Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday 28, January, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 21

Monday, January 28, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Rabiul Awwal 16, 1434 AH

N150

Govs to review stance on Three herdsmen Reps set to probe govt. constitution amendment murdered MDAs, sponsor autonomy process today in Benue bill for Auditor General >> PAGE 2

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>> PAGE 40

Power: Jonathan is not in touch with reality - ANPP

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) has condemned President Jonathan’s assertion on power generation in the country during an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Wednesday.

"The assertion on power patently shows that either he is not properly briefed, or he is not in touch with the reality on ground in the country".

In a statement issued by the national Publicity Secretary Emma Eneukwu, the party said "This was an obvious deflated ego trip, effectively shot down by the fact that stable power supply still remains a mirage in our great nation, and could not be ameliorated even by any contrived public relations mileage that could be garnered via a world renowned media channel like the CNN".

Stressing that "officially, Nigeria’s power generation has

dropped from its December 2012 figure of 4,502 megawatts to 4,286 megawatts, though there are suggestions from various informed quarters that the actual generation is 3,700 megawatts. In fact, we make bold to aver that most of the Nigerian citizens are not feeling the impact of any increase in power generation, and the figures bandied around by the PDP-led Government does not have any impact on the lives of the ordinary citizen".

Recall last week, President Jonathan When questioned by CNN about his promise three years ago to ensure stable power supply in the country, he answered that his government had recorded success and pointed out that every Nigerian, even the civil society groups, were happy about power generation, and could readily attest to the commitment of his government to stabilize power supply in the country.

Contd on Page 2

PD INDEX

25th Jan., 2013

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.72 24576 205.99 0.2953 41.25

SELLING 155.73 24735 207.32 0.3153 41.52

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 208 254.50 42 157

SELLING 210 257.50 43 158

How we squandered $67bn reserves, by Maku

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Federal Government yesterday denied allegations credited to Mrs. Obiageli Ezekewesili that the regimes of late Umar Musa Yara'dua and Goodluck Jonathan had squandered $67 billion reserves in the last six years.

The former World Bank Vice President had at the University of Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka convocation ceremony held on January 24, 2013 alleged that President Goodluck Jonathan and his predecessor had lavished a whooping $67 billion left in the reserves (including $45 billion in external reserves and $22 billion in the Excess Crude Account) by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Federal Government has however said the statement was lacking in credible facts and accused Ezekwesili of displaying poor understanding of government finances even though she once held a top position in the Federal Government.

Speaking in a media briefing yesterday, Minister of Information, Labaran Maku noted: "The statement by the former World Bank Vice President that the governments of Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’adua and Contd on Page 2

Questions Ezekwesili's credibility

L-R: Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mahammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Gambau, and Sokoto State Governor Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, unveiling the building designs at the appeal fund for the building of primary and secondary schools, Juma'at mosque, staff quarters and conference hall of the National Council of Ulama of Jibwis, yesterday, at Eagle Square, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

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

Govs to review stance on constitution amendment process today

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Nigeria Governors` Forum (NGF) is scheduled to meet today to review its stances on the ongoing constitution amendment process and its peer review exercise.

The NGF in its agenda made available to newsmen in Avuja at the weekend stated that the governors would also review the Forum efforts in polio eradication in the country.

The Forum chaired by the Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi is also expected to review the country`s security challenges with a view to proffering solutions and formulate agenda that would guide the NGF’s activities in 2013.

Other priority issues that

would engage the governor’s attention at the meeting include funding implications, budget and the NGF’s litigation against the Federal Government at the Supreme Court.

It is presently challenging the Federal Government’s deductions from the Excess Crude Account to offset fuel subsidy.

The NGF is asking the court to compel the Federal Government to adhere to the provisions of the constitution with regards to deduction from the account.

It criticized the continued deduction of oil subsidy from the excess crude accounts, saying that the deduction negated the principle of federalism and budgetary provision.

The NGF at its meeting of Oct. 18, 2012, had also constituted a

seven-man committee to engage and collaborate with the National Assembly on the ongoing constitution review process.

The decision, according to Amaechi is taken after the forum met with the Senate Committee on the 1999 Constitution Review.

Members of the committee included Governors of Rivers, Jigawa, Bauchi, Lagos, Niger, Anambra and Akwa-Ibom states.

The forum at that meeting also set up a committee on peer review and good governance, which had governors of Kano, Sokoto, Kwara, Adamawa, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Enugu Zamfara and Osun states as members.

The creation of state police and the inclusion of the six geo-political zones in the constitution were major issues that had engaged the

interest of the governors since the issue of constitution review began.

The governors are also demanding for the abrogation of the offshore/onshore dichotomy and the derivation principle, which allows oil-producing states to retain 13 per cent of the total revenue derived from exploration of mineral resources.

Gov. Rotimi Amaechi

How we squandered $67bn reserves, by Maku

Presidency, PDP: Two sides of same coin, Page 4

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

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

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Contd from Page 1 Goodluck Jonathan have squandered $67 billion in reserves left by the Obasanjo Administration at the end of May 2007 is factually incorrect. At the end of May 2007, Nigeria’s gross reserves stood at $43.13 billion comprising the CBN’s external reserves of $31.5 billion, $9.43 billion in the Excess Crude Account, and $2.18 billion in the Federal Government’s savings.

These figures can be independently verified from the CBN’s records. The figure of $67 billion alleged in her statement is therefore clearly fictitious.

However, since President Obasanjo left office, the reserves have experienced fluctuations, rising from $43.13 billion in May 2007, peaking at $62 billion in September 2008 during the Yar’adua/ Jonathan Administration when oil prices peaked at $147 per barrel, and falling subsequently to a low of $31.7 in September 2011. This fall in reserves was a result of the vicissitudes of the global financial crisis which caused CBN interventions in the currency market to defend the value of the naira.

The Excess Crude savings, a component of the reserves, was also used to stimulate the economy at the height of the global financial crisis to the tune of about $1 billion (or 0.5 percent of our 2009 GDP).

As a result, Nigeria is one of the few countries in the world that did not seek assistance from international financial institutions. It should be noted that the fiscal stimulus used to shore up the economy during that period was shared by all 3-tiers of government, including commitments of about $5.5 billion made under the Obasanjo Administration for power projects."

On the use of reserves, Maku argued that "it is fallacious to say that the nation’s external reserves were dipped into or misapplied by the Federal Government. It is important to note that the Federal Government cannot dip its hands

into external reserves. Like in other countries, the management of external reserves is one of the statutory mandates of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Section 2 sub-section (c) of the CBN Act (2007) states that the Bank shall “maintain external reserves to safeguard the international value of the legal tender currency” – in other words, to defend the value of the Naira. No President since the democratic dispensation has contravened this Act. Other uses of the reserves are to settle both public and private sector foreign currency obligations of Nigeria, including the importation of goods such as equipment for power sector.

Whenever a ministry or agency of government needs to incur approved expenditure in foreign currency (e.g. payment of goods and services, settlement of external debt, etc) it must provide the naira equivalent to the CBN before the Bank sells the required foreign currency. As a former World Bank Vice-President for Africa, surely, Mrs. Ezekwesili must have known this.”

Maku continued: “We also found Mrs. Ezekwesili's interrogation of the educational system somewhat disingenuous and borderline hypocritical.

During her tenure as Minister of Education between 2006 and 2007, she collected a total sum of N352.3 billion from direct budgetary releases. In addition, she received about N65.8 billion under the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Fund, and over N40 billion from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) during her time as Minister of Education. In view of these humongous allocations, a few legitimate questions arise. What did she do with all these allocations? What impact did it have on the education sector? One wonders if our educational system would have been better today if these allocations were properly applied.

“No one disputes that Nigeria

still faces challenges, most of which were built up over a long time. But we need to acknowledge the significant achievements of this administration in the aftermath of difficult but necessary macroeconomic and structural reforms being implemented in the country."

The minister insisted that the present administration has restored macroeconomic stability against the backdrop of global economic uncertainty, slow growth in the United States and high unemployment and unsustainable debt in Europe.

“In the first 3 quarters of 2012, Nigeria’s economy grew by about 6.4 percent and is set to continue at a similar pace in 2013 according to independent forecasts. We have reduced our fiscal deficit to only 2.17 percent of GDP in the 2013 budget, while rebalancing our spending in favour of capital expenditure.

These achievements have already received strong endorsement from international ratings agencies. At a time when many advanced and emerging markets are being downgraded, Fitch and S&P have upgraded our sovereign credit ratings.

“The inclusion of Nigeria’s sovereign bonds in the emerging market bond indices of JP Morgan and Barclays also testifies to the growing confidence of the international investment community in our economy.

“We have also focused our attention on removing the bureaucratic and structural bottlenecks in the economy to enable the private sector create more jobs for our youths. In the power sector, most Nigerians will attest to improvements in power supply even as the 10 new power plants being built by this Administration are yet to fully come on stream. There have also been improvements in rail services; for example, the Lagos—Kano rail line is now fully operational and serving Nigerians for the first time in over 20 years. There have been

significant improvements in road development; aviation – in particular refurbished terminals; and agriculture, where new jobs are being created every day.

Serious work is ongoing to improve our ports and lower the cost of doing business and the cost of consumption in Nigeria.

“The government has further launched a number of initiatives targeted at creating jobs for our youth, including support for entrepreneurship through the YouWin Programme; work for the unskilled through the Community Services programme of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme; and support for unemployed graduates through the Graduate Internship Programme.

“This administration is squarely focused on promoting a stable, non-inflationary, and inclusive economic environment for Nigeria to ensure that Nigerians can live better and more fulfilled lives.”

Power: Jonathan is not in touch with reality - ANPP Contd from Page 1

ANPP advised President Jonathan to concentrate on the provision of basic infrastructure for the populace, rather than gloating over meager power generation where trillions of naira of the people’s commonwealth has already been squandered.

