action.

Lagos explosion kills 7 yr- old, three others

The executive’s assault on the parliament, Page 4

Int’l

31-35

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-46

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 served as a warehouse for a major distributor in the market.

“Within minutes of the explosion, I saw fire spreading to a nearby building and people started running”, the witness said.

Eyewitnesses said the explosion caused an alarming vibration in the area and the noise was so deafening that they feared it was another plane crash or a bomb explosion.

The fire spread to nearby buildings, causing panic among other traders who had storage houses around the vicinity.

Fire-fighters and security agents were hurriedly drafted to the scene to help in putting out the fire that had caught 15 adjoining buildings. But, a huge crowd besieged the area, making it difficult for fire-fighters to extinguish the fire on time.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials present at the site confirmed that the fire was caused by explosions at the shop, adding that several persons were trapped in the burning building.

The officials said a badly burnt body had been pulled out as at press time yesterday.

“We pulled out a body from

the building,” Ibrahim Farinloye of NEMA, said. “The body was covered with debris and we could not determine the sex because it was burnt beyond recognition.

The corpse has been deposited at the hospital”. He however said

the precise cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

NEMA spokesperson Yushau Shuaib, in a statement yesterday confirmed the incidence, saying the agency has mobilised other response agencies and volunteers to the

explosion site.

Meanwhile, Red Cross officials at the site of the explosion hinted that about 50 persons were badly wounded and have been rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Fire-fighters trying to put off the fire at the ill-fated warehouse, yesterday at Oko Awo, in Jankara Area of Lagos.

Photo: Ayodele Samuel

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 3

Bayelsa plans state funeral for Azazi

By Julius Ogar

G

overnor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state has announced a state funeral for late former National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Owoeye Azazi.

According to him, “the decision of the Bayelsa State Government to accord Azazi, a state burial was in recognition of his enviable record of service to the state and country”.

A statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary,

Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said: “In view of the late General Azazi‘s illustrious military career and his remarkable contributions to Bayelsa state and Nigeria as a whole, his remains would be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the state capital.

This is to demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Azazi as a true hero of Ijaw nation.”

The funeral would kick off on Friday December 28, with Service of Songs at the Peace Park in Yenagoa; Commendation Service on Saturday , December 29;

followed by internment and state reception for guests and dignitaries.

General Azazi, alongside then Kaduna state governor, Patrick Yakowa with their aides and pilots had died in a helicopter crash in Bayelsa on December 15.

Yuletide: Foodstuff prices still high in Abuja …as residents fill up recreation centres

Y

Christians at the inter-denominational service in honour of late Kaduna state governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, yesterday in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

Justice Bello SSS still holding two journalists in Kaduna loses mother

T

he death has occurred of Hajiya Hajara Sabongari Bello at the age of 88.

She passed on after a brief illness yesterday at Kankara in Katsina state and has was same day in line with Islamic tradition.

Hajiya Hajara left behind four children – Justice Adamu Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Engr. Mohammed M. Bello of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, former chairman of Media Trust Limited (publishers of Daily Trust)Alhaji Abdulmuminu Bello and Engr. Bashir Bello of Shell SPDC, Warri – and grand children.

OUR ERROR In yesterday’s lead story, we erroneously quoted the spokesman of the Joint Task Force [JTF] in Yobe state, Col. Eli Lazarus, as confirming an attack on Sunday in Potiskum. We have since realised that the said quotation was in relation to an incident which occurred on December 11, 2012. We deeply regret this error and the inconvenience it might have caused the JTF spokesman.

— Editor

From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

O

fficials of the State Security Service, yesterday said they would not release the journalists they arrested on Monday, unless the Editor-in-Chief of the paper surrenders himself.

Two journalists, an editor and a reporter, working with Al-Mizan newspaper in Kaduna, were abducted from their homes around 4 am on Monday in Rigasa area of Kaduna. Their wives were manhandled while their homes were also raided by the security operatives.

The SSS has now told senior journalists in Kaduna that unless the Editor-in-Chief of Al-Mizan, Ibrahim Musa, surrenders himself, they would not release the two journalists, Aliyu Saleh and Awwal Musa.

A source, who is privy to the

ongoing attempts to get the reporters released, said that at a meeting yesterday in Abuja with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), officials of the SSS promised to release the reporters as soon as Mr. Ibrahim surrenders himself.

Mr. Ibrahim’s house was also raided by the security operatives at a time he was not at home. He has since gone into hiding.

Lawyer to the two journalists, Sadiq Marafa, who confirmed the demand by the SSS, also said though he prefers to “use private contacts to get the journalists released”, he is waiting for the constitutional 48 hours of arrest without prosecution to lapse before deciding what action to take.

Mr. Marafa said he has not been allowed to see or speak to his clients.

“I only know that they are under the custody of the SSS in Kaduna, but I don’t know where they are kept and what is their

condition”, he said.

Mr. Marafa said that the SSS also asked for a surety before the journalists are released, adding that the Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation in Kaduna, Shehu Sani, agreed to stand surety for the reporters.

The lawyer also said the “houses of the two reporters were raided and searched without relevant warrants and they are also being kept without being informed of their offence nearly 48 hours after they are arrested, this is unconstitutional.”

“I am however confident they will be released today (Wednesday),” he added.

The SSS arrested the journalists after the Hausa language newspaper published a story about alleged abduction of 84 youths by the Joint Task Force in Yobe.

The secret service is yet to make an official statement on the arrest.

Anxiety deepens as Enugu marks 100 days of Chime’s absence Palpable confusion reigns in Enugu state over the continued absence of Governor Sullivan Chime with hushed speculations that the State House of Assembly could impeach him in January 2013 if he fails to resume duty by end of December.

Chime’s absence entered 100 days yesterday without any official statement on his state of health.

Even though the

governor is said to have written to the House officially to inform them of his decision to go on vacation for six weeks, he had spent 100 days so far without any official reason and there is no clear indication that he would return soon.

Chime was last seen in Enugu on September 9 after attending the South East Governors’ meeting at the Governor’s Lodge but his aides

confirmed that he left Nigeria after attending a meeting in Abuja on September 19 and has not returned since then.

There were rumours penultimate week that the governor had died in an Indian hospital which government house aides had denied. But the governor, whom they assured would return before Christmas, is still absent.

uletide activities were of a mixed nature in Abuja yesterday as foodstuff prices remained high in the markets, while some recreation centres experienced high patronage.

Correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who went round Abuja metropolis on Boxing Day, reported that some foodstuff prices were extremely high.

At the Utako market, a small basket of onions which sold for N1, 400 some weeks earlier sold for N1,800, while a basket of pepper which sold for N500 sold N850 as at yesterday.

At the Wuse market, Isa Ado, a trader, told NAN that a basket of Irish potatoes which was sold at N700 hitherto was selling at N1,100.

Yaqoob Adamu, a trader at the Garki Market, attributed the hike in prices of food items to transportation problems, especially as most suppliers had travelled out of town for the Christmas.

A consumer, Mrs. Chinyere Akabueze, appealed to the Federal Government to re-introduce the price control system, in order to forestall unnecessary price increase of commodities.

“I just came to see if I can get some tomatoes and pepper. But I could not buy them during the week because they were expensive.

“Now as you can see for yourself, the price has still not come down”, she said.

NAN reports that the fuel scarcity which reappeared in the Abuja metropolis has however not made it difficult for people to visit some relaxation spots.

At the Wonderland Amusement Park, the human and vehicular traffic was enormous.

Some parents who were with their children were seen looking for parking spaces for their cars outside the facility.

This was because every available space inside and outside the park had been taken up.

Mr. Moses Sonayan, one of the parents, told NAN that since Boxing Day was meant for recreation and relaxation, the park was the best place to visit this yuletide.

A visit to the Silverbird Galleria also revealed that many Abuja residents trooped out to take advantage of the holidays.

The venue was jam-packed, with both the young and old involved in many activities.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

A

t various times this year, Minister of Information Labaran Maku, the two Presidential spokesmen, Drs. Reuben Abati and Doyin Okupe as well as the Special Adviser to President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak have made indecorous remarks against the legislature with no overt reprimand from their principal, President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was left for the leadership of the Legislative arm of the government to put these overzealous presidential aides in their proper place.

In September, the Minister of Information had denigrated the legislature by saying that its resolution over the planned introduction of a new N5000 note was a mere opinion that was not binding on the executive, in reference to the resolution of the two chambers of the national assembly calling President Goodluck Jonathan and the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to stay action on the new N5000 note pending the conclusion of their investigations on the new policy.

Reacting to the resolution, Maku had said: “I believe we should allow CBN to have leadership on this issue. This is not an opinion poll debate but a technical matter and the heated debate will not help in the management of our economy.

“The National Assembly has oversight functions and the executive takes resolutions of the national assembly seriously but resolutions are not Act of parliament”.

To which the Senate President, David Mark responded thus: “I think the minister of information is a careless talker. He talks very carelessly. He did not think properly. He is not an educator and we need to educate him. I hope the president cautions him and calls him to order.

“And I think next time he does that, we will take a resolution here that any minister who talks carelessly be removed because there was really no need for that. I think this is a hard lesson for Senators who ask ministers to take a bow and go.”

Taking exception to the remarks of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, October, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal after President Jonathan had presented the 2013 Budget Proposal to the NASS in October, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe had accused the leadership of grandstanding saying that: “Normal legislative courtesy demands that such a visitor be allowed to perform his constitutional functions without any attempt to rubbish the document that was yet to be discussed even by the members themselves.”

“My belief is that in the interest of the Nigerian people, for the sake of our masses, the National Assembly and the Executive must of necessity find a common ground on all these issues, instead of unnecessary grandstanding and playing to the gallery, which will not help anybody”.

And the two ranking leaders of the Nationl Assembly appropriately responded by describing Okupe as a trouble

The Executive’s assault on the Parliament From comments to actions of some of its key, and even not so key, actors, it is increasingly becoming obvious that the Executive has little, if any, regard for the Legislature, which happens to be the only symbol of democracy among the three arms of government. Why, for instance, must the National Assembly resort to threats of arrest before its invitations are honoured by some government officials like ministers and heads of agencies, asks Abdu Labaran Malumfashi?

President Goodluck Jonathan maker who has no respect.

Back in January, Dr. Reuben Abati had likened the resolution of the House of Representatives, which urged the president to reverse the subsidy removal policy to allow for dialogue with organized labour to inciting the public against government, describing it as; “merely an opinion of the House of Representatives”.

The House had responded by stating that: “Abati’s description of the resolution of the House of Representatives as a mere expression of opinion is childish, unfortunate, unprofessional and lacking in judgment by a presidential spokesman, especially since it is now public knowledge that his boss, President Jonathan was made acting President by a resolution of the National Assembly which he readily accepted in a broadcast to the nation.

Instructively, the Senate has also concurred to the Resolution of the House on this matter.”

Political Adviser Gulak had also referred to a resolution by the parliament as an opinion.

And lately, ministers and heads of agencies, including ad-hoc committees, have made a habit of ignoring invitations to appear before members of the National Assembly to explain one thing or another.

On this infamous list can be

Senate President David Mark found Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, her Petrolum and Planning Commission counterparts, Diezani AlisonMadueke and Dr. Shamsudden Usman respectively as well as the Chairman of the National

Population Commissin, Chief Festus Odumegu and the Chairman of the Pensions Reforms Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina.

Penultimate week, the Senate had to order the Inspector General

Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

of Police to arrest the Pensions Reforms Task Team leader for serially shunning an invitation to appear before the Senate Joint Committee on Establishment, Public Service, State and Local Government to explain the disappearance of N195 billion unspent pension funds.

And a week before then, the House of Representatives also directed the Police boss to arrest NPC’s Chief Odumegu for consistently failing to appear before the House to explain an alleged skewed recruitment exercise being conducted by his Commission.

One simple reason for this disdain for the Parliament by the Executive arm may not be unconnected to the unsavoury conduct of some of the lawmakers.

The Farouk Lawan Susidy Probe and Herman Hembe, SEC sagas in the House of Representatives are still fresh to be forgotten so soon.

This writer was in the presence of a ranking Judicial officer when a subordinate came to inform him that a committee of the National Assembly had come for an oversight function to which just said “go and give them any amount you see fit”. When I enquired why he was not ready to receive them, he retorted that: “they are only here for the money, please.”

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 5

NGO alleges slow, high cost of road construction in Nasarawa

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

Children enjoying themselves yesterday at Millennium Park, in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

NRC transports 450 army recruits to Lagos N

igerian Railway Corporation (NRC), yesterday, revived hopes for a cheaper means of transportation in the country as it conveyed 450 newly-recruited soldiers from Zaria to Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new recruits had just finished their training at the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria and were posted to Lagos state for service.

Mr. Adekunle Ayeni, the Railway District Manager (RDM), Northern District, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria that the corporation has been repositioned to render quality and reliable services.

Speaking later to newsmen after the soldiers left, the RDM said “we want

to assure Nigerians of quality and reliable services, as the new recruits will arrive in Lagos after 25 hours”.

NAN reports that the passengers’ train with five coaches took off from Zaria at 1.15 pm and was expected to arrive in Lagos at 2.15 pm on Thursday.

Ayeni called for patronage from government agencies, private

organisations and individuals “as their contributions towards the revitalisation of the rail system”.

While commending the efforts of the Federal Government towards reviving the railways, the manager appealed for more funding to enable the corporation serve Nigerians better.

He assured that the essence of

re-introducing rail services was to provide efficient and effective transportation of goods and people across Nigeria.

NAN reports that Col. Sa'id Jibril-Balarabe, the Commander, Recruit Centre, Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, led the soldiers to the railway station where they boarded the train.

Balarabe declined making comments on the mode of transportation but NAN gathered that the recruits were heading to Lagos for their first posting. (NAN)

Jigawa flood victims get relief From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

J

igawa state government yesterday presented relief materials for distribution to flood victims in Kiyawa local government area.

Presenting the items, the

chairman flood assessment and monitoring committee, Alhaji Abdulkadir Jinjiri, said the relief materials include 145 cartons of indomie noodles, 10 bags of rice, 40 bundles of textile materials, salts, stoves, plates and mosquito nets among

others.

He said the food items were only meant for those who lost their farm lands.

Receiving the items the council chairman Alhaji Dahiru Madaki promised to provide additional food items to the victims.

non-governmental organisation based in Nasarawa state, Action for Balanced State (ABS), has decried the slow pace of infrastructural development going on in the state, placing the blame on the government.

Specifically, ABS has alleged that the construction of roads across the state which started in a commendable fashion by the governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura administration, has significantly slowed down.

In a statement signed by its Director of Administration, Hassan Shehu, ABS said that it was not surprised by the development, alleging that the cost of road construction in the state is too high.

It further alleged that in Lafia, the capital of the state, each kilometre of road is being constructed at the cost of N200 million by some contractors who got the jobs through a process that can be described as far from the ideal.

According to the statement, this very high cost of road construction cannot be sustained in a poor state like Nasarawa, calling on the people, particularly members of the House of Assembly, to intervene in the matter with a view to stopping the state from becoming bankrupt.

It urged the House of Assembly to investigate the process of purchasing and distribution of relief materials to the victims of flood in Loko and Udenge, alleging that top government officials and some aides of the governor handled the purchase and refused to allow the emergency relief agency in the state to do its job.

"More cases of violent ethnic clashes could be witnessed in the state as part of the build-up to the 2015 general elections. We advise the governor to be selfless and proactive in handling the security affairs of the state", the statement added.

Offa stool: Ruling House takes Olofa to Appeal Court From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Olugbense Ruling House has appealed the judgment of a High Court sitting in Offa, Kwara state, which dismissed the suit it filed against the current Olofa of Offa, Alhaji Mufutau Gbadamosi, Esuwoye II of Anilelerin Ruling House.

The High Court had in July dismissed a suit filed by Alhaji Sheu Oyeniyi, Magaji of the Olugbense Ruling House, seeking to invalidate the enthronement of the current Olofa of Offa, Alhaji Mufutau Gbadamosi In the appeal filed on December 20, 2012, counsel to the appellants/claimants, John Olusola Baiyeshea prayed that the court to set aside the judgment of

the High Court which was in favour of Oba Gbadamosi.

Baiyeshea argued that “the trial judge wrongly rejected Exhibit ‘G’ in evidence. It is the original copy of the Kwara state government press statement of 1969 informing the general public and the whole world that the chieftaincy crisis in Offa was resolved by the government which recognised two ruling houses in Offa: the Olugbense and the Anilelerin ruling houses and also established rotational chieftaincy in Offa between the two houses”.

He further observed that “a combination of credible, cogent, concrete and strong oral and documentary evidence and exhibits presented by the claimants/appellants are strong

enough to be relied upon to give judgment in favour of the claimants.

"The purported appointment of Alhaji Gbadamosi (5th respondent) is liable to be nullified, and the 2nd claimant/appellant, Prince Abdulrauf Adegboyega Keji, is entitled to be declared and installed as the Olofa of Offa.

“The principle, notion and doctrine of fairness, justice, equity and estoppel are applicable in favour of the appellants in this case in determining the right of the Ruling House to present the candidate (Prince Keji) and not the current Olofa to fill the vacancy in the stool of Olofa created by the death of the immediate past Olofa of Offa in 2010 from the same Anilelerin ruling house as the 5th respondent.

“Your lordships are urged to give judgment in favour of the appellants accordingly and order that the 2nd appellant be installed by the state government as the Olofa of Offa forthwith. Alhaji Gbadamosi’s appointment/ installation ought to be nullified and an order of perpetual injunction be made to restrain him from further parading himself as the Olofa of Offa”.

The Senior Advocate who challenged the appointment of Oba Gbadamosi on different issues want Appeal Court to decide “whether the learned trial judge was/is right in holding that Exhibit ‘G’ though an original copy of a public document must be certified to be admissible in evidence, thereby refusing to

attach any weight thereto; "Whether the learned trial judge was/is right in holding that the newspapers (which contain evidence of rotational chieftaincy in Offa) were wrongly admitted in evidence and that the exhibits are not worthy of being accorded any weight and expunging them from record; "Whether there is evidence on record to show or prove that the Olofa stool is rotational between the Olugbense and Anilelerin ruling houses and that it was/is the turn of the claimants/appellants, the Olugbense Ruling House, in 2010 to present the candidate to fill the vacancy created in the stool by the death of the immediate past Olofa of Offa from the Anilelerin Ruling House.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Nigeria to develop MoU with Cameroon on Ladgo Dam-official

N

igeria is prepared to be developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cameroon on the management of water from Ladgo Dam, an official told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

The official at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources told NAN in Abuja that the technical mission to Cameroon on the issue of Ladgo Dam would visit the country between Thursday and Friday to discuss modalities for managing water resources.

NAN recalls that unregulated water released from Ladgo Dam located 50km south of the City of Garoua on the Benue River caused huge flooding in Nigeria in September.

The official said the visit would

create an avenue for the two countries to discuss how the water resources of the Benue Basin should be managed in a sustainable and less disastrous manner.

"What informed the decision to visit Cameroon is as a result of the September floods. One of the causes of the floods apart from excessive rainfall was the unregulated release of water from Ladgo Dam. "What we are going to do with the visit is to establish a bilateral cooperation that will lead to sustainable management of water resources of the Benue Basin.

"We are going there in preparation for the rainy season so that people will not say that Nigeria is not prepared in case of any reoccurrence of floods.

"We are going there with a draft

copy of MOU on how to achieve sustainable management of the water resources", the official said.

According to the official, Cameroon has set up a team of experts which has also prepared an MOU for the same purpose.

The official said the MOUs from the two countries would be presented at the meeting, adding that if the parties agreed on the issues raised, it would be signed.

In addition, the official said the visit would also provide an avenue to discuss possible collaboration on the safety and management of Lake Nyos.

Lake Nyos lies close to the axis of the Cameroon volcanic line, which extends 1,500km from the Gulf of Guinea through south-western Cameroon and into northern Nigeria

and northern Cameroon.

The UN Environment Programme and Office of the Human Affairs commissioned a study on the lake in September 2005 and the findings indicated that Lake Nyos might collapse within five to 10 years.

The imminent collapse of the lake will send over 30 million cubic metres (MCM) of water into Katsina Ala River in Nigeria all the way down through Benue and Niger River systems.

However, the Federal Government has commenced the construction of Kasmbilla Dam, designed to serve as a buffer dam to avert the danger posed by Lake Nyos in Cameroon.

The dam project located in Taraba, is expected to be completed in 2013. (NAN)

Jigawa inaugurates cassava committee From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

J

igawa state government has inaugurated a five-man committee for the purchase of cassava from farmers for processing at the Kila Cassava Processing Factory.

Inaugurating the committee, the Commissioner for Economic Empowerment, Alhaji Rabiu Isah, said N38 million was earmarked for the committee to purchase and process the commodity at the factory.

He said the committee members were appointed following the trust and prudent management they showed in their previous assignments for the state.

Isah stated that the committee is headed by Alhaji Ali Tukur Gantsa while Malam Jamilu Abubakar will serve as secretary.

Other members of the committee include Alhaji Sani Adamu Maigataru, Alhaji Umar Danjani and Hajia Habiba Hassan Jibrin Birnin Kudu.

…to commission National Seed Centre

N

Nigerien Traders going to a market, yesterday on Kiyawa-Gujungu Road, in Jigawa State.

Photo: NAN

Christmas: Youths call for religious tolerance

By Umar Muhammad Puma

A

ssociation of Christian and Muslim Youths of Nigeria (ACMYON), has said that for economic, political and social activities to flourish, there is need for religious tolerance in the country.

National president of the From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

W

ith the menace of the SaraSukagang in Bauchi metropolis getting to its peak leading to the killing this morning of the son of a ward head at Majidadi B ward, the state government is considering the possibility of introducing capital punishment for the dastardly acts.

According to the permanent secretary in the Ministry for Community Development, Alhaji Ahmed Tukur, the government has no option other than to introduce capital punishment for the Sara-

association, Simeon Njeomene, stated this in their Christmas and New Year message he made available to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.

He noted that experience has shown in the past that religious tolerance can contribute to national integration by creating the needed peaceful atmosphere

for development in the country.

"Let us forget the difference in our religions and remember the common brotherhood before God, dedicate ourselves to the great task of nation building which lie before us".

He assured Nigerians that ACMYON would fully utilise the vast network of their

membership in building a nexus around that will bring justice, peace and national cohesion.

ACMYON is an apex umbrella body of all Nigerian Christian and Muslim youths in the world, heartily rejoice with Christian brethren on the occasion of Christmas and New Year's celebration.

ational Seed Centre, Birnin Kudu, is to be commissioned soon.

The Director (Administration) National Food Reserve Agency Alhaji Yakubu Abdullahi, made this know yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Rabiu Isah Taura.

He said they were in the state to inspect the National Seed Centre Birnin Kudu which is among the 12 that are under construction.

Abdullahi said the Federal Government will soon provide all the needed machines for the processing of the seeds at the centre.

The Director assured that centre will commence operation before March 2013.

Responding, the commissioner for agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isah, said the state government has paid 60 percent counterpart funding for the National Seed Centre Birnin Kudu.

He said the seed centre which cost N80 million is a joint project between federal and state governments.

Community meets to stop killings by ‘Sara Suka’ Suka perpetrators.

Tukur who was speaking at the Majidadi 'B' Community Development Association meeting in Bauchi yesterday, expressed dismay with the menace of SaraSuka in Bauchi metropolis, saying the problem needs concerted actions by all stakeholders in the community.

The Permanent Secretary who represented Governor Isa Yuguda at the meeting, urged the stakeholders to evolve means of ending the Sara-

Suka menace in the state.

The protem chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Danmaliki in an address at the occasion, revealed that not less than 200 people have been killed in Bauchi as a result of the Sara-Suka menace in the last five years.

"Isn't it really catastrophic and unbelievable that by a rough count, 200 people have been killed in Bauchi as a result of the menace of Yan Sara-Suka? Sadly our ward has

remained the theatre of this war among the various youth camps in Bauchi town", Danmaliki said.

He noted that women are being raped daily and robbery is also taking place day and night.

Alhaji Amunu Mohammed explained that the causes of the dastardly acts have continued to widen everyday with the sophistication of the means through which the perpetuators thrives the acts appears to be changing.

He attributed the causes of the

acts partly to youth exuberance, rebellion, perceived marginalisation or efforts to get their share of democracy dividends which they thought to have been deprived of.

The Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Sulaiman Adamu represented by the district head of Bauchi, Alhaji Nuru Adamu Jumba, commended the conveners of the meeting which outcome, he said, could assist other communities in the emirate towards solving similar problems.

PAGE 7

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Nyako warns council chairmen against extravagant spending

G

overnor Murtala Nyako has warned newly elected local government chairmen in Adamawa state against extravagant spending of council funds.

Nyako gave the warning when he received the chairmen, who paid him a Christmas visit at Government House, Yola, advising them to give priority attention to education, health and youth empowerment.

“The welfare of our children who are leaders of tomorrow must be given priority. Our children must read and everything possible should be done to ensure that,” he said.

The governor expressed concern over some social ills,

such as drug abuse among youths, and said his administration was considering making a law that would provide for the demolition of any house where hard drugs were sold.

He urged the chairmen not to depend on monthly subventions from the state or the Federal Government for the execution of development projects but to explore other sources of funding, such as the Millennium Development Goal Office and UN agencies.

Earlier, the spokesman for the chairmen, Alhaji Sahabo Aliyu, said they were at Government House to pay Christmas homage and express their loyalty and support to the

government.

Meanwhile, members of the Association of Physically challenged Persons in Adamawa have called on the state government to pay their nine months salary arrears to enable them to enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Chairman of the Association, Malam Abubakar Hosere, made the appeal when he led members to pay a Christmas visit to Nyako at Government House, Yola.

Hosere said, “105 members given appointment by the state government in April were yet to start enjoying their salaries.

Also, some of us given political appointment are still waiting as the appointments are still

Yuguda mourns as Emir of Dukku dies at 91 From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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overnor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi state has described the death of the Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna Rashid as a great loss not only to Dukku Emirate and Gombe state but to the entire Northern Nigeria considering his immense contribution to the peace and unity of the region.

A press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary,

Ishola Michael Adeyemi, stated that the fatherly advice of the monarch would be missed by all because ”at times like this when the country is going through political transformation, advices from elder statesmen like the late Emir were needed in order to shape the political future of the country.”

The governor added that the late emir stood for peace and unity as he did not discriminate among his subjects but

administered justice to all not minding religion and or tribe.

The emir died on Monday night at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Gombe, following a protracted illness. His remains were on Tuesday interred in Dukku, Gombe state. The Emir is survived by three wives, 53 children and many grand children.

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe state and other top government officials attended the funeral prayer .

New Chief of Mambilla, Alhaji Shehu Audu Baju ii (left), during a reception to mark his assumption of office in Gembu after his appointment as a first class chief on Tuesday. With him is the Deputy Speaker of Taraba House of Assembly, Hon. Abel Diah (right).

Photo: NAN

hanging.”

He also said that more than 200 slots allocated to physically-challenged persons

under the government empowerment programmes each year had been reduced to 100. (NAN)

Petrol hawkers take over Abuja streets

By Nasir Muhammad

T

he intractable fuel scarcity that has hit various cities in the country has taken its toll on the nation’s capital as hawkers selling petrol in jerry cans dot many street corners, alleys and highways across the city.

The dealers, mostly young men, parade their products alongside feeder hoses with which they discharge the contents of their jerry cans into buyers’ vehicles. The business has become more pronounced following long queues of vehicles at filling stations.

One of the vendors at

Mabushi bus stop along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, who declined to give his name, said he was selling a five-liter container for N1000, at the rate of N200 per liter. On how he is sourcing the commodity which is scarce, he said he had his customer in one of the filling stations (name withheld) who gives the product to him in 50-litre jerry cans at night.

On whether he was aware of the danger of selling highly inflammable spirits under the scorching sun, the respondent said: “nothing dey happen”, and smiled away to attend to another customer.

Call your followers to order, politicians tasked From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

T

he Center for Crisis Prevention and Peace Advocacy (CCPPA) in conjunction with the African Youth for Conflict Resolution and Prevention (AYCRP) have charged politicians and leaders at all levels to get their standards right and call their followers to order.

In a press release jointly signed by the representatives of the two organizations Clement KuliyakCCPPA and Dr. Sulieman Shinkafi- AYCRP issued to newsmen yesterday in Kaduna, condemned acts of violence and killing of innocent people under the guise of religious, ethnic and tribal affiliations.

The statement said: “Condemnation, condolences, expressions of sadness and various promises especially on the part of the government to stem the tide requires proactive, pragmatic, responsive and authoritative measures in collaboration with seasoned professional conflict management practitioners and other stakeholders.

“The gross neglect, noncommitment and abuse of the basic tenants of Christianity and Islam which include peace, love, respect, tolerance and

exemplary values is a great concern and call for sober reflection.

“According to Mahatma Ghandhi, Religion is not something you can tell others about, but something you live out and when you live out, it is selfpropagating”, he maintained.

The groups lamented that going by the rising intra-state and interstate armed conflict on the globe, there was clear indication of the entrenchment of poverty, unemployment, intolerance, religious extremism and soon have contributed immensely to the trend.

He emphasized that there is the strong need to embrace the contemporary and significant order of conflict transformation to more meaningful and constructive relations across ethnic, religious, racial or political differences against violence.

He observed that the government cannot not do it alone, adding that “while the government is supposed to be accountable to the people, the people are also supposed to hold the government accountable to the people.”

They stressed that issues participation, equity, justice need to be adequately addressed through education, communication and positive

415 inmates languish in Ilorin Prison From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

O

ut of 415 inmates in Ilorin Federal Prison custody, 336 are still awaiting trial with 15 condemned to death.

The prison, it was also learnt, has two inmates in life sentence while 62 were convicted for

various offences.

The chief judge of Kwara state, Justice Ayinla Bamigbola who visited the federal prison, Okekura and Medium Security Prison, Mondala in Ilorin as part of his maiden visit, ordered the release of 10 inmates.

Bamigbola said his action was part of efforts to decongest

the prison mostly populated by inmates who had stayed in prison for long time.