"What is 4,000 megawatts or even 20,000 megawatts on paper, when the artisan in the street cannot see power to run his business; the entrepreneur does not have hope of powering his small venture; and the housewife does not have enough power to preserve her food items in the freezer? This is the least that could be demanded of a leader by his people", he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 3

Three herdsmen murdered in Benue From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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t least three Fulani herdsmen have been reportedly murdered and 8 of their cows killed in Amla, Otukpo local government area of Benue state at the weekend.

Amongst those murdered were a man and his wife while Fulani settlements in the area have been completely razed down.

Our correspondent gathered

…residents flee for fear of reprisals

that the cause of the recent killing was linked to destruction of farm produce including beans, cassava and yams by cows belonging to the Fulani which the host community claimed they complained several times about but all the pleas fell on deaf ears.

Similarly, the Amla people alleged that the herdsmen and

their cattle contaminated their streams and ponds thereby making it difficult for them to have access to water for their domestic use especially during the dry season.

Meanwhile, there is pandemonium in the area as residents of Amla as well as neighbouring Otukpo-Icho,

Otukpo-Nobi and Odudaje, have already started fleeing their homes for fear of reprisals attack from the Fulani community in the area. They are said to have taken refuge with their kits and kin in Otukpo town.

Reacting to the development, the head chief of Otukpo town Och'Otukpo, Chief John Eimonye,

expressed shock and disappointment at the incident and called on residents of the area to remain calm, maintaining that the matter would be thoroughly investigated with the hope of bringing the culprits to book.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ezeala who confirmed the killings, however said no one has been arrested, adding that investigation has commenced on the matter.

Gunmen burn school, hotel, rob bizman in Maiduguri From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

U

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, and Special Adviser to the President on Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye, during reaction to the allegation of mismanagement of $45b foreign reserve by Yar'adua and Jonathan administrations by the former World Bank Vice-President (Africa), Ms. Oby Ezekwesili, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Banning motorcycles a weighty decision – Kwankwaso From Edwin Olofu, Kano

K

ano state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has explained reasons behind the banning of motorcycles in Kano metropolis, saying his administration had no option but to take the decision.

Speaking during a meeting in Government House Kano at the weekend with some party leaders, Governor Kwankwaso said the decision was taken after due consultation with security agencies in view of the rising security challenges the state finds

itself in.

"The security agencies had been advising government on the issues of safeguarding the lives and property of the people. We considered such advice given the fact that protecting the lives of our people is important to us. It is a weighty decision we had to take," said the governor.

Kwankwaso however said statistics at the emergency units of hospitals in the state shows that most of their patients are either the commercial motorcyclists or their passengers. According to him, in just Murtala Mohammed Hospital,

a total of 8,428 cases of male accident victims related to motorcycles were recorded from January to December 2012.

He revealed that within the same period, 2,367 females sustained injuries through motorcycle-related accidents.

"That aside, a total of 2,018 people lost their lives last year through motorcycle accidents in just one hospital. So government has a responsibility to protect the lives of the people. Despite the fact that we don't want to prevent people from doing the business, but one has to live to ride the motorcycles,"

explained the governor.

Explaining further, the governor said between March and June 2012, a total number of 45 people were killed by motorcycleriding gunmen, and in January this year alone a conservative estimate puts the death toll of killings by bike-gunmen at 21.

While appreciating the level of compliance to the government order, which he described as appreciable, the governor urged people to register their motorcycles and also make other required documentation in their respective local governments.

Firm accuses Zamfara gov of mounting pressure on judges

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

G

overnor Abdualazeez Yari of Zamfara state has been accused of mounting pressure on a judge of the State High Court to set aside a garnishee order against the state government.

A firm, Barbedos Ventures Ltd, which made the accusation, said the court garnished Zamfara state’s FAAC account by its garnishi order nisi of November 29, 2012, in its favour against a first generation bank and that the total judgement sum as at date stood at N2,012, 616,752.20.

The management of the company said in statement that the

garnishee order nisi was made absolute in favour of Barbedos Ventures Ltd and a cost of N50,000 was awarded jointly against the Bank and Zamfara state government on January 8, 2013.

“On the service of the order on the bank and the state government, the state governor summoned all the judges of the State High Court for a meeting wherein he intimidated and rebuffed the High Court 2 Judge over the granting of the application.

"Presently, the judge is under pressure to grant all application filed by the bank and Ministry of Justice in order to deprive the judgement creditor (Barbedos

Venture Ltd) from reaping the fruit of the judgement.

"It is a trite fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the PDP still obey the rule of law. We wonder why the state government is putting the High Court Judge under pressure to pervert justice”, the statement stated.

The firm recalled that it took out a writ on January 10, 2011 under the undefended list claiming 1,062,000,000 being the outstanding balance due to Barbedos Ventures Limited based on contract agreement for the supply of fertiliser.

Since the contract agreement makes provision for arbitration, the firm revealed that the matter

was referred to an Arbitrator (Mr. Babatunde J. Fagbohunlu based on the consent of the parties.

"The Arbitrator entered a final award against the Zamfara state government which was published on 20th December 2011. The said award was served on the Zamfara state government who failed to honour same.

"On that ground, Barbedos Ventures proceeded to the Zamfara State High Court 2 and filed an application for the recognition of the award. On the 10th of October 2012, Hon. Justice Nasir Umar Gummi recognised the award as the judgment of the court”, the statement explained.

nknown gunmen on Saturday burnt a school and a hotel and also robbed a prominent businessman in Maiduguri.

Witnesses said the gunmen, numbering over 10, stormed the Royal Day Nursery and Primary School at Bolori layout in Maiduguri in the early hours of the night and set all the buildings ablaze.

An insider said this is the second time that the school was burnt in less than two years, a damage that caused the abrupt closure of the school.

“We would be compelled to tell parents to leave their children at home,” a source at the school said.

Around the same time, another group of gunmen burnt the Mary Joe Hotel also in Bolori area of the metropolis, witnesses said.

Residents of the area said workers and few guest at the hotel fled when they got a hint that the place will be burnt.

It was gathered that earlier in the day, some gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers trailed an expatriate and a businessman to his Bulunkutu residence in Maiduguri and dispossessed him of his car when they could not get money from him," witnesses said.

NAMA commences 24-hour operations in three airports From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

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he Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) is to commence 24hour service in three airports in the country as from March this year after due consultations with appropriate authorities in the aviation sector.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Nnamdi Udoh who disclosed this in Abuja over the weekend, explained that the agency will open its runway for 24-hour flight operations in Yola, Owerri and Enugu airports after full installation of air field lightings.

Udoh revealed that NAMA will negotiate with airport authority and airline operators wishing to operate night flights at the airports.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Presidency, PDP: Two sides of same coin T

here is something of the motor park tout in the language and conviction of the spokesmen of the Presidency and the PDP whenever they have cause to speak about General MuhammaduBuhari, the leader and 2011 Presidential Candidate of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). While their language is coarse, the spokesmen seem always to lack the courage of their conviction to also apply the stick on persons who 'sin' no less than Buhari.

When in April last year, General MuhammaduBuharihad warned that if the ruling party did not end its corrupt ways and stop short-changing Nigerians, a revolution in the country was simply a matter of time, PDP's National Publicity Secretary Chief OlisaMetuh had cried that "Buhari should spare the nation his thirst for blood".

"If there is no social justice, in a question of time there will be revolution in one form or the other," Buhari had said.

To which the PDP Publicity Secretary had responded in a language not quite becoming of the spokesman of a self-respecting ruling party. In a long winded statement, Metuh called Buhariblood thirsty and bad loser among other uncomplimentary names. Buhari's revolution statement, according to him, is, in addition to being "a sure sign of frustrations over his inability and that of his party to win elections", an attempt "to truncate the journey in this right direction by advocating violence and civil unrest".

But when in early November last year, former President OlusegunObasanjo warned that unless the government took urgent steps to arrest the menace of youth unemployment and poverty, Nigeria would see a revolution soon, the PDP Publicity Secretary's voice was very loud by its silence.Metuh's courage deserted him to respond to Obasanjo in the manner he did to Buhari.

The deadly terrorist attack on the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, penultimate weekend, has now provided an opportunity for the Presidency to outdo the party in demonising General Buhari for doing what many others have done; condemning the attack on the emir .

Soon after the 19 January attack on the convoy of the emir, which led to the death of four people,including his driver and a traditional guard, there was an outpouring of grief and condemnation from across the social divide. In his reaction to the attack, General Buhari had this to say in a statement signed of the Publicity Secretary of the CPC, RotimiFashakin;"This is indeed one attack too many! Let it be stated that insecurity of lives and property in any clime is a measure of its level of development. This aptly explains why the Nation's constitution, in section 14, places security and welfare of the people

In the eyes of the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),General Muhammadu Buhari would seem to do no right, which perhaps explains why their spokesmen always speak disrespectfully of the leader of the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), writes Abdu Labaran Malumfashi.

Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd)

President Goodluck Jonathan on the Government. As Citizens, we look forward to the time that this cloud of insecurity shall be lifted and all Nigerians (of whatever religious persuasion and ethnic extraction) shall be free to pursue happiness and living anywhere under the Nation-space in tranquil setting. God bless Nigeria".

And in his comment on the attack,the President CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mr. Kenny Ashaka, stated that the given the many bombing incidents in the country, and the attack on the recent attack on the Emir of Kano, there was the need for the Federal Government to do more in securing the lives of the people.

He said: "This attack reinforces CAN's call to the Federal Government on the need to do more in the area of securing Nigerians and Nigeria. Although Nigerians are yet to know those behind the barbaric act, I want to, again, appeal to northern political, religious and traditional leaders to say and do more in order to, practically, engage those responsible for the 'madness' going on in northern Nigeria and find ways to help end this nightmare".

Former Military President, General Ibrahim BadamasiBabangida was no less sparing in his comments about the attack.

According to him: "It is not in doubt that our dear country is undergoing serious security threats on a regular and unbroken basis. The reported cases of terrorist attacks are becoming frightening and seriously call for

PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur security alert by all and sundry.

"Despite spirited efforts by government, it is disturbing that this ugly trend has refused to depart from us, reason why government must change tactics and methods in handling this security challenge.

"I wish to advise the Federal Government to exploit the option of dialogue with members of the insurgent groups in order to arrest this prevailing drift in our national security.

"The use of force has proven to be inadequate and ineffective to checkmate this ugly trend. We

must therefore put hands together to find a more rewarding and meaningful end to this security concern. "Dialogue is my number one preference in this regard. Government must also encourage positive discourses among its political appointees delivered with respect and rendered in temperate language to soothe the mood of the nation.

"Language of force will not help us in our strong determination to address this insecurity problem. We must engage ourselves

constructively and in a manner that puts the interest of the country far and above other partisan consideration."

But among these and other comments, President Goodluck Jonathan's so-called Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Dr. DoyinOkupeOkupehas only General Buhari to direct his coarse words against. According to him; "the statement by General MuhammaduBuhari, his party the CPC is unfortunate, reckless and opportunistic. Any attempt to politicise this unfortunate attack on the revered Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and members of his family is irresponsible.

Though, the attack itself is regrettable, it is difficult at present to blame it on the Boko Haram or terrorism or in fact on some criminal elements within the society that hid under the spate of insecurity in the state to perpetuate this heinous crime."

Well, who is to be blamedfor this dastardly act if "the Boko Haram or terrorism or in fact on some criminal elements within the society" are not to be held responsible; is it the Presidency, or Buhari its whipping boy?

This latest attack on Buharionly goes to expose Okupe as a coward who, like his PDP counterpart lacks the courage of his conviction. Okupe was silent on CAN president's and other provocative statements about the attack.

Clearly, the Presidency is using General Buhari as a scapegoat to hide its tardy response to the deadly attack on the emir of Kano. Period.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Police College: HURIWA demands commission of inquiry

PAGE 5

A cross section of Heads of State and Government of Africa Union (AU), during their 20th ordinary session, at the weekend in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

H

uman Rights Writers’ Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has advocated the need to set up a judicial commission of inquiry that will comprise “tested and trusted” Nigerians so that the dubious circumstances in the budgetary releases to the Nigerian Police Force could be uncovered.

The association called on President Goodluck Jonathan “to visit the Garki Police station and/ or any of the police stations in Abuja and any part of Nigeria to see for himself the monumental decay and the harsh conditions under which police operatives operate”, and expressed surprise at the disappearance of “huge budgetary releases meant for the Nigeria Police Force since 1999”.

In a statement jointly signed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Officer Miss Zainab Yusuf, HURIWA said the recent visit of President Jonathan to the Police Training College Ikeja, Lagos shows that “those in power are completely shut out from the realities on the ground.”

They maintained that the decay in the police has always being a notorious and so wellknown fact since two decades ago which was the fundamental reason why virtually all successive administrations including the current government have had to set up presidential reform committees for the police.

HURIWA then demanded the

Oct 1 blast: Group wants Jonathan to apologise for exonerating MEND From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

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group, ‘League of Voters in Nigeria’, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to as a matter of urgency apologise to Nigerians over the hasty comments he made exonerating the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), from the October 1, 2010 Independence Day bomb blast at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

The group led by Comrade Benedict Kokoiwen, at a press

conference in Makurdi at the weekend, noted that a court of competent jurisdiction has convicted the mastermind of the act and MEND leader, Mr. Henry Okah. Therefore, they maintained that the President owed Nigerians especially families of those who lost dear ones, unreserved apology.

Comrade Kokoiwen who commended Justice Neels Claassen and the entire South African judiciary for the judgment, said it further showed that President Jonathan is guilty

of promoting or defending his ethnic group as the number one citizen of the country.

“Mindful that a ruling which contradicts in entirety his position on the matter has now been delivered by a competent court of law, it behoves him to retract his statement without further delay and apologise to Nigerians, particularly the bereaved, injured and the multitudes of Nigerians and other nationals that suffered all forms of psychological trauma as a result of the bomb blast”, the

group said.

They posited that only by apologizing that the President will redeem the embarrassment his statement caused on the office of President and.

It would be recalled that shortly after the bombing that claimed lives and injured many during the 2010 National Independent Day celebration; President Goodluck Jonathan exonerated MEND and other Niger-Delta militant of the act and accused the opposition as mastermind of the act.

Police arrest three teenagers …as MEND threatens fresh onslaught The group also cautioned all NIGERIA totally, there will be Rilwan Aina an apprentice By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule over cultism and states and local massive and aggressive campaign federal, tailor with a locally made pistol

From Bolaji Olasunkanmi, Lagos

T

he Ogun state police command has arrested three teenagers for cult activities in Apeti area of Agbara, Ogun state.

A statement issued at the weekend by the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the anti crime team led by DPO CSP Ayo Sonubi met the trio, Sodiq Akeem 16, SS 1 student of Agbara High School; Adeniyi Clement 14, a vulcaniser;

and cartridges, where they were holding a meeting in preparation for an operation.

They were so deep in cultism they confessed to be a member of Eiye Confraternity. The state Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered a thorough investigation into the matter and wants all the other members arrested. He however warned parents and guardians to warn their children against cultism. He gave the same advice to school authorities particularly secondary school in the state.

Nasarawa dep gov launches free medical care From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

T

he deputy governor Nasarawa state, Hon. Dameshi Barau Luka, has launched a two-day free medical treatment in Ningo area of Akwanga local government, in collaboration with pharmacy students of the University of Jos, who are indigenes of the state.

Declaring the exercise open, in a brief ceremony that held at the LGEA Primary School in Ningo, his country home, Luka, expressed

gratitude to the students for embarking on humanitarian services even while in school, urging the students to make the exercise an annual event that will cover the entire state.

Leader of the students, Miss Tessy Umbugadu Bala, told journalists at the function that members of the group took it upon themselves to reach out to the less privileged in the society, guided by the motto of the association, “Building a healthy society”.

M

ovement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, (MEND) has threatened to launch fresh attacks across the country in reaction to the life imprisonment sentence on Henry Okah by a South African court last week.

On Monday last week, a South African High Court convicted and sentenced Okah to the life imprisonment for masterminding the October 1st bombing in Abuja while marking Independence Anniversary and killed 12 people.

MEND made this known in a statement signed by Comrade Azizi at the weekend saying that it will go after “all the family members of the government officials (1999-2013)” and that “Nigerians as a whole will feel our presence when we finally decide to carry out our threats which will not be restricted to the Niger Delta region alone”.

The impending attacks, according to the statement, will begin after Okah's appeal, adding that their respect for the South African judiciary has vanished with the sentence and therefore warned South African companies operating in Nigeria to “LEAVE

on all companies owned, operated and affiliated to South African citizens or their government both in Nigeria, Western and Southern Africa respectively”.

governments’ workers to stay away from the Niger Delta region as they should have nobody to blame should they fail to heed their warning.

...FG replies

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Federal Government has reacted to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)'s threat to break up Nigeria after Henry Okah's conviction in a South African court over his role in the October 1, 2010 bomb blasts at Eagles' Square, Abuja.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja, said Okah was found guilty of acts of terrorism in South Africa under due process.

MEND had made the threat sequel to the recent conviction of its former leader, Henry Okah, in a South African court over the October 1, 2010, Independence Day bombing, saying Okah's conviction will be the beginning of

the disintegration of Nigeria.

"It will be very shocking if any Nigerian or group will take this against the country. Nigerians should have greater degree of patriotism," Maku said.

While saying that the Federal Government expected Nigerian citizens to understand that anything they do against their country is not a plus, Maku urged Nigerians to commit themselves to the law of the land and allow the peace reigning in the country and the Niger Delta not to be breached.

"Acts of threats and terrorism against the country should be condemned. The challenges we face are serious.

"We should not at this time add more problems. This country belongs to all of us; it doesn't belong to those in government. We should not return to violence. We must give peace a chance," Maku stated.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

NGO begins campaign for reduction in salaries of top govt officials

By Adeola Tukuru

W

Members of Women Missionary Union of the Faith Baptist Church, Lugbe, singing the memory verses to mark the Nigeria Baptist Convention WMU Focus Week, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

NUJ to support FCTA's new transport policy

By Adeola Tukuru

N

igeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT chapter has lent its support to the new transport policy of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, aimed at sanitizing the transport system in the federal capital city, enhance security and promote the aesthetics of the city.

In a statement in Abuja signed by the chairman of NUJ in FCT, Comrade Chuks Ehirim, NUJ observed that as the fastest growing modern city in Africa, the traffic situation as is obtained presently was at best chaotic, disorganised and pose grave security threat to the wellbeing of residents and visitors alike.

It therefore welcomed the concerted effort of the Sen. Bala Mohammed-led FCTA to take practical and workable steps to address the traffic problem by designating specific routes for all categories of buses.

The statement reads:"The NUJ FCT Council welcomes the practical and workable steps taken by the FCTA to address the chaotic traffic situation in the FCT by designating routes for all categories of buses. We have no doubt that the new measure is aimed at sanitizing the deplorable existing traffic congestion occasioned by gross indiscipline especially from operators of mini buses in the territory" " It is however important for all residents and motorists to understand that minis buses have not been entirely banned from FCT roads rather they cannot ply some routes" "As professionals tasked with monitoring government on behalf of the people and hold its officials accountable, the Council can say that the policy is in the overall interest of all of us and for the future and sustainability of the FCT. "We therefore urge all

UNESCO condemns murder of journalist in Onitsha

By Adeola Tukuru

D

irector-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Irina Bokova, has expressed concern for the safety of journalists in Nigeria following the killing of Ikechukwu Udendu in

Onitsha, Anambra state on January, 12, 2013.