The CJ who spoke during the visit said the judiciary officers should ensure quick dispensation of justice and urged them to always bring the awaiting trial inmates to the court for their trial to enhance speedy judgment.

He noted that it was out of place for prisons to be used as pretrial punishment for the inmates.

The jurist advised the inmates not to take law into their hand stressing that the purpose of jail term was to rehabilitate them into good citizens.

In his remarks, the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Mr. Akin Oseni appealed to government and private organisations to support prison service with adequate fund to take care of inmates.

He appealed to governments to provide power and water for inmates in Mondala prison.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

View of a major street in Dutse at night on Tuesday.

Some recruits who graduated from Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria recently, boarding a train from Kaduna to Lagos, yesterday.

Children enjoying themselves at a picnic, yesterday in Lagos.

A woman dancing to a traditional music with her family, a picnic, yesterday in Millennium Park, Abuja.

Children enjoying themselves yesterday at Millennium Park, in Abuja.

Photos: Justin Imo-Owo & NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

CAN urges Christians to seek forgiveness From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

C

hairman, Bauchi state Christian Association of Nigeria[CAN] ,Rev. Pokti Lawai has charged Christians in the state and across the country to come back to God, confess their sins to Him and ask for forgiveness.

In his sermon at Church of Christ In Nigeria, Lawai said, “If we confess our sins and place our problems before Him, He will certainly deliver us from the insecurity and other challenges we are currently being confronted with. God is ever merciful and ready to receive a repentant heart’’.

The CAN chair who also enjoined Christians to live in harmony, brotherhood, true love and respect for others irrespective of faith, politics, wealth, ethnic or regional belonging reasoned that “our God who brought us to live together is not a fool, for God Almighty is NEVER a fool, so we should return to God with our faith’’.

He praised the Bauchi state governor and heads of security organizations for providing enough security at various churches. As CAN chairman, I have a duty to monitor all Christian activities in the state and as I talk to you I have not received any report of a bad incident in Bauchi metropolis and from my local government branches’’, he said.

Our Correspondent who monitored the Christmas cerebrations in Bauchi state reports that most churches in Azare, Katagum local government area of Bauchi state had a an unusually poor attendance this year when compared to the 2011 Christmas.

Four different pastors of the leading churches in Azare, the second biggest town in Bauchi and which has recently been in news as a target of the dreaded Islamic sect the Boko Haram and armed robbers, attributed the low turn-out of Christian faithfuls to the present insecurity in the area.

Speaking separately but in confidence for security reasons, the pastors agreed unanimously that Christians must have faith in God and “so we thank God for this day which allowed some of us to see and rejoice in it”.

At Yelwa, a densely populated Christian area on the outskirts of the state capital, there was an impressive turnout of worshippers, despite a suicide bomb attack which failed to hit its target [Living Faith church] but killed at least 20 of its members on June 3, 2012.

Harvest Field Church whose building is located next to Living Faith (Winners Chapel) was hit by that attack.

PAGE 9

Controversy over new Galadiman Katagum ends From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he long controversy over the turbanning of Galadiman Katagum, Alhaji Usman Mahmood Abdullahi has come to an end with the Bauchi state Government declaring that it follow due process in the selection him.

It would be recalled that the Bauchi state government had for long approved the appointment of Alhaji Usman Galadima after the death of Alhaji Bello Katagum in 2009 but it was trailed with disagreement within the community members.

A statement signed by Mr.

Ishola Michael Adeyemi, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Isa Yuguda and made available to newsmen in Bauchi yesterday, said: “Upon the death of Alhaji Bello Katagum, the then Galadiman Katagum, Katagum Emirate council on 16th December 2009 recommended to the government the name of candidates out of whom the governor would appoint any one of them as District head of Katagum kingmakers.

The statement said the names forwarded to the state government were Mubarak Bello, Alhaji Usman Mahmood Abdullahi and Dr. Abdulwahab Muhammed Katagum adding

that based on the Bauchi State chiefs appointments and deposition law, the local government empowered the governor to appoint any of the three which culminated in the choice of Mahmood.

According to the statement, that the emirate council however recommended Dr. Bello Katagum to the government contrary to the existing practice and no reason was given by the emirate council for the separation of the position of district head of Katagum from that of Galadima Kingmaker, which were hitherto held by the late Galadima and his predecessors.

The governor therefore

decided to maintain the statusquo and approved the appointment of Usman Mahmood on December 18, 2010 and the news conveyed to the emirate same day.

“The emirate delayed the turbanning till Saturday 5th February 2011 on the eve of the turbaning ceremony the council postponed it, due to the death of district head of Gamawa. On 7th February 2011 state government requested for the turbanning of the Galadima preferably within two weeks because the Governor wanted to grace the occasion, after waiting for eight months without receiving any response probably because of the sickness of the emir”.

R-L: Osun state Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, presenting a gift to General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) World Wide, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, during the latter Christmas homage visit to the governor, yesterday at the Government House, in Osogbo.

Police on top of crime situation in Zamfara – CP

C

ommissioner of Police in Zamfara state, Mr. Usman Gwary, has assured the people that the police command is on top of the crime situation in the state, regardless of the recent killings in some areas.

He gave the assurance in Gusau at a news conference held on Tuesday over the spate of killings by gunmen in some parts of the state.

Gwary stressed that the command had been working to ensure that normalcy returned to the affected areas, where gunmen killed 10 vigilantes.

“We have been strategising and putting our intelligence gathering together but you know we cannot make some of our plans public so as not to jeopardise our operations,” he said.

“Just two days ago, I deployed

three pick-up vans with heavilyarmed mobile and regular policemen to the troubled area on Zurmi-Katsina Road; they will continue to mount surveillance there until we are certain that there is no more problem,’’ he, however, added.

“We are hopeful that the gunmen, who attacked and killed 10 members of the vigilance group, will soon be arrested and this is based on our intelligence gathering.’’

The police chief appealed to the people to assist the police with useful information about suspected movements of criminals even before they perpetrated their crime “so that the police can quickly move in and tackle the situation.’’

Gwary, however, lamented that some criminal hideouts in

the state were difficult to penetrate by the police because of the dearth of access roads and communications network in such areas.

“It will be suicidal to insist that the police should go and make arrests in such hideouts when they do not know the areas the way the criminals do”, he added.

Besides, Malam Muhammadu, the Ward Head of the Tudun Wada area of Gusau, said that he would soon begin a house-to-house search of single expectant mothers, as part of efforts to tackle the growing menace of abandoned babies in the neighbourhood.

Muhammadu, who disclosed his intention while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau on Tuesday, said

that a newborn was abandoned near a toilet soak-away on Tuesday.

“The incidence of abandoned babies, many of whom were found dead, has now become common in this area and it is very worrisome to us.

“The latest one was discovered early today by a Qur’anic school pupil, while the mother could have given birth to the baby at the location, as there were blood stains and parts of the placenta in the area”, he said.

Umar said residents of the area assisted the police in fishing out the remains of the baby after which the body had been taken to the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Gusau, for certification and burial. (NAN)

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Christmas: JTF beefs up security in Borno, shuts markets From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

T

he annual Christmas festival was marked peacefully in the troubled city of Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on Tuesday, even as the Joint Task Force (JTF), beefed up tight security in various places of worship.

Our correspondent noted that

hundreds of heavily armed soldiers and riot policemen, backed by dozens of armoured tanks, took over various churches, subjecting worshippers to thorough checks.

Similarly, others were stationed at all the major roads as well as entry and exit points of the city, conducting searches on motorists and pedestrians.

Although there was no restriction of movement, some

major roads were deserted as most residents stayed indoors for fear of the unknown.

However, commercial activities were paralysed as operatives of the JTF shut down the three major commercial centers of the city.

This also prompted traders in other areas who came out earlier came for normal business to lockup their shops.

It was observed that soldiers

took over both Monday and Gamborou markets as well as the Post Office area.

Some traders said they arrived in the market with intention of opening their shops for the day's businesses, before being turned away by the security men.

A security source hinted that the measure was a proactive mechanism to forestall any attempt by insurgents to cause mayhem

during the Christmas period.

Special prayers for peace dominated the sermons delivered by the pastors in various churches.

In his sermon, the Pastor of EYN Church, Bitrus Badliya who led the service, admonished the worshippers to be guided by the teachings of the Holy Bible and Jesus Christ, describing such as a prerequisite for attaining spiritual rejuvenation.

Muslim students want Ajimobi to redeem N2m pledge From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

Prison inmates giving thanks and waving to the Archbishop of Catholic Arch-Diocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, after a special Christmas mass on Tuesday at the Onitsha Prison, in Anambra state.

Photo: NAN

Sanusi warns on danger of accumulating debts

By Abdulwahab Isa

G

overnor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has warned of the danger of accumulating debt, which places undue burden on posterity should the existing level of borrowing from big nations continue.

Speaking at the just-concluded conference of Honorary International Investments Council (HIIC), he warned of grave danger

ahead if the nation continues to live above its realistic means. He alerted that if such development goes on unchecked, it would amount to unmitigated hardships.

His words: “We are borrowing more money today at a higher interest rate while leaving the heavy debt burden for our children and grandchildren. For example, if you receive your salary and every day the money is not enough, you have two options to adjust yourself; either check your

expenditure or check your wage.

He urged the Federal Government not to allow the present and unborn generations inherit the heavy burden of foreign debts cautioning that Nigeria, currently under the suppressing weight of the heavy burden of foreign debts is in great danger.

He urged the ruling class and the older generations to set good examples and educate the coming generations for a better and secured future. According to him, such

example should be set by not accumulating debt for future generations to inherit.

“Where would the future be for Nigeria, if today should be allowed to destroy the future”, he queried.

Malam Sanusi was among the high-profile Nigerian delegation that attended the 13th session of the Honorary International Investments Council (HIIC), which was held on 29-30 November 2012 at Beckley Hotel in Knightsbridge, Central London.

Security chiefs urge Plateau communities to work for peace

S

ecurity chiefs in Plateau state have called on communities in Riyom local government area to work together for permanent peace to return to the area.

The heads of security agencies made the call on Christmas Day when they visited Bagad village of Bachit District of Riyom local government area, where a woman died in an attack on Sunday.

Another woman was injured in an attack during which unknown persons set 10 thatch houses on fire.

Major-Gen. Henry Ayoola, the Commander of the Special Task Force in Plateau, who led other

security chiefs on the visit, said peace would return to the area if the Berom and Fulani forgave each other and worked for peace.

Ayoola said they were in Bagad to condole with the people and share in their grief, adding that the perpetrators of the crimes would be brought to book.

“We are here to let you know that we are concerned about what happened and to share in your feelings. We will do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators”, he said.

Ayoola said the security agencies would protect all law abiding citizens irrespective of

tribe and faith.

“We are only enemies of those who made themselves enemies of peace and we will hunt them until they change their ways”, he said.

Mr. Chris Olakpe, the Commissioner of Police in Plateau, threatened to arrest community leaders in which attacks occurred persistently.

Olakpe said, “I would hold the chiefs responsible. They are the leaders of people and should have proper knowledge of happenings in their communities”.

He said that no religion preached violence or encouraged killing and warned that law

enforcement agents would deal with anyone, who killed in the name of religion.

Olakpe advised the youth not to allow themselves to be used by wicked leaders to perpetrate evil.

Mr. Bature Sodangi, the Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, advised community leaders to constantly talk to their people on the need for peace.

Sodangi wondered why people who had been living together for centuries would suddenly become enemies and urged them to resolve their differences and move on for peace.

he Ameer (Coordinator) of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Zone B, Malam Mushafau Alaran, yesterday appealed to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state to redeem the N2 million pledge he made to the MSSN in 2011.

Alaran who was speaking at the 2012 edition of Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) organised by the MSSN at Imolisa village, Ogun state, said the pledge was made at the 2011 Founders Day of the body in Ibadan.

He expressed hope that very soon the pledge would be redeemed explaining that such financial assistance was being used to finance projects at the IVC camp where he said thousands of Muslim students from 17 southern states under Zone B, converged yearly for the course.

Alaran commended the efforts of the Projects Committee led by Alhaji Kunle Sanni for the tireless work of going from one individual to another to mobilise funds for the camp projects and welfare of delegates.

Speaking on the theme of the 10-day course, "The Covenant" he noted that "the theme of the 94th edition of IVC was carefully chosen to reawaken our focus on the duty placed on us as vicegerents on earth, not to kill, not to be unjust and to worship none except Allah so that the challenges ahead could be suppressed".

Earlier at the same opening ceremony, Ogun state governor, Ibikunle Amosun donated the sum of N2 million to the MSSN to assist them in completing projects which included hostels, classrooms and halls at the camp.

Amosun, represented by his deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Shuaib Afolabi who presented a cheque for the amount, said his administration would always associate with the MSSN and urged the students to be active participants in the body as the benefits were lifelong.

Amosun pledged that all Muslim members of the state cabinet would contribute a total of N1 million (one million naira) to the MSSN.

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

With a budget, your financial goals are easier A

s with just about anything, the more closely you examine your situation, the easier it will be to identify ways to improve it. While you might not consider it the most enjoyable activity, it is a necessary evil in your pursuit of financial success.

Having goals keeps you going, and having financial goals ensures that you can laugh as you go.

Setting financial goals is the fundamental of financial planning process, but it becomes difficult when you don't have a budget.

You may ask, why this time?

Yes, setting financial goals can help you meet your personal goals, but I can respond by asking, if your goals this year are to buy/build your own house; own or have a stake in a company; buy a car, take a trip abroad, can it be done outside a budget?

A budget is a financial plan and a list of all planned expenses and revenues. It is a plan for saving, borrowing and spending. Your budget is what shapes these your financial goals because it determines how you allocate your meagre income. This is because most people have only a vague idea of where their money goes, but they generally find that it doesn't go as far as they think it should.

Experts believe that in achieving your financial goals, the solution is creating and maintaining a budget, an itemised description of income and expenses.

This will enable you to determine how you spend your

money, get more out of the money you have, and make it easier to meet the financial goals you have set for yourself.

"As with just about anything, the more closely you examine your situation, the easier it will be to identify ways to improve it.

While you might not consider it the most enjoyable activity, it is a necessary evil in your pursuit of financial success," said experts at investor guide.

According to them, there are seven reasonably simple steps

involved in putting together a budget. These are - choose a system, determine your income, determine your expenses, compare income and expenses, determine your goals, improve your situation, and monitor your progress.

These are very easy to get with and they are also part solution of the "money" problems facing us. It helps you to know where your money goes and help you to properly handle your income.

For most people, determining their income is usually an easy step

because they simply calculate and record the income they receive from various sources. For instance, gross salaries and wages, bonuses, interest and dividend income, pension, tax refunds, rental income, child support received, and other similar sources of income.

"It is generally wise to be conservative with the calculations, and not to include income that you are not fairly sure you will be receiving. For a more accurate estimate, you might want to total your income over a longer period (for example, six months rather than one), to flatten out any jumps or dips that may have happened in a single month," the financial experts said.

How to reduce bills, care for children in retirement

I

n life, people face the challenge of trying to meet certain needs including planning, for which any error could cause a long life regrets.

Families face many challenges today, from paying the bills and saving for retirement to caring for both children and aging parents.

With so much going on in your life, figuring out the best financial products to buy to protect your family and help lay the groundwork for a secure retirement might seem like an impossible task.

Experts in saving, investing and retirement planning believe that each individual, depending on their circumstances, have products that best suited their unique conditions.

Quote For all of its faults, it gives most hardworking people a chance to improve themselves economically, even as the deck is stacked in favour of the privileged few. Here are the choices most of us face in such a system: Get bitter or get busy. — Bill O’ Reilly, about capitalism

Whole life Experts recommended getting life insurance for yourself and your spouse once you start a family. If you are offered life insurance through your job, check out the coverage levels to make sure they're high enough: Ideally, you should carry 10 times your annual salary, which ensures that your family will be financially secure in the event of your death. When you're young or middle-aged, the cost of term life insurance is much lower than whole life insurance. "If you run the math, you're better off buying term when you start your family, and save and invest the difference yourself," says Don Chambers, author of Money Basics.

Insurance for young adults: They are just starting out in the workforce as full-time employees, they're often moving out of their parents' house and renting their first place, and they may be juggling student loans or trying to finance their first car.

The financial services industry offers a dizzying array of products claiming to help them reach their goal of a prosperous adulthood, but which products will really do that and which ones will just enrich the company selling it?

Credit cards As we have pointed out before,

the initial promise of 10 percent or 15 percent off a day's purchase might seem like an attractive reason to open a store credit card, but these retail cards come with drawbacks: low credit limits, high interest rates and limited use in the case of an emergency. Think about it: If your furnace blows, what are you going to do with that card from a trendy fashion chain? Buy more sweaters? What's more, if you have too many store cards, they could drag down your credit score to the level where you couldn't get an emergency credit line if you needed it.

If you haven't already applied for a basic credit card with a low interest rate and no annual fee, look into it. As you grow older and add home ownership, parenthood and other big responsibilities to your life, it's important to have something you can fall back on that won't send you into a spiral of debt.

Long-term savings account It's good to build an emergency fund and keep it in an account you can access quickly and without penalty, but by this stage in your life, you should also be investing for retirement. Many companies have eliminated the pension plans our parents grew up relying on, so it's up to you to take a more active role in your financial future.

Many people believe that long-

term financial planning is only important for the wealthy, or that it is a task best left to professionals.

In reality, there are many steps that the average investor can take to solidify his financial future.

As an investor, your net worth will serve as a take-off point to begin thinking about your financial future.

In real life income, after subtracting essentials and debt, the first decision to make within available funds is between savings and funds to invest.

Investment experts believe that savings allow for access to cash without the fees and lost opportunities associated with removing money from investments ahead of schedule.

Financial experts believe that as soon as you begin to bring in enough money so that a portion of it may be set aside for investing, a plan is necessary to take full advantage of that money.

The amount of money available to invest also plays an important role in what investments can be purchased.

Some investments are subject to limited access because they require certain minimum amounts. More generally, investing a greater amount of money opens the door to a portfolio with more risk and potentially greater returns.

Painting your house can insure you against fire, burglary

L

ike the game "pay for one, get one free" consumers of products now have the opportunity to do market survey so that they can enjoy some benefits emerging from the product market as a result of increasing competition among manufacturers.

So, in making your buying, look out for those products that offer additional value outsider their core use, and by so doing, you can be sure you have achieved maximum value for the money spent.

One product that is readily on the table to offer these extra benefits is "Portland- Mutual Extra", a fruit of a strategic partnership, between Mutual Benefits Assurance plc and Portland Paints and Products Nigeria plc.

The new product provides cover for offices, homes and other buildings painted with Sandtex Paints against fire and burglary.

Olusegun Omosehin, managing director, Mutual General, owners of buildings who buy Sandtex Paints worth N300,000 minimum is automatically entitled to free fire insurance to a limit of N4 million and N1 million for burglary.

According to him, the product offers multiple compensation in line with the level of patronage, stating that tenants and landlords whose purchases are worth N60, 000.00 and N600, 000.00 respectively are entitled to double the basic benefits, and in subsequent multiples depending on the total amount of purchase.

Besides, tenants who buys the Santex paints worth N30,000 to paint his or her apartment gets free fire and burglary including house breaking insurance for the content in the apartment up to a limit of N1 million.

Omosehin said the company ventured into the partnership following its determination to increase the penetration level of insurance, so assured the company would continue to roll out products that will meet the needs of the Nigerian people.

Portland Paints and Products as a leader in the paint industry gives a good platform to get close to the people with excellent partnership ideas, quality, integrity and cooperation, Omosehin said.

Bayo Osibo, managing director, Portland Paints and Products said the strategic partnership with Mutual Benefits would increase the number of insured household, stating the paint products have got a wide market that would automatically expand insurance base.

According to Osibo, the moment you buy the paints up the minimum quantity prescribed for this package, you have automatic insurance, we will pay your premium.

The insurance cover is for a one year period, and is renewable by purchase of new paints up to the prescribed quantity.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

T

Yes to financial autonomy for local govt

he debate for the autonomy or otherwise of the nation's 774 local government has taken the front burner in the ongoing attempt at constitution amendment by the National Assembly. There is a groundswell of criticisms against the status quo where state governors rip-off the local councils through the joint accounts system.

The local government system was originally designed to bring government, nay development, closer to the people, but the joint account system has robbed the third tier of its independence, reducing the councils to mare appendages of the states for the governors to do as they please with their resources.

The current agitations for financial autonomy for the local government began with a bill on the matter forwarded to the National Assembly in the course of the constitution amendment by President Goodluck Jonathan. This is being vigorously pursued by the leadership of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON). But this proactive development is being opposed by the rapacious state governors.

Observers believe that putting the local governments in the country on a first line charge from the federation accounts and abolishing the State/LG joint

accounts would make it more desirable and responsive to the yearnings of the people. This, the proponents of local government financial autonomy believe, would translate into grassroots development.

Those opposed to autonomy to the councils anchor their argument on

“

It is also rightly argued that the joint account system is the reason why many governors have yet to conduct elections into the local government councils in their states, preferring instead to appointing care-taker committees, which is totally alien to the constitution of the country the fact that not a few local government leaders, in addition to lacking any ideas to generate funds internally, show up in their offices only when the monthly allocations are released to pay staff salaries, dispense patronage and then vanish, only to reappear the following month to carry out the same routine.

But those in favour of financial

OUR MISSION “To be the market place of ideas and the leading player in the industry by putting the people first, upholding the truth, maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards while delivering value to our stakeholders”

autonomy for the local governments argue that corruption at that level could be easily curtailed through routine auditing by the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation as well as the quick intervention by anti-graft agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) where and when the need arises.

It is also rightly argued that the joint account system is the reason why many governors have yet to conduct elections into the local government councils in their states, preferring instead to appointing care-taker committees, which is totally alien to the constitution of the country. And even when elections are conducted, the process is often a charade, as the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) only do the bidding of the governors, returning candidates of the ruling party in the state as winners. This is indeed a mockery of democracy in the country.

All said and done therefore, we want to urge the National Assembly to do the right thing by ignoring the state governors and ensure that the third tier of government, as enshrined in Section 7 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, is salvaged.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

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HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 13

Ensuring speedy justice for the detained A

By Olayemi Okeniyi

rguably one of the impediments to obtaining speedy justice in Nigeria is the mode of detention of the accused persons in prison without trial.

Even for the inmates awaiting trial, human rights' activists and civil society groups have observed that the prison conditions in the country are not conducive to rehabilitating them to be reintegrated into the society thereafter.

Past inmates also alluded to this observation as they claim that contrary to achieving rehabilitation and reintegration, accused are sent to prisons to suffer while most of them die physical or psychological deaths.

They state that it is shocking that aside overcrowding and rampant diseases among inmates, majority of the prisoners have not actually been convicted of any crime.

Corroborating their assertions, the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Prof.

Bem Angwe, estimates that more than 70 per cent of prisoners are awaiting trial in prisons.

According to him, most prisoners are kept in jail because their case files are either missing

By M.B.O Owolowo

A

depressing state of affairs in the leadership dearth is further compounded by a supposedly accidental president whom has been consistently criticized as lacking tact or initiative. He has unfeignedly appeared flummoxed ab initio without the critical portrayal characteristic of his antagonist’s.

His retinue of image launderers have been so preoccupied with defending absurdities that some have even resorted to fallacious ululation; or how does one explain the misinformation by the Minister of Information on his near death experience following the tragic loss of lives in the Bayelsa State air mishap . Other presidential aides have vainly attempted to justify the unjustifiable regarding the latest contretemps generated by the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident, as we were informed the president has ordered a probe into the accident; how comforting. What has been the outcome of the fuel subsidy probe that was initiated after some of us came out en masse remonstrating the proposed subsidy removal earlier in the year, as we optimistically (rather despondently) await the implementation of the report by the Nuhu Ribadu led Petroleum Task Force.

Even when the president’s critics have been implored to cut him some slack, he comes up with another absurdity. Still reeling from the N2 billion ($12.5 million) banquet hall and N16 billion ($100 million) vicepresidential abode, please note; the figure was N7 billion initially then it was appropriated with N9 billion being the recurring figure.

or the Investigation Police Officer handling their cases have been transferred.

He also raised concern about overcrowding, saying “143 prisons originally built to house 33,348 inmates currently holds more than 55,000 inmates.

“Out of this, more than 35,000 are awaiting trial and many of them have spent more than five years in custody while 9,900 have died while awaiting trial''.

He described the detention of non-convicted persons and bad prison living conditions as direct violations of human rights.

“Prison congestion shows a reckless disregard of Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution which states that a person shall be tried within two months from the date of his detention,'' he noted.

In an apparent response to various complaints arising from such issues, the Legal Aid Council was established pursuant to the promulgation of the Legal Aid Decree No. 56 of 1976 to render legal aid and access to justice to Nigerians.

Since its inauguration, one of the cardinal goals of the council is to decongest the prisons, according to the council Director-General, Mrs Joy Bob-Manuel who explained that providing free legal aid to the indigent to enhance

equality before the law is among the priorities of the council.

For effectiveness, Bob-Manuel said the council established offices in every part of the country including the state capitals and local government areas.

“We have opened law centres in 11 local governments; just as the Judiciary is opening Magistrates Courts, High Courts all over the place, we are trying to be closer to the people,'' she said.

The council's other functions include securing bail for accused persons in police custody and assisting widows in claiming their late husband's inheritance.

According to her, securing the services of lawyers in the council is made easy though application.

She said that the council was in the process of applying for the Apprenticeship Scheme Fund through which young lawyers would be recruited to render free services.

To ensure speedy justice and prison decongestion, she said that the council was not overlooking the benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which, according to her, can reform Nigeria's criminal justice system.

“ADR is one of the mechanisms being put in place to reduce the number of people being remanded in prison custody to await trial.

“It gives complainants and the accused the opportunity to resolve cases with the help of legal aid without the drawn-out court process.

“ADR is an alternative way of resolving disagreements out of court; it is a new phenomenon in the world and we have to get up to speed with the rest of the world.

“We know that there are cases that are not criminal, which should be settled with the complainant.

“We have discussed how slow our court system is, ADR is an easier way and quicker way to resolve such problems,'' she explained.

She said that often times, the window of opportunity to settle disputes was at the point of entry at the police station before charges were made.

She added that the council was targeting the window of opportunity by working with the police to reduce unnecessary workload and the number of prisoners through ADR. “The Legal Aid Council has a memorandum of understanding with the police on the use of our lawyers and ADR; the council is trying to turn it into a force order,'' she said.

Bob-Manuel also advised that the state attorneys-general should persuade governors to install software that could promote the

quick transfer of information.

She explained that such technology would reduce the incidence of paperwork getting lost, which is often a cause for delay in an accused person's trial.

She said the council was partnering with the police, law firms and other stakeholders to ensure the speedy dispensation of justice in Nigeria.

However, a legal consultant, Mr Anthony Agbonlahor, disagreed with Bob-Manuel on the effectiveness of the council.

Agbonlahor said the council should have established offices in all the prisons, saying `` you cannot wait for somebody that is in prison to come and tell you about their problems''.

He added that the process of determining if a person is a valid candidate for representation by the council, sometimes, worked to the detriment of the individual.

He cited the example of a person ejected by a landlord, saying if such a person applied to the council, the man's property should have been thrown out before approval.

Agbonlahor, however, said the council needs to be more proactive, and not just wait for people to come and seek help before it makes inquiries on prison conditions.

Olayemi is with NAN

But wait a minute, it wasn’t appropriated to N9 billion, rather it was appropriated by an additional N9 billion, bringing the total to N16 billion pending approval. Some of us were already imagining what other financial fatuity he was going to concoct; an additional N250 billion security budget to contend with the growing national insecurity that’s ironically meant to be under the purview of the Commander-in-Chief of the FRN or another grandiose increase in fuel prices, none of which would surprise me the slightest.

The latest faux pas is the appointment of Anthony Anenih as Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority, this especial appointment has deservedly created some furore in many quarters but the apparent expostulation isn’t primarily because of Pa Anenih’s ‘prime’ age of 79, but for his antecedents.

Some have raised issues concerning his notoriety, highlighting his public spat with Oshiomole for the Edo Gubernatorial elections including the claim by Orji Kalu and the “Bola Ige treatment” debacle.

However the most revealing censure was his involvement along with other ministers in a probe of financial impropriety within the transport sector. The damning report not only revealed how about N300 billion ($2b or £1.2b) was misappropriated during his tenure as Minister of Works and Housing but also the non-execution of the awarded contracts. As I often lament, its sombrous enough contracts are inflated in Nigeria but the non-

implementation is just taking the piss! Talk about being ‘raped’ by a boisterous ‘rapist’.

Some of the president’s supporters have even tried to draw a parallel between with the ages of Buhari and Anenih to justify the appointment. The argument is Buhari would be 73 if he decides to contest in 2015.

The Buhari chronicles has conveniently become the manual of recrudescence for the presidents sycophants. They often raise otiose innuendos trying to justify the constant abashment caused by their befuddled politico.

Personally, I have nothing against the older generation and I believe democracy should be all embracing. We wouldn’t be upholding the ideals of democracy if we marginalized a certain aspect of society.

There are some leadership examples in support of the older generation: President Jose Mujica of Uruguay is 77 now and he assumed office in 2010 when he was 75.

Nelson Mandela was also 75 when he became president in 1994, even if ceremoniously compensatory.

Another example is Alpha Conde of Guinea, who was 72 when he assumed his position as president in 2010. Despite being part of the opposition for decades of successive governments he wasn’t deterred, he contested and won. Conde is 74 now and very active in the administration of his presidential duties, he would be 76 at the end of his first term in 2014.

The youth are

understandably frustrated by the state of affairs, some youth are beginning to wonder if a certain clique from the older generation would willing quit the sociopolitical stage. Some of us have come to the realization the younger generation need to be actively involved pronto. The youth must appreciate they wouldn’t be given the opportunity or mantle of leadership on a silver platter; they must vehemently strive to prove their potential and mettle.

Though I am an advocate for the younger generation but also a realist, I would love to see a Rochas, Fashola or Ribadu at the helm of affairs but the reality is we still have some socio-political complexities we must contend with. For instance, can a Ribadu, Fashola or Rochas arrest some of our past presidents to give particular account of the $16 billion wasted on electricity or $12 billion Gulf War oil windfall?

Evidently there are some political dinosaurs in our milieu that should be jettisoned; they are preventing the involvement of new blood in our polity with their ill-gotten resources. Ideally they should be interrogated for squandering the nation’s commonwealth, but instead gallivant freely and are even celebrated in certain quarters.

In contrast, have the younger generation faired any better in positions of authority? James Ibori was 41 when he became Governor of Delta State in 1999 and was in office till 2007. We all know where he is spending his Christmas at the moment and I

don’t believe he has ulterior plans for the New Year.

Coincidentally this is not the first time he is spending the yuletide behind bars; this commendable feat was orchestrated by Ribadu in 2007.

Ribadu belongs to the next crop of aspiring leaders and is a plus to the younger generation unlike our president.

Ostensibly, the president can’t excogitate anything meaningful or productive because his thought processes aren’t in tandem with economic realities and the hardships faced by those he is meant to be serving. A good leader is meant to be the servant of his/ her followers, making necessary sacrifices to achieve greater objectives for the common good.

So it’s not a ‘my turn to chop’ tenure Sir! The president shied away from the presidential debates during elections and preferred to dialogue with a local artist. He is reaping the consequences of his poor public relations, notably the indecorous response to publicly declaring his assets: “I don’t give a damn”. The depletion of the Excess Crude Account, supplementary budget for fuel subsidy and the apparent exculpation of subsidy thieves aren’t helping his case.

In view of these contrastive points, age isn’t an equitable criterion in determining performance in office. Everyone whether young or old should be free to contest for any political office; the electorate will decide who they want. If the electorate would have a fair say in determining who rules them is another intricacy entirely.

The Presidents probity perplexity

PAGE 14

By Paul Uwadima

I

n "Niger State: Where Billboards Supplant Dividends of Democracy" written by Abdulkadir Isa and published in Peoples Daily of Tuesday, December 25, 2012, the author wrote a feature article that was dripping with bias and misinformation from the beginning to the end.

There was no doubt that the author was out to do a hatchet job for his pay masters who are too blind to see the immense contributions of the administration of Chief Servant Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, to the development of the state since May 29, 2007.

In a modern world where politics are driven by the media and the most successful politicians are those who are media savvy, like President Barack Obama of the United States and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom, the author tries to ridicule the governor for his ever media presence. In the United States, Barack Obama spent $745million to be elected president in 2008 and for his reelection campaign in 2012 he got close to a $1billion and most of that spent on the media. The Republican Party on the other hand spent $800million to stop Obama's re-election bid. Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu is so intellectually endowed, that he cannot be media shy. Actually it is those who are empty and has nothing to say that are media shy. Aliyu's intellectual mien makes him, a reporter's delight especially for those reporters that know their onions. So for Abdulkadir Isa and "senior

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Re: Niger state: Where billboards supplant dividends of democracy colleague Hannatu Musawa" Talba Minna, as a leader who has Treasure" was apt because of the to describe Aliyu " as a man neglected the agricultural sector, renewed determination by his 'suffering from diarrhea of the Isa wrote, "The state also has the administration to strengthen mouth'", apparently because of his largest concentration of Shea the economic base of the state media visibility and often butter trees, Moringa plant and through the abundant shea nuts boisterous comments on regional thousands of acres of swampy in the state.

According and national issues, to him "the is an insult to theme is j o u r n a l i s m v e r y profession that itself appropriate survives by Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text a n d providing platform messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written significant for the cross contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 considering fertilization of ideas. our desire Besides, as the words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and to achieve chairman of the a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed s o c i o Northern States to: economic G o v e r n o r s development Forum(NSGF),since The Editor, using agro 2007, Aliyu is the Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, a l l i e d face of the North with 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. industries all of its Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com a s developmental and SMS: 07037756364 premium security challenges, vehicle for which confers on him higher media visibility and areas suitable for rice and sugar the industrial development of access than any other Northern cane cultivation as well as fish our state". So much for a Governor since 2007. At home farming". If the author's mission governor that ignores the and abroad anytime the issue was not to misinform and perhaps economic potential of shea dwells on Northern development, malign the Chief Servant, a little butter in his state.

Isa also wants the world to Aliyu's views are sort, as one of journalistic inquiry would have the preeminent leaders of the revealed to him that under the believe that Governor Aliyu has leadership of Aliyu, Niger State been neglecting the tourism region.

And Aliyu does not only talk has consistently emerged the sector in the state, but nothing the talk, he also walk the talk and country's largest producer of rice. could be more further from the Recently, Aliyu organized a truth, as he has done a lot to it is therefore uncharitable to claim that in over five years of National Shea Butter Conference promote the sector including the development the Chief Servant's and Exhibition in Minna where administration of Niger State, all he maintained that agro of Gurara Waterfalls which Isa he had to show for it are billboards, products remain the nucleus of mentioned among the potential yet this was a man that was the vision of the state to be one of tourism havens in the state. overwhelmingly reelected in the three top economies in the Aliyu has not only built a road to link the Gurara Waterfalls country.

2011 by Nigerlites.

He said the theme of the Resort, his administration has While trying to portray the Chief Servant, who is also the conference, "Shea The Hidden entered into a Private Public

WRITE TO US

Partnership (PPP) arrangement to turn it into a viable revenue earner for the state. The strategic development of the Tourism and Culture sector is one of the key ways the governor is using to boost the revenue base of the state. Through the PPP model, the state government is pursuing the execution of the following projects: the Zuma Rock Tourist Resort Village; Suleja Twin City Development; Zungeru Colonial Ruins Development Project; and the Gurara Water Falls Resort.

"It is amazing that the Chief Servant, who regularly uses the Minna-Suleja road to and fro Abuja to mop the monthly federal allocation, never seem embarrassed by the grave-sized potholes that 'decorate' the length of the road. The Suleja road is just one of the many infrastructures crying for the Chief Servant to redefine his idea of development", writes Isa. While noting that Aliyu goes to Abuja through Suleja road, Isa conveniently failed to reveal that Niger State receives one of the least federal allocations for a state of its size and population: Niger State is the largest state in the country.

With its meager allocation, it is preposterous to expect it to use its resources to rebuild the SulejaMinna road that is a federal road.

Paul Uwadima Writes from No. 36 Marte Close, Garki 2, Abuja. He is also on facebook, Email: pauluwadima@yahoo.com

Working towards equitable port charges in Nigeria

By Oluyinka Fadare

S

hippers are complaining about what they describe as the arbitrary port charges emanating from bureaucracy, terminal operators and the multinational shipping companies.

They say as a result of the charges, Nigerian ports are tagged the most expensive in the world, and this is causing sleepless nights for the shippers.

Available records also show that Nigerian shippers are losing N65.4 billion annually to the port charges, thereby causing Nigeria to lose the bulk of its shipping businesses to neighbouring countries.

For this reason, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) took up the challenge by publishing a list of 40 unapproved port charges.

These include terminal handling charges, container deposit, container clearing, shipping company charges, demurrage charges, and cost-onturnover.

Others are transfer documentation charges, transfer charges, rent charges, equipment charges, manifest amendment charges and tally clerk charges.

With the list, the former Minister of Transport, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, issued an order for the cancellation of 12 of the unofficial charges.

Efforts at reducing the alleged arbitrary charges so far made notwithstanding, the Senate Committee on Marine Transport recently visited Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Lagos and sought a way forward.

Mrs Zainab Kure, the Chairman of the committee, said the group had been inundated with complaints of arbitrary charges in Nigerian ports.

She stated that the reports the committee received on such charges were disturbing, saying "there is no doubt that a commercial regulator is needed in the maritime industry''.

However, Mr Zebulon Ikokide, the President, Institute of Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (IFFN), said the private terminal operators had not imposed arbitrary charges, adding that allegations of arbitrary charges being made by some port operators were untrue.

"There is nothing like arbitrary port charges as the terminal operators are not charging beyond what has been approved by government,'' he

said.

Ikokide said that the NPA had reduced all port charges by more than 30 per cent at the start of the concession.

He said that concessionaires were, however, allowed to increase the charges after two years with the permission of the Federal Government.

"The concessionaires wrote to the Federal Government which approved 20 per cent increase in port charges.

"This is not arbitrary or exorbitant, but within the provisions of the concession agreement with the government,'' the IFFN president said.

Ikokide said that there was the need for a commercial regulator in the industry to handle complaints in respect of the port charges.

Mr. John Ofobike, Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Apapa Chapter, however, insisted that the concessionaires were imposing arbitrary charges.

Ofobike claimed that the operators were not offering quality services, but wanted to recoup their investments in two to three years without waiting for the 15 to 20 years as stipulated

by government.

"The concession agreement says that on no account should you unilaterally jerk up your rates without due process and notifying all stakeholders.

"I have been the chairman of ANLCA since 2003, long before the private operators came and I am talking authoritatively that we need a commercial regulator.

"Before the concessionaires came, the NPA was charging N750 daily for a 20 ft. container to stay at the ports and N1,500 for a 40 ft. container.

"The concessionaires started by charging the same rate as the NPA initially, but later started charging N2,500 per 20 ft. container in a day and N6,000 for a 40 ft. container.

"They came again and charged N6,000 for a 20 ft. container and N10,000 for a 40 ft. container per day, now they have jerked it up again.

"Now, a 20 ft. container attracts a charge of N8, 000 and a 40 ft. container attracts N12, 000 per day as demurrage with other port charges inclusive, is that not exorbitant,'' Ofobike asked..

Consequently, the maritime stakeholders have raised concern about the charges levied by port

concessionaires and shipping companies.

At a forum in Lagos, the stakeholders explained that port concession had not reduced the cost of doing business in Nigerian ports.

A maritime lawyer, Emeka Akabogu, argued at the forum that due to the high charges incurred by importers and exporters, most of them preferred taking their cargoes through the ports in neighbouring countries to reduce cost.

However, Mr Olayiwola Shittu, the president of ANLCA, suggested that the e-payment mode should be adopted as another way of eradicating illegal and duplicated charges.

Irrespective of all the arguments, industry experts observe that the situation is aggravated by the absence of a commercial regulator; the failure to pass the Port and Harbour Bill; and the inability to pass the National Transport Commission Bill.

They suggest that there should be a legal backing for the port reform programme and the appointment of a commercial regulator to regulate port charges.

Oluyinka Fadare is with NAN

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 15

Dr. Bukar Usman: A book patron at 70

By Khalid Imam “Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

F

amed for his distinguished accomplishments in the public service, Dr. Bukar Usman, OON, a retired Federal Permanent Secretary who enjoyed a successful career spanning over three decades, is an elder statesman, who, in spite of his high place in the society, opts to live a simple and quiet life as if he will die the next second; and more interestingly, the elderly senior citizen continues to veraciously seek for knowledge as if he will live forever.

Humble, simple, taciturn and generous would be the best descriptions of this seasoned technocrat whose selfless resilience in the service of his mother land and humanity saw him soared to the apex pyramid of his career before his peaceful retirement in April, 1999.

Chief Obafemi Awalowo was right for philosophically asserting that, “The battle of life does not go to the faster or stronger man, but soon or later, the man who wins, is the man who thinks he can.”

Everyone who knows Dr. Usman, an astute administrator, during his active service years, would not hesitate to concur that he had faultlessly served with unrelenting zeal and zest simply because he strongly believes success is his counting on God’s guidance and assistance.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, one cannot help

By Anthony Chuka Konwea, P.E.

A

s we celebrate Christmas, what lesson should we draw from Zechariah’s sentence concerning God’s impending judgment on us when we die?”

It is Christmas. It is that season of the year when we Christians celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t know about you, but the period between Xmas and the New Year is also the time when I step back a bit and take stock of my activities during the year. I recall my successes and failures during the out-going year and map out plausible activity road maps for the coming year.

Now I have a confession to make. I am a music addict. Let me correct this. I am a very selective bipolar music addict. I am addicted to classical white and classical black music. On the white side, my addiction tends to select symphonies, concertos and operatic works of the great masters Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, and Puccini etc. On the black side, my addiction tends to select classical roots reggae. I even consider myself as an amateur subauthority on roots reggae.

For me, music with profound artistic merit is both a stimulant and an inspiration. The type of music I listen to at any given

“

summing up the years of this eminent son of Arewa’s decades in the public service as productive years of incorruptibility, commitment, diligence, competence, selflessness, efficiency and fear of God. In appreciation of his many positive contributions to the development of Nigeria and humanity, in 2000, the Federal Government deservedly honored him with one of the highest medals in the land, Officer of the Oder of the Niger, OON. Both in active service and now in retirement, Dr. Usman, has distinguished himself as a rare gem and a patriotic Nigerian whose unquenchable thirst to serve Nigeria and humanity is unmatched and unsurpassed. Dr. Usman, an erudite intellectual, well-armed with Phd, has been a great reservoir of knowledge, whose regular interventions and informed commentaries on public policy issues further wet the farmland of public policy debates.

Dr. Bukar Usman, born on December10, 1942, at the ancient Biu town, in the far north- eastern state of Borno is a complete Nigeria who, as a young man and adult, studied, interacted and lived in both the north and the south. Little wonder, he has an unbreakable chains of friends, colleagues and associates across the divides.

Dr. Usman, is by all estimation, a public administrator per excellence, a committed community leader, a renowned public commentator and a prolific author of dozens of books. Among some of his critical works and public policy related books were: The Interface of the Muse &

Government Protocol (Literature/ Criticism), Klamidas, 1998; Press, Policy & Responsibility (Media), Klamidas, 1999; Democracy, Human Rights and National Stability (Politics/ Development) Klamidas, 1999; Voices in a Choir: Issues in Democratization and National Stability in Nigeria (Compilation of the author’s articles on the subject), Klamidas, 1999; Dreams and Realities, Issues in Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee Independence Anniversary, Klamidas, 2010; Globalization and the World After Mubarak and Gaddafi, Klamidas, 2012, among many others.

As a writer-cum-folklorist, the consummate Dr. Usman, has great passion for Hausa language, culture and folktales, a drive which motivated him to churn out over sixteen series of thrilling books of Hausa tales, well-crafted and published in Hausa and English languages. Not yet done, he recently produced an inarguably largest compendium of Hausa folktales collection entitled: Taskar Tatsuniyoyi Littafi Na Daya Zuwa Na Goma Sha Hudu).

Today, without sounding hyperbolic, Dr. Usman, a blue blooded Biu man, has proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is the single most generous river channel watering the seemingly drought-stricken farm of Hausa folkloric genre. Amazingly, the folklorist Dr. Usman’s volumes of Hausa tale books have been well received by scholars, critics and students both within Nigeria and beyond its shores as critical treatises on his tales were produced by many critics and scholars. Below are a few examples

of works written to by scholars and reseachers: Taskar Al’ada Da Tarihi Da Nishadi: Kammalallen Sharhin Littattafan Tatsuniyoyin Na Dakta Bukar Usman, Girl-Child Rights in Bukar Usman’s Hausa Folktales, etc.

Dr. Bukar Usman, a silent achiever and generous philanthropist, is the President of Dr. Bukar Usman Foundation, an Abuja based NGO, which he initiated to still give back to the society especially in the areas of education, health, community development, etc. Through this foundation, Dr. Bukar Usman, has been touching many lives especially the less privileged members of the society.

Today, as a book patron, no single individual alive, in my reckoning, has willingly offer himself as a strong pillar of financial support for many academic scholars, researchers, undergraduate students, critics and younger writers writing or conducting research in the indigenous languages especially in the field of Hausa studies like Dr. Usman. Moreover, young Hausa creative writers have been in the forefront among those benefiting from Dr. Usman’s tireless financial support. His exemplary patronage of purchasing large number of copies young authors’ works, which he freely distributed to public schools across the north, is legendary and unrivalled.

To further promote academic excellence in the studies of indigenous languages in our universities, for many years, Dr. Bukar Usman, has quietly

instituted a prize for the best Hausa graduating student in Usman Dan Fodio University, and many others. Delightfully, recently he has added Kaduna State University on the list of his philanthropic support. A renowned Lagos based poet, Odia Ofeimun, was right by stressing that, “Any person who cannot speak his mother tongue is half a person.”

Interestingly, at the time many of our western educated elites take extreme pride in the supporting English language and other foreign languages to swallow our indigenous languages, the proactive Dr. Bukar Usman, is single-handedly provide Hausa language, the only lingua franca unifying all the inhabitants of northern Nigeria, a lifejacket.

Since the intellectual mind always feeds on books, Okechuku Uwaezuoke of Thisday newspaper was apt by describing the brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous and quiet elder statesman, who recently locked seventy, as a writer whose “enthusiasm for the literary arts is yet to wane.”

Finally, as I join numerous well-wishers to celebrate and wish Dr. Usman more selfless and healthy years of unrelenting service to Nigeria and humanity, I conclude by echoing Uwaezuoke’s words by praying that “may the muse continue to abide with Dr. Usman,” to churn more books and informed articles for us, the youth who always feel enriched drinking from his pot of wisdom.

Khalid Imam teaches at Girls Science College, Garko- Kano

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you shall name him John”……………….Then Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel said to him in reply, “I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.

But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”’

Next let us consider the announcement of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ from the latter part of the same Chapter 1 of Luke’s Gospel. ‘In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming to her, he said “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.”

But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. Then the angel said to her.

“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever and of his kingdom there will be no end.

But Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be since I have no relations with a man? And the angel said to her in reply, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God…………Mary said “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.’

Now what is going on here?

At first glance, both Zechariah and Mary expressed fear, astonishment and surprise at the angel Gabriel’s extraordinary news.

Both demanded to know how what was humanly impossible could be achieved through them given their respective prevailing circumstances.

But while Zechariah’s doubt was severely punished, Mary’s questioning was met with complete reassurance. Who am I to question God, but was God showing double standards here, favoring Mary while sentencing Zechariah?

Zechariah’s Sentence

time is often a fair reflection of my mood and circumstances.

And so, I have observed quite paradoxically that I tend to listen to classical music when I am sated, relaxed, contented with myself, at peace with my environment and want to ‘step it up’. On the other hand I generally listen to roots reggae when I am agitated, stressed up and want to ‘simmer it down’.

During the outgoing year, I mentally note that I have mostly listened to roots reggae music.

Yes this year was that sort of year!!!

Even as I write this I am listening to a very rare and excellent 1978(?) piece by a relatively obscure reggae group going by the name Cultural Roots. The track is titled ‘Jah No Partial’ immediately followed by its excellent dub version both of which I am playing together with a few other very rare tracks – namely ‘Babylon’ by Johnny Clarke + its Dub Version, ‘Rastaman’ by Earl Sixteen + its Dub Version, ‘Jah Jah Send Dem Come’ by Linval Thompson + its Dub Version, ‘Red Eyes’ by Vivian Jones + its Dub Version, ‘Fly Me Away’ by Junior Brown + its Dub Version – in an endless loop.

Now during the course of the last three weeks or so, the

Catholic Church, that venerable two millenniums old institution, in her traditional manner has been preparing her faithful, for Xmas by presenting to them at Daily Mass, Gospel readings which anticipate the birth of Christ. Two of such readings struck me profoundly. Both are taken from the first Chapter of the Gospel According to Luke.

First let us consider the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist. The following excerpts are taken from the New American Bible (St Joseph Edition). ‘In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah…..his wife was from the daughters of Aaron and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.

But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God……..he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him……….Zechariah was troubled by what he saw and fear came upon him.

The Presidents probity perplexity The president must realise he has mounted the saddle of leadership at a very crucial juncture in our subsistence as a great nation; his executive position requires responsibility and accountability to the whole country and not just a segment.

Our size and diversity if properly harnessed and managed can have positive impacts on not just the country but the entire continent. My friends and colleagues from other parts of the continent often wonder if Nigeria understands the special position it is in and the pivotal role it can play in continental advancement: the world is watching.

Following a nexus of executive

gaffes some of those who voted for him have been honest enough to admit their folly, whilst those blinded by bigotry and hate continue in their recalcitrance. I laugh when I read comments like “we voted for Jonathan not PDP” Seriously! Er! Let’s try explaining that to a 12 year old succinctly.

However, I am dismayed when I read comments like “We don’t care who is president, as long as it’s not a Northerner or Muslim” Seriously!!! Have some of us truly lost our sense of reasoning to the extent of not brooding beyond these platitudinous polarities?

Can’t we be reasonably fair and objective by calling what is good, good and what is bad, bad?

Crucially, the sooner we rise above religious and ethnic bigotry the

better; else we would be back in the same retrogressive quagmire come 2015. We would have no one to blame but ourselves as the corrupt continue to ravage our resources.

Pathetically, it appears the only thing our thieving democrats care concerned about are their bank account balances, the masses can go to blazes for all they care.

The reality is only the conscientious intellectuals amongst us can initiate change, but we seriously need to reorientate the masses for they are the primary impetus driving the noble cause for change. Nigeria will be great I have no doubt but not with this current crop of pillagers; it may be the coming generations that would reap the rewards of the valiant era that fought to redefine the status quo with ‘enough is enough’ GOD Bless you all and Nigeria!

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention an unhealthy state of things.” – Winston Churchill

Re: Niger state: Where billboards supplant dividends of democracy Of course one is not unaware of the fact that some states, especially in the South-South; for obvious reasons, have gone out of their way to rebuild or rehabilitate federal roads hoping for a refund later by the federal government, but Niger State cannot afford such luxury. In any case the road in question is already being expanded by the federal government and if the author had visited the state, he would have noticed that work is ongoing from the Maje end of the road at Suleja.

If Isa is so concerned about the road, he should put his energy to work by pressurizing the federal government to make the contractors to expedite action on the road. But no one can deny the fact that nationwide most federal roads are in deplorable conditions due to many years of neglect.

The chief Servant has done a lot given the resources of the state to facilitate the infrastructural development of the state and there are not enough billboards to announce them to the doubting Thomases.

In the effort to reduce the housing deficit in the state, the state government embarked on construction of 500 units

General Wushishi housing estate Minna, 500 unit Talba housing estate, 250 unit Aliyu Makama estates in Bida; 250 unit Sani Bello housing estate kontagora and 500 unit housing estate in Suleja.

Already the government has constructed and commissioned the 500 unit General Wushishi housing estate at Minna.

In the education sector, it is the policy of the administration to settle NECO and WAEC exam fees for all students in public schools irrespective of state of origin. He capped this with the introduction of free primary and secondary education for all residents of Niger State, also irrespective of state of origin.

Other measures taken to reposition education in the state include construction of students' hostels at the state college of Education (CDE), Minna; provision of over 15,000 set of school furniture for pupils/ students and over 1500 teachers recruited to boost education, while the morale of nonindigenous teachers was boosted by the removal of contract appointments for them, as they were given permanent and pensionable appointment. There is not enough space to itemize the achievements of the Chief Servant but any unbiased

assessor will acknowledge the fact that Aliyu has done well. Thanks to the tenacity of the Chief Servant, Niger State will soon join the league of oil producing states in the country, as the government's sponsored effort has led to the discovery of oil at commercial quantity. This will no doubt led to a quantum leap in internally generated revenue that will boost the state's economy and improve the standard of living of the people.

As for Isa's insinuation that, "Talba's alleged dream for a future national assignment isn't going to be merry-go-round as usual". Sorry to disappoint you, as there is substance and genuine need of the Chief Servant at the national stage.

Those of us who have been observing him from afar and have noted his leadership qualities want him in Abuja, after he finished with his mandate in Minna. In 2015, the country does not need an ethnic or religious bigot as President.

What this country needs is a leader who will be fair to all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic and religious differences. And when you are looking for a leader who will lead in 2015 with the fear of God and who will be fair to all Nigerians in his decisions, look no further than, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu.

Paul Uwadima Writes from No. 36 Marte Close, Garki 2, Abuja. He is also on facebook, E m a i l :

Zechariah’s Sentence Engr. A. C. Konwea, P.E. ackonwea@gmail.com

I am not a theologian, far from it. I do not claim to speak in whatever form or manner with the authority of or for the Catholic Church, however some Catholic priests and theologians have pointed to the fact of the circumstantial backgrounds of Zechariah and Mary to explain their differing fates. Zechariah was a priest. As such by his calling and training he should have been well versed with God’s Laws, God’s power and God’s majesty.

As a priest Zechariah would no doubt have preached to the people in the past about the necessity of having faith in God. Here he was, a leading priest expressing doubt. Mary on the other hand was a rustic virgin, who most likely would have been ill exposed to formal training and erudition. Immediately the angel explained the extraordinary divine mechanism by which she a virgin was to give birth without knowing a man, she questioned no more but said “let it be done unto me according to your word.”

The next point to be noted of course is the venue of visitation.

Zechariah was visited in the holy of holies, the most sacred spot in the temple. That fact alone should have mitigated his doubt.

Mary was visited presumably at her home. Finally we should note that Zechariah in his unbelief actually demanded a proof. In other words he actually put God to the test. What he got from God was a harsh sentence.

As we celebrate Christmas, what lesson should we draw from Zechariah’s sentence concerning God’s impending judgment on us when we die?

Well it is clear to me that God judges each one according to his peculiar circumstance. In other words, to whom much is given, much is expected. We can necessarily draw the conclusion that for the same sin committed, parents or guardians, leaders in all walks of life, the talented and the wealthy should expect to receive a much harsher judgment from God than children, followers, the simple and the poor.

Now, although this writer is very fond of classical roots reggae music, I make haste to publicly declare here, lest God accuses me on judgment day of leading many astray, that I consider the entire ideology upon which the Rastafarian culture is built particularly the divinity of Emperor Haile Selassie and the celebration of marijuana or weeds or roots or sensimelea or lambsbread or “Igbo,” call it what you may, as utter balderdash. I have never smoked weed and will never encourage anyone to smoke weeds no matter the circumstance.

Indeed on this point it should be noted that reggae masters have perhaps the lowest longevity compared to artists in other musical genres. Indeed these masters of roots reggae have one thing in common. Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Prince Far I, I-Roy, Jacob Miller, King Tubby, Sugar Minott, Culture, Mikey Dread, Hugh Mundell, Augustus Pablo, Lacksley Castell, Vivian Jackson (Yabby You), Peter Tosh, Bim Sherman etc. These men are all dead. They died mostly in their prime from illnesses, violence and accidents.

But as the Igbos of Nigeria as aptly quoted by Chinua Achebe would say, if an udala (cherry) fruit falls near a mound of excrement, you close your eyes, pick up the fruit, and wash it thoroughly before eating it.

So as I continue to savor my endless loop of roots reggae music – my stress step down

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 2012

N50m properties lost in Zuba fruit market

By Usman Shuaibu

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roperty worth over N50 million have been destroyed by a fire that engulfed the Zuba fruit market in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Disclosing this in an

interview with Peoples Daily in Zuba, the treasurer of the market, Alhaji Adamu Aliyu, pointed out that the incident occurred at 1:00am in the morning.

He said that over 100 shops were damaged while about 150 people were displaced to due to the fire disaster.

He revealed that the actual cause of fire disaster cannot be ascertained, as an investigation was in top gear by the management of the market.

The treasurer, therefore, appealed to the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi to

Gbagyi women in a cultural display recently in Abuja.

provide the relief materials, as well as fund for the victims of the fire incident to better their lives.

Reacting to the situation during a visits tot her market, the Chairman of the Area Council, Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi to do everything possible to assist the victims.

Photo: Josephine Ella Ejeh

Clergymen advise Christians to tolerant one another

By Usman Shuaibu

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he Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Gwagwalada Area Council, Rev. J.A. Ayotunde and the Associate Pastor of the Redeemed Christian church in Kwali Area Council, Pastor Samson Mangut have advised the Christians across the country to tolerant one another irrespective of their different

denominations.

The two Pastors, who gave the advice while speaking to People Daily in separate interviews during the Christmas celebration, also urged the Christians to follow the footsteps of Jesus Christ throughout their life time.

Ayotunde appealed to the Christian faithful to desist from drinking alcohols warned youths against immoral acts.

He also called on the religious leaders across the nation to avoid exploiting their church members to accumulate wealth for themselves, advising them to endeavour to preach the gospel of salvation as contained in the Bible.

While speaking on the corruption, the cleric urged Nigerian government to continue to fight corruption in the country, noted that Nigeria

would not make any meaningful progress if those holding public offices were corrupt.

Mangut, who is also the General Co-ordinator of Teenagers of All Nations Ministries (TANAM) in charge of North Central Zone, used the festivities to remind Christians all over the country to gear towards the teaching of Jesus Christ at all times.

Hotel operators decry low patronage; reduce prices to attract more customers

B

arely four days to Christmas, hotel operators in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) have reduced their charges to attract more customers, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A survey carried out by NAN in Abuja revealed that the operators took the measure due to low patronage being experienced by most hotels as a result of the yuletide.

Mr Emmanuel Nwaubani, the Manager, Immaculate Suites and Apartments, said that the hotel had reduced all its charges by 30 per cent with effect from December 21, 2012.

“We have been experiencing low patronage in the past few days, so we decided to reduce all charges by 30 per cent to attract more customers. We are also trying to encourage people to use the Christmas season to relax out of their homes with their family,’’ he said.

Our correspondent, who visited Valencia and Rockview Hotels, reports they have effected a 20 per cent reduction in their rates.

The Public Relations Officer of Valencia hotel, Mr Imoh Akpan, said that the reduction “is our little way of helping our customers to celebrate Christmas, while doing business’’.

Akpan said that one of the products introduced by the hotel known as “Bonanza Room Tariff’’ would run from December 20 to January 6, 2012.

He said the hotel had reduced its standard room rates from N38,000 to N23,000 while superior rooms now go for N25,000 instead of N39,000.

Similarly, the rate for the Grande, Bus-suite and Exec-suite has been reduced from N44,000, N60,000 and N65,000 to N30.000, N40.000 and N45.000 respectively.

Akpan noted that the hotels usually experience low patronage during Christmas because “Abuja is a civil servant town’’.

“Most people travel out of Abuja for Christmas, so all we have to do to stay in business is to reduce prices to attract more customers. We promise our customers a delightful and enjoyable Christmas and prosperous New Year celebrations from enjoying our services’’. (NAN)

Abuja residents celebrate Xmas amid fuel scarcity

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he perennial fuel scarcity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) persisted on Tuesday as the Christians celebrate Christmas.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that most filling stations in the territory had no fuel to sell, while the few ones that were selling had to contend with long queues of motorists.