In his words: "I believe the authorities will investigate this case and do all they can to bring the culprits to trial. Journalists and editors must be able to carry out their work without fearing reprisals if the basic human right of freedom of expression is to be respected.

"Safety is an essential

condition for press freedom to allow journalists to exercise their duty and to nurture informed debate", he said.

Ikechukwu Udendu, who was the editor of the monthly newspaper, Anambra News, was shot dead by unknown assailants on January 12th, 2013 in Onithsa, where the paper was being printed.

orried by the everincreasing salaries and entitlements paid to senior government officials, a non governmental organisation (NGO), Civic Duties Awareness Initiative, (CIDAI) has begun a campaign Operation Salvage Nigeria which is advocating reduction in the pay packages of top government officials in the country.

The campaign commenced with a call on Nigerians to sign a petition to reduce the salaries of all senior government officials such as the President, Vice-President and their support staff, National Assembly, House of Representatives and their counterparts in the states.

The executive director of CIDAI, Emmanuel Ulayi, explained that the money gathered from the campaign should be used to improve the poor state of the security agencies in the country particularly the Nigerian police.

In his words: "We, with a burning desire to witness a prosperous Nigeria, have decided, to take a stand now. Our demands are as follows: Reduce salaries of all senior government officials such as the President, Vice-President and their support staff, National Assembly, House of Reps with their counterparts in the states to adequately provide for all the security agencies.

"It is high time serious attention is paid to the Nigerian police even though we know they are soaring in massive corruption, the issue of corruption is a crucial national issue and the recent exposure at the Ikeja Police College shows how bad we have gotten".

"We also want salaries of all security agents such as the police, State security service, and Civil defence corps to be increased, whereby their minimum wage is N50, 000", he said.

Yuguda laments lack of continuity in govt programmes From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

B

auchi state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, has decried the lack of continuity in government policies and programmes by successive administrations saying it slows down the development of the country.

Yuguda who stated this while speaking at the site of the construction of Bauchi International Airport, said the project which the cost N7.9billion, was long overdue.

The governor said the airport concept dated back to the 1980s when the administration of President Shehu Shagari approved its construction alongside those of

Ibadan, Abeokuta, Minna, Akure and Warri.

He said lack of political will prevented the Bauchi airport from being constructed by the administration and successive ones, though some of its contemporaries had since become operational.

He added that the project was resuscitated by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration, when he (Yuguda) as minister for transport, got the Federal Executive Council's approval for the construction of a befitting airport for Bauchi, which serves as the gateway to the Northeast geo-political zone.

He explained that he had the opportunity to complete all paperwork for the construction

when he became Minister of Aviation, lamenting that as soon as he left the Obasanjo government, all his successors abandoned the airport project.

"As soon as I left the government, all my successors abandoned the Bauchi airport project. It is a pity that there is no continuity in government policies and programmes. Each person comes to office and abandons what his predecessor was doing, only to start his own projects afresh.

He said the strategic location of Bauchi as a gateway to the Northeast and home to the West Africa's premier game reserve, the Yankari Game Reserve in Alkaleri local government area of the state, made the construction of an airport

an imperative.

"With an international airport in place, Bauchi state will attract visitors, both local and foreign, and more tourists to Yankari Game Reserve," he declared, adding that, "this will go a long way in boosting the economy of the state."

According to Yuguda, the Bauchi airport had been registered with the International Civil Aviation Authority in Canada as Nigeria's fifth international airport.

He then expressed optimism that the Federal Government would reimburse the Bauchi state government for the money spent on the construction of the airport which according to him, had a runway of 3.4 kilometres.

Police arrest five suspected armed robbers

T

he police in Lagos State arrested five suspected armed robbers and recovered vehicles, arms as well as ammunition in the last four days.

A reliable source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos that the suspects were currently undergoing investigations by the Special Anti

Robbery Squad (SARS).

The source said that two of the five suspects were females, who claimed to be girlfriends of the other suspects.

He said that the two ladies claimed that they were ignorant of their boyfriends' criminal activities.

The source said that policemen from Ejegun Police Division arrested

the suspects on Jan. 23, shortly after they allegedly invaded one house and stole four cars.

One locally made doublebarrel gun, two cartridges and four cars were recovered from the suspects.

"The robbers are among the deadly armed robbers terrorising the good people of Lagos", the

source said.

Meanwhile, SP Abba Kyari, the Officer-in-Charge of SARS, who confirmed the suspects' arrest, said that they were currently being interrogated by the squad.

He said that as soon as the investigations were concluded, the suspects would be charged to court.

(NAN)

www.kn.gov.ng/new/

82nd KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING Today, Wednesday 23rd January, 2013 (11th Rabi'ul Awwal, 1434 AH) Council sitting was presided over by Gov. Rabi'u Kwankwaso FNSE during which 17 memoranda were submitted by 11 MDAs for deliberation. An expenditure of N1,252,366,347.61 covering 12 projects was approved for execution by the Council. Thus; 1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH Presentation of a request for endorsement by Gov. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso FNSE of a document on 2013 Nigeria Immunization Leadership Challenge:Since the inception of this administration, health sector has been an area of great concern to the Government because of its direct bearing on the wellbeing of the teeming population of the State.

Government, therefore, is ready to collaborate with any organization either public or private in the provision of healthcare facilities. The Ministry of Health presented a document requiring endorsement by the Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso FNSE. The document called for indication of interest by the State to participate in the program called 'Nigeria Immunization Leadership Challenge', which was launched last year at the Nigeria Governors' Forum to sensitize and encourage the level of support for the fight against polio. Participation at the program will further cement the relationship established with the Bill and Melinda Foundation as well as the Dangote Foundation. Again, there is a chance of winning 500,000 US Dollars in each of the two programs.

Council noted, considered and appreciated compliance of the Governor in signing (endorsing) the pages indicated on the document.

2. MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT This Ministry presented one (1) memoranda for Consideration and approval by the Council.

Thus; a. Presentation of notification of some selected vandalized electrification projects earmarked for rehabilitation:The sum of N70,000,000.00 was highlighted by the Ministry of Rural and Community Development as the amount of money required for the rehabilitation of eleven (11) vandalized electrification projects shortlisted from nine (9) LGCAs. These are from among the already approved twenty five (25) such projects spanning fourteen (14) LGCAs but the ones specified are adjudged to be the most critical. Council approved the execution of the rehabilitation of the following vandalized facilities: i.Faragai-Batayya I.T.C Maintenance -Albasu Local Government -N10,682,028.00 ii.Gwagwaranda I.T.C. -Albasu Local Government -N5,575,181.00 iii.Rehabilitation of I.C.T. at Jibia -Gaya Local Government -N6,123,894.00 iv.Fita ITC/S/Garin Durbunde TDN -Takai Local Government -N5,096,609.00 v.Dambazau/Diribo ITC Maintenance -Takai Local Government -N5,183,214.00 vi.Kuki and Anadariyya ITC -Bebeji Local Government -N11,84,085.00 vii.Yadakwari-Danmauri ITC -G/Malam Local Government N8,598,371.00 viii.Kura-Kosawa-Guraza-DomawaITC -Kura Local Government -N6,222,987.00 ix.Yargudau ITC Maintenance -D/Tofa Local Govt -N2,288,922.00 x.Karari-Dutse Karya -Bichi- Local Govt -N1,865,222.00 xi.Rogo-Tsamiya-Rogo-Bari/Falgore,Tasha Baduku -Kanwa ITC -N7,279,487.00 TOTAL N70,000,000.00 3. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT The office of the Secretary to the State Government submitted 6 memoranda on behalf of other MDAs for deliberation by the Council as follows; a. Request for release of Counterpart Funds for the provision of free Tuberculoses Treatment in the State using WHO recommended observed

ENGR. RABI`U MUSA KWANKWASO Executive Governor, Kano State

treatment (DOTS) started 2003:The sum of N9,852,000.00 was approved for release as requested, by contents of this memorandum, to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, which presented the request on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

This was done in compliance with earlier agreement reached between the State Government and World Health Organization (WHO). b. Request for approval and release of funds to host the Super-4 (pre-season tournament):The Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture reminded the Council of its approval and release of funds to host the 7th Congress of Nigerian Premier League by Kano Pillars Football Club. The money approved and released was N5,000,000.00. The event was not held in Kano but shifted to and held in Abuja.

Nevertheless, another hosting right was granted to the Kano Pillars by the newly established Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Board to host the Super 4 (pre-season tournament) comprising Kano Pillars, Rangers, Lobi and Heartland Football Clubs. So, the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture requested for the release of an additional fund in the sum of N9,460,000.00 to augment the initial sum of N5million to cater for hosting the Super 4 pre-season Tournament, which is projected to gulp the sum of N14,460,000.00.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of an additional sum of N9,460,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture to enable the hosting of the Super 4 pre-season League Tournament for the year 2013. This was in support of Sports generally and Football in particular in the State. c. Request for funds to enable the payment of 13,000 Litres of Diesel (AGO):The sum of N2,860,000.00 was approved for release by the Council to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as requested for the payment of 13,000 Litres of AGO supplied to Farmers Radio by Alhaji Yahaya Mai Kifi.

The gesture was to smoothen, continuous performance of the Farmers' Radio whose activities champion the sensitization efforts rendered for farmers to improve their performance to improve yield and general production for economic and social advancement. d. Request for funds to settle expenses incurred by the Task Force Committee on Streetlights for six (6) Months (i.e January-June, 2012):Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested, on behalf of the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport, for the release of the sum of N134,421,760.00 to enable settlement of expenses incurred by the Task Force Committee on Streetlights for Six (6) months (January-June, 2012).

Essentially, diesel (AGO) was supplied to the Committee

to keep their Electricity Generators operational. Supply of the commodity (AGO) was confirmed, and Council approved the release of the requested sum of N134,421,760.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the settlement of expenses on AGO incurred by the Task Force Committee on Streetlights. Streetlights are currently seen functioning almost everywhere as envisaged by the incumbent administration under the leadership of Gov. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso. e. Presentation on an arithmetic error and request for additional release of funds to enable conduct of the empowerment/training program for less privileged Women:The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, through contents of this memorandum, as submitted by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, drew the attention of the Council to its earlier approval granted for the release of the sum of N1,164,500.00 to enable conduct of the referred program.

However, in the course of implementation, it was discovered that there was an inadvertent arithmetical error in putting the proposal for 500 women at N10,000.00 each to read N500,000.00 instead of N5,000,000.00.

As such, Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N4,500,000.00 to bridge the gap so as to ensure successful and effective execution of the program.

Council approved the release of the sum of N4,500,000.00 to actualize conduct of the empowerment program since it is among the cardinal resolutions of the present administration. The Community Re-orientation Committee is to be involved in the selection of participants. f. Presentation on "Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA)-Establishment of Staple Crop processing Zone in Kano State:Council was reminded of the establishment of the staple crop-processing zone for rice, sorghum and tomato in Kano State, which is sited at Kadawa. Nine (9) Local Government areas are to serve as the ready source of supply of raw materials for the processing zone. They include Kura, Garun Malam, Rano, Kiru, Madobi, Bunkure, Tudun Wada, Bebeji and Doguwa.

Details on the general arrangements were presented in this memorandum, which culminated to a request for the Council to consider and approve the release of a piece of land under KNARDA'S control along Bagauda/ Kura road for the establishment of Staple Crop Processing Zone.

Council noted and approved the proposal on the establishment of the Staple Crop Processing Zone in Kano State. This is in agreement with the State Government effort to increase farmer productivity in addition to the millions being expended in the provision of bulls, ox-carts, and ridges. This action and the resources committed in agriculture have attracted the attention of both domestic and international organizations to partner with the State to improve agricultural production.

4. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Two (2) memoranda were submitted by this Ministry for deliberation by the Council as follows; a. Presentation on the need and request to release funds to augment the earlier approved sum of money for the provision of school furniture using 2011 and 2012 UBE Matching Grant for 187 Kwankwasiyya blocks of classrooms:The Ministry of Education reported variation of an earlier approved expenditure on the provision of School furniture using 2011 and 2012 UBE Matching Grant through contents of this memorandum. An augmentation to the tune of N162,316,000.00 was requested for in order for the Ministry to enable the provision of comparably high-quality school furniture for 187 Kwankwasiyya blocks of classrooms designed to accommodate 15,708 pupils and 2,168 teachers.

Council approved the augmentation and release of the sum of N162,316,000.00 to the Ministry of Education to enable the provision of high-quality school CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

furniture for 187 Kwankwasiyya Blocks as the project is in line with the resolve of the present administration to provide qualitative education in the State. b. Request for funds to facilitate additional repairs and renovation works on existing structures at Government Girls Secondary School, Madobi, Madobi Local Government:Required additional repairs and renovation works on existing structures at GGSS Madobi was brought to the attention of the Council by contents of this memorandum. The Ministry of Education requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N53,847,380.32 to enable the execution of fourteen (14) projects itemized and respectively estimated by contents of this memorandum.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N53,847,380.32 to the Ministry of Education to effect the required repairs and construction of new structures at GGSS Madobi so as to provide efficient teaching and learning atmosphere in the school , Colleges and places of teaching and learning across the State.

5. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTHS, SPORTS AND CULTURE Request for funds to Sponsor Kano Pillars Basketball team for the 2013 DSTV National Premier Basketball League:The Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture informed the Council through contents of this memorandum, of having received an Invitation Letter from the Nigerian Basketball Federation requesting the State to register its players for the year 2013 DSTV National Premier Basketball League beginning on 23rd February, 2013. Contents of this memorandum reminded the Council of the fact that the Kano Pillars Basketball team was the runner up of last year's (2012) final-8 Championship, which qualified the team to represent Nigeria at the West Africa Zonal Qualifiers that took place in Liberia in which they emerged champions of the West Africa Sub-region and won the trophy. So, the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture requested on behalf of the Sports Council for the release of the sum of N23,957,000.00 to cater for registration, feeding, accommodation, allowances, sign-on fees and other logistics for the new season so that the Kano Pillars Basketball team can participate in the 2013 DSTV Premier Basketball League Season.

Council considered and approved the release of the sum of N16,241,000.00 to the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture to enable the Sports Council to facilitate for the stated purpose.

6. MINISTRY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION Request for funds to enable the provision of furniture and equipment for Academic Staff, Computer Center, E-Library and supply/ installation of air-conditioners at Northwest University, Kano:The aggregate sum of N130,774,023.06 was approved for release by the Council to the Ministry for Higher Education to enable provision of furniture and equipment for Academic Staff, Computer Center, ELibrary and supply/installation of Air-conditioners at Northwest University, Kano.

Details on how the money approved for release is to be utilized were presented for Council's consideration.

It was understood that; i.

Provision and Installation of furniture for Academic Staff Offices, Computer Center, E-Library and Senate Chamber=N97,640,481.84 ii.

Supply/Installation of air-conditioning units for 1-6 Floors =N33,133,541.22 Total=N130,774,023.06 7. MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES Presentation on EU-Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Program (EU-WSSSRP) and request for funds to address shortfall in the payment for Works Executed:Water is life and has to be available in required quantities and suitable quality for use by man for his existence to be normal and comfortable. This explains the present administration resolve to expend billion of Naira in order to provide and make water available to its teeming population. All possible strategies are used to make this possible. Among them is the agreement entered into between the State Government and the European Union (EU)-Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Program (EU-WSSSRP). The purpose of the program is to increase access to safe, adequate and sustainable water supply and sanitation services in six focal States, which include Kano. A lot has been achieved since the commencement of the program in which joint financing provided the money for all the works executed-thus; i.

European Union N219,489,512.13=48% ii.

Federal Government N104,705,331.88=25% iii. Kano State GovernmentN62,823,299,.13 =15% iv. Local Government N29,317,492.93 =7%

v.

(11 LGCs) Communities N39,396,341.31 =5% (N18,455,274.93 in kind) Total N455,731,877.36

A total of thirteen (13) contracts were successfully signed and executed while the various Communities are enjoying the facilities provided. A shortfall of N10,516,547.31 remains to be paid to contractors on retention for sanitation facilities and allowances. So, the Ministry of Water Resources requested for the release of the sum of N10,516,547.31 by the Council to enable the payment of the shortfall.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Water Resources to facilitate for the stated purpose.

8. MINISTRY OF FINANCE Notification on money owed the State Pension Trustees Fund by the 44 Local Government Councils and SUBEB:Contents of this memorandum substantiated to the attentive Council that the sum of N5,977,066,064.38 is owed to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees by the 44 Local Government Councils (LGCAs) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). These organizations have for years failed to remit their mandatory pension share on every employee in accordance with the Pension and Gratuity Law of 2006 (as gazetted 11th January, 2007).

Details are; i.

44 LGCAs 17% non-remitted December 2011 -N203,244,413.55 Jan-Dec 2012 -N2,626,333,585.63 Total =N2,829,577,999.18 ii.

SUBEB Jan-Dec 2012 -N3,147,488,065.20 iii. Grand total=N5,977,066,064.38 Council noted, considered and approved gradual settlement of the owed amount of money in nine (9) months. Specifically, N664,118,451.59 is to be jointly remitted to the Pension Fund Trustees every month for nine (9) months -thus; i.

LGCAs=N314,397,555.40 ii.

SUBEB=N343,720,896.10 iii. Total=N658,118,451.50 The gesture is to ensure that the scheme's objectives are achieved in that every person who worked in Kano State Public Service gets his benefit as and when due.

9. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT Two (2) memoranda were submitted for consideration by the Council from the Ministry of Works, Housing and transport, thus; a. Request for funds to facilitate the reconstruction of the wall fence at BUK Old Site along Sheikh Ja'afar Mahmud Road:The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport informed the Council, through contents of this memorandum, that a portion of the perimeter wall fence at BUK Old Site had to be demolished to pave a way for the road construction work in progress along Sheikh Ja'afar Mahmud Road. The wall had to be re-positioned 3metres into the University's premises. So, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N43,563,550.80 to facilitate the demolition and reconstruction of the wall fence at its new location so as to pave a way for the road construction work in progress.

Council considered and approved the release of the requested sum of money to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to expedite action in the execution of the stated project so as to ensure timely completion of the road construction project along Sheikh Ja'afar Mahmud Road, which is in line with the laudable policies of the present administration. b. Request for funds to enable Renovation and Conversion of Former "ICRISAT" Center situated at Kadawa into a Horticulture Institute:The Horticulture Institute is among the skill acquisition and empowerment provision establishments embarked upon by the present administration. The Institute is to provide training in modern ornamental farming (Gardening) agriculture in the State. As such, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested for the release of the sum of N19,747,634.53 to facilitate the renovation and conversion of "ICRISAT" Center at Kadawa into the envisaged Horticulture Institute.

Release of the requested sum of N19,747,634.53 was approved by the Council to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to facilitate for the stated renovation and conversion projects so as to actualize the provision of the required site for the envisaged Horticulture Institute.

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 82ND SITTING

1. GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL WORKING VISIT TO INDIA Council noted the successful official working visit by

the State Governor Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso and members of his team on Saturday 19th January, 2013 to India where they met with different investment personalities and organizations such as PRIMUS Hospital, Garment Factory and, Vocational School for Teaching of Garment, Sewing & Embroidery. This working visit was meant to attract foreign investments and the setting up of industries in the State.