Such queues were noticed at

the Forte filling station, NNPC mega-station and Total Filling station, all in the Central Business District of Abuja.

The situation at the AP filling station in Maitama District was slightly better, as the queue there was not too long.

However, some motorists told NAN that they seized the opportunity of the Christmas holiday to fill their tanks.

Mr Samuel Ogah, a civil servant, said that it had become somewhat difficult to get fuel on a normal working day, as there was often a higher demand for the product.

“You know work will resume on Thursday; so, I want to seize this opportunity to fill my tank,’’ he added.

However, Mr Andrew Omoh, a lawyer, expressed

disappointment at the fuel situation.

He wondered why the authorities could not make fuel readily available, particularly at a time when people were celebrating Christmas.

Nevertheless, the fuel situation did not prevent fun seekers from visiting recreation centres across the territory.

The Wonderland

Amusement Park along the Airport Road witnessed an appreciable turnout of people.

An official of the park, Mr Godwin Amodu, told NAN that the Yuletide period was always a busy season at the park.

“We always look forward to this season because of high patronage but the Boxing Day is usually more lucrative for us,’’ Amodu said. (NAN)

PAGE 18

INSIDE FCT COURTS Man, 28, accused of defrauding contractor

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28-year-old man, Harrison Ezekwem, of Sarah Housing Estate, Gwarimpa, Abuja, is standing trial before an Abuja Magistrates Court for allegedly cheating a contractor of N77,000.

Police Prosecutor, Salisu Mohammed told the court that Emenike Okereke of Lungu Village, Gwarimpa, reported the case at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on December 3, 2012.

Mohammed said the complainant alleged that the accused awarded him N350,000 contract to drill a bore hole for him.

He alleged that the accused paid him N273,000 after he had dug the bore hole to water level, with a promise to pay the balance of N77,000 after the completion of work.

Mohammed said the accused, defaulted in paying the balance.

The prosecutor said the offence contravenes the provisions Section 322 of the Penal Code, but the accused pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Magistrate Asamau Akabi granted Ezekwem bail in the sum of N50,000 with one reasonable surety in like sum.

Akabi ordered that the surety must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and adjourned further hearing in the case to January 24, 2013. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27 2012

52-year-old man in prison for duping Army Colonel of N.42m A

n Upper Area Court sitting in Gwagwalada area of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) has remanded a 52-year-old man

in prison custody for allegedly duping an army officer, Colonel N.A Abdulrahim, of the sum of N425,000.

The man, Bartholomew Eiben, of Angwan Doka, New Nyanya in Nasarawa state was arraigned on a three count-charge of criminal

conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Police Prosecutor, Corporal Iliya Maji, told the court that in May 2011, the accused person criminally conspired with one Frank, now at large and collected the N425,000 from the colonel.

Maji said that both Eiben, and Frank collected the money on the pretext that they were going to drill a bore hole for the complainant.

However, the court was told that the accused persons refused to do the job for which they had collected the money.

He said they rather converted the money into their own personal use.

The case was reported at the Police Command Office in Gwagwalada by Abdulrahim of first Division Medical Store, Nigerian Army Kano and Kaduna.

However, Eiben pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor then asked for an adjournment to enable him bring his witness to testify.

The Judge, Malam Babaginda Hassan, said the offence of cheating was not ordinarily bailable and, therefore, ordered that the accused should be remanded in prison custody.

He advised the counsel to the accused to put his application for bail in writing and adjourned the case to January 23, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo Teenager held A young boy hawking sachet water, yesterday in Bwari, Abuja. for allegedly Phone repairer arraigned for breach of trust, cheating stealing he Police have arraigned December 19, 2012.

Adamu said.

Senior Magistrate Celestine cellphone one Michael Ndukwe of The prosecutor said that Odo granted bail to Ndukwe in Adamu said that on March

A

painter, Kenneth Gabriel, 19, has appeared before an Abuja Magistrates Court , charged with snatching a Nokia cellphone valued at N16,000.

Gabriel pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Prosecutor, Corporal Samuel Emmanuel, told the court that one Esther Ndukwe reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station on December 14, 2012.

“The complainant boarded a tricycle with the accused from Karmo Village. The accused alighted at Airport Junction, and snatched the phone. The accused ran into the bush afterward but was apprehended by good Samaritans who witnessed the incident.’’

Magistrate, Asma’u Akanbi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N40,000 and one surety in like sum.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused was, however, remanded in prison as he was not able to meet up with the bail conditions.

The case was adjourned to January 24, 2012 for hearing.

(NAN)

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Kado Village, Abuja before an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for alleged breach of trust and cheating.

Police Prosecutor, Mr Abdullahi Adamu, told the court that the case was reported by one Victor Duke of the Federal Housing Authority, Lugbe, Abuja on

8, Duke entrusted two Nokia phones to Ndukwe who works as a phone engineer to help him repair the phones.

“Duke paid the sum of N3,500 to Ndukwe as workmanship for the repair of the phones but Ndukwe converted both the phones and money to his personal use,’’

during investigations, Ndukwe admitted to collecting the phones and money from Duke.

He said that the offence contravened sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Ndukwe pleaded not guilty to the allegations levelled against him.

the sum of N50,000 with a surety in like sum who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Odo said that the surety must attach his passport photograph alongside that of the accused on the bail bond and adjourned the case till February 4, 2013. (NAN)

Woman in court for allegedly defrauding man of N6 million

A

woman, Ruth Samuel, of Mararaba in Nasarawa state has appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) for alleged forgery and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Mr Stephen Eimoga, told the court that one Emeka Amoji of C64, Phase 2 Kurudu Post Housing Scheme, Abuja, reported the case at the Karu Police Station on December 19, 2012 Eimoga said that Samuel collected six million naira to

purchase four containers for Amoji through one Oko Ofeka and one Sylvester.

He added that the accused forged documents for the containers which she gave to Amoji and told him that the containers were kept at Tincan Island Port, Lagos.

“On reaching Lagos to trace the containers, Amoji did not see any of the four containers. All efforts to get the containers or his money from the accused, proved abortive. The two-count charge contravene sections 364 and 322 of the Penal

Code,’’ Eimoga said.

Counsel to the accused, Charles Acholo told the court that his client was nursing a five-month-old baby and therefore appealed to the court to release her on bail.

He also assured the court that reasonable sureties would be provided if his bail application was approved by the court.

Eimoga, however, opposed the bail application, stressing that the matter was still under investigation and that granting bail to the accused

might tamper with police investigation.

The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N6.5 million, with two reasonable sureties who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Kagarko also ordered that the sureties must present passport photographs and produce evidence of being resident within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to February 4, 2012 for hearing. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 17

It was so much fun for children yesterday at popular relaxation spots in the Federal Capital Territory as they joined their loved ones to celebrate Boxing Day. Our photo journalist, Mahmud Isa captured the trills and frills

Millennium Park

Maitama Amusement Park Maitama Amusement Park

Wonderland

Millennium Park

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 21

SON introduces mobile petroleum laboratory

Mob: 08033644990

Nigeria can generate 10,000 MW from coal – PTFP From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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he Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) has expressed optimism that Nigeria can generate between 7,000 and 10,000 mega watts (MW) power from coal-fired plants in addition to the existing capacities from thermal and hydro power plants.

Alternative energy sources, especially from coal, are part of the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the nation’s electricity resources to ensure sustainable power supply in the country.

The Chairman of PTFP, Mr. Simeon Atakulu speaking recently at a power summit in

Lagos, argued that decisions on coal-fired plants should be taken quickly to ensure power stability in the country as projected for the future.

He insisted that various power generating methodologies like solar, bio-mass and wind should kick-off in Nigeria without further delays.

It would be recalled that Federal Government under the

power sector roadmap, planned to generate up to 30 per cent of electricity from coal-fired plants by 2015.

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Musa Sada noted that the plan to diversify the nation’s sources of electricity is imperative because of the disappointment that could come from relying on particular sources.

The minister noted that apart from the generation of electricity, the new coal mine signaled a new dawn for the nation’s solid minerals sector in terms of poverty alleviation and creation of employment opportunities.

Earlier, Mr Atakulu admitted that there has been some improvements in capacity delivery in the last few months,

which credited to the delivery of some NIPP projects, and improved water harvest and gas supply.

He however regretted that power delivery in the country still faced unpredictable system collapses due to evacuation issues, adding that this called for concerted efforts in order to achieve delivery targets that the nation craved for.

Borno plans to establish six irrigation schemes

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he Government of Borno plans to establish six irrigation schemes to boost food production next year, a top official said on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

The state’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Babakaka Garbai told newsmen that 35 hectares of farmlands would be cultivated under each of the schemes.

He said the schemes would be located in the Mobbar, Askira-Uba, Shani, Muguno, Konduga and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

According to the commissioner, 400 households are to be engaged in the schemes, which are also aimed at creating job opportunities.

He said the state government would also establish two other schemes in Jere and Maiduguri to cultivate about 60 hectares of irrigation land.

“We are hoping that at least 550 households will benefit under the 60-hectare scheme, either directly or indirectly,’’ Garbai said.

He said the schemes would take off before February, 2013.

The commissioner also said the state government had also awarded the contract for the provision of electricity in some towns and villages to prevent rural-urban migration.

“Contract has been awarded for the provision of electricity in Gashigar town in Mobbar LGA. We have also awarded another contract for the extension of the 33 KVA line from Damasak to Gudumbali in the same LGA,’’ he said.

Garbai said the contract involved the extension of the 33 KVA line from Bama in Bama LGA to other towns like Mararaba Banki, Darajamal and Kajeri, among others.

“Arrangements have been completed for the extension of the 33 KVA line from Maiduguri to Mafa in Mafa LGA and Dikwa in Dikwa LGA. The project will also extend to Marte in Marte LGA from Dikwa,’’ he said. (NAN)

L-R: Secretary to the Edo state government, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Edo state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and his Deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, during a town hall meeting which the Governor held with taxpayers in the state, recently in Benin city, the state capital.

Warri refinery up and running – NNPC

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has confirmed that the Warri Refinery which is operated by its subsidiary, Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) is up and running and has no maintenance issues to warrant its shut-down.

The Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Mr. Fidel Pepple, who disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists said the clarification became necessary to ease the anxiety generated by a report carried by Thisday Newspaper on 25th December, 2012, indicating that the Warri Refinery has been shut down for a routine

maintenance that would last for 21 days.

“There is no iota of truth in that report. The Warri Refinery is up and running; the day-to-day operations report from the refinery shows that it is producing at 63% of its installed capacity, even on Christmas Day when Thisday ran the report the plant

was running. The plant has no immediate maintenance issues that would require it to be shut down for 21 days as reported,” Pepple stated.

He urged members of the public to discountenance the report and that NNPC was doing everything within its powers to ensure all-round products

Lagos generates 10,000 tonnes of waste daily —LAWMA

T

he Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) evacuates 10,000 tonnes of refuse daily, the Managing Director, said yesterday.

The Managing Director of the Authority, Mr. Ola Oresanya made the fact known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Oresanya said LAWMA planned to roll out 30,000 new roller bins to further enhance evacuation of wastes in the state.

He said the roller bins would be given to residents, who had paid for land use charges.

“Residents who already have the bins will not be considered because this is a

Management Tip of the Day Spark innovation with these 3 words

S

ay it with me: How might we? This is the phrase that today’s most successful companies use when they want to tackle challenges creatively.

How might we improve X ... or completely re-imagine Y... or find a new way to accomplish Z? This approach to innovation ensures that you’re asking the

availability during the festive season.

Mr. Pepple also called on journalists to verify information with relevant authorities before going to press as misinformation, especially of this nature, could cause panic buying of fuel and aggravate the situation in the fuel supply and distribution chain.

right questions, and steering clear of more limiting inquiries like “How can we?” or “How should we?” which imply judgment.

Instead, “How might we” helps people think of options more freely and opens up possibilities.

The “how” assumes there are

solutions out there — it provides creative confidence. “Might” implies that it’s OK to put any idea out there — it might work and it might not. And the “we” signals that you are all going to work together and build on one another’s ideas.

Source: Harvard Business Review

revolving system.

“As people pay the land use charge, they get one waste bin free and the charge is ploughed back to buy more bins for distribution to other areas,’’ he said.

He said that the ban on cart pushers collecting waste from residents for a fee was still in force but that their activities could not be eradicated totally in some areas.

Oresanya said that the agency was making efforts to see that more Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators were licensed to service more locations.

He said that the PSPs were agitating for the review of charges but that the authority was looking into the request.

NAN reports that currently PSP operators charged N500 per flat and N200 per shop monthly for waste collection. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY,THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Echo Microfinance Bank

E

cho Microfinance Bank Ltd has recorded capital base to the tune of N66 million in; making the institution one of the strongest Unit Microfinance Banks (MFBs) in the country. This was disclosed by the Managing Director, Mr. Idowu Oshokoya during the bank’s customers’ forum in Lagos.

According to him, the bank is working towards achieving a capital base of over N100 million by the first quarter of next year in order to seek for a license to convert into a state micro-finance bank from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He noted that the forum was to appreciate their esteemed customers who have been faithful to the bank for the past years, adding that it was also an opportunity to showcase some of the exciting products which are being introduced by the bank for the benefit of their customers.

Olam

A

bout three months after flood devastated Nasarawa state, destroying houses, farm lands and ponds, Olam Nigeria limited says it has successfully replanted her integrated rice farm which was also affected by the floods. The feat places the company in a comfortable position to continue to play its strategic part in Nigeria’s food security programme.

No less than 40 houses were affected by the floods when the Tunga river overflowed its banks in Tunga village in Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.

The river, a route from Lake Chad to River Benue, flowing through Kogi and Cameroun, overflowed its bank and wrecked serious havoc in the village.

Though, no life was reported lost, other properties such as grinding and sowing machines, boats, canoes as well as farm produce like rice, maize and guinea corn were washed away.

SURE-P

T

he Akwa Ibom Implementation Committee for Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has engaged youths and women from Local Government Councils in community development service.

At a meeting in Uyo on Monday, the committee’s ViceChairman, Mrs Patience Osunkwo, said the programme was designed to alleviate poverty among youths and women.

Assessing integrated transport infrastructure and Public-Private-Partnership policy

By Emmanuella Anokam

T

he conference of the National Council of Transport (NCT) held recently in Abuja restated Federal Government’s commitment to the development of quality infrastructure through PublicPrivate-Partnership (PPP).

Among other critical issues, it placed emphasis on increased private sector engagement in infrastructure provision.

As the highest advisory body on all transport-related matters in the country, the NCT offers platform for collective dialogue on issues affecting the transport sector.

It also sets appropriate targets including the time-frame within which to address emerging challenges and assign specific roles to stakeholders.

It holds that this role is necessitated by the need to bring the efficiencies of the private and commercial enterprise as well as to supplement the limited public sector resources.

The theme of the meeting: ``Partnership for the Integrated Transport Infrastructure for National Transportation’’, indeed, captured the importance of infrastructure in the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to Alhaji Idris Umar, the Minister of Transport, the Transport Sector Reform Bill will soon be fine-tuned and sent to the National Assembly to provide legal framework for an increased private sector partnership.

At the meeting, Umar told the participants that the bill would encourage the removal of public sector monopoly and enhance productivity of the performance of the nation’s transport sector.

He said that fine-tuning was being done by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Bureau of Public Enterprises and other stakeholders.

He explained that the objective of the Federal Government’s PPP policy was to meet the funding gap and make economically-essential projects commercially-viable.

That, he said, would obviate government funding of such projects and allow private sector participation in projects.

Umar re-echoed government's commitment to providing the enabling environment for private sector, states, local governments and foreign investors to invest in the nation’s railways, inland waterways, sea ports and roads independently or through PPP. According to him, the broadbased partnership of federal and state governments and public private sectors is considered a realistic option for the development of the nation’s transport and other critical infrastructure.

Umar said the partnership approach had good prospects as could be seen from the development of the Lekki Deep Sea

Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar Port by Eurochem Corporation in partnership with the federal and Lagos state governments.

With this impressive approach, he said other deep sea ports had been proposed under similar arrangement on Ibaka Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom, Badagry Deep Sea Port in Lagos and Olokola Deep Sea Port in Ogun and Ondo states.

He said project implementation in the railway sub-sector had been earmarked for a similar arrangement.

He urged stakeholders in the transport sector, particularly the states and organised private sector to key into the sector reform programme and take advantage of the investment opportunities.

The minister’s assuring statement notwithstanding, Gov. Gabriel Suswan of Benue expressed disappointment over the deficit in transport infrastructure.

He decried the huge gap between the demand for transport facilities and government’s ability to meet that demand on time.

“We have reached a stage in the nation’s history when lack of diligent planning, insignificant investment and inconsistent execution of policies in the transport sub-sector has caught up with us as a nation.

“Indeed while most of our urban areas suffer from the poor state of transport facilities or the shortage of same, rural areas of the country have yet to be effectively served and linked up. ``That little infrastructure that was put in place in the past has not only decayed but is also hopelessly inadequate. ``Not only is there a clamour across the nation for more efficient delivery of goods and services, there is also anger and impatience in the land over the seeming slow response or perceived lack of response by governments in providing the needed infrastructure,’’ he noted.

Suswan said the president’s Transformation Agenda was needed immediately to enable the nation to move forward.

He also urged the council to explore and find funding options outside the existing budget system to add to what is available in the budget. He called for the establishment of a special fund to be dedicated to the renewal of transport infrastructure as well as the provision of new ones.

Also commenting on the minister’s presenta, Mr Benjamin Ashaver, the Commissioner for Works and Transport in Benue, emphasised on the need for diversified transport modes in the

“

According to the Minister of Transport, Alhaji Idris Umar, the Transport Sector Reform Bill will soon be finetuned and sent to the National Assembly to provide legal framework for an increased private sector partnership.

country.

Asherver recalled that during the colonial era in Benue, rail, river as well as road transportation contributed immensely to the socio-economic and political development of the people.

“Unfortunately river and rail transportation suffered setbacks resulting in diminished economic and social life of the people in the state.''

According to the commissioner, River Benue requires dredging along with construction of Makurdi river port to evacuate the huge agricultural produce of the state to the national and international market. ``Right now, some of the warehouses built in the colonial days are lying waste by the waterside with neither ships bringing goods nor available to evacuate produce,’’ he said.

He called for integration of the various transport modes to facilitate easy movement of goods and services.

With all the stakeholders’ observations at the meeting, the council resolved to set up a consultative committee to be charged with the responsibility of securing low interest loans for the development of transport infrastructure.

It said the committee would also explore suitable sources of loans for the sector, such as the Infrastructure Bank and the Export-IMPORT Bank long-term facilities.

It also urged the state government to buy into the Federal Government’s PPP policy for the development and operation of transport infrastructure in the country.

The stakeholders, at the end of the meeting, hold the view that only a concerted act can achieve modern, functional, multi-modal integrated transport system.

(NANFeatures)

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

SON introduces mobile petroleum laboratory to tackle adulteration of petroleum products From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has introduced a mobile petroleum laboratory to tackle the menace of adulterated petroleum products in the country.

The Director General, SON, in a petroleum stakeholders meeting with petroleum products dealers and marketers in Lagos, explained that cases of explosions are rife, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of property, cars, equipment and the likes, pointing out that

outside outright destruction there is a constant breakdown of engines and equipment using compromised petroleum products.

The Director General explained that the introduction of this laboratory would help address the issue of adulterated petroleum products which impacts negatively on the socioeconomic life of the nation. ”This constitutes additional drain on personal, corporate and national resources. This should not be so. Our concern today is to put in place a quality assurance system that will put a stop to

these embarrassing and unnecessary incidents,” he said.

He noted that all petroleum depots, lubricating and blending plants, liquefied petroleum gas plants, liquefied petroleum gas sales outlets, petrol service stations and surface kerosene sales outlets will be constantly monitored to ensure that products emanating there from conform to safe and acceptable industry standards.

He maintained that it is its intention to sustain a database of all such outlets in the country so that all tests results shall be compiled to constitute a referable

database and for traceability of all receipts and sales of products for the benefit of government and concerned stakeholders.

He said as a result of this, all petroleum product outlets mentioned shall within two weeks be required to provide information for the listing and certification of their premises, specifically to ascertain their exact location and confirm compliance with approved specifications and regulations.

Also speaking ay the event, the Director, DPR, Mr. Austin Olorunshola said this move by SON and Department of

Petroleum Resources (DPR) is a war to tackle fake and adulterated petroleum products in the country saying that this partnership is a dawn of a new era.

He therefore called for the institutionalising of this partnership and called on other stakeholders to join in the fight to tackle the menace of these adulterated petroleum products in the country.

He commended the efforts of SON in the fight to rid the country of substandard products and said DPR will stop at nothing to ensure that SON achieve its mandate.

ACAP acquires Law Union & Rock insurance From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Alternative Capital Partners (ACAP) and Swede Control Intertek has acquired Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc following the divestment of Skye Bank Plc from the company recently.

In a press release signed by the company’s Head, corporate communications, Ngozi Ochei the company stated that the company’s acquisition is effecting a number of strategic initiatives which will enable it provide first class insurance services to the insuring public.

In the same vein, Law Union & Rock Insurance Plc has paid

over N1.2b in claims to its policy holders within the first three quarters of 2012.

The claims payment cuts across all the portfolios in the underwriter’s product offerings in General Business. A breakdown of the payment shows that Fire accounted for 41.95 percent with N535.9m, Motor claims was N355.2m (27.8 percent), Marine & Aviation N160.9m (12.60 percent), General Accident N105.8m (8.28 percent), Engineering N82.8m (6.48 percent), Oil & Gas N35.5m (2.78 percent), while the total claims paid on Bond amounted to N1.2m representing 0.10 percent.

Budget implementation will determine business direction in 2013 - CIIN President

T

he Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has predicted that early implementation of budget would be the driving force of businesses in 2013.

Dr Wole Adetimehin, President of the institute, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday that timely implementation, as opposed to the past pattern, would aid business direction in 2013.

According to him, it is commendable that the budget was passed before the close of 2012, but “implementation is what matters”.

“All operators in the various

sectors of the economy can also leverage on the early passage to structure and restructure their business plans for 2013,” he said.

Adetimehin expressed optimism there would not be any delay in signing the budget because of the increase in its size

by N60 billion by the National Assembly.

He said that any controversy on the size could make nonsense of the early passage of the budget.

NAN reports that the National Assembly, on Dec.20, passed the federal budget of N4.98 trillion, up from the N4.92 trillion proposed to the National Assembly by President Goodluck Jonathan. (NAN)

Tourism: Effective education key to manpower development - Don

A

Principal Lecturer in the Department of Hospitality Management, Yaba College of Technology, Mrs. Sophia Anyafulu has said that effective education is the key to manpower development in the tourism industry.

Anyafulu said this on Monday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

She said that there was need to spend a lot of money to educate those involved in the tourism

industry if the country was to meet up with international standards.

“It is only through sound education that we can develop the right manpower that can bring the country’s tourism industry in line with international standards,’’ Anyafulu said.

Anyafulu suggested that government at all levels should assist in funding schools offering courses in tourism to enable them produce the required manpower for the industry. (NAN)

People buying tomatoes, on Monday at Abubakar Gumi Central Market, in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

World Bank-assisted project tasks FG, donor partners on rural roads’ development

By Abdulwahab Isa with agency report

T

he Rural Access Mobility Project (RAMP) has urged the Federal and state governments as well as donor partners to commit more money to the development of rural roads.

Mr Ifeanyi Okereke, the Development Communication Officer of RAMP, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that funding constituted a challenge to the execution the project. ‘’The more money we get, the more roads we will be able to cover. Essentially, we need stakeholders of the various states to participate. ‘’We want the stakeholders to see that what we are doing is for their benefit. We want to make life better for the people in the rural areas because statistics have revealed that 60 per cent of Nigerians live in the rural area.’’

Okereke earlier told NAN that

the project was co-funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD) in partnership with the Federal Government.

He said that the World Bank provided $2.6 million, while the AFD contributed one million dollars. ‘’The Federal Government provided the counterpart funds in the form of project Preparatory Funds to prepare the states for participation in RAMP. The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Finance signed for the loan on behalf of the states and stands as a guarantor for the states”, he said.

He told NAN that four new states - Enugu, Osun, Adamawa and Niger - were selected to participate in RAMP II. He noted that they were selected through a contested process involving the 34 states and the FCT that were not in RAMP I. Okereke added that the RAMP II states were selected pursuant to the Country Partnership

Strategy, saying, ‘’The RAMP II includes the rehabilitation and maintenance of 500km of rural roads in each participating state, so that at least 25 per cent of the road network will be in good condition at the end of the project.

According to Okereke, Cross River had contributed two-thirds of the cost of the project because the state wanted its roads to be constructed with asphalt because of the terrain.

He added that a pilot rural road maintenance scheme had commenced in Osun state. ‘’The pilot rural maintenance scheme is being carried out on a 12-km road along Iwo-Pataar; it involves the engagement of a 12-man maintenance group, who will be paid N20,000 each per month.

He added that with the scheme in place, direct employment would be made available to about 2,000 people in the participating states of RAMP II. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 22

The Ribadu Report

Revenue losses in the Nigerian petroleum industry (II) 5.2.2. Volumes of Lost Refined Products and Associated Revenue Losses

T

he Task Force did not receive comprehensive figures documenting volumes of refined products stolen or spilled, but NNPC reports that thieves stole 3.2 million metric tons of products from its pipeline network between 2001 and 2010. Stolen amounts appear to be growing; in NNPC’s submissions the Task Force was informed that about 40 percent of products currently channelled through pipelines are lost to theft and sabotage.

Wilful damage of downstream infrastructure has also spiked as of late. PPMC recorded 4,468 product pipeline breaks in 2011, 98 percent of them from sabotage.

This is a sharp increase over 1,746, the average number of sabotage cases logged between 2001 and 2010.

Theft of products at import points also appears endemic. For example, submissions to the Task Force claimed that as much as 5,000 MT of a typical cargo of petrol can be stolen at ports and jetties, offloaded into light vehicles.

In a worrying trend, organized theft of products has also spread far beyond the Niger Delta. PPMC recorded sizable losses on its Mosinmi- Ibadan-Lokoja line in 2011. The Jos-Gombe-Maiduguri line also saw theft, and pipeline sabotage around Atlas Cove in Lagos is chronic.

Organized theft of refined products also denies Nigeria significant revenues, though the Task Force did not receive comprehensive figures. PPMC values the products stolen from its pipeline network between 2001 and 2010 at N178 billion. It is alleged that when products are stolen at ports and jetties, inspectors sign discharge sheets for the full landing amount, which allows importers to collect fuel subsidy on stolen products.

5.2.3. NNPC Withholdings for Costs Associated With Theft and Sabotage

N

NPC withholds oil revenues from the Federation Account to cover costs associated with theft and pipeline sabotage.

Data from the Corporation shows huge increases in recent periods: Beyond the obvious damaging impact of these revenue losses to the Nigerian economy, crude oil theft also impacts the nation in other major ways, some of which include the following.

5.3.

Pioneer Status granted to Indigenous Companies The Task Force has been informed that at least five companies: Allied Energy, Midwestern Oil & Gas, Brittania Oil Nigeria Limited, Suntrust Oil

NNPC claims against FGN for failure to provide security, 2006-date

GMD NNPC, Andrew Yakubu Company Nigeria Limited; and Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited10 have been granted pioneer status by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (with others pending or undetected) for their exploration and production activities.

Pioneer status is a form of fiveyear tax holiday to qualifying industries anywhere in Nigeria.

The grant of pioneer status, gives a company a preferred position in getting established, usually through exemption from income tax. Pioneer companies are companies engaged in manufacturing, processing, mining, servicing and Agricultural industries whose products have been declared pioneer products on satisfying certain conditions.

In granting a company pioneer status the industry or product is regarded as one that is not already carried on in the country or the existing industry is not producing enough to meet the current or expected requirements.

The concept is further broadened to include any industry or product for which there is a favourable prospect of development.

The policy relating to pioneer industry is based on the desire of the Government to encourage the development of new or relevant industries that will reduce the country’s dependence on imports. The pioneer industries and products are identified by a list published in the official gazette.

The law governing the

operations of the pioneer companies was first laid out under the Aid to pioneer Industries ordinance No.10 of 1952. This was repealed by the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) ordinance No.8 of 1958.

This ordinance was subsequently repealed by the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Act 1971, otherwise known as CAP 179 LFN, 1990 which is the current legislation governing the operations of the pioneer industries. The Act empowers the Federal Executive Council to publish from time to time a list of Industries or products as pioneer Industries or products.

The revenue implications though well-known bear some repetition: • No tax shall be payable during the pioneer period on the profit and consequently no capital allowance could be claimed on all the qualifying capital expenditure incurred starting from the production date.

• Dividend can be declared out of the pioneer account profit but not more than the balance standing in that account.

• Dividend paid out of the pioneer profit shall not be subject to tax in the hand of the first recipient • The net qualifying expenditure for capital items during the pioneer period are accumulated and are qualified for both initial and annual allowances in the new business.

• Losses incurred by the pioneer company during the pioneer period and certified, may be relieved after the pioneer period since such loss is deemed to have been incurred on the first day of the new business.

It cannot be a correct exercise of incentive for oil operators to be given pioneer status for an activity that is well established for over 40 years and which to any commercial consideration is a profitable venture. The loss of

revenue from the grant of pioneer status to oil operators is an avoidable loss.

The Task Forces recommends that any further consideration of the industry for pioneer status be stopped forthwith. Indeed to the extent that the application of the Act has been extended to oil exploration it is ultra vires and ought to be set aside and or revoked. To the effect that all tax and exemption be reinstated; from the date of the initial grant and payments be made to FIRS accordingly.

5.4.

Collateral Costs of Theft

Social

The following social costs, while outside the Task Force’s immediate remit, deserve mention. They also arguably result in decreased Government revenue by increasing the perceived risks of investing in Nigeria’s oil sector.

5.4.1.

Environmental Pollution and Associated Socio-Economic Impacts

C

rude oil theft is surely a major cause of Niger Delta oil pollution, though again there are no reliable nationwide figures. SPDC claims that illegal bunkering caused 118 spills around its facilities in 2011, at a loss of 11,806 barrels. Figures are scarce for the resulting water and soil pollution, or secondary impacts on human health, livelihoods or food and fuel stocks.