2. TRAINING OF YOUTHS FOR THE AMANA LUXURY TAXIS In its effort to eradicate poverty among the citizens in the State, Council recalled the successful launching of 1000 fairly used taxis and 500 fairly used buses last year. Similarly, Council having observed the beneficial development of the previous program, also approved the supply of an additional 1000 luxury taxis to ameliorate commuters problem within the State. Already an organized training of the 1st phase set of selected unemployed youths to drive the luxury taxis had began in conjunction with the Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, on Friday 25th January, 2013 at Murtala Mohammed Library.

3. ATTACK ON THE EMIR OF KANO Council noted with dismay the sudden attack on Emir of Kano, Alh. (Dr.) Ado Bayero and his entourage on Saturday after attending an Islamic School launching/ graduating ceremony. During the attack, three (3) lives were lost and many had sustained injury. Accordingly, the State Security Agents discovered that those suspected to have carried out the attack and numerous others (attacks) use motorbikes as a means to, and a getaway of transport. This convinced the Government to announce the prohibition of carrying of two or more persons on motorbikes within the metropolitan area to ensure safety of lives of innocent individuals in the State.

Similarly, Council condoled with the families of the attacked victims, which included the Interim Management Officer of Kumbotso Local Government and three (3) of the Emir's servants. The State Government also gave the sum of N1million and 3 Bedroom Flat each to the families of those who lost their lives. Council prayed for the gentle souls of those killed to rest in peace. The sum of N250,000.00 was released to the other three (3) victims each who are presently in hospital receiving medical attention while Government will continue providing free medical treatment to all the victims of the attack.

4. LAUNCHING OF THE MALARIA PROGRAMME Council noted the launching of malaria program on the distribution of free malaria drugs across the State Hospitals coming up on Tuesday 29th January, 2013, which was donated by Medshare International of United States of America to the State towards the eradication of malaria parasites.

5. GOVERNMENT POLICY ON PLACING POSTERS Council publicly announced the prohibition of placing posters on official buildings and roundabouts across the State. Accordingly, Council urged politicians and general public to respect the environment and bear with the prohibition in order to beautify the surroundings, which will attract more investors into the renowned city.

Useful telephone numbers: I. KANO ROAD TRANSPORT AUTHORITY (KAROTA) USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS Contact KAROTA for: Breakdown Vehicles blocking roads Traffic Congestion Accident Illegal/Wrong Parking Call Karota on - 08091626747 i.

For security call the Police on the following numbers; 08032419754 08123821575 08099831808 064-977004 064-97705 11- For Fire Service call the following numbers 064-895435 07051246833 08191778888 08190548888 08190548888 08107888878 For further information on Government activities visit us at:

www.kano.gov.ng/new Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports and Culture

PAGE 10

Gombe flags off SURE-P

G

ombe state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, has said that the administration of President Good luck Jonathan has brought sanity with a view to harnessed the subsidy removal towards providing socio-economic condition to the citizenry The governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr Thaanda Raibanu, stated this at the flagging off ceremony of the recruitment of 3,ooo youths, women and vulnerable under the federal governments subsidy reinvestment and empowerment programme held at school of nursing in the state.

Dankwambo lauded the initiative of the federal government aimed at ensuring millions of youths, women and vulnerable are gainfully employed.

Speaking further, the governor directed the committee of the programme to meet with groups in all local governments areas in order to ensure the success of the programme.

In his address, the chairman of the committee Alhaji Adamu Yaro Gombe thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve, adding that the committee would do everything possible to ensure success of the programme.

Also speaking at the event, the attorney-general and commissioner for justice of the state Alhaji Abdulhammid Ibrahim noted that the programme can only entertain citizens from age of 18to 40 years with a view to transform them.

AFCSC students to commence tour From Muhammad Adamu, Kaduna

S

tudents of Senior Course 35 of Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Jaji commenced environment assessment tour of some selected States in Nigeria over the weekend.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the College, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Dole in Kaduna over the weekend said the tour is to form part of Senior Course Curriculum of the student.

He said the tour is to afford them ample opportunity to interact and have a firsthand knowledge of specific sociocultural , economic and ecological problems in the states they will visit.

According to the statement the tour will also afford the International Students opportunity to know the country and compare notes with what is obtained in their home countries.

The Students are divided into 9 syndicates, each to visit a particular state.

The themes of this year’s tour are: ‘National Integration for improved National Security’ (Osun and FCT), ‘ Diversifying Nigeria’s Economy for National Development’ ( Ogun and Bayelsa), ‘Youth Empowerment for improved National Development’ ( Zamfara and Ebonyi).

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

350 women graduate from 1 Battalion skill acquisition programme From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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o fewer than 350 soldier’s wives of 1 Battalion Nigeria Army Brinin Kebbi have completed their two weeks skills acquisition training and were awarded certificates of attendance.

The women, who were engaged in various aspect of trades such as ICT, photo processing, tailoring, hat and beads making, hair dressing, soap making and other household items were mainly wives of senior Non commission officers (SNCOs) and below

ranks.

Addressing the participants at a ceremony organised by the battalion to mark the end of the two weeks training exercise, Col. Mohammed L. Augie who represented the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim told participants that the equipments

which will be given to them to start doing the various trades they have learnt will be as loan to them to enable them become self reliant and self sustained.

The loan he said is to be paid back over time and will serve as revolving loans urging them to put in their very best

L-R: Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, and Project Director, Democratic Governance for Development(DGD), Dr. Moutarda Deme, during the DGD/Nigeria Community Radio Coalition briefing and strategy meeting, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo.

Nyako’s aide denies threat to journalist From Umar Dankano, Yola

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damawa State Police Command has confirmed the receipt of a formal complaint against the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Governor Murtala Nyako alleging to have threatened to destroy a private media outfit owned by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the state.

Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the command D.S.P Ibrahim Muhammad told Peoples Daily in Yola that the management of Gotel Communication Limited has lodged a complaint against the Governor’s Chief Security Officer over threats to lives of their staff and the organisation’s facilities adding that, the officer in question has been interrogated over the allegation.

Speaking to Peoples Daily on the allegation CSO, S.P Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu said, he didn’t issue any threat rather, he cautioned the presenter of a famous political Hausa programme in Gotel Radio ‘Dimukaradiyya ayau’ on the usage of that platform to cast aspersion on the personality of his boss (Nyako) in the name of politics.

Sheriff stated that as a security officer, his duty is to protect lives and properties of all Nigerians with special emphasis to his boss (Nyako) and that there have been a series of intelligence reports available to him which indicates that there

is pressure from Governor Nyako’s loyalists and supporters (youth groups) that wants to launch attack on the said presenter (Shekarau Yerima) and the facilities of the Gotel Communications.

According to him, the development motivated him to call Shekarau and advise him to inform his management to do something about it with a sole aim of maintaining peace and harmony among the political class and interest.

When contacted on the matter, the presenter of the programme, Mal. Shekarau Yerima said it was true that

someone called him with a telephone number 08088811117 at about 10:36 am on the 22nd January, 2013 and warned him and his station (Gotel Radio) to desist from featuring some politicians that are giving bad name and abusing Governor Murtala Nyako.

Shekarau stressed that, when he asked of who was talking, the caller simply introduced himself as Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Adamawa State.

Commenting on the development, the Head of Administration of Gotel

Communication Ltd Yola, Mallam Muhammad Sani Isa told Peoples Daily that the organisation is yet to hear any response over the complaints lodged to Commissioner of Police and Director, department of Security services in the State.

Mal. Sani added that, this is not the first time such threat were issued to their staff, another journalist, Miss Eno Jonathan was also threatened through a postal mail on her Gotel TV show during flood disaster over the sharing of N500million relief assistance form Federal government.

Lagos State Assembly to regulate activities of fast food producers

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r. Suuru Avoseh, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, says that the House will soon enact a law that would check the excesses of fast food producers.

Avoseh, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Services, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos that most of the foods prepared by various restaurants were “junk foods.

“And these junk foods are harmful to human health”, he stressed.

Avoseh said that the House would strive to emulate the

National Assembly which, he noted, was planning to ban the importation, distribution and consumptions of energy drinks in the country.

“For instance, the presence of caffeine in energy drinks is injurious to the human body; some people take these foods ignorantly, without considering its side-effects on their body.

“Most of the foods are junks, which are not good for our consumption”, he added.

Avoseh also said that “junk foods should not replace our normal meals, as most of them contain too much fat and sugar which are not only unhealthy

but are also addictive.’’

The lawmaker said that many people had been addicted to eating junk foods, adding that such dietary habits often resulted in either obesity or diabetes, while posing serious health threats to the body.

He, however, stressed that Nigeria was endowed with a wide variety of healthy foods which were good for human consumption.

Avoseh noted that a lot of money was spent annually on the health sector because of diseases which could be prevented through purposeful policies and laws. (NAN)

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Five tips that can help you grow your business D

o a proper competition analysis, it gives an understanding of your own competitive advantages/ disadvantages relative to you competitors, It also provides an understanding of competitors' past, present (and most importantly) future strategies.

It provides an informed basis to develop strategies that will help achieve competitive advantage in the future.

Always do proper accounting, One major pitfall of small businesses is poor accounting.

Separate the business purse from your personal purse, never confuse revenue or sales with profit, and always pay yourself the salary commensurate to your work even if you cannot afford to pay the salary, always record it in your books, so that you can determine if you are really making profit or not.

Hire an accountant to straighten your books, if you cannot do it yourself.

Focus on one thing at a time, Try to focus on one thing at a time, this allows you to organize your work more, and acheive more ,step by step,

Here are more tips that you can use to help you grow your business. mile by mile, you will make it.