Mixing highly unstable stolen condensate with kerosene, diesel and petrol damages automobiles and generators, and causes frequent explosions. These may have killed several hundred Nigerians over the past decade.

PPMC recorded 376 fires around its product pipelines between 2000 and 2010, and press reports record several thousand deaths from pipeline fires since 1998.

Illegal refineries explode frequently, incinerating works and bystanders.

PEOSPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Report as at Monday, December 24, 2012

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

They came, they saw, and they… died A legion of prominent Nigreians from different walks of life bowed to the Grim Reaper, in sundry circumstances, 2012. NAN’s Buki Ponle reports

W

hen is goodbye not good at all for an individual? Perhaps it is when that person has lost a dear one. When is goodbye not good for a country? It is when that country has lost the gem of its people, especially in a rapid frequency at it happened in Nigeria in 2012.

Many Nigerian families lost dear ones in 2012 and for members of some of the families; life can never be the same again. This is because the deceased could have been the life support of the family members: their water during thirst, their shelter in time of homelessness and their hope in time of need.

And yet, they are all gone!

Gone like a candle in the wind.

Gone forever!

Among those citizens who lost their lives in the outgoing year are statesmen, eminent lawyers, politicians, film stars and national heroes, who in one way or the other, touched the people’s lives, directly or

Late Enebeli Elebuwa

Late Gen. Owoye Azazi indirectly. However, their deeds live on even after their demise.

As the year rolls to an end, to the bereaved families, one can only send words of condolence and from Nigerians; it is a deep farewell to the departed. They are many — notable, valuable and effective citizens — and it is pertinent to name some of

them.

The Dana plane crash of June 3 in Lagos State killed 153 persons on board and caused six deaths and a number of injuries on the ground, all celebrities in their own right. It was a traumatic experience for residents of Lagos in particular and a calamity for Nigerians generally.

Perhaps the most dramatic and painful of deaths was the latest, involving the then Kaduna State Governor, Mr Patrick Yakowa (65), who died on Dec. 15, along with five others, after attending a funeral ceremony in Bayelsa.

Yakowa and the former National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, were returning in a navy

Late Dr. Olusola Saraki

helicopter, after the burial of the father of Dr Oronto Douglas, the Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy, when the fatal accident occurred.

In a tribute, President Goodluck Jonathan eulogised Yakowa, describing him as a “bridge builder’’ who loved his people, irrespective of religious and ethnic considerations.

“Yakowa was a nationalist.

He played his roles very well as a civil servant of the old, not as a civil servant of today.

No ethnic or religious divide in his blood,” he said.

Commenting on Yakowa’s death, the Most Rev. Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, said that nobody could neither teach God knowledge nor question His decisions.

He, therefore, urged the people should not feel despondent over the governor’s death.

“The deceased died at his appointed time by God,’’ he said, adding that people should disregard those who are wielding suspicious stories about his death.

Kukah stressed that Yakowa made history as the first man from the Christiandominated southern part of Kaduna State to attain top positions at various levels of government.

He acknowledged Yakowa’s achievements as governor, particularly in development efforts and in promoting unity.

When renowned jurist Kayode Eso was being interred

on Dec. 22, the Primate of the Anglican Church, Rev. Nicholas Okoh, stressed that the only way to immortalise him was for Nigerians to allow justice to prevail in all circumstances.

Okoh in a sermon on Dec. 23 during the thanksgiving service held in honour of Eso at the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity in Ilesa, Osun, described the late jurist as a “champion of justice and jurist of the helpless.

“Unless Nigerians realise that there is value beyond money, the problem of graft and corruption will be difficult for the government to tackle,’’ he, however, said.

Eso, a retired justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who died in Britain at the ripe age of 87, was given a state burial by the Osun Government in recognition of his courage and fearlessness which stood him out an exceptional jurist.

Dr Olusola Saraki, 79, the strongman of Kwara politics and a Second Republic senator, also died on Nov. 14. Prior to his election as a senator, the consummate politician was a

member of the Constituent Assembly which produced the 1979 Constitution. Saraki, a medical doctor, also worked as a medical officer at the General Hospital, and the Creek Hospital, both in Lagos.

Other politicians who died during the year include Alhaji Lam Adesina. The 73year-old former governor of Oyo State, who died on Nov. 11, was described by many as an insightful politician, bridge-builder and a listening leader.

The movie world was hard hit in 2012 with the deaths of no fewer than 10 actors and actresses, both famous and obscure. Messrs Pete Eneh and Enebeli Elebuwa are two of the renowned actors who lost their lives in the year.

Elebuwa’s career captures the ups and downs of Nigerian life and accurately charts the country’s emergence as a significant producer of talented artistes.

His march to stardom began as one of the star actors who featured in the legendary television series — The Village Headmaster —

The Dana plane crash of June 3 in Lagos

which hypnotized the country’s television audience in the 1970s.

In the 80s, Enebeli became a superstar with his incredibly realistic portrayal of “Andrew’’ — the desperate and frustrated Nigerian who was determined to abandon Nigeria and emigrate to a foreign country in search of greener pastures.

As 2012 comes to a close, Nigerians say farewell to the dead politicians, actors and actresses and national heroes who had once touched their lives in one way or the other. However, the list of the departed appears inexhaustible.

All the same, death is inevitable!

Perceptive observers urge Nigerians to be mindful of this fact, while they strive to do things that will place them on the good side of history.

Adieu, our departed souls — the young and the old, the mighty and the low, the strong and the weak, our celebrities and minions — you will greatly be missed.

Late Sir Patrick Yakowa

PAGE 26

By Mohammed Kandi

G

lobal climate change has obviously left some observable effects on the environment and the symptoms are no longer weird. Climate change, scientists have identified, could result from natural occurrences as well as through human induced activities.

In some parts of the world, glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes is breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner, see levels have risen and rivers have over flowed thereby causing frequent floods.

This indicates that climate change is real and that it poses a great threat to the planet and its inhabitants.

Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring-- loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves.

In fact, current data suggest that we need to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in developed countries by at least 80 per cent by 2050 in order to have a chance of staying below an average temperature rise of over 2ยบC1.

Moreover, since issues of climate change are now glaring, governments and scientists around the world have evolved best possible ways by which the threat of climate change could be restrain.

Recently, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) said in Nigeria that the ongoing compilation of a standard climate change curriculum would create more awareness and regulate the effects of climate change on existing and future projects in the country.

The country Programme Chief, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria, Mr. Kannan Nadar, who expressed optimism on the document, informed that the UNICEF is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Netherlands to ensure the curriculum is being compiled.

In addition to contributions made by the ministry as well as the Netherlands, Nadar said, inputs were also drawn from stakeholders on the draft curriculum just as sectoral reviews were on-going. According

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Climate Change: UNICEF positive on curriculum against effects

Kenya drought effect of climate change to him, the curriculum would enhance the development and maintenance of projects, specifically, those in the water and environment sectors.

"Climate change has been recognised as an issue globally so sectors cannot afford not to take it into consideration so all planning should also take into account climate change adaptation requirement.

"It is also important to mainstream climate change into normal sector programming.

Another thing is unless the people who are working in the sector have the knowledge, nothing can be done further.

"So this climate change curriculum is aimed at developing a curriculum which will address the capacity or the knowledge needs of the sector professionals.

"For example within the country, we have so many water

sector professionals working at different levels working at the federal ministry level, the state level and also at the LGA level there are water sanitation officials," he explained.

"So by having a standard curriculum, housed in one institution, what we will do is to ensure that there is a regular training programme. When you have this kind of training you will have a good pool of people who are aware of climate change and when so once they are aware, they will be able to apply to their activities so this is a start," he stressed.

His words: "With a ready curriculum, awareness would be enhanced in relation to many project sites in order to mitigate or adapt to the effects of climate change."

He said different training modules would be refined, taking into account the Nigerian

Ministry commences review on climate-change policy

By Mohammed Kandi

M

inistry of Environment, in collaboration with key stakeholders, have commenced the review of the National Climate Change Policy, Head of the Unit, Adejuwon Adejare, has said.

Adejare told the journalists in Abuja, that some aspects of critical issues not captured in the policy initially had been included.

According to him, "its rich content will make it comprehensive and understandable to all that would

have access to it."

"We need to make the policy comprehensive and understandable for everyone that come across it, especially, the key ministries and parliamentarians among others," he said.

Adejare said that the policy, when completed, would also help to streamline climate change activities and provide the necessary guidelines.

"The policy will give a guidelines on what to do at different stages; it will help streamline implementation of climate change programmes and

projects,'' he said.

He listed Ministries, Departments, Agencies, National Assembly, Private Sector, States, and NGOs as among the stakeholders involved in the policy preparation and review.

According to him, agriculture, water and gender perspective were among more critical issues captured in the policy. ``Gender perspective is a very big component of the MDG; if the issue of gender is attained, then it must have an important aspect in the policy implementation,'' he added.

environmental situation, while monthly training would be organised for professionals by UNICEF and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) in Kaduna state.

"We have collaborations with the Netherlands; they are our partners; we are working with them to develop a curriculum for the Water, Sanitation and

Hygiene (WASH) sector; the activity has already started.

"We will be having this TOT (Training of Trainers) and the review of curriculum; both will be done together; so, we will have the curriculum that will be reviewed, and as part of that, we will do a training of trainers.

"The idea is that this training curriculum will subsequently be so that the training can be more systematically done on a regular basis so once you develop the curriculum and then you train a certain number of trainers; then using those trainers and using the curriculum, you can continue to do training on a more regular basis at (NWRI).

"At the end of the workshops, we will have a standard training curriculum on climate change for Water, Sanitaion and Hygiene (WASH) sector professionals which could be used for training a number of (WASH) people at different levels so that is the good thing about it," the UNICEF chief stated.

Meanwhile, with the recent experience of flood disaster ravaging most part of Nigeria, it is expected that the government and stakeholders would have already devised ways of forestalling future occurrences.

Actors in Nigeria and the rest of Africa most be seen to be partnering with agencies, organisations and nations that are working round the clock, deploying best strategies on how to curtail the effects climate change in their domain.

Organisation plans to take deforestation project to Sokoto

I

n a bid to reduce deforestation, the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), a non-profit making organisation, said it would take its Evergreen Project to Sokoto State.

The Country Director of the organisation, Adesuwa Ifedi, made this known at a news conference on the launch of the Evergreen Partnership Project, organised by the United States Embassy in Abuja.

The project, which began in 2011, is in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

The Evergreen Project introduced the use of the "Save 80" and the "Wonder Stove" projects to serve as an immediate solution to stopping the felling of trees used as cooking fuel.

It also aims at addressing desertification caused by climate change and promoting environmental and economic sustainability.

Ifedi, who said the project had impacted the lives of at least 400 people in 10 communities in Katsina state, informed that through the project, students from 48 tertiary institutions in 28 states across the country initiated the venture, which

aims at addressing environmental degradation and poverty in the country.

The country director said that the partnership with FCMB and the U.S. Embassy was aimed at extending the benefits of the project to Sokoto state and also to other parts of the country.

"This project is implemented through the SIFE Programme and we also have targeted a new SIFE Programme in Sokoto State and we have also done our project evaluation and analysis.

"And what we found out is that Sokoto State, because of the expanse of the borders, it also has a very serious problem of desertification as well.

"Our project, SIFE, is not limited in to this partnership in terms of what we do to address environmental issues, but we are also doing that through our students and projects around the country.

"The ingredient for a very successful project is to meet a real need and to touch real lives. If you ever get to travel through the Northern parts of Nigeria, the challenge of desertification and the challenge of erosion in the western part of Nigeria is real," she said. (NAN)

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

As we visage Environmental Challenges in 2013 L

et's give glory to our Almighty Father for surviving the doomsday.

Remember the prediction that the world would come to an end on December 21, 2012. Of course, other stories and theories make some people much more nervous.

Some of these claim to be scientific.

One foretells that the earth's entire crust will experience a massive shift that will result in immense tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Another holds that the planets will come into a straight alignment and that this will cause the sun's solar winds to intensify and wreak havoc on earth. Still another asserts that earth's magnetic poles will suddenly reverse and cause radiation from the sun to kill us all.

Persuaded by similar predictions of disasters, some people in the United States and Europe had built shelters in their backyard or at considerable expense, had reserved quarters in underground community bunkers. Others have moved to the mountains and have become self-sufficient living "off the grid," independent of public utilities, such as water, heat, or electricity.

Here we are no such thing has happened.

I must say that I was one of those scared, considering the flood that hit most parts of our country this year, a reminiscence of the flood that engulfed the ancients of Noah's time in biblical literature and other natural disasters across

the globe. To say the deluge is one of monumental proportions and a national disaster is to remark mildly.

Challenges of the dry season As we approach 2013, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) has again advised Nigerians to be adequately prepared for the challenges of the dry season and its associated emergencies, telling us it is not yet Uhuru when it comes to natural disasters.

NEMA urged Nigerians to be wary of the environment prone to epidemics as measles, cholera, lassa fever and cerebral spinal meningitis are among the 10 most critical health disasters associated with dry season, hence the need for the public to guard against them.

The International Emergency Data (IED) had confirmed that women and children are the most vulnerable people and emphasized the need for them to be more cautious in their health habits by avoiding polluted water and dirty or overcrowded environment.

In order to ensure disaster risk reduction, people should endeavour to stay in well ventilated environment apart from always keeping the environment clean, as heat wave could lead to cerebral spinal meningitis.

2012 Climate talks in Doha It's good to mention the recent Climate talks in Doha where UN

ENVIR ONMENT ENVIRONMENT WATCH

By Ambrose Inusa Sule, mnes globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only) forum agreed to extend Kyoto Protocol to 2020.

The Kyoto protocol on climate change had been due to expire this year, but delegates at UN climate talks in Qatar have agreed to extend the Kyoto Protocol until 2020, avoiding a major new setback.

The deal, agreed by nearly 200 nations, keeps the protocol alive as the only legally binding plan for combating global warming.

However, it only covers developed nations whose share of world greenhouse gas emissions is less than 15percent. The US - a major polluter - has never ratified the original 1997 protocol.

The deal was agreed after the 27-member European Union, Australia and several other industrialised nations signed up for binding CO2 cuts by 2020 at the 12-day meeting in Qatar's capital Doha because of differences over whether rich nations should have to compensate poorer states for losses due to climate change.

The protocol, however excludes some major polluters, including the US, China and India.

The gathering in Doha had also focused on a plan to adopt a wider treaty in 2015 that would apply to all countries and eventually replace the Kyoto Protocol.

It was also agreed that developing countries that show strong leadership in tackling climate change could benefit from a pot of 70 million Euros of funding.

Coming under the Nationally Appropriate Mitigating Actions (NAMA), designed to support developing countries that show strong leadership in tackling climate change and want to implement the facility, Germany and the United Kingdom announced the launch of the NAMA facility at COP18/ CMP8.

The two countries will jointly provide about 70 million Euros of funding for the facility, which

aims to support partner countries to implement ambitious action against climate change.

Nigeria may not be eligible for the fund as country's document on NAMA is yet to be finalized.

Though a stakeholders' validation forum was held some months ago in Abuja, the NAMA refers to a set of policies and actions countries undertake as part of a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission.

The government must also ensure that the final policy documents are evidence-based.

Regrettably, Nigeria is yet to complete important analysis that allows policies that are fit for purpose to emerge.

For instance, the base year for the most recent greenhouse gas emission inventory is the year 2000. Without a valid emission inventory and analysis of least cost abatement options, the basis for developing NAMAs will be weak.

Escaping Oteh-nized budgetary allocation by Fmev We must sing Hallelujah that the Federal Ministry of Environment was not Oteh-nized on budgetary allocation by the National Assembly.

Remember that The Senate Committee on Environment earlier threatened to give zero budgetary allocation to the federal ministry of environment, for what it considered as an unsatisfactory budget implementation of its 2012 capital projects.

I must praise the wisdom of members of The Senate Committee on Environment on the issue of the presentation by the environment ministry to justify its 2012 budget performance before it, which could affect its allocation in the 2013 budget.

The threat by Senator Sarakiled committee that it "will not hesitate to give zero budgetary allocation to the ministry or any of its agencies on any on-going or new project if they were not convinced of their capacity to utilize the funds allocated to them in previous years," should be commended.

Since the return of democracy in 1999, it is on record that no government has ever implemented the yearly budget more than 75 per cent only to come the following budget year asking for fund for the same projects.

It has been explained that what has been responsible for the seeming slow implementation of budgets was the fact that some projects had no planning and design prior to their approval release of resources.

Hoping for a better and a more sustainable environment come 2013.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE Images from the just concluded two-day annual media retreat on Emergency Management organised by NEMA recently in Abuja

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE

FG plans to purchase additional helicopters for NEMA

T

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to purchase more helicopters for the agency.

NEMA’s Director-General, Alhaji Mohammed Sidi, made this known during an interactive session with journalists in Minna in Niger state recently.

Sidi was represented by the agency’s Assistant Zonal Director, North-Central, Malam Salihu Bijimi.

He also declared open a oneday workshop on the “Role of NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOs), Community-based Organisations (CBOs) and Private Sector in Disaster Management”.

The director-general said the purchase become necessary to ensure that relief materials, including medical needs gets to victims of disasters in any part of the country.

“Plans are underway by the Federal Government to procure more Helicopters to add to the ones already in our fleet to enhance disaster management which is assuming a more complicated dimension.

“With more aircrafts added to our fleet, emergency teams on rescue operations could easily get to remotest areas that were hitherto unable to assess by road in good time to reduce the impact of disasters,” he said.

Sidi said that more personnel were presently undergoing intensive training with the view to deploying them to disaster prone areas after the completion of their training.

“I see an improvement in subsequent response to disasters in the country.

“When disasters occur it affects all members of a family who are

members of a community and of which the community is within a local government area.

“If disaster management is seen from this angle all would be fully involved because it is in one way or the other felt by all.”

Sidi urged Nigerians to be conscious to check avoidable disasters.

“It is in view of key three issues such as; magnitude, inadequate funds and as well, distance that calls for the need to have the NGOs, CBOs and the private sectors playing key roles in preserving lives and properties ...”

He said in time of disasters, it would not be enough just for NEMA to get all the equipment to

contend to the area.

He said other Federal Government agencies should work hand in hand with the stake holders.

He said that if those stakeholders were well equipped, knowledgeably, then the job of disaster management would be made easier in the overall interests of the society.

Sidi said that the agency would be better positioned in future as it had learnt a lot of lessons from the recent flood disasters and other disasters across the country.

“We will now go to the drawing board with other stake holders, to see how we can improve on what happened in 2012.” (NAN)

NEMA D-G, Muhammad Sani-Sidi

NEMA activates search and rescue teams nationwide

T

he National Emergency Management Agency has activated its emergency Search and Rescue Teams to be on full alert in the event of any emergency situation during the yuletide season.

The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi made the disclosure in his office on Friday while receiving the communique of the 2012 Annual Media Retreat of Journalists and Information Officers on Disaster and Emergency Management in Nigeria, a statement by the agency’s spokesman, Yushau shuaibu, said on Sunday.

He sai:, “All Search and Rescue Officers of the NEMA and that of other response agencies as well as trained emergency volunteers throughout the federation have been put on alert in case of any untoward development between the Christmas period and the New Year. The activation of Search and Rescue officers to be on full alert has been the tradition of the agency in its collaborative efforts with other agencies and volunteers in responding to

distress situation.”

The NEMA boss also lamented the inability of the Nigerian Communication Commission to provide the country with a threedigit National Emergency call line as obtained in other jurisdictions. He said “We are waiting for NCC to work out the emergency toll free number as soon as possible to help us on disaster management.”

Sani-Sidi also noted that most states have lukewarm attitude to the subject of emergency management and combating disasters by not complying with legal mandates to establish their state emergency management agencies.

He added that in the case of those that have established, most of them are yet to become functional because they are not adequately funded.

He tasked journalists to take governors and local government chairmen to task on the need to establish functional emergency management bodies. He stated that, “Every Nigerian now look forward to NEMA to respond to

emergencies and combat disasters whereas, only situations beyond the coping capabilities of State and Local Emergency outfits that supports and assistance could be referred to NEMA as the national body.”

He also stated that disaster management will soon be included in both primary and secondary school curricula in the country as a result of efforts of his agency.

He explained further that students had graduated from the six postgraduate departments that NEMA funded in the six geopolitical zones across the country.

On the 15-point communique, the NEMA boss promised to implement most of the recommendations especially those pertaining to creation of information centres at emergency scenes to create synergy in dissemination of information and reportage during emergencies.

He also promised to improve partnership with the media on dedicated programmes and columns in electronic, print and even online media

YOUTHS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY

By Abubakar Jimoh abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Media, other stakeholders collaborate against disaster

L

ast week, the need for constant collaborations and rational brainstorming on the recurrent issues of natural and human induced disaster in Nigeria was once again brought to fore, when the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) organized an annual retreat for the media, as well as other actors in the advocacy of disaster response, mitigation and management.

Apparently, the occasion was meant to create a platform for better understanding and scrutiny of issues relating to emergency response strategies particularly by officials of the agency in collaboration with the Journalists Against Disaster Initiative (JADI), Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI) and Media Information Committee on Emergency Management (MICEM).

While enumerating a number of challenges militating against the operations of the agency in meeting its mandates of reaching out to victims of various emergency situations in the country with accurate information at times of adversity, as well as on provision of relief items, DirectorGeneral of NEMA, Muhammad SaniSidi, challenged the media to take seriously how best such occurrences could be scrupulously reported without provoking reprisals in cases of communal clash or create panic among the people.

He believes relating with the media in disaster situations would bring about public participation and involvement in disaster management in the country. SaniSidi therefore expressed optimism that the roles of journalists cannot be neglected in the fight against disasters, urging them to take cognisance of their role in the society, especially with regards to awareness of the fundamental issues on disaster management and understanding of the general public about the NEMA’s mandates.

In the face heightened tragedies resulting from bomb explosion and other related emergency situations in the country, the NEMA boss lamented the laidback put up by some state and local governments who are failing in their constitutional responsibilities on disaster management despite the contingency funds placed at their disposal by the federal government.

He said such funds were underutilized by these levels of government that transfer mere hazards to NEMA to manage.

Sani -Sidi bemoaned over-reliance of state and local governments on NEMA to help perform their constitutional duties saying this have intensified the risk of manageable hazards to disasters in some grassroots.

He therefore described non-existence of state local emergency management agency (SEMAs & LEMAs) in some states and local councils as one of the major challenges facing disaster management in the country.

His words: “It is regrettable that apart from Lagos state and few others, in many states SEMAs and LEMAs are not in existence. I discovered during my advocacy visits to them that they are identified only by name not by functional vehicles, offices and personnel. They are not funded. In fact, you would find out they have only have Special Advisers on Disasters with neither funds nor personnel for

effective operation and preparedness against disasters. How can it work?”

Through a coordinated effort by stakeholders, NEMA’s press secretary, Yushau A. Shuaib said, the mandate of the country’s only proactive emergency management agency could be properly enhanced.

“The programme was primarily initiated by NEMA to bring about impunity and understanding between the agency and journalists, and see how the mandates of the emergency management can be effectively extended to various parts and groups in the country,” he said.

In his remarks, National Coordinator of JADI, Mr. Sanya Adejokun, reiterates that that JADI was primarily established to improve the qualitative and quantitative of information present to the general public on disaster alerts, reliefs and response.

According to him, as disasters increase in various parts of the country, it has called for instant collaborative effort between the JADI and NEMA. ‘It is noteworthy that the contributory roles of the Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI) to the nation’s disaster sensitization campaign was graciously appreciated at the event, especially by the Public Relations staff, Information and Communication Technology divisions of NEMA, among others,” he stated.

Besides, the occasion was blessed by media and public relations dignitaries from both public and private organizations on disaster management such as Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence (NSCD), Nigeria Red Cross Society.

On his own part, Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Mr. Jonas Agwu, urged the media to always strive at giving accurate and consistent facts and figures on disaster situations in the country. He cited the recent figure complied from flood disasters in various parts of the country, stressing those inaccurate and inconsistent facts and figures were reported by journalists across the country.

Similarly, several challenges facing the nation’s disaster management were identified by the participants. These include nonexistence of SEMAs and LEMAs in some states, weakness in part of emergency services, weakness of fire service response, absence of ambulance service, poorly equipped police, poorly equipped hospitals, low technical/manpower capacity, poor funding of Disaster management activities, inadequate data management, poor funding of SEMAs and LEMCs. The participants referred an improvement in coordination, collaboration and cooperation among various stakeholders on disaster management stakeholders; establishment of SEMAs and LEMCs across the six geo-political zones in the country; effective predictable funding arrangement for SEMAs and LEMCs; robust ambulance service; improved equipment and personnel for first responders; improved hospitals; streamlining disaster management into developmental strategies; and streamlining disaster risk reduction into project planning.

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Girl, 10 serves dinner for 50 homeless to keep her dead father's promise on Christmas

By Chris Brooke

A

fter ten-year-old Gracie McNulty's father died in an accident, she wasn't sure how to cope with her first Christmas without him.

So she decided to abandon the usual family festivities - and make her father's last Christmas wish come true instead.

With the help of her mother and three siblings, Gracie served turkey with all the trimmings to 50 homeless people yesterday.

Her father Craig, 38, was a regular charity volunteer who had served breakfast to the homeless on Boxing Day in the past, and he had promised to open the family's cafe on Christmas Day this year.

But Mr McNulty, a roofer, suffered serious head injuries when he fell while working. He was taken to hospital by air ambulance but died soon after the accident in August.

Generosity: Gracie McNulty, pictured, served Christmas dinner to 50 homeless people, helped by her mother and three siblings Gracie's mother Sharon McNulty, 46, who runs the Grilled and Filtered cafe in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, said: 'After he died Gracie said to me "I don't want to have Christmas at home this year, I want to do what

daddy wanted and open the cafe on Christmas Day. 'It wouldn't feel right to celebrate so we're serving Christmas dinner to people who don't have a home to go to.' She added: 'We're all thinking of

All smiles: The McNulty family with some of the homeless who were fed turkey dinners at the Grilled and Filtered cafe in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire A WOMAN who was claimed to be the oldest human being alive has died at the reported age of 124. ariam Ammash, who passed away on Saturday, held an Israeli passport that had her date of birth in 1888.

Mariam came from the Arab populated city of Jisr al-Zarqa, on the Mediterranean coast, about 40 miles from Tel Aviv.

She left behind 10 children and "around 300 grandchildren," according to reports in the local media.

If the passport is correct she would have been the oldest human being to ever live. However, officials have struggled to verify the date of birth and when she was interviewed a few months before her death Mariam could not remember her early years.

The Guinness Book of World Records states the oldest official human being as Japanese man Jirouemon Kimure who is 115 years old.

M

Source: TheSun.co.uk

Craig. It's all in his honour and he would be so happy with what we are doing.

'It's been absolutely fantastic, just to see their faces when they walked in. We've bought everybody thermal gloves, thermal scarves, and thermal socks and have also made sandwiches for them to take away.'

The family gave tickets for the Christmas dinner to local charities who help the homeless, and their community donated money to fund the event.

Gracie was joined by her mother and three siblings Kirstie, 19, Thomas, 21, and James, 26 - to serve up turkey dinners for three hours between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Gracie said: 'It's been the best Christmas ever. I was just at school feeling sad about my dad so decided I wanted to do something to make him proud and this felt like the perfect

thing. People have been coming in calling me "super Grace." I haven't asked my mum yet but I want to do this every year.'

Miss McNulty and her partner were together for 15 years before his death. They never married, but he changed his surname so that the family shared a name.

Miss McNulty, whose family have also raised ÂŁ1,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: 'Craig was the most generous, giving person you could ever meet.

'He was always doing something for somebody and worked for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, helping troubled youngsters achieve a trade.

'He spent all his time making other people happy and hopefully we'll be able to carry that on.'

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Cafe: Grilled and Filtered in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire is run by Gracie's mother Sharon McNulty

'Oldest human being' dies at 124

Passport ... Mariam holds her passport showing birth date in 1888

Official ... the world's oldest living human being Jirouemon Kimure

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 31

ANALYSIS

By Belen Fernandez

I

n a recent interview with Al Jazeera in which she expounds on the alleged threat France faces from radical Islam, Marine Le Pen - president of the far-right National Front party and member of the European Parliament - seeks international validation for her anti-immigrant views: No country in the world... would accept to go through the fast and sizeable immigration of people who, without a doubt, have a different religion and culture.

It would seem, of course, that many places in the world have already gone through this very process - including, for example, certain former French colonial possessions, which were also treated to military invasions, widespread killing, torture and expropriation of resources.

Now the tables have turned, however, prompting right-wing hallucinations of an Islamic empire under construction in Europe.

According to prominent neoconservative propaganda, the imperialist strategy rests on a number of subtle subversive manoeuvers such as "the demonisation of courageous opponents of Islamic imperialism".

Though Le Pen refrains from referencing the empire, she does hint in her interview at possible additional tactics such as the surreptitious force-feeding of halal meat to non-Muslims: [M]illions of French people eat halal food every day without realising it... [I]t's a problem because it breaks our law on secularism. This is because making people who are not religious consume halal food is contributing, due to this consumption which lacks transparency, to financing a cult... If in a Muslim country[,] Muslims were made to eat consecrated bread, they would scream.

That the majority of the French population has not been screaming about the threat of unwitting ingestion of halalmeat was suggested in a March 2012 article in the British Guardian, which reported "surveys showing that [French] voters were less concerned about halal meat than they were about the weather and football".

Undeterred, Le Pen reiterates France's unique torment: "[T]here is no reason to ask the French to accept things that no other people in the world would accept."

As if the halal plot weren't bad enough, Muslims have also engaged in more visible assertions of control over French territory, prompting Le Pen's December 2010 comparison of Muslim street prayers to the Nazi occupation of France.

In the event that we wanted to defend Le Pen's sensational analogy, we could always argue that she didn't mean it in an overly negative way; after all, her father Jean-Marie Le Pen, penultimate president of the National Front party, described

Marine Le Pen counters hate-related allegations with the claim: "I feel hatred towards nobody, but I have immense love for my people and for my country that I will defend in all circumstances"

France's Le Pen battles Islamonazi occupation said occupation as "not especially inhumane".

A more relevant Nazi analogy might however recall the handy practice of scapegoating certain religious and ethnic groups in times of national decline and economic hardship.

Le Pen lays the blame for France's retreat from its position as "one of the richest countries in the world" on contemporary administrations and "anarchical immigration in our country which creates the conditions for conflict, for the disintegration of society, which disturbs our indivisibility, our laws, including our law on secularism".

In Le Pen's ideal indivisible nation, "religious personnel can have religious clothing but all the others should not be able to distinguish themselves, as it were, by presenting their religion before presenting themselves as individuals". Following this logic, it would seem that her definition of France as a country where

"Christian civilisation" is decisive in "determin[ing] our whole way of life [and] our calendar" might also constitute an example of religious-over-individual presentation. In other words, calendars may need to be banned along with headscarves.

In the latest foretelling of impending Islamic hegemony in France, meanwhile, it was revealed earlier this month that French authorities had requested the lifting of Le Pen's parliamentary immunity in order to enable prosecution on a charge of incitement of racial hatred.

Le Pen has countered haterelated allegations with the claim: I feel hatred towards nobody, but I have immense love for my people and for my country that I will defend in all circumstances.

Without delving into the issue of the obvious right of noncitizen immigrants in France to live free of persecution, it is

“

worth noting that Le Pen's "immense love" facilitates persecution of Muslims who happen to be national citizens and who therefore ostensibly also qualify as "my people".

In the first round of France's presidential election this past April, the pro-love politician garnered 18 percent of the vote, a record for the National Front.

Impressive levels of fanatical attachment to one "people" have also been registered in other European locales such as the Netherlands, where politician Geert Wilders has warned of the "Islamisation of our societies", declared Islam "fascist" and compared the Quran to Mein Kampf.

Italy's recurring malady Silvio Berlusconi meanwhile rivals Le Pen for ignorance of historical realities such as the role imperialism can have in future migration patterns. In 2009, Corriere della Sera quoted the then-Prime Minister's latest

In response to Al Jazeera's question of whether radical Islam does indeed boast a substantial presence in French suburbs, Le Pen provides the following damning evidence:

philosophy [IT] on immigrants: It is unacceptable that sometimes in certain parts of Milan there is such a presence of non-Italians that instead of thinking you are in an Italian or European city you think you are in an African city. We do not accept this.

In typical incoherent fashion, Le Pen prefers to highlight other European trends such as "multiculturalism in Great Britain", which has resulted in "conflict" and "hate speech".

Decrees Le Pen: "I don't want that for France."

Apparently, then, divisive discourse will save France from divisiveness.

In response to Al Jazeera's question of whether radical Islam does indeed boast a substantial presence in French suburbs, Le Pen provides the following damning evidence: It's a good question. It's up to them to ask it. What's for certain is that attitudes are being radicalised, Madame. There you have it.

As for Len Pen's theory that the job of radical Islamic recruiters is facilitated by "social uneasiness" and a lack of immigrant assimilation, the National Front leader could perhaps sabotage recruitment efforts by abstaining from analogies between Muslims and Nazis.

Source: Al Jazeera

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Morsi signs constitution into law M Africa image harming aid effort, says charity Oxfam

ohamed Morsi, the Egyptian president, has signed into law a new Islamist-drafted constitution he said will help end political turmoil and allow him to focus on fixing the fragile economy even as opposition parties continued to protest.

The presidency said Morsi signed a decree enforcing the charter late

on Tuesday after the official announcement of the result of a referendum approving the basic law, Egypt's first constitution since toppling of former President Hosni Mubarak's overthrow.

Meanwhile, country's Shura Council, or upper house of parliament, is holding its first session since the country approved the new

constitution.

The text of the constitution has sharpened painful divisions in the Arab world's most populous nation and prompted often violent protests on the streets of Cairo.

Opposition groups condemn the new basic law as too Islamist and undemocratic, saying it could allow clerics to intervene in the lawmaking

A

negative image of Africa in the UK is harming efforts to raise food aid in the continent, charity Oxfam has said.

It found that three out of four people had become desensitised to images showing hunger, drought and disease.

Three-quarters thought it was possible to end hunger in Africa, but just one in five believed they could play an active role in achieving it.

Of the more than 2,000 people surveyed, almost half suggested hunger as the biggest problem facing Africa.

Respondents to the survey said over-exposure to negative media and advertising portrayals of Africa and developing countries in other parts of the world was "depressing, manipulative and hopeless".

Oxfam chief executive Dame Barbara Stocking said: "Oxfam has led the way in drawing attention to the plight of Africa's most vulnerable people and we aren't trying to gloss over the problems that still beset so many of them, particularly levels of malnutrition that remain stubbornly high.

"But we've come a long way since the 1980s and Band Aid's Do They Know it's Christmas? We need to shrug off the old stereotypes and celebrate the continent's diversity and complexity, which is what we are attempting with this campaign.

"The relentless focus on ongoing problems at the expense of a more nuanced portrait of the continent, is obscuring the progress that is being made towards a more secure and prosperous future.

"If we want people to help fight hunger we have to give them grounds for hope by showing the potential of countries across Africa - it's a natural instinct to turn away from suffering when you feel you can do nothing to alleviate it."

And when speaking to the BBC, Dame Stocking said a negative image of Africa was "not the truth" about that continent.

Oxfam chief executive Dame Barbara

President Mohamed Morsi

process and leave minority groups without proper legal protection.

Results announced on Tuesday, which followed two rounds of votes, showed Egyptians had approved the text with an overwhelming 63.8 percent, paving the way for a parliamentary election in about two months.

The National Salvation Front (NSF), Egypt's main opposition coalition, has alleged that there had been incidents of fraud during the vote.

But Judge Samir Abou el-Maati, the head of the electoral commission, denied allegations that judicial supervision was lacking in the vote.

The win gives Islamists their third straight electoral victory since former President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a 2011 revolution, after their earlier wins in parliamentary and presidential elections.

Muslim Brotherhood leader, Mohamed Badie, tweeted: "Congratulations to the Egyptian people on approving the constitution of revolutionary Egypt. Let's start building our country's rebirth... men and women, Muslims and Christians."

Morsi, who was catapulted into power by his Islamist allies, believes adopting the text is key to ending a protracted period of turmoil and uncertainty that has wrecked the economy.

CAR rebels seize central town, defying foreign troops

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ebels in Central African Republic seized the central town of Kaga Bandoro on Tuesday despite the presence of foreign troops meant to support the government, a government official said.

The fall of the town, 333 km (207 miles) north of the capital Bangui, came hours after the Seleka rebel alliance said they would suspend their push and means they now have a firm grip on the north and east of the fragile nation.

"They took the town after a

short battle despite the surprising lack of action from the Chadian (soldiers)," Rigobert Enza, who works in Kaga Bandoro's mayor's office, told Reuters after he fled to Sibut, the next town to the south.

Foreign soldiers in Kaga Bandoro include Chadians dispatched in the last few weeks to help Bangui tackle the latest rebellion as well as members of a regional stabilization force made up of soldiers from across Central Africa.

Neither rebel nor

government officials were available for comment. But the daughter of a second local government official in the town said she had received a call from her father confirming the town had been occupied by rebels.

CAR, a mineral-rich but land-locked former French colony, has been plagued by insecurity since independence in 1960.

President Francois Bozize came to power in 2003 after a brief war and has won two elections since then.

But facing several internal rebellions and t h e s p i l l - o v e r from conflicts in neighboring Chad and Sudan, he has struggled to stabilize the nation.

"The situation has become very serious," a senior official in the president's camp told Reuters, asking not to be named.

The rebels are made up of fighters from several previous rebel groups and complain that Bozize has failed to stick to the terms of a 2007 peace deal.

Al Qaeda blames France for Sahel hostage deadlock

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leader of al Qaeda's North African arm, AQIM, has accused France of failing to engage in negotiations to release French hostages the group is holding in the Sahel.

In a four-minute video message carried by regional news website Sahara Media, Abdel Hamid Abu Zeid said four hostages seized in Niger two years ago were alive and said Paris had not taken up AQIM's invitation to negotiate their release.

"About a year ago we alerted France to our willingness to negotiate and since then we have been waiting for a response," Abu Zeid said in a French transcript provided by Sahara Media, viewed as a reliable news portal with strong Islamist contacts.

The statement appeared to be in response to a December 8 message from the brother of one of the hostages who said he did

not understand why the situation appeared to be deadlocked.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said that Paris is working "discreetly" to try to secure the hostages' release.

AQIM, which operates across the vast Sahara desert and with its Islamist allies controls the northern twothirds of Mali, is holding four Frenchmen seized in a Niger mining town in 2010 and two others kidnapped in northeast Mali in late 2011.

A seventh Frenchman was kidnapped by a separate Islamist rebel group, MUJWA, in southwest Mali in November.

AQIM threatened in September to start killing hostages if Paris mounted a military intervention in northern Mali.

Despite that risk, Paris has been a vocal supporter of plans for an international operation to

try to wrest back the territory from the Islamists' control.

Western leaders are concerned the area could become a platform for militant attacks.

The U.N. Security Council this month authorized a Frenchdrafted resolution for the deployment of an African-led

Abdel Hamid Abu Zeid

force to retrain Mali's defeated army and ultimately support such an operation.

The four AQIM hostages were working for French nuclear group Areva and Sogea-Satom, a subsidiary of construction group Vinci, in the uranium mining town of Arlit in Niger.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Asia and Middle East

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he commander of Syria's military police has defected from President Bashar-al Assad's government and reportedly fled to Turkey.

Lt Gen Abulaziz al-Shalal is one of the highest-ranking officials to join the uprising against the Syrian regime.

The army had failed to protect Syrians and turned into "gangs of

PAGE 33

Syria crisis: Military police chief al-Shalal defects murder", the general said in a video statement.

The announcement comes as rebels claim to have made further gains in parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the UN peace envoy for Syria has met opposition

figures in Damascus in a new bid to end the conflict.

After reportedly crossing the border into Turkey, the commander released a statement saying he had defected because the military had perpetrated

massacres in towns and villages instead of protecting Syrians.

"I declare my defection from the army because of its deviation from its fundamental mission to protect the nation and transformation into gangs of murder and

destruction," he said in a video message posted online.

Opposition sources said the commander had been secretly cooperating with the rebels from the outset, the BBC's Middle East correspondent Jim Muir reports.

Deadly blast targets US base in Afghanistan

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Lt Gen Abulaziz al-Shalal announced his defection in a video message.

t least four people have been killed and seven wounded after a car bomber attacked a US base in Khost city in eastern Afghanistan, officials say.

Sediq Sediqqi, the Afghan interior ministry spokesman, said on yesterday the attack was a suicide car bombing and happened near the entrance of Forward Operating Base Chapman in Khost, a Taliban flashpoint that borders Pakistan.

Afghanistan's NATO-led force said the bomber did not get into the base nor breach its perimeter.

"Three Afghan nationals are killed and seven Afghan nationals are wounded. We have no report of coalition casualties right now," Major Martin O'Donnell, a spokesman for NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said.

The blast was so powerful that it rattled the windows of buildings in the city, some four kilometres away, an AFP journalist said.

The attack comes two days after an Afghan policewoman killed a US police adviser at the Kabul police headquarters.

The Taliban, who have waged a bloody guerilla war against foreign and Afghan government forces for the past 11 years since being ousted from power in an invasion led by the US, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Some of the dead nationals brought to the morgue.

ndia's government has ordered an investigation into the gang rape of a 23-year-old student while on a bus in the capital, Delhi, earlier this month.

A retired judge will "identify the lapses" on the part of authorities and "fix responsibility" a minister said.

The student's condition has "improved marginally", doctors say, although she remains on life support.

It sparked angry protests in India. Six people, including the bus driver, have been held in connection with the rape.

Violence in clashes between protesters and the police in Delhi left one policeman dead and injured more than 100 people.

India orders inquiry into Delhi gang rape

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Finance Minister P Chidambaram announced on Wednesday that retired judge Usha Mehra would head a commission of inquiry into the incident on 16 December.

The probe would "identify the lapses, if any, on the part of the police, or another authority or person that contributed to the occurrence, and fix responsibility for the lapses or negligence", Mr Chidambaram said.

Two policemen have already been been suspended.

Doctors at Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital say the woman remains on life support and in a critical condition despite a "marginal improvement" in her vital signs.

Japan's Shinzo Abe unveils cabinet

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Police block major routes in the city.

apan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has unveiled his cabinet as he begins the task of economic revitalisation.

The cabinet was named shortly after parliament voted for Mr Abe as PM, following his party's emphatic poll victory earlier this month.

The Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner have a twothirds majority in the lower house.

Mr Abe, who was also PM in 2006-07, chose another former premier, Taro Aso, for the key role of finance minister.

Analysts say the cabinet includes a number of Mr Abe's close allies as he eyes the task of pulling Japan out of a prolonged economic slump.

The former Trade and Industry Minister Akira Amari was named as minister for economic revival and veteran Toshimitsu Motegi was chosen for the post of trade minister.

Some reports say he will be tasked with energy policy in the aftermath of last year's Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Mr Abe is seen as a hawkish, right-of-centre leader. His previous term in office ended ignominiously amid falling popularity and a resignation on grounds of ill health.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas Russia's upper house approves ban on US adoptions

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ussia's upper house of parliament has unanimously backed a bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children.

The bill also proposes to ban US-funded nongovernmental organisations that do any political work in Russia.

It will become law if President Vladimir Putin signs the bill. He has previously voiced support for it.

It is a response to the US Magnitsky Act, which blacklists Russian alleged human rights violators.

Sergei Magnitsky was an anti-corruption lawyer who died in a Russian jail in 2009.

Mr Putin has labelled that measure an "unfriendly act", saying Washington should instead address human rights violations in US prisons.

Under the act, the US will withhold visas and freeze financial assets of Russian officials thought to have been involved with human rights violations.

The Duma voted overwhelmingly in favour of the bill earlier this month.

All 143 senators present at the upper house on Wednesday voted in favour of it.

US state department spokesman Patrick Ventrell has previously said that Russian children would be harmed by the measure.

The rate of adoption in Russia is low. Some 3,400 Russian children were adopted by foreign families in 2011, nearly a third of them by Americans. The number of children adopted by Russian citizens was 7,416.

There have been high-profile reports in Russia about some adopted children who were mistreated by their new American parents.

A pro-adoption protester in Moscow.

Obama to cut holiday short over fiscal cliff U

S President Barack Obama is set to cut short his Christmas holiday in Hawaii in order to hold talks on the so-called fiscal cliff, a set of tax hikes and spending cuts set to take effect next year.

Obama is expected to arrive in the capital early on Thursday, according to authorities, raising the possibility of renewed negotiations on a budget deal that could avert austerity measures.

Congress was also expected to return to Washington on Thursday.

Despite weeks of negotiations, Obama's administration has been unable to strike a deal with congressional Republicans that would slash the budget deficit and prevent the fiscal cliff.

The fiscal cliff is the result of a poison pill agreement reached earlier this year that would require major spending reductions as tax cuts passed under former president George Bush expire at the end of the year - should Democrats and Republicans fail to reach a deal to cut the deficit.

The White House has offered a deal with $1.2 trillion in revenues by fulfilling an Obama campaign promise to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire for the wealthy -- and nearly $1t in spending cuts.

Republicans are opposed to raising taxes in principle and have questioned whether the spending cuts proposed by the White House are real.

They have instead offered a deal

Obama (left) with wife Michele(right) in Hawaii. that would raise $1t in tax revenue - mainly by closing loopholes and ending deductions - and another $1 trillion in spending cuts, including cuts to Medicare and other social programs.

Venting frustration with Republicans, Obama on Friday urged lawmakers to pass scaleddown legislation that would at least prevent taxes from going up on the vast majority of

Americans, those making $250,000 or less per year.

The move would satisfy Obama's demand to raise taxes on the richest US citizens, as all Bushera taxes will go up on January 1, and Obama only envisions extending the lower rates for middle class earners.

House Republicans led by Speaker John Boehner have meanwhile punted to the

Spanish police bust hashish-smuggling ring

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panish police have smashed a major drug-smuggling network, confiscating more than 11 tonnes of hashish and arresting 35 people.

Most of the hashish was stored in warehouses located in the central Spanish province of

Toledo.

The drugs came from Morocco and were destined for distribution throughout Europe, authorities said.

Officers also seized more than 100,000 euros (ÂŁ81,800) in cash, 14 cars and dozens of mobile

Police inspecting the seized drug.

phones.

"The dismantled organisation controlled the entire chain of trafficking, from production to packing, as well as transport to Spain, storage, and distribution throughout Europe, especially in France, Belgium and England.

Democratically-led Senate, asking Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to write up legislation that can pass both houses.

Obama's suggestion would extend tax breaks to 98 percent of Americans - those earning below $250,000 a year.

In talks on a larger compromise, the president had offered to raise that threshold to $400,000.

Ukraine helicopter crash in Kirovograd kills five

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Ukrainian helicopter belonging to the interior ministry has crashed in the centre of the country, killing all five people on board, officials say.

They say the Mi-8 helicopter hit the ground shortly after taking off from an airport in the city of Olexandriya in the Kirovograd region.

Three crew members and two engineers on board died.

Correspondents say that helicopter accidents are common in former Soviet countries.

They usually happen because of poor maintenance, costcutting and scant regard for safety regulations.

The interior ministry says the cause of the crash is being investigated.

Mi-8 helicopters are usually deployed by the ministry to transport internal troops, correspondents say.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 35

Want a new road? Are you transgender?

The 7.5 mile stretch of the A537 linking Macclesfield and Buxton was identified as the most dangerous road of all

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ouncils consulting on the building of a relief road have asked residents whether their birth gender is different to their current gender in their latest bid to promote equality.

Taxpayers in Stockport, Cheshire East and Manchester City have been asked to fill in a "social inclusion" questionnaire detailing their gender, race, religion and sexual preferences.

One question asks: "Is your gender identity the same as the gender you were assigned with at birth?"

The survey, sent out as part of a consultation into the A6 to Manchester Airport relief road, is also understood to have been provided to people seeking blue badges for disabled parking.

Resident Richard Howarth, a 77-year-old retired

Belgian chocolatiers build vintage steam train made out of chocolate

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he 110-foot detailed sculpture of steampowered locomotive created by chocolatier Andrew Farrugia is made up of 2,755 pounds of chocolate and took 784 hours to complete.

The train, which is on show near the Eurostar train platform at Brussels' Gare du Midi, was created to promote the country's chocolate industry in the face of shrinking European market.

Belgium's three hundred chocolate companies produce some ÂŁ2 billion worth of chocolate every year.

Global trends suggest that demand for luxury chocolate is growing in emerging economies, but slowly

Chocolate train in test run.

shrinking in richer countries, with production slowly shifting to new markets where labour costs are low and the beans do not have to be shipped to Europe to be processed.

Since the recession, Belgian chocolatiers have been shielded from a dip in local demand by growing demand in eastern Europe and emerging markets Brazil, Russia, India and China.

The Belgian tourist minister Christos Doulkeridis said the industry was well able to withstand the growing international competition.

"We have the science and artisans to do it. We promote the chocolate of quality," he said.

international banker, said he was frustrated at his taxes being used to fund such initiatives.

"I can't quite see what difference being a sky-blue lesbian Hindu makes to where the bypass goes," he said.

"The questions came with this very fancy, glossy brochure about the proposed new road, asking me about my colour, my religion, my sex and

whether I was heterosexual, a gay man or a lesbian.

"When I asked the council about it, a typical officer told me Whitehall insisted on it."

Only three of the ten questions on the consultation paper relate to the road, asking for residents' "overall opinion", preferences on location and "other comments".

The other seven questions relate to personal details, including home postcodes, gender, age and disability.

One asks about "religion and beliefs", another requests a description of ethnicity and a final question details respondents' sexual orientation.

Mr Howarth added: "I sent it back with a message saying 'what a load of rubbish'."

Jim McMahon, project director for the road, said the Equality Act required local authorities to monitor the impact of policies on equality groups.

"The three Councils, Stockport, Cheshire East and Manchester City, involved with the A6 to Manchester Airport Relief Road, have a duty towards equalities and social inclusion," he said.

"Therefore the questions were agreed to allow future analysis of all responses and demonstrate that the consultation reaches all areas of the community.

"The wording of these questions reflect similar questions used in the Census and also from national equalities guidance.

"These questions are purely optional and do not have to be answered to register a comment, question or view on the scheme."

Earlier this month, communities secretary Eric Pickles called for councils to end the collection of "intrusive" questionnaires about sexuality and religion in a bid to save money.

In a booklet entitled 50 Ways to Save, officials advised councils to stop asking residents "about their sexuality, religion and other personal details".

These were described as "simply not necessary" while local authorities were also told they did not need to spend time and money on "equality impact assessments".

Last year, residents wanting to join libraries in Islington, north London, were asked whether they had a "hidden impairment", such as cancer, HIV, or diabetes.

Brent council asked new readers whether they had mental health conditions "such as depression or schizophrenia", while those in Leicestershire were asked for information about their sexuality, religion and race.

Traffic wardens given tape measures to fine motorists 19 inches from the kerb

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raffic wardens have been issued with tape measures to fine motorists who park more than 19 inches from the kerb.

Drivers face a ÂŁ70 fine if they breach the diktat - which is enforced on all roads even where no other parking restrictions apply.

Officials claim the new rule targets 'thoughtless and reckless' drivers.

But motorists reacted with fury, accusing Gwynedd Council in North Wales of introducing 'another tax on drivers'.

Officer manager Francis Kileen, 52, from Pwllheli, said: 'It's bad enough motorists getting booked for most trivial of reasons.

'But the thought of wardens now going round with tape measures and rulers kneeling down in the street and measuring how far drivers are parked from the kerb simply beggars belief.

'Why can't the authority fund betters ways of raising money without annoying the taxpayer?'

Sales representative Caroline Anderson, 48, from Porthmadog, said: 'The new rule is a disgrace.

'Motorists get a terrible time these days with rising petrol prices, insurance costs and upkeep and now they are being targeted again.

'All this means is we have to get our own tape measures and make sure we parked close enough to the kerb.

'It's all very time consuming and very petty.

'Why can't drivers be given a break for a change?'

The AA said that while parking too far from the kerb could in some cases be obstructive and dangerous, common sense must be applied when it came to issuing fines.

A spokesman said: 'This is one of those rules that can anger motorists but seem perfectly reasonable to local authorities.

'What people will be worried about is that it is just another tick box for traffic wardens to hand out tickets.'

The motoring group urged the council to initially issue drivers with a warning before 'slapping them with a ticket'. The council

said the fine would also be applied to those parking in front of 'dropped kerbs'.

Wardens will be able to issue on-the-spot fines to all offending drivers, including disabled motorists who hold blue badges.

Fines will be cut to ÂŁ35 if paid within 14 days.

A Gwynedd Council spokesman said the new rules were introduced after officials received complaints about people parking too far from the kerb. He added: 'Parking in this way can restrict visibility for pedestrians wanting to cross the road and so making our roads dangerous for those on foot.

Careful parking: Traffic wardens will target 'reckless' drivers measuring how far from the kerb they have parked their cars

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Half the benefit of sleeping pills is due to powerful placebo effect H

alf of the benefit of taking sleeping pills comes from the placebo effect, according to a major new study.

Researchers re-analysed results from more than a dozen clinical trials of the most common type of sleeping tablets, known as Z-drugs.

These drugs are frequently used in the UK and USA as a short-term treatment for insomnia with almost £25m worth of prescriptions handed out in Britain each year.

However, some health experts have questioned whether the benefits of Z-drugs

(non-benzodiazepine hypnotics) justify their side effects, which can include memory loss, fatigue and impaired balance.

Questions have also been raised about the validity of published research into the effects of these drugs based on trials sponsored by pharmaceutical companies.

So academics from the University of Lincoln, Harvard Medical School and University of Connecticut conducted a meta-analysis of data from clinical trials of Z-drugs comparing drug effects with placebo effects.

They used data submitted b y pharmaceutical companies to the US Food and D r u g Administration (FDA) for approval of new products. This included 13 clinical trials containing 65 d i f f e r e n t comparisons and more than 4,300 participants.

T h e i r f i n d i n g s , published in this week’s British Medical Journal, indicate that once the placebo effect is discounted, the drug effect is of ‘questionable c l i n i c a l importance’.

Lead author It's thought that a third of people in the UK have P r o f e s s o r N i r o s h a n bouts of insomnia

Still awake? Scientists say sleeping pills may not be as effective as first thought Siriwardena, from the University of Lincoln, said: ‘Our analysis showed that Z-drugs did reduce the length of time it took for subjects to fall asleep, both subjectively and as measured in a sleep lab, but around half of the effect of the drug was a placebo response.

‘There was not enough evidence from the trials to show other benefits that might be important to people with sleep problems, such as sleep quality or daytime functioning.

‘We know from other studies that around a fifth of people

experience side effects from sleeping tablets and one in one hundred older people will have a fall, fracture or road traffic accident after using them.

‘Psychological treatments for insomnia can work as effectively as sleeping tablets in the shortterm and better in the longterm, so we should pay more attention to increasing access to these treatments for patients who might benefit.’

He said future studies of sleeping tablets should investigate a broader range of outcomes, not just time taken to

fall asleep, and that pharmaceutical companies should be more transparent in disclosing results from their studies so that researchers can independently analyse their results.

It’s thought that a third of people in the UK suffer from bouts of insomnia. It is most common in older women.

It can be caused by many different things, including stressful events, psychiatric problems, underlying physical conditions, and drug and substance misuse.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Study: Chelation doesn’t help kids with autism

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emoving heavy metals from the body through a process traditionally used to treat mercury and lead poisoning doesn’t help relieve autism symptoms, a new analysis suggests.

During chelation therapy, patients are given injections of a chemical that binds to heavy metals, lowering their concentration in the blood and ultimately allowing the metals to be excreted through urine.

Chelation gained traction as an alternative treatment for autism due to a theory that mercury poisoning might play a role in the developmental disorder. However, evidence hasn’t supported that idea and it’s been essentially discarded in the scientific community, researchers said.

The procedure also carries safety concerns, including risks of kidney damage and

gastrointestinal problems.

Lead researcher Tonya Davis from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, said the study team’s goal was not to tell parents which treatments they should or shouldn’t seek for their children.

“I see that they want to try everything, and they are well intentioned,” she told Reuters Health.

“But there are risks involved with any treatment choice, and some of those risks are very serious. So far science does not support (chelation) as being an effective treatment, and that’s a big risk to take when you have limited resources and limited time.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 88 kids in the U.S. has an autism spectrum disorder.

Davis and her colleagues

found five studies that tested the effects of chelation in kids with autism. Those studies each had between one and 41 children, from age three to 14.

Researchers had given the kids chelation therapy sometimes along with vitamin supplements or other treatments - between one and 12 times a week for up to seven months. They used tests and questionnaires or anecdotal reports from parents to see how symptoms changed over time.

The study with only one child, a four-year-old boy, found chelation had positive effects on autism symptoms based on a parent report. The other four studies all showed mixed results, with some kids improving on some symptom measures.

However, none of the studies provided any certainty that those benefits were due to

chelation itself, and not another treatment or just kids getting older, the researchers wrote in the journal Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Davis said she and her colleagues were surprised to find so few studies measuring the effects of chelation, given how many families they each knew that were using it. That lack of evidence was a concern, she said, along with the questionable study designs and conclusions.

“I just hope that parents get as much information as they can” before trying a new treatment, Davis said.

A typical package of chelation treatments runs for about $2,000 to $5,000. In addition to treating lead poisoning, chelation has also been used for cancer and heart disease.

But when it comes to autism,

even calling chelation an alternative therapy is a stretch, said one autism researcher not involved in the new study.

“There’s really no evidence that mercury causes autism or has a place in causing autism, and also we know that chelation can be dangerous as well. Even the underlying theories don’t make sense,” said Dr. Joyce Mauk, head of the Child Study Center, an organization that treats kids with developmental disabilities in Fort Worth, Texas.

“Most children with developmental disabilities, what gets them better is a really skilled therapist and lots of work,” Mauk told Reuters Health.

“If you hear about something when all you do is inject something or take a pill, it’s unlikely to work.”

Source: Reuters.com

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 37

Bauchi creation of chiefdoms to bring govt. nearer to the people, says Commissioner INTERVIEW Can you tell us about yourself? was born on the 24th of November 1965. I attended a number of primary schools. I started with the Race-Course primary school in Potiskum then I went on to Central Primary School in Jimeta, Yola and later moved on to Gyamzo Primary School in Toro and ended up my primary school at the Sa’adu Zungur Primary School in Bauchi.

From there between 1977 and 1982 I went to the Government Secondary School, Bauchi and then I finished my secondary education at Government Secondary School, Toro.

In 1982 after the completion of my secondary school I went to the school of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University where I qualified for my A levels and then I went straight into the Department of Accounting of the same University, Ahmadu Bello University where I obtained my BSc degree in Accounting in 1986. I served in Imo state and after my service I took up employment with the Bauchi State Treasury and worked for about six months. Then I left and went into the banking industry.

I had worked with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International, worked with African International Bank, and worked with Intercity Bank and finally with Unity Bank between 1988 and 2007. In between this period I have worked in quite a number of branches of various banks. I was at various times a Branch Manager in Sokoto, Jos, Victoria Island, Lagos and Port Harcourt. I was the Head of Foreign Operations and that of General Audit and Inspection.

In 2007 I came on leave of absence to join the cabinet of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Bauchi state, Mallam Isa Yuguda and from 2007 to date I have been initially the Commissioner for Lands and Survey; I was also a Commissioner of Health at a time; I was a Commissioner of Finance at some point in time too and currently I am the Commissioner for Lands and Housing and also the Commissioner overseeing Budget and Planning. I am an alumnus of Lagos Business School, an alumnus of the University Of Pittsburgh School of Post-graduate Studies, I am a fellow of the Association of the National Accountants of Nigeria and I am a member of the National Institute of Management.