Create a customer profile ;Conducting a detailed customer survey and generating a demographic data of customers contributes to proper customer

management, and generating more prospects for your business.

Proper documentation of customers and prospects is essential.

Prospect list generation works well, especially for servicebased businesses.

Be an Outlier; An Outlier is something that lies outside the normal experience, it is phenomenal, your business must stand out from the crowd; have a competitive edge, and a unique selling point- that is the reason why customers will

choose you rather than your competitors.

To build a lasting business enterprise, you need to constantly search for new techniques to develop, create, improve and enhance your competitive edge.

(Source: businessoutliers.com)

7 Guide on how to use forex hedging strategy Bouncing back after a lay-off

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n forex trading, hedging is sad to give beneficial system so traders can buy and sell in a currency in the same time.

However, it can be tricky as well.

We need expertise and experience before we start using this. Experts even still need tips to use them.

Here are the tips and we hopefully can learn from these following tips.

• No Newbie is Allowed

Quote "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship."

— Benjamin Franklin: US statesman, philosopher

Hedging is not made for newbie. So if you are new on forex trading, you will need to postpone your desire to try it. You need to be used to current system and be good at it first.

• With Certain Brokers Several brokers do not allow you to use hedging. They have their own reasons for this.

Therefore, you must make sure first that your broker is fine with the fact that you are going to use hedging.

• Automatic Execution When you use hedging, you will need to make automatic execution.

EA will be able to provide you with appropriate solutions for this.

Learn first about it before you start using hedging.

• The Timing

Hedging only works on several timings. It works well when market is going sideways or when the movements are practically limited to the current range. So, watch your timing and use the method wisely or you are trapped.

• Large Pip Range Remember that you will finally need to pay for commission from your profit. Therefore, you should try to make larger leap on it. You do not need extraordinary leap but make it bigger than you usually make.

• You Need to be Patient Being patient means you should wait if your market does not make any performance yet. Later, in the meantime, certain move will make the balance, and that is your time. Do not force or push too much or you will break the system.

• Evaluation Again and Again Make continuous evaluation.

This will help you recognizing your mistakes, and you can make calculation and prediction for your next step. Make multiple evaluations.

Those 7 tips are based on expert suggestions and experience of senior traders. If you are about to try hedging on forex trading, you should memorize the tips and apply it on your trading actions. This can be tricky but you have to give yourself some time to be able to work with it. Hedging is helpful.

Good luck with it!

L

ayo-ffs, sacks and retrenchment have always been known in the Nigerian business sector most, especially in recent times. Mass sacks and layoffs have been common in banks and other establishments , Sometimes they come as a surprise, while other times employees can get a warning and time to seek another job before termination is official.

As hard as a lay-off can be, you do not have to sit in depression; there are many things that you can do before and after a lay-off.

Knowing how best to manage a lay-off can position you for greater positions of increased career opportunities, and you can also serve as a source of motivation to others that one can bounce back and succeed even after an event of a mass sack.

The dynamics in the Economy, evidenced by employers seeking to recruit highly qualified staff daily is proof that there are jobs out there, you only need to position yourself to enhance and show case your talent. To achieve this, here are some things you should do.

Accept change: There was a man that was asked to resign from his position as the area sales manager of a multinational, for a very long time, this man will drive to the gate of the company and wait outside and would ask his ex colleagues, about his seat "has any one taken my seat?, is my desk still vacant? etc; for a long time he lived in denial. Once you accept things the way they are you are position to forge ahead and for new and greater things to happen.

Now you have more time in your hands: Do not spend that time sleeping and mourning, rather try to do enjoyable things, spend time with family, relax, and enjoy the moment knowing and believing it would not be like that forever.

Do not neglect your network: The network you have; family, friends, former colleagues may just be the ones that will help you land that job you need, so stay in touch, let them know you are in search of a job.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Beyond its symbolism

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igeria, on January 15, 2013, marked the 43rd Armed Forces Remembrance Day since it was shifted in 1970 from November 11 which coincided with Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) for World War 11 veterans in the old British Commonwealth of Nations.

Nigeria changed the day to January 15 to mark the end of a 30-month civil war. It was that day that Biafran soldiers surrendered to federal troops. Ever since, the Armed Forces Day has been marked without fail in this country.

In theory, the Nigerian Legion is in charge of the annual commemoration ceremonies in Abuja and the 36 state capitals, but in practice, it is the federal and state governments that fund them. The occasion is characterized by a 21gun salute by the military, comprising the army, navy and air force; the laying of wreaths, the playing of the Last Post, march-pasts and the release of pigeons signifying peace.

In Abuja, the federal capital, the ceremonies were held at the National Arcade in the Three Arms Zone. President Goodluck Jonathan, as the grand patron of the Nigerian Legion, took the traditional gun salute and inspected a parade in four colours -the national and three regimental colours of the army, navy and air force. He also led in the wreath-laying ritual.

The armed forces day remembrance is a worldwide tradition. Nigeria, as a member of a global community, should be fully involved, as indeed we have been. Our civil war experience makes our case poignantly so.

Thousands of men and women in our military gave their lives in defence of the fatherland. It is, therefore, only

“

The picture of a poorly clothed blind, aged exserviceman howling at the venue of the AFRD, last week, in Ibadan, Oyo state, should sear the consciences of our leaders.

But will it? right that we keep their memories alive. The annual remembrance celebrations are only a part of this.

They should be no more than symbolic. Unfortunately, we do not seem capable of going beyond this symbolism of remembering our "fallen heroes".

More often than not, we forget the surviving members of those dead heroes who today live in abject penury. The heroes still living tell

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”

tales, not of comfort but of utter neglect by the government of the day.

Our military's men and women of sorrows are not limited to veterans of the civil war; they include postwar soldiers who have now retired into a private life of wretchedness.

President Jonathan was too patronizing about these men and women of honour in his remarks at an interdenominational Christian worship service to mark the day the previous Sunday. "Let me especially thank the armed forces because this is their day and also the police and other services; we sleep because they stay awake", he said. "I think the best gift we can give to them... is our prayers."

Gift? We don't believe it is gifts that the families of those who died fighting to "keep Nigeria one", and many more who are endangering their lives today so that the rest of us can sleep well, is a gift of perfunctory prayer. Rather, the families of the dead need material sustenance paid for by the government on behalf of a grateful citizenry. And those who are retired and alive but have not been paid their full entitlements must get them in order to live a comfortable private life.

The picture of a poorly clothed blind, aged ex-serviceman howling at the venue of the AFRD, last week, in Ibadan, Oyo state, should sear the consciences of our leaders. But will it?

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

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 13

The opposition is simiulacrum

By Pius Adesanmi As far as civic consciousness is concerned, the Opposition does not only produce far more spectacle and entertainment for the people (witness the entertainment provided by Asiwaju, as he boasted openly about the "millions of pounds" he spent corrupting democracy on behalf of an incumbent he was "opposing" in Ondo), she also poses greater danger by giving a battered and psychologically-damaged citizenry the seductive impression that a viable alternative is in the offing; that she is a harbinger of strategies, processes, and structures more progressive than the corrupt and integritychallenged political mechanisms of the ruling party and the incumbent Presidency.

In essence, the gangrened Presidency of Goodluck Jonathan and the organized banditry of the PDP are less of a danger because they belong in the realm of the familiar. In fact, the people already have a symbolic, consolatory victory over this establishment because she has lost the ability to shock or surprise them. The figures of their loot no longer shock; the lack of vision, of moral fibre, of leadership qualities in individual members of this establishment, no longer shock; their unending capacity for cant and chicanery no longer shocks. They have lost the element of surprise.

This explains why the feint of hope the people have in "the Opposition" is more dangerous than the galling familiarity of the establishment. When the idea is in the air that there is a credible political opposition to establishment rot, when that idea rides on the personal capital of

"opposition spokespersons" in parties such as the ACN, the CPC, etc, when the attacks by these "opposition spokespersons" on the President fill the airwaves; when these spokespersons enter the same trouser with the President's lobotomized aides such as Doyin Okupe, Reuben Abati, and Reno Omokri, and social media is regaled with tales of such roforofo, the people draw false comfort from the illusion that the rapists of our destiny in the establishment are being given a run for their money.

There is psychic satisfaction in believing that somebody is at work on your behalf, fashioning alternatives of civic agency. You hear that Asiwaju will show them pepper. You hear that Chief Lagbaja, Honourable Tamedun, and Alhaji Lakuregbe will rob the noses of the looters in the establishment against the iron rod of justice. Ah, dem go take! This pyrrhic comfort sedates the people.

Spectocracy is reinforced because the people forget to ask very critical questions about the nature of this "opposition", its creed, and its modes of becoming. The people forget to

ask whether the ethos of this "opposition" inheres in the people or, just like the PDP they claim to oppose, in party elders, party chieftains, and "prominent Nigerians".

This is what makes the simulacrum of an opposition that we have in Nigeria so dangerous.

With spectocracy thus reinforced, the people even forget the basic definition of a political opposition in a genuine democracy. They forget that, since 1999, oppositional morphology and evolution in Nigeria can only give us one definition: a confederacy of out-rigged, out-manoeuvred, outcorrupted, outfoxed former members of the establishment licking their wounds outside of the circles of power and waiting for reentry. The establishment knows this; hence, they have no respect for the opposition. They know that their sensational exits from the party are all hot air. Like Atiku Abubakar, like Orji Kalu, they will come back and realign.

Meanwhile, what does the opposition do while waiting for reintegration? They decamp noisily

“

With so much spectacle coming with the very idea of the opposition, the people can be forgiven for not even seeing that where oppositional party politics is concerned, the modus operandi of the opposition is nothing but a way of poorly photocopying the PDP from a different platform

from the ruling party. Where they have the means from the proceeds of corruption, they start newspapers and begin to build other structures of mass dissemination. They make a lot of noise, aligning strategically with labour, civil society organizations, human rights organizations, etc.