As the Maga-Takardan Misau in which way could you contribute to the growth and development of Misau emirate?

Well, first and foremost I think that for me personally, it’s a recognition to come closer to His

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Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, Bauchi State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, who was recently turbaned as the Maga-takardan Misau, in this interaction with newsmen rationalizes the creation of new chiefdoms by the Bauchi state government even as he tasks the people on the need to learn to live together in peace irrespective of their religious differences. Our Bauchi Correspondent, Ahmed Kaigama, was there. Excerpts: Royal Highness the Emir; to come closer to the Emirate Council and I believe probably what His Royal Highness has seen in me has convinced him that there are potentials that he can draw fin term of probably advices and contributions that I can make to the development of the Emirate and I would say that over the last 10 to 15 years, I have done as much as I can in terms of advices, in terms of whatever is required from me by the emirate. So I believe that this is just a recognition and official engagement for me by the Emir to come in officially at every point in time to offer advices for the development of the emirate.

What is your impression about the bestowment on you the traditional title of Magatakarda by the emir?

Well, I am indeed very grateful to the Almighty Allah for making this possible and I want to most sincerely thank His Royal Highness the Emir of Misau for bestowing this honour on me. It is not just an honour to me, I would say that this is a honour for us in government; the Government of Bauchi state under the leadership of Mallam Isa Yuguda, to my immediate family and to the larger family of late Mallam Hammayo Misau. We are indeed very grateful, we are grateful because we believe that His Royal Highness did in recognition of our contributions to the development of Misau emirate.

Has the creation of additional chiefdoms in the state any objective to the government vis-à-vis the people?

Well, I think the main intention is really to try to bring governance closer to the people and I believe that from the reactions of the people across the state it has been welcomed and we believe that it would bring governance particularly at the traditional level closer to the people at the grassroots.

You know over the last two weeks, coronations of various district heads have taken place in all the emirates.

Quite a number have taken place in Bauchi Emirate; a lot has also been done in Katagum Emirate and between yesterday and today we have seen quite a lot done here in Misau Emirate. And I will say that, without any fear of contradiction, the reaction that we have seen, the joy that people have expressed is an indication that this is a very welcome development for the

Alhaji Aminu Hammayo entire people of the state.

Some political pundits have it that the creation of additional chiefdom may pose additional burden to both the state and local governments, what is your take here?

Well, you see in every action you take there are the pros and cons of that action and what you try to do is to weight what benefits would be vis-à-vis the consequences. I believe that whatever burden is involved in this, the benefits far out weight the burden and I think it is something that the government has sat down very well to analyse and the government is certainly convinced that the burden is not a burden that will be too much for the state to be able to take considering the benefits that would come to the state in terms of implementation.

But which of the two tiers particularly would take the burden of the districts and village areas?

Basically, the districts are the responsibilities of the local governments. Not just the districts even the emirates are the responsibilities of the local governments. So, by extension,

certainly the new districts that have been created are only extension of the local administration; certainly they are going to be the responsibilities of the local governments.

What are the functions of Maga-Takarda?

Well, the history that has been read of what Maga-takarda does basically is to act as the chief scribe of the Emirate and from the history that we heard, the title of Magatakarda started in Misau Emirate in either 1911 or 1914 and I know that at a time the Maga-takarda was responsible or has been the chief scribe and at the same time the treasurer which is Ma’aji. And I know that from history, sometimes in 1943 when the first council of the emirate was set up, the function of the Maga-takarda was basically separated into two: the chief scribe becoming a separate function and the treasurer becoming a separate function, and I know from history when that was done in 1943 incidentally my late father Mallam Hammayo Misau of blessed memory was appointed the first Maga-takarda which he held for about three years before he retired and then went on to pursue

his education and then somebody took the responsibility of Magatakarda.

So basically Maga-takarda as the name implies is something that has to do with the book; something that has to do with somebody who is probably fast in letters; somebody who is competent enough to be able to write on behalf of the Emirate.

So he performs the functions of a Secretary?

Well, though that basically has been the function but you know over time there has been an evolution on how this is done. I know that as it is now, officially even as part of the local government administration, there is a secretary; there is a budget for the Emirate council so that I would say is probably the modern version of Maga-takarda. Mine I believe is basically ceremonial since you have a functional secretary of the Emirate Council.

What is your message to the people of Misau Emirate and the Bauchi people in general?

Well, at this point in time I think what is most critical for each and every one of us is to ensure that peace and stability reigns not only in Misau Emirate or Bauchi state but the country at large. We know what insecurity has caused in various parts of the world and we know that for any meaningful development to be achieved, peace has to be there. This is because development and investment, if I may borrow the words of His Excellency Governor Isa Yuguda, are cowards that would never come to a place where there is insecurity. So, I believe that to ensure there is security is the responsibility of each and every one of us as citizen of this state. As citizens of this country, I believe that we must keep our eyes and ears open and we must be ready at all times to be able to assist the government, the security agencies so that security is maintained. Every information we feel is important to the security agencies should be given so that before any harm is done to the community. So I think it is important that each and every one of us should know that it is our civic responsibilities for us to be able to ensure that peace reigns and peace is not just in terms of things you see happening but learning to live with each other peacefully.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Nasarawa to conduct LG election early next year From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he Nasarawa state govern ment has said it will con duct election for its 13 local government areas in the first quarter of 2013 in order to pave way for even development at the grass roots as well as give a sense of belonging to the people.

Deputy Governor, Dameshi Barau Luka, made the disclosure yesterday while addressing

government functionaries, including commissioners, permanent secretaries, advisers, TMC chairmen, community leaders and youths, who came to pay him Christmas homage at his Ningo country home, Akwanga LGA. Luka, while reiterating the commitments of the CPC administration in the state to a level playing ground in the forthcoming council elections, said the conduct of the exercise

has become necessary considering the fact that the local government is the closest to the people at the grass root.

While challenging the TMC chairmen to mobilise support for the party in order to replicate the victory of the party in the 2011 governorship elections that brought in the present administration, Luka stated that on their part, the executive is working round the clock for a resounding victory

at the polls.

The Deputy Governor, pointed out that with the visible achievements so far recorded by the present administration within one and half years, the best is yet to come even as he assured that the year 2013 will be the year of a turnaround, promising that so many developmental projects which will have direct bearings on the lives of the citizens of the state will crop up so as to bring

development closer to the people of the state.

He then called on all party faithful and supporters to keep faith with the CPC led administration of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, urging communities and citizens of the state to ensure peaceful coexistence in order to enable the government carry out its statutory responsibility of ensuring that all communities in the state witness one development or the other.

Benue Finance Commissioner bags award

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

T

Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed (2nd right), with Chairman, PDP in Baruten Local Government of Kwara State, Hon Idris Buko (displaying keys), Chairman, Baruten Local Government Area, Alhaji Kora Sabi(3rd left), and Kwara state Commissioner for Water Resources, Eng. ,Abubakar idris (left), at the headquarters of the local government in Kosubosu where Hon. Zakari donated a bus to the PDP in the local government .

You’re instigating mutiny, PDP tells CPC

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) of trying to instigate mutiny in the country with its reaction of President Goodluck’s Christman comment that his government had the wherewithal to his party’s campaign promises.

The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, described the CPC reaction as another clear evidence that the CPC is not ready to step down its philosophy of violence and vile communication module.

According to the party, the CPC reaction could stir public distrust and trigger a flood of mutiny against the PDP led federal government will continue to suffer still birth as Nigerians are capable of sifting the truth from tissue of lies.

The party however insisted that President Jonathan was correct when he declared in his

Christmas message that he has the political will and determination to deliver on the party's promise of positive changes in the living conditions of the people in the shortest possible time, insisting that the gains of the Party's transformation program will bear more fruits in the coming years.

The statement read "President Jonathan has invested heavily in critical infrastructures such as power, road and rail transport, security, agriculture, education among others. While the maturity span of some of these infrastructures is long term and is expected to yield benefits in coming years, there is abundant evidence that steady gains are already crystalizing in sectors such as power, education and rail transport."

"The CPC will definitely be blind to this steady progress because constructive engagement is not the ultimate motivation of its criticism," the statement added.

According to PDP, the CPC's argument that PDP has misman-

aged the fortunes of the nation in the last thirteen years flies at the consistent renewal of the party's mandate by the people since 1999.

"Even in 2011 when the CPC took desperation to a criminal level, orchestrating an orgy of election violence that claimed many lives, Nigerians stood firm for the PDP in an election adjudged locally and internationally as the most credible in the nation's recent record. But has the PDP squandered its mandate in over a decade in saddle?" the statement asked.

"This can only be true in the diseased imagination of the CPC. The PDP has remained the only truly national party on whose shoulders revolve the unity of the nation. Need we say that a Nigeria in the hands of a political party like the CPC is on an express road to Somalia?"

Besides, the statement continued, " the PDP met Nigeria a pariah state, retrieved and returned it to the centre stage of global reckoning. It is also on record that at a

time the economy of the western nations was hobbled by the global meltdown with banks collapsing, no bank in Nigeria suffered similar fate. " "Similarly, as part of the party's strategy against corruption, the PDP liberalized the economy and threw the door open to generate new jobs. The party also established anti corruption agencies, the EFCC and ICPC as well as enacted the Freedom of Information law to enhance transparency in governance. The party' s dispassion in winning the battle on corruption has seen even senior members of the Party convicted for corruption."

"We must add, that our battle on corruption is total and that President Jonathan has won the most critical aspect of it which is against electoral corruption. Nigerians now go to the polls and are sure their votes will count. There is no shorter road to good governance than when mandate and withdrawal of it depend entirely on the people," the statement concluded.

he Benue state Commissioner for Finance, Hon Omadachi Oklobia, has been voted as the best in the country for the year 2012 by the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Transparency in Governance.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Executive Director/PR Event, Comrade Ibrahim Alih in Abuja. According to the statement, the decision to honour the Benue state Commissioner for Finance was reached after a thorough and systematic analysis of all the nominees short listed for the award where Mr. Oklobia’s professional conduct stood him far above others.

It further stated that the award was in recognition of the Commissioner’s careful financial conduct in line with due process which has in turn brought about unprecedented development in the north central state.

The Coalition therefore charged the award winner to see the honour as a catalyst to continue in the right direction as Nigerians are looking up to his winning strategies consisting of prudence, accountability and transparency to move the nation forward.

“The Coalition wishes to unequivocally commend the Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Omadachi OKlobia for emerging victorious to win the award as the ‘Best Commissioner in Nigeria’ after a very thorough exercise conducted by the movement based on acceptable international standard,” the group stated “While commending his professionalism and expertise in managing the scarce financial resources available to government for developmental purposes in Benue State, we in the Civil Society wishes to recommend his transparent, accountable and prudent skills to the generality of Nigerians in our match to the Promised Land; “From our investigations, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia has immensely contributed to the sustenance of good governance in his capacity and should be commended by all for his courage, confidence and selflessness in the discharge of his duties to our fatherland,” the statement added.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 39

Defections: Oyo ACN inherits political liability, says Akala From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

I

mmediate past governor of Oyo State, Adebayo AlaoAkala, has described former governor of the state, Victor Omololu Olunloyo, who recently defected as somebody with no electoral value saying Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) might have inherited a political liability.

It would be recalled that, the former governor recently at the Ibadan South-West Local Government Secretariat of ACN led other members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to which Alao-Akala belongs, in the local government to defect to the ruling ACN in the state.

But reacting to the development, Akala in a chat with journalists at his Ogbomoso residence during his annual Christmas party described anybody defecting from the PDP to any party as a political jobber and parasites, always looking for where to suck.

According to him “Those defecting are political jobbers. Take a look at the pedigree of such people and you will be able to determine their substance. They are parasites.

They just always want to hold on to something. Anybody who thinks those people matter is just making mistake.

“For Olunloyo, I ask, who is Olunloyo? Olunloyo is just somebody, who does not have pedigree. His problem is that he is consistently inconsistent. He is not a politician. What is his electoral value? He has no electoral value. If he has decamped, let him show us his followers.

“Who will follow him to ACN? Can he command any followership?

At the beginning of our government, we only accommodated him. Successive governments have been accommodating him because he was a former governor. I am an ex-

governor and so I deserve such privilege also. He has never been a member of the PDP. He is not a cardcarrying member”, he disclosed.

When reminded that the same Olunloyo was a member of the elders’ council of the party while governor Akala was in office, he insisted that he was brought in because all the past governors were there, adding, “That was because we brought all the past governors together.

“That was why he was given the privilege. He is not significant as far as I am concerned. If AlaoAkala should decamp to another party now, you can imagine how many people will move with him

compared with that of Olunloyo you talked about. So, that cannot move us a bit. We are still together in the PDP. We are everywhere across the state and by the grace of God, we are going to make it in the end”, the former governor remarked.

He denied allegation of calling for the dissolution of the legally constituted state executive council, stressing that he only went to National Headquarters of the party to notify them of what they have to do about Oyo State.

“It is not true. I didn’t petition the National Headquarters. I know Oyo PDP very well and I know our problems and so I went there to offer them solution about the problems

of Oyo State and that is exactly what they are now pursuing to ensure that we are one. And by the grace of God, in the new year, we shall become one.

“At every level, we have leaders we respect. It starts from the ward, local to state level. At every respective area, everything is now in harmony. We don’t lord anything over anybody. At Ogbomoso for example, we let our members decide what they want.

Even in Ibadan, they tell us what they want. Same applies to people in Oyo and the people of Oke Ogun.

With that, we respect one another, and by so doing, we can move the party forward”, Akala concluded.

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P

A

chairmanship aspirant under the Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP) in Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC) Hon. Samson Nyada Aleiata has been disqualified for tax evasion.

A top official of the screening committee who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that Hon. Aleiata’s disqualification was due to his nonchalant attitude towards disobeying the constitutional law of the land by not paying his tax as at when due.

Further investigation revealed that the disqualified aspirant is preparing a petition against the activities of the primary election screening committee to order for a fresh primary election in AMAC. Those cleared during the exercise are the incumbent Chairman of AMAC Hon. Micah Jiba, Alhaja Musa Tele and others.

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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L-R: Representative of Akwa Ibom state Governor, Mr. Aniekan Umana, receiving Governor's Mandate Award from the former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Iyom Josephine Anenih, during the conferment of the award on Governor Godswill Akpabio, recently in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

constitution.

He called for a comprehensive review of the constitution in such a way to accommodate peoples’ yearnings and aspirations.

He said: ‘’We want restructuring; we want a return to true federalism which the army truncated; in many states, governors act as military administrators.’’

The party leader said there should be a national conference

which would give the Nigerian people an opportunity to air their views on issues of general interests.

This, he said, was not the same as the Sovereign National Conference being demanded by some sections of the country, On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), the CPP leader expressed regrets on ‘’the pace at which the Bill is moving in a very slow manner and may not

meet with the standard of the operators in the oil and gas sector’’.

The chairman decried the level of lobbying in the oil and gas sector which he said had contributed to the slow passage of the Bill.

Okwu said the petroleum Industry should be manned largely by Nigerians content and not controlled by foreigners.

(NAN)

Adeboye urges Christians to embrace righteousness astor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), on Tuesday urged Christians to turn to God and forsake their sinful ways.

Adeboye said at the ‘2012 Lets Go A-Fishing’, a soul-winning project of the church, that the faithful should

By Adeola Tukuru

Jigawa Assembly passes 9 laws in 2012

CPP advocates people-oriented National Conference ational Chairman, Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Mr Maxi Okwu, has called for a national conference whose decisions must be subjected to a referendum by Nigerians.

Okwu, who stated this in Abuja on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the present National Assembly would not be able to midwife a people’s

FCT poll: PDP aspirant disqualified for tax evasion

embrace righteousness so as to attract God’s favour.

The programme, with the theme: ‘Highly Favoured’ was organised by the RCCG, National Headquarters at the Centre for Management Development, Shangisha, Lagos.

He said that any nation with the fear of God and filled with

righteousness, would earn Gods’ favour.

“When God decides to favour you, it does not matter where you are, the favour of God will surely locate you.

“Once the favour of God locates you, it changes your destiny, you will get to the top and the blessing will flow to others.

“When God decides to favour you, you are empowered, it turns you into anointing and it brings you in contact with greatness.

“When God decided to favour David, He gave him power,’’ Adeboye said.

The cleric urged the congregation to live a holy life. (NAN)

he Jigawa State House of Assembly has passed and assented to fourteen bills into law this year.

The bills include that of the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) amendment law, commercial agriculture credit scheme law, State Appropriation Law. Also included are the local government councils appropriation law, a law to provide for free and compulsory immunisation for children as well as the law establishing the state College of Remedial and Advanced studies and that of College of nursing and Midwifery.

The rest are thos of Dutse Capital Development Authority (DCDA) amendment law as well as the exhibition and multi media censorship board and a bill that amend some sections of the Jigawa state pilgrims welfare board and the amendment of some sections of the state law revision and the recent supplementary budget law.

A statistics obtained from the Public Relation Department of the House revealed that 66 laws were passed and assented by the House from June 2007 to date.

Out of the number, seven were passed in 2007, fifteen in 2008, nine in 2009, fourteen in 2010, seven in 2011 and fourteen in 2012.

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PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Christmas: CPC congratulates Nigerians

L-R: Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Lawal Ngama, Minister Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Peter Orubebe, and the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, recently at the State House, in Abuja.

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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Photo: Joe Oroye

New party to fight PDP emerges first quarter of 2013, says Sen. Abba-Ibrahim

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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ormer governor of Yobe state, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, yesterday disclosed that the deadline for merger plans by opposition parties to defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 presidential election is March next year.

According to him: " Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has appointed their team, ANPP has appointed which I'm part of the committee, we have met several times here, we have even toured the zones, we have toured North Central; we are collecting all our supporters in North/central in Lafia, we went to address them and they all cheered us over what we're doing; we were in Enugu South/East Nigeria for a whole day, we are going to go to visit other zones".

"Before March, 2013, we are

all going to have an accord on this merger that is the deadline for the merger materialized. ACN is doing a similar thing but the only party that I am not too sure an out what they doing now is the CPC. I learn they are also meeting to set up their own committee. From all indications, the parties are forming a totally new party where all the opposition coalition will come together as one entity. We are talking with the APGA through the Imo state governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha on the joining the coalition, and the Labour Party too will join us and then we form a new party".

"That I think will happen. This plan appears to be more popular than any other arrangement and I believe there is sufficient time to register a new party. All the groups were together before, CPC, ACN and ANPP; they were all one when we started the political process in

1999. It was all because of fragmentation over the years that we became what we are today. It is not impossible for us to get back together, whatever reasons we used to beak up at that time, and we can now rewind everything and find our ways back as one family."

On who the Presidential candidate would be after the merger, Ibrahim said "Well, in politics, who gets what is always important, but the most important thing for now us now is not who gets what but for us to get together, merge, get a new arrangement, under which anybody can look for whatever he wants, or on the other hand, we can say if the whole group that there should be zoning, we'll go with the zoning formula that will be on a permanent basis but the most important thing to pursue now is the merger.

"Since we are all now in

opposition and we have been calling ourselves members of the progressives, we are going to join hands with some others groups that are on the other side, the conservatives to confront the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

I feel it is healthy for our democracy, to have at least two strong political parties. I am convinced that this experiment will work this time around.

"Remember, everyone involved in this merger plan have gone through it in the past and have learnt lessons from the failed attempts and have known also how their views and ideas have suffered all these years. I believe the ideologies of the opposition groups are quite different from that of the PDP which is more of conservatism.

Whereas the ideology of members of the opposition parties is progressive in nature", he said.

Nyako warns council chairmen against extravagant spending

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overnor Murtala Nyako has warned newly elected local government chairmen in Adamawa against extravagant spending of council funds.

Nyako gave the warning when he received the chairmen, who paid him a Christmas visit at Government House, Yola, and advised them to give priority attention to education, health and youth empowerment.

"The welfare of our children who are leaders of tomorrow must be given priority,. Our children must read and everything possible should be done to ensure that," he said.

The governor expressed concern over some social ills, such as drug abuse among youths, and said his administration was considering making a law that would provide for

the demolition of any house where hard drugs were sold.

He urged the chairmen not to depend on monthly subventions from the state or the Federal Government for the execution of development projects but to explore other sources of funding, such as the

Millennium Development Goal Office and UN agencies.

Earlier, the spokesman for the chairmen, Alhaji Sahabo Aliyu, said they were at Government House to pay Christmas homage and express their loyalty and support to the government.

Meanwhile, members of the Association of Physically challenged Persons in Adamawa have called on the state government to pay their nine months salary arrears to enable them to enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations. (NAN)

ongress for Progressive Change (CPC) has congratulated Nigerian for being steadfast through 2012 despite the various challenges which it argued was created by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Federal Government leadership.

In a Christmas message to Christians, which was signed by the National Publicity secretary of the party, Rotimi Fashakin, CPC recalled that the year started with the forty-nine percent increase of petrol pump price by PDP government.

It therefore alleged that with N2.67 trillion and N1.05 trillion which Federal Government claimed to have spent on fuel subsidy in 2011 and 2012 respectively, the administration has created a bleeding pipe through which the scarce resources of the country are siphoned into private pockets of cronies.

"The conundrum that this administration has brought the Nation is that: any increase in world crude oil price would not translate into the prosperity of the Nigeria and her citizens.

The administration of the fuel subsidy, under the regime, has become a phenomenon in legendary opacity and monstrous corrupt tendencies," the statement read.

In addition, CPC bemoaned the insecurity situation in the country, saying the PDP administration has demonstrated lack of capacity in tackling the myriad of insecurity issues that have bedeviled the country throughout last year.

It expressed worry that after each deadly bomb blast with attendant fatalities, it had become a regular template of Presidential response to promise investigation and security cover for all under the nation's space.

While pointing out that the PDP administration cannot be trusted because of its impunity despite public opinion, CPC said that PDP government is more interested in seizing political power rather than the adequate planning for effectual governance.

Work together for Nigeria's interest, unionist urges political leaders

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he General Secretary, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Mr Joe Ajaero, yesterday in Lagos called on Nigerian political leaders to work together and promote peace in the country. ``The Nigeria project should be paramount. Everybody should

forget their differences and do things that will edify the nation. ``Our political leaders must lead the path to progress,'' Ajaero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He told NAN that workers' agitation in the electricity sector was as a result of some of the on-

going reforms.

The general secretary said the agitation was further fuelled by the non-implementation of payment of workers' entitlements and salaries in consonance with laid-down industrial agreements. ``Those who are supposed to

be the drivers of the development process in the energy sector ought to have the interest of the country at heart,'' he said.

Ajaero further said government ought to have regularised the employment portfolios of ``about 4,000 casual workers'' still in the sector. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 41

Faro Camp: Visa stops Okonkwo, Idris, Uche Stories by Albert Akota

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uper Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was again on the hot seat yesterday morning, for the last time before hostilities start at the AFCON 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa, during the weekly media chat and he did gave a comprehensive overview of how training has been going on in camp.

He revealed that new Warri Wolves acquisition, Chibuzor

Chibuzor Okonkwo

Okonkwo, who was scheduled to head to the Faro, Portugal camp of the team, may have missed out due to the fact that he does not have a valid Shengen visa for the trip and it will take a minimum of 10 days to get that sorted out with.

“By that time we will already be rounding off our training, that is why we may have to leave him behind”, he declared.

Keshi also revealed that Kano Pillars’ Papa Idris and Enyimba’s Henry Uche have been offered opportunity to

hustle for shirts in the Faro camp and should be travelling with the team on Thursday.

The duo has been excellent in training despite the fact that the list of home based players for the camp has already been released.

The longest serving captain of the national team also spoke on the international friendly against Catalonia, of Spain, noting that he fears the weather may affect his team but noted that the players will give the game their all. ”I hear that 10

2013 AFCON: FNB stadium may be ditched – LOC

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he Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the forthcoming 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), has warned that it could ditch the FNB Stadium over an unresolved naming rights issue.

Sipho Sithole, the LOC Chief Communications Officer, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg yesterday that the committee might have to adopt its plan B as a way out of the impasse.

“The LOC is not part of the discussion on the ongoing dispute between FNB and owners of the stadium, but we have a plan B in case both parties are unable to arrive at an amicable settlement to the problem on time.

“The plan B could be that matches slated for the stadium may be moved to another stadium,’’ Sithole said.

He said the dispute was affecting the printing of tickets for the opening and the final matches.

“Though the dispute does not affect the sale of tickets for the opening and final matches, we cannot print official tickets for the two matches due the ongoing dispute.

“What we have now are temporary tickets for the two matches,’’ Sithole said.

NAN reports that there has been a dispute between the Department of Public Works and First National Bank (FNB) on the naming rights of the stadium.

The dispute may infringe on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rule, which does not allow the branding of a stadium for continental tournament.

The stadium had its name changed during the 2010 World Cup, due to FIFA’s rule on branding any of the stadiums to be used for the tournament, but FNB has refused to cede its naming rights to the stadium for the AFCON. The Department of Public Works, which owns the

Catalonia friendly will be a test for Eagles, says Keshi

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he Chief Coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi has welcomed a January 2

Inesta

warm-up against Catalonia, but hopes the cold weather in Spain will not affect his team.

“I hear that 10 players from Barcelona will be part of the team, that is great news and it’s an opportunity for my boys to show that they have the capacity to play against the best footballers in the world.

“The score line may not matter but we will not disappoint Nigerians,” said Keshi on the friendly.

The coach though said he hopes the cold

weather in Europe at this time of the year will not affect his players.

This will be the second time the Eagles will clash with Catalonia having first lost 5-0 to the selected side in December 1998.

The other AFCON warm-up confirmed for the Eagles will be against Cape Verde in Portugal on January 9.

The Eagles will depart for Faro, Portugal, today afternoon through Accra, Ghana, to begin the final phase training for the Nations Cup.

players from Barcelona will be part of the team, that is great news and it’s an opportunity for my boys to show that they have the capacity to play against the best footballers in the world.

The scoreline may not matter but we will not disappoint Nigerians.

On his goodwill message to Nigerians, Keshi urged Nigerians not to cease praying for the team as he foresees the team putting smiles on the faces of the numerous soccer fans in the country.

“We need their support and prayers

and hopefully we will put smiles on their faces at the end of the championship in South Africa.”

Also the umbrella body of sportswriters in the country, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), through its National Secretary, Andrew Abba, praised the courage of the technical crew for the smooth manner the national team has been running since Keshi and his crew took over and said Nigerians are expectant of a good outing at AFCON 2013.

stadium, has leased it to the City of Johannesburg, which has a subsisting branding agreement with FNB from 2007 to 2014.

In its bid to make some concession, the FNB has demanded for an extension till 2016, to accommodate the change in the name of the stadium, during the 2013 AFCON tournament.

Meanwhile, the LOC has blamed the inability of the government to release funds, for the lack of adequate publicity and marketing for the tournament.

Sithole said the committee’s visual marketing campaign, “which involves us putting up billboards all over the country, has been stalled due to non-release of funds’’.

“We were meant to have television and radio adverts, but we couldn’t do all that because we didn’t receive the money from government.”

The tournament is scheduled to take place in five centres across the country, between Jan. 19 and Feb. 10.

Contract clause halt Ameobi’s AFCON dreams

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he Super Eagles will depart for Faro, Portugal today through Accra, Ghana, to begin the final phase of its camping for the Nations Cup, with Head Coach Stephen Keshi, hinting that Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi, has a contract clause that may exclude him from the Afcon Championship.

Speaking at the weekly media parley in Abuja that precedes the team’s departure, Keshi declared that he spoke to the gangling striker on Christmas day and he told him that two years ago he signed a clause in his contract that says he cannot go to the Nations Cup without the Manager’s permission.

“And to make matters worse Newcastle fears that Demba Ba, will be leaving the club by the January window and they need a strong strike force and with Ameobi being their most experienced player in that area we may lose him. ”But he has said he will talk to me on Boxing Day Night and after that I will let Nigerians know what the position is, because he wants to thrash out the issue with his Manager, Alan Pardew.

The Super Eagles will have their last training session at the Abuja National Stadium training pitch yesterday morning before departing for Portugal, same day. All players who will not be making the trip to Portugal will be decamped same day.

Keshi took time off to pay homage to the determination and commitment of the homebased professionals during training. ”It’s a shame that we can’t take all of them to Faro, but what they have done here shows that they are true professionals and I know when we return they will be part of the set up for the next Shola Ameobi round of qualifiers in the national team.

National coach advocates for coaches, players institution

T

he National Junior Team’s Head Coach and a member of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Ubale Mohammed, has called for the establishment of an

institute for the grooming of tennis coaches and players.

He said in Lagos that such an institute would help to reposition the country as a leading tennisplaying nation.

“I believe that this is one area of strength, when you have an institute where athletes and coaches are nurtured under the supervision of seasoned instructors.

“We have all come to know that tennis is one of the best sports to reckon with in our country. This is the time for it to be accorded appropriate recognition.

“We do not need to

wait until a major t o u r n a m e n t approaches before scouting for talents.

What we need is to pick from already certified athletes to represent us,’’ Mohammed said.

He said Nigerian tennis has lots of talents that could be groomed for stardom.

“We have these players all over the country, but we do not have enough institutions where

these players can be worked on,’’ he said.

The coach however urged athletes generally to be more focused and disciplined, and not to see monetary gain as their priority.

PAGE 42

Kalaba in speed recovery

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ainford Kalaba could be back to full team training by New Years Day says Zambia team doctor Joseph Kabungo.

Dr Kabungo said that he will have another look at the influential playmaker when Zambia enters camp in Johannesburg on December 26. Kalaba has been out of action since October 10 after sustaining a groin injury on CAF Champions League duty with DR Congo club TP Mazembe.

“We will determine how well he progress in the next few days and he might actually be back sooner than you think,” Dr Kabungo said. “It (his rest period) was highly precautionary. Rainford stayed out of action for such a long time and there was no way he could just join the guys who have been busy throughout season.”

Kabala has been doing light training alone since the main team Zambia kicked off its 2013 Africa Cup preparation on December 15 in Lusaka.

Meanwhile, Dr Kabungo disclosed that defender Kampamba Chintu’s injury he sustained on his left leg against Tanzania before he was taken off in the second half on Saturday was not serious.

“It is a minor quadriceps strain and we will give him a couple of days to rest but he should be ok,” Dr Kabungo said.

Uche set for Portugal training

T

he Eagles Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has said Henry Uche will now be in Portugal even though he did not make his initial squad.

The Enyimba hit man has been rewarded for his form in training in Abuja even after he was left out of a 32-man provisional squad.

“Henry Uche will be in the party to Portugal. In these past days, he has shown great quality and discipline to earn a place in the team,” Keshi said.

H o w e v e r , Heartland defender Chibuzor Okonkwo will no longer be in Portugal as he does Henry Uche not have an entry visa to Europe.

“Chibuzor Okonkwo may not make the trip because he does not have a visa and it would take two weeks for him to get visa by then we would have concluded our preparations,””the Eagles handler added.

The squad of mainly players from the Nigeria Premier League will then be joined by at least a dozen other players from Europe in time for a January 2 warm-up against Catalonia in Spain.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

Akanni wants NFF to sustain grassroots programmes

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x-international midfielder Waidi Akanni has urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sustain its ongoing grassroots development programme, saying that it was critical to the country’s football.

Akanni, a member of the Paul Hamilton tutored Flying Eagles squad that won a bronze medal at the Moscow 1985 FIFA U-20 World Cup,gave the advice in Lagos.

He stressed the need for the NFF to partner with viable corporate organizations, to execute its programmes, and called for a painstaking development agenda for the nation’s football.

Aminu Maigari

“Private organisations have been the saving grace for most of our programmes, through their talent hunt initiative.

“The fact that our current U-17 national team is performing well, does not mean that we should rest on our oars,” Akanni said.

The former Green Eagles player also called for a grassroots league to fast track the discovery of talents.

“The NFA has to fashion a grassroots league schedule, which will be pivotal to the country’s football growth.

“Our country is blessed with talents and we should do all we can to

goalkeeper.

Shorunmu believes that the battle for the goalkeeping position in the team for the Africa Cup of Nations will step up a further gear when the overseas goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide arrive in camp.

The Super Eagles’ assistant coach also assured that the best players will be picked in the goalkeeping position for the tournament.

“We will only select the best to represent the country at the Nations Cup

in South Africa. I’m sure by the time we have a full camp of the 32 players invited, the training sessions will be hotter than this as we will have two more goalkeepers in Enyeama and Ejide,” said Shorunmu.

The Super Eagles are currently camped in Abuja and will leave for their final pre-AFCON camping in Faro, Portugal today.

Nigeria is drawn in Group C alongside African champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.

Agbim, Akpeyi get plaudits S

uper Eagles’ stand – in captain, Chigozie Agbim and Daniel Akpeyi, have earned praises for their display pre-AFCON camp in Abuja.

The goalkeeping coach, Ike Shorunmu said he is satisfied with the two goalkeepers’ performance so far.

“Both of them have been very good since the camp for the Nations Cup started. They have been very professional in their attitude and approach to training,” said Shorunmu, a former Nigerian

Martins back Eagles for glory

A

xed Levante striker Obafemi Martins has tipped Nigeria to win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

The 28-year-old Martins wAS one of several top stars axed by coach Stephen Keshi from a provisional 32-man squad.

‘Obagoal’ has said he is not disappointed he has been left out of the Nigeria squad to the AFCON next month despite his goals in the Spanish La Liga.

He therefore said he believes the Eagles are good enough to land a third Nations Cup trophy in South Africa.

“They have a team who are capable of winning the Nations Cup without me. I wish them all the best in South Africa, “said Martins when he visited a hospital in Lagos on behalf of his foundation on Tuesday.

He made a donation of five million Naira (about $31,000) to a Lagos maternity hospital to help offset the bills of mothers who could not afford to do so.

Martins have featured in three AFCONS, in 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The former Newcastle and Inter Milan striker has been scored six goals in 13 League matches with Levante, who are now sixth on the La Liga table.

“The NFF is onto something good through its planned programmes, but I think we still need to do more to properly harness our budding grassroots talents.

Chigozie Agbim

nurture them to stardom.

“If we don’t tap into these talents through carefully planned d e v e l o p m e n t programmes, our senior national team will continue to suffer for it, “he said.

Quarter-Miler wants early preparations for 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics

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he country’s quartermilers, Abiola Onakoya, said that last minute preparations for international competitions, which has characterized the nation’s sports has been portray with bad light.

Onakoya made the observation against the backdrop of the promises made recently by the National Sports Commission (NSC), that it would begin early preparations for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.

The Minister of Sports Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, made the promise on Aug. 9th in London shortly before the end of the London Olympic Games.

Onakoya said in Lagos on telephone that in spite of the eloquent promises made athletes had yet to begin any form of training.

“With more than three months after the London Olympic Games, athletes are not being engaged in any form of training ahead of the Rio De Janeiro Olympics.

“This is not good but I am not surprised because what we do in this country is delay till it is three months to a competition before we start training.’’

Onakoya stressed the need for the NSC to get things started on time, so that preparations for the 2016 Olympics would not end up like it did this year before the London Olympics.

“Athletics season will soon start with the indoor games beginning in January and the outdoor games in late March, yet we don’t know what is in store for us and we would expect the best out of our athletes,” he said.

Minister of Sports Malam Bolaji Abdullahi

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 43

Keshi urged to ignore complaints over provisional list

By Patrick Andrew

R

ather than join issues with any player or other complainants over the 32-man provisional list of players called up to the Faro, Portugal camp of the Super Eagles ahead of the final phase of preparations for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa, Head Coach, Stephen Kesh, has been urged to concentrate on building a formidable squad out of those he has invited for the continental fiesta.

Alhaji Aminu Kurfi, who gave Keshi the piece of advice, said joining issues with those that have chosen to criticize the provisional list would distract and steal away the valuable time he would have used to marshal out good strategies for the team as well as correcting observed lapses in troubled areas like the defence and goalkeeping.

According to Kurfi, Keshi as the arbiter on who should and should not constitute the team must be focused,

forthright, diligent in the task of building a team from the lot in his list, stressing that explaining to people the reason for selecting any player or leaving out whoever he feels may not necessary nor would not help his course at all.

“Having been with these players, assigned them roles in the past, watched their tactical temperament and docility, Keshi must have put several indices into consideration before drawing up his provisional list.

“I don’t think he needs to explain to some players or even the general public why these players were left out especially if he had in the past specifically instructed them on what he wanted but they failed to meet the yardstick.

“He is not the first coach leave out seemingly good players out of his team. The likes of Eric Contana, Romario, among others, were left out of the French and Brazilian teams by their coaches, yet these teams did

well in the World Cup finals respectively. Keshi has a contract, knows what the Nigerian public wants and should know the quality of

players (including their discipline quotients) to use to prosecute the campaign and achieve the aim,” he said.

Meanwhile, he has

appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to take up the Shola Ameobi issue with FIFA, and thus checkmate whatever plans

Alhaji Aminu Kurfi sandwich by Dieo Araya (left) and Eziequel Martinez (right), who are plus seven handicap players, during a recent international polo tournament.

Alan Pardew may want to hatch against the player’s participation in the Nations Cup. It would be recalled that the Newcastle manager had insisted that the forward, who was included in Keshi’s 32-man provisional just after one appearance for the Eagles in a friendly game against Venezuela, would not be available for selection in the 23-man squad for the Nations Cup finals proper.

Though the NFF has reacted by stating that the Nations Cup finals is a FIFA recognized competition that enjoys clubs’ release of players across the world to play for their nations and also that Ameobi is a FIFA licensed player, Kurfi said reaching out to FIFA to speak on the matter would put paid to Pardew’s intentions against his release.

Besides, he wants the football federation to seek the confidence of Ameobi in the matter before carrying out any action adding that it would necessary to confirm his interest in representing Nigeria at the Nations Cup finals in South Africa.

Nadal back from knee injury

Pakistan beat India in opening Twenty20 International

Rafael Nadal

akistan recovered superbly to edge out India by five wickets in a thrilling first Twenty20 International.

Chasing India’s modest 133-9 in Bangalore, the visitors recovered from 12-3 and appeared to be cruising to victory before a late wobble resulted in them needing 10 from the final over.

But Shoaib Malik (57 from 50 balls) clobbered a straight six to see Pakistan home with two balls to spare.

This is the first bilateral series between the countries for five years.

After bowling well to restrict India to a belowpar total, Pakistan’s chances of a first Twenty20 victory over their hosts appeared slim when debutant seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (39) ripped through their top order.

When Hafeez, whose

R

afael Nadal’s long-awaited comeback from a knee injury has had to be postponed because of illness.

The former world number one wrote on his Facebook page that he had been advised to rest while he recovers from a fever caused by a stomach infection.

The 26-year-old Spaniard, who has been out of action with tendonitis in his left knee since Wimbledon, had been due to play in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi on 27 December.

After suffering a shock secondround loss at Wimbledon to then 100th-ranked Lukas Rosol, Nadal pulled out of both London 2012 and the US Open because of the injury.

The event still features the world number one and defending champion Novak Djokovic as well as four other top-10 players - Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Janko Tipsarevic and Tomas Berdych.

Nadal is now expected to return at the Qatar Open, which starts on 31 December.

The first Grand Slam of the season, the Australian Open, is due to begin in Melbourne on 14 January.

P

44-ball knock included a pair of sixes and six fours, fell with the score on 1184, Pakistan were in the driving seat, needing 16 from 17 balls.

India put on 77 for the opening wicket, as Gautam Gambhir (43) and Ajinkya Rahane (42) appeared to be laying the foundations for a big total.

Shoaib Malik

Toro applauses Keshi’s AFCON provisional list, begs for Osaze

F

ormer Secretary General of the NFF, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Toro, has thumbed up for Coach Stephen Keshi on the 32-man provisional Super Eagles list he released for the last phase of preparations for next month’s 2013 Nations Cup finals in South Africa.

However, the former member of the House of Representatives has appealed to Keshi to reconsider Osaze Odemwingie in subsequent campaigns like the 2014 World Cup qualifiers despite the player’s twitter rant against the coach and the NFF. Speaking from his base in Bauchi yesterday, Sani Toro urged Nigerians to rally Keshi as he prepares the team for the Nations Cup finals and strongly advised against baseless criticism of the list.

“Everywhere in the world it is the duty of the coach to draw up the list of players he needs to prosecute any campaign. It is neither the duty of the football federation

nor enthusiasts no matter how well informed to call up or insist on the inclusion of certain players their form and pedigree notwithstanding.

“In fact, insisting on certain names amounts to imposition.

The coach has the responsibility, knows the players, knows what strategies he wants to use to prosecute a match or matches, knows those players that will meet his instructions on the field of play and should therefore be allowed to make his choices of players,” he says even as he lamented the exclusion of Odemwingie.

According to him, while he acknowledges that Odewingie is a fine player, has been in a fine vein of form for his club in the English Premier League and had in the past contributed meaningfully to Nigeria’s success, Sani Toro believes Keshi must have sound reasons for leaving him out and should be supported not distracted from the task of preparing the team for the tournament in South Africa.

“Keshi has made up his mind; he’s in a better position to assess each player than the rest of us. However, I beg for Osaze’s forgiveness for subsequent tournaments like the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. I agree he may his discipline problem just like Keshi had in his playing days.

“I will plead with Keshi and the NFF not to hold any hard feelings over Osaze’s twitter ranting. He may have acted out of youthful exuberance. As leaders, we should accommodate all shades of opinions even some that seems absurd,” Toro who will be handing over his daughter Aisha to Mohammed Sani in marriage this Saturday said.

Further, Sani Toro, who is looking forward to his daughter’s wedding and hopes to the celebrate it with the Eagles’ impressive outing against Catalonia on January 2, some four days after the marriage feast, also appealed to the general public to halt further criticism of Keshi’s list so as not to distract the technical crew and players in their preparation.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

2013 Nations Cup finals

Ethiopia will win AFCON – Coach boasts

E

thiopia Coach Bishaw Sewnet has set a bold target to win next month’s Africa Cup of Nations, 51 years after their last triumph.

Sewnet told Aljazeera that Ethiopia’s s qualification to the Africa Cup after a 31-year absence was no fluke.

“We won’t go to South Africa to be defeated, Sewnet boasted.

“Our aim has always been to bask in glory and we will go to the tourney to do nothing but win the title.

“We have given the youth a chance to prove themselves in this regional outing Cecafa and whoever impresses me in the process will make the team.”

The 1962 champion’s last Africa Cup appearance was at the 1982 finals held in Libya where they failed to advance from the group stage.

Ethiopia is in the group phase of the 2014 World Cup qualifying tournament along with South Africa, Botswana and Central African Republic.

They qualified for the 2013

AFCON after they accounted for Benin and Sudan.

They lost the first leg qualifier in Sudan 5-3, but won the reverse fixture 2-0 at home to go through to South Africa on the away goal rule.

Ethiopia is in Group C at next year’s tournament that contains Burkina Faso, Nigeria and defending champions Zambia.

The Walia Antelopes face Zambia in their opening game on January 21 at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Asamoah reveals secret of Three players on standby for Cape Verde improved C form Ethiopia Coach Bishaw Sewnet

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hana midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah has proven his versatility at Italian champions Juventus where he has consistently shown in a wing-back role since joining half a season ago from Udinese.

So impressive has the 24year-old been that some in Italy believe he has been the silent driver behind the Old Lady in the opening half of the season.

Kwadwo, who can play as a deep-lying central midfielder and a winger, also has an eye for goal when in the zone.

Expected to be one of Ghana’s key men at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Kwadwo attributes his success in Turin to a hectic training program.

“But now I play on the wings both forward and at the back. I think the training helped me a lot because we train a lot in Italy.

There are speculations in Ghana that Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah is already mulling the possibility of Kwadwo filling in at the leftback role where the four-time African champions have been short for some time.

ape Verde has three players Valter, Platini and Rambe on standby in case any of their 23-man squad is injured in the lead-up to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

There was confusion in the wake of the Blue Sharks coach Lucio Antunes naming his 23-man squad for the tournament a week ago, with Portuguese lower league side Santa Clara posting on their social network site that Platini had been called up for the selection.

In fact, Platini, along with Valter of Batuque and Rambe of Belenenses, are on the reserve list.

Coach Lucio Antunes says he fails to understand the confusion, as the document he submitted was explicit about who was in the final squad. Furthermore, the documents about reserve players were only passed onto the relevant players’ clubs.

“There are selectors that summon 26, others 30. I prefer to work with small groups, so I chose the 23 over the three who are booked in case something happens,” explained Antunes to SAPO Sport.

“In my opinion, it is much better to work with 23 than with 26 or 30 in the preparation phase, which generate much confusion in practice, since there are many players.”

Tough for Ghana to win AFCON – Wakaso

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spanyol midfielder Mubarak Wakaso believes his Ghana teammates must work their socks off to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Wakaso has been named in the Black Stars provisional 26-man squad which begins preparations in Abu Dhabi on 5 January.

His combativeness and stamina in midfield should strengthen Ghana to advance from Group B which comprises DR Congo, Mali and Niger.

The 22-year-old, who is eager to make his debut in the continent’s flagship event, wants his compatriots to expect tough tests.

“I don’t think the Nations Cup will be easy for us. We have to work hard if we want to win,’’ the 22-year-old told Accra-based Asempa FM. “We want the fans to support and pray for us. I am confident we can win the cup.

“We’re not going to

underrate any team because if we do, it could prove disastrous for us.

Wakaso says the Black Stars can take a leaf out of Zambia’s book and win a fifth title.

“We all saw what Zambia did.

Nobody have Zambia the chance to win the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equitorial Guinea, but we’re witness to their impressive performances,” added.

“So I don’t think we should underrate any team.

Niger to spend $4m on AFCON

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iger have budgeted four million US dollars for next month's Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, officials said. Top Niger FA official Sani Mohamed said that this budget is more than double what the country spent on their debut appearance at the AFCON earlier this year.

"We are hopeful our budget of about four million US dollars will be approved by government. This is more than twice what we spent for the 2012 Nations Cup," Mohamed disclosed.

"For the last tournament we spent around 1.5 million dollars, but with the experience we got there, we have now deemed it necessary to increase our expenditure."

Niger's budget is less than half of the $9 million next-door

neighbours Nigeria plan to spend at next month's AFCON. Nigerian tycoon Dahiru Mangal has already agreed to fly over 500 fans to South Africa for the Nations Cup. Niger is a land-locked country in West Africa and regarded as one of the world's poorest nations but the recent discovery of oil has raised expectations there.

The country's team, better known as Mena by their fans, made their Nations Cup debut at the 2012 competition in Gabon. They lost all three group games to co-hosts Gabon, Morocco and Tunisia.

For the 2013 tournament in South Africa, they are drawn in Group D along with Ghana, Mali and DR Congo.

They are due to fly out from Niamey on January 8 to South Africa for a final training camp ahead of the AFCON.

Taarabt out of Morocco squad

Q

Kwadwo Asamoah

Mubarak Wakaso

PR midfielder Adel Taarabt has been left out of Morocco’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Taarabt, 23, had said that if selected he wanted to play in the three-week tournament, which starts in January, despite missing key games for QPR, who are in the Premier League drop zone.

He is now available for league games at West Ham and Swansea, and home matches against Manchester City and Norwich.

Liverpool’s Oussama Assaidi and Karim El Ahmadi of Aston Villa are included.

Morocco coach Rachid Taoussi has named an initial list of 24 players for the tournament, meaning one

player will have to be dropped before the finals.

Winger Assaidi, 24, has made just three appearances for Liverpool this season since moving from Heerenveen in the summer and has played nine times for Morocco, scoring one goal.

El Ahmadi also moved from a Dutch club to the Premier League in the summer, the 27-year-old midfielder joining Villa from Feyenoord.

Taarabt, who has scored four goals in 15 international appearances, but has been desperate to impress national team coach Rachid Taoussi, who took charge in the summer.

QPR boss Harry Redknapp had

asked Taarabt to miss the tournament to help in the battle against relegation from the English

Adel Taarabt

top flight.

Morocco play Angola in the second match of the tournament on 19 January before facing debutants Cape Verde and hosts South Africa in their other Group A games.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL PICTORIAL PICTORIAL

Memories of 2012, Miguel Delaney remembers Spain's triumph at Euro 2012 and Kevin Palmer reflection on when Harry Redknapp set for the England job.

Yaya Toure insists Roberto Mancini and his Manchester City team-mates must become more flexible in their tactical approach if they are to replicate last season's title-winning success.

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara becomes the 11th cricketer to pass 10,000 Test runs in the second Test against Australia.

2012 has seen a few surprises in the African qualifying zone for the FIFA World Cup as the campaign reaches its midpoint. There's still all to play for in 2013 as the continent cuts down from 52 countries to five representatives.

Andy Murray's mother Judy predicts even more success in 2013, and praises the impact of Coach Ivan Lendl on his career.

Today's Welsh National meeting at Chepstow has been postponed due to a waterlogged track and rescheduled for 5 January.

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

My concept of Midfielder has changed, says Gilberto Gilberto Silva has never been one for stealing the show out on the field.

The midfielder is much more concerned with the task of winning back possession often and moving it on quickly.

There are neither unnecessary frills, nor many strokes of genius with Silva, but accuracy aplenty, to such an extent he became a vital cog at the heart of a Brazil side that won the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ and captain of London giants Arsenal.

Nor is he in any way ‘flashy’ offs the pitch, with the current Gremio midfield anchor still down-to-earth despite spending nine successful years in Europe.

Outlandish statements are also certainly not his thing. Indeed, in conversation with FIFA, the 36-yearold was softly-spoken, composed and chose his words like his passes carefully. Yet it was clear to see how, in his own way, Silva is a true leader.

Gilberto Silva

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t’s been said that the current Brazil squad is struggling to click because there are so many young players. As someone with so much experience at that level, do you agree?

It’s been difficult, of course. Not just for the players but for Mano (Menezes), who has to learn everything the hard way?

I remember clearly what it was like when Dunga came in [as Brazil coach]. Even though he’d experienced everything and more as a player, the situation is still different. And Mano doesn’t have as many players [as Dungadid] who are capable of taking on responsibility. That’s a big problem.

What practical difference could bring in more experienced players make It’s important for the younger players, when the pressure’s really on, to be able to look around them and have someone to say “take it easy, it’ll be fine.

This is what we’re going to do.” That’s important both for calming people down under pressure and keeping on top of things when all’s going well, so nobody switches off.

Those are daily issues off the field too: you have to watch everyone’s back and remind people not to let their egos get in the way. That’s important both at club level and with a national squad.

I received a lot of criticism for doing the job I’ve always done, which is focusing mainly on winning back the ball. But, if you look closely, you’ll see just how often a player like that stops the opposing attacking midfielder from having an impact.

When you were starting out, did you have any players like that around to help you?

Yes, without a doubt. I think the main one was Marco Antonio Boiadeiro, early on in my career, at America-MG. I learned so much from him. He always had a story to tell, or an anecdote that related to whatever we were going through. Later there was Tupazinho and Ricardo, a defender who’d played for Corinthians.

For A Seleção, Cafu was undoubtedly a tremendous example for me. He helped me so much when I broke into the squad. Sometimes I didn’t even need to discuss things with him: just being nearby, listening to the stories he told, was a learning experience.

And do you do something similar now at Gremio?

I do and I enjoy doing it. I speak to the youngsters about things that come up in their lives or careers.

But as each generation goes, things change. Firstly, the way players make the transition from youth football to professionalism changes, but this comes hand-in-hand with changes in the wider world too.

So, if there’s one thing that I can do it’s set an example to the lads, so they make the right decisions, as it’s very easy to get lost along the way. Very easy indeed. You need to be aware that you’re going to miss out on a lot of things from your youth, a lot of things that other lads are doing.

Something I see often is how much of a hurry the lads are in to make it and, faced by the first setback, they lose their way. You need to have patience and persistence.

Those qualities have both played major roles in your career, wouldn’t you say?

Yes, I’d say so. I’ve never been overanxious, as I’m a very patient person. I’ve always understood that things take time. You want everything to happen quickly, and of course you have to really want that, but without letting yourself be blinded by it.

I think something that set me apart was the fact I didn’t come all the way through the ranks of a club, like most players. I had to quit youth football at 16 so I could help out at home: I spent two-and-a-half years working in a sweet factory. I only got back into a club at 19 and, bit by bit, I tried to make the most of every opportunity that came my way.

It was a process that made me grow as a player and a person. At the end of the day, people respect that. I’m not saying that every day was a struggle, but it was still an achievement.

Has the midfield role changed in recent years? It seems there’s now more of a call for midfielders who can attack and defend, with less emphasis on players like yourself, whose main responsibility is shielding the backline.

It’s true. That concept has changed, particularly here in Brazil, where you always hear TV pundits talking about the “modern midfielder”. [In their view,] anyone who doesn’t attack and score goals isn’t “modern”.

There are a lot of people who think like that too. I received a lot of criticism for doing the job I’ve always done, which is focusing mainly on winning back the ball. But, if you look closely, you’ll see just how often a player like that stops the opposing attacking midfielder from having an impact. I think there did used to be more midfielders charged with doing the “dirty work”, carrying out defensive cover, but without harming the team’s attacking ability. So much so that nowadays there’s a growing trend towards using central defenders in that role, like Palmeiras do with Henrique for example. In the future, perhaps we’ll see more of that: centre-backs stepping into that role when the team requires.

If you were assembling a team, would you line up with an out-and-out defensive midfielder?

Of course it’d vary depending on the situation, but in theory I’d set my team up with a player like that, who knew how to defend and could pass the ball. The thing is, players need to be taught that role from an early age and Brazilians aren’t always disciplined or obedient enough to do it.

You just need to watch a game here in Brazil to see how the attacking and defensive lines are all over the place all the time. When you watch a game in England or Italy, that simply doesn’t happen.

That said, what’s your verdict been on the technical quality of the Brazilian league since you returned?

Better than I expected. When I arrived I heard a lot spoken about how the standard of Brazilian football had dropped, but it’s not true. And, as long as people with international experience, such as [Diego] Forlan and [Clarence] Seedorf, keep arriving, that’s going to give the clubs here even more of a boost and encourage more top players to come to Brazil.

I’d suggest bringing in Kaka. Elano too has rediscovered his best form and could play a part, and I’d say the same about Maicon.

That was the case with your former Seleção squad-mate and current club colleague Ze Roberto. Did you have anything to do with him signing for Gremio?

Yes I did, and I was very pleased he could sign a deal with Gremio. We spoke beforehand and I said he ought to come here, because of the squad we’ve got and the atmosphere within the club.

He came and quickly became an important part of the side, which didn’t surprise me at all given how good a pro he’s always been.

He’s yet another case that proves signing players over 30 can be worthwhile. People like him are breaking down clubs’ resistance [to signing over-30s], and that needs to continue. If the guy’s professional enough, at that age he can not only still be playing well but become a focal point for the squad.

Who’s caught your eye most among the younger Brazilians who emerged while you were in Europe?

Well, Neymar impresses me even more now than when he first came on the scene.

I’ve found it really interesting to watch him mature as a player. Whatever the situation, he always rises to the occasion. My Gremio team-mate Fernando has also learnt a lot he’s a lad who’s come on leaps and bounds. Bernard too, has only recently come through and is already a key man for Atletico Mineiro.

These lads need to get games and be important players, but they can’t be held responsible for their teams’ performances.

Do you think that happens too much with A Seleção?

Yes, it happens too much with A Seleção, especially with Neymar. The quality he has can be decisive and that’s how it should be. He’s only 20 and even so he’s able to drive the team to victory, which is great.

I reckon he handles that role very well, because of how much confidence he has. But the pressure on him is huge, and it’d help to have some more experienced players around to take the focus off him.

Who do you think could do that?

Of course I don’t know what goes on in A Seleção on a day-to-day basis but, from the outside looking in, I’d suggest bringing in Kaka. Elano too has rediscovered his best form and could play a part, and I’d say the same about Maicon.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

PAGE 47

Quick CrossWord (98)

Say what?

ACROSS 1 One after the other (2,10) 8 Turf conditions (5) 9 State of being wicked (7) 10 Small fastener (4) 11 Seized by the police (8) 14 Strayed (6) 17 Embargoes (8) 18 Exchange (4) 21 Wiping off (7) 23 Double-reeded wind instruments (5) 24 Totally bonkers (3,2,1,6)

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.

DOWN 1 Metal slab (5) 2 Feeling strange because of being cooped up (4-5) 3 Gear teeth (4) 5 All at once (8) 6 Honour awarded by the Queen (inits) (3) 7 Whispered comments (6) 12 Expelled (6,3) 13 Milk pudding (8) 14 Deep-crimson precious stones (6) 16 Mark of shame (6) 19 Baffling problem (5) 20 __ Luxemburg, early 20thcentury German revolutionary (4) 22 __ Khan, title of a Muslim leader (3)

Yesterday’s answer

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Yesterday’s solution

Talk about a big cat! But black-and-white Judas is so massive; no one wants to own him. At 19 inches tall, he towers above normal-sized Cinders. Source: TheSun.co.uk

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Man Utd go seven points clear at top

M

anchester United extended their Premier League lead to seven points with a thrilling win over Newcastle .

James Perch pounced from close range to give the Magpies an early lead before Jonny Evans equalised in similar style then turned a cross into his own net.

Patrice Evra levelled matters with a low drive before Papiss Cisse's superb shot made it 3-2 to the Magpies.

Robin van Persie equalised with a drive before Javier Hernandez slid in to convert a cross in the final minute.

It was a remarkable finish to an extraordinary match which saw the home side come from behind on three occasions.

The result will be a bitter blow for Magpies manager Alan Pardew, although he will have been buoyed by the performance of his players, who came agonisingly close to defeating their opponents at Old Trafford for the first time since 1972.

All the ingredients were there for a potentially eventful match - Boxing Day and a rainsodden pitch.

And with Manchester United fielding a side without ill and injured attacking trio Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and winger Ashley Young, the visitors must have sensed the potential for an upset.

For the hardened travelling fans, some in traditional fancy dress, they were presented a glimmer of hope in the fourth minute when utility player Perch scored his first league goal after keeper David de Gea weakly parried Demba Ba's angled shot.

Newcastle settled into their rhythm while the league leaders repeatedly gave the ball away. They also looked short of ideas from open play, so when the equaliser came it was no surprise it was from a set-piece.

Van Persie delivered a freekick from the right which was flicked on by Ryan Giggs to Hernandez, whose shot was saved but then turned in by Evans.

That was the centre-back's fourth of the season and he added a 'fifth' moments later, at the other end.

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE There is hope in the world... even at the most difficult times and in the most difficult situations.

— Pope Benedict’s Christmas message to the world

Constitution amendment, ruling class and the rest of us R

eports say certain proposals to the ongoing Constitution review, to redress the flaws inherent in the 1999 constitution handed down to the country by the military, welcomed by overwhelming majority of Nigerians, civil society groups, professional bodies, regional socio-cultural groups and organizations have been resisted by some political office holders, their disposition and scepticism on critical issues militating against the growth , peace and stability of the country has become questionable, unpatriotic, antinational, self-serving, shortchanging the interest of the people they claim to represent. The roots of Nigeria's myriad of problems can easily be traced to the flaws inherent in the 1999 constitution handed down to the country by the military.

Capital punishment for corrupt leaders The cancerous plague of the hydra-headed nature of sleaze 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 penutive laws in the constitution will serve the best interest of the Nation.

Removal of immunity clause 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

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GUEST COLUMNIST Theophilus Ilevbare theophilus@ilevbare.com

Senate President David Mark 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.

Creation of state police State Police is the 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. Lets 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 to a witch hunting tool against perceive political enemies 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 non-federal 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 make up to 70 per cent of police activities in their respective state are funded by them so as to motivate and boost the morale of officers and men in their states 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, critics in Nigeria continue to raise unfounded argument against it.

He continued "The constitution should allow states that have the capacity to build their own police to have it and those that lack the capacity to have state police to continue to rely on the federal police.

"If I have state police in my state, it is because I want to pursue

particular offences. The federal police should also be there to ensure that I don't cross the boundary.

"In fact, if I were the Federal Government, I would either reduce the number of policemen I have, where there are state police, and give it to where there are no state police or focus more on states with a high crime rate."

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, where 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 recognises 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.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 805 727 9862. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141