Gradually, the lines between human rights activists, civil society activists, public intellectuals, and social media activists on the one hand, and outfoxed opposition politicians on the other hand gradually recede and disappear.

With so much spectacle coming with the very idea of the opposition, the people can be forgiven for not even seeing that where oppositional party politics is concerned, the modus operandi of the opposition is nothing but a way of poorly photocopying the PDP from a different platform.

Consider the recent case of the merger of some political parties. It was on Nasir el Rufai's wall that I first caught wind of it. He had posted a media release signed, I believe, by one of the spokespersons of the parties aspiring to merge.

The media release announced that the parties in question had constituted a committee of "eminent Nigerians" to work out the modalities of the merger and I screamed: there they go again!

Yes, the names they announced are credible and respectable citizens, all elderly compatriots but that is not the point. The point is that the opposition was announcing such an important decision top-down, with its party base contemptuously treated as spectocrats. How is this different from the way the PDP treats the Nigerian people? When did the leaders of these opposition parties

crisscross Nigeria, selling the idea of this merger to their respective bases?? Let's go to them and find out. Nope, they just woke up and announced it top-down.

This is what happens when neither the establishment nor the opposition really needs you to run your life. This is what happens when the processes leading to the election of your leaders do not take you into account. You are always asked to "await further directives".

Nobody consults you about anything. Whenever the time comes to legitimize decisions taken about your life in your absence, they distribute rice, recharge cards, and okada helmets to you.

They send buses to bring you to the state capital or Abuja for a rally or for a party convention. They give you six yards of ankara with some money for the tailor. You appear at the rally, decked in the ankara, singing and chanting, and cursing President Jonathan and the establishment. You are too far gone to notice that those who sent buses to fetch you to the state capital or Abuja have merely photocopied the methodology of President Jonathan and his own party.

This is not acceptable. You, Nigerian, deserve better than this insulting scenario. It doesn't matter whether you are with the PDP or with the opposition parties. What we have for now are just variations on a theme of spectocracy. This is why those of us who are working on the spectocracy project believe that an alternative political movement is necessary as we begin the march to 2015. We believe that the Nigerian people have the numbers to force a paradigm shift from which shall emerge a political process and democratic mechanisms that inhere in them.

We believe that the death of spectocracy is the only path to the dignity of the Nigerian citizen.

Pius Adesanmi is reachable on www.twitter.com

Human angle of the national good governance tour

By Charles Chikezie

W

ith high energy and expectation, the National Good Governance Tour train took off from the Federal Capital Territory, September 2012. A train, as we all know, is an articulated transport system moving on rail lines, and is powered to convey large number of persons and goods, safely, swiftly and conveniently.

A train service goes with minimum distortion or inconvenience to the overall well being of the environment and life of the people where it is operated.

It was therefore poetically coincidental and significant that one of the very first projects seen by the tour team was the Abuja Light Rail Project, desired and designed to be the bulk mover of persons within and around the burgeoning city of Abuja. When accomplished, it will assuage the pain of commuters such as is associated with population explosion that Abuja, like many of the major cities in Nigeria, is currently experiencing.

Indeed the train analogy fits the travelling team comprising discernible stakeholders like journalists, civil society persons, the heads of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies whose projects were being visited, host State's officials, a few officers from the Federal Ministry of

Information, the National Planning Commission, Nigerian Governor's forum, and security personnel.

Labaran Maku's order to the security personnel was clear: "be proactive, and hinder not any Nigerian at any of the functions because the tour is mainly for their benefit".

At various points therefore, the people of surged to engage with their leaders, especially at the Citizen's Forums convened for them to interact directly with their Governors.

In the Federal Capital Territory, the Minister, Senator Mohammed Bala proved that the people are his primary consideration, with meeting their needs and aspirations as the fulçrum of his administration's development actions. He revealed his plans to impact the population directly with two items, water and housing, which essential for their comfort as human beings.

Accordingly therefore, he has embarked on very bold and ambitious water projects, to meet the city's water needs. The development of dams, the building of treatment plants and the reticulation schemes, expected to be completed within the next year, are such that would increase the portable water volume by 44million litres per day, almost ten times the current volume in use.

In the same vein, the

development of New Districts and Satellite Towns which he is vigorously pursuing will provide mass housing for residents of the Federal Capital Territory and its environs and invariably force down rent charges. The far reaching effect of such feats would rub off on the quality of life of the people and stem the rampant incidents of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid, malaria, organ poisoning and other ailments associated with drinking contaminated water, and living in unhealthy environments.

Human angle, as it relates to the FCT, cannot be said to have been fully told without beaming the light on the person of the FCT Minister who exuded great energy as the team moved from one site to another. He talked very smoothly and boldly, even when asked questions on contentious subjects like the demolition of illegal structures.

Moving on to Kwara State was for me very thrilling. I was going to the town where I began my career over three decades ago. I was going to see people I know to be very hospitable, friendly and peace loving. Interestingly, I noticed that Kwara people of today, as those of the late 70's and early 80s have not changed much despite that urbanization has virtually taken over Ilorin the State capital and a few of the other towns we saw. But the essential character of

refinement, civility, openness was intact, as I took time to visit and relate at the popular Oja-Oba market, the ever busy Sabo Oke motor park, scenic Asa dam area and a few of the surviving parks where we took walks in those days.

But I lamented how the roads leading to my "beautiful Kwara" have metamorphosed awfully and monstrously.

The Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Ahmed Abdulfatah dazzled everyone with great erudition and communicative power. When he took the stage at the Citizen's Forum, his debonair look was going to deceive those who did not know his antecedents but when he was done, persons around me said he came out much taller than he was at the beginning. They enthused that Indeed Nigeria is endowed with many great brains that operate unobtrusively, and it takes finding them out, to be able to appreciate what quality of human resources Nigeria is endowed with.

In Niger State, it was exciting watching the people go about as naturally as they could be. The ordinary folks of Niger, the State of three former Presidents namely Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, and which houses the bulk of Nigeria's power sources, are mostly farmers and characteristically warm, friendly and resilient people. This easily showed in their application to their

daily tasks.

In all the places that we interfaced with them, like at the Shea butter factory near Kotongora where women were diligently and happily processing the butter, the Sabon Wuse and other district clinics, the primary schools, the old markets being renovated and the new international markets in Minna, they did not count on their present day challenges but exuded great hope for a better and greater tomorrow.

The Governor, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu, stole the human angle show in Niger State. He stole people's heart by the sheer gusto and display of patriotism. He had hardly returned from a duty tour elsewhere, and being informed that the NGGT was in the state, he decided to host the team at a gala night, but had to keep "standing" till the team returned to Minna from Kotangora, close to mid-night after a hectic road travel, and stayed all through the function.

What a commitment!

At the Citizen's Forum, Babangida Aliyu spoke with uncommon eloquence.

A renowned administrator, orator and a public speaker per excellence, he handled all the issues posed with effortless savvy and pedagogic clarity.

Charles Chikezie is the Director, Public Communication, Federal Ministry of Information.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 14

Nigeria and paradox of 21st century savagery

By Philip Amiola

O

n December 31, 2012, while the world was enraptured with the prospect of ushering in the New Year, someone in Kogi state, was busy scooping the brains out of his four-month-old son who he had just murdered. Earlier in October of the same year, the nation was shaken by the gruesome murder of four promising undergraduates who were beaten to death and set ablaze over a minor disagreement. And just as I was contemplating this piece, news filtered in again - a man has set his pregnant sister-in-law ablaze for pouring water on his dog!

It's amazing the indifference with which we have adjusted to the torrents of abominable incidents that assault our minds daily. News of carnage, acid treatments (or acid baths, if you like), ritual killings and other acts of brutish violence no longer have the sobering effect that they used to have. We claim to be the most civilized and technologically advanced generation of Homo sapiens on earth, yet savagery is at an alltime high. What a paradox!

Over the years, the West has made us believe that savagery is endemic to Africa but recent events, such as the frequency of indiscriminate shootings in America, have proved

By Akin Adesokan

H

ow does one maintain optimism about Nigeria? All visible signs show a country in a poor shape and steadily getting worse.

There is very little security of life and property, even without the Boko Haram onslaught.

There is a lot of money in very few and undeserving hands.

Random and systematic cruelty rules the day. The level of public debate on very important matters is so low that it is worth having only for its nuisance value, which is of no value in this circumstance.

The ivory tower, the natural fountain of knowledge, is a metaphoric farm where weeds are steadily taking over, scorching the life out of genuine life-sustaining crops. In and out of the university, people trained to live by judicious use of curiosity and criticism, have succumbed to religious superstition of the most selfdefeating varieties, and seem determined to drag everyone else down with them.

Knowledgeable people, including the former ambassador of a very powerful country in Nigeria, have predicted that the country will disintegrate about two years from now.

Yet in the last few years, the poet and critic, Odia Ofeimun, has celebrated this country in his own unique way. In a compelling display of imaginative and political generosity, he has put up a series

be other factors otherwise. such as According to emotional US newspaper pressure, reports, at least Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text f i n a n c i a l sixteen mass messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written hardship and a shootings took contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 host of others place in words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and that might America in a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed seem to trigger 2012 alone. to: such actions.

S i m i l a r The fact incidents have h o w e v e r The Editor, been recorded remains that in other parts Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, these other of the Western 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. factors are w o r l d .

Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com m e r e l y S a v a g e r y SMS: 07037756364 accessory; the then, is not real cause has to limited to any geographical location; it only lost touch with a fundamental do with our fundamental puts on the garb of the dominant value - the sanctity of human beliefs, our value system. It culture and adapts itself to the life. therefore goes without saying prevailing circumstances I understand that there may that if we are serious about wherever it is permitted to rear its ugly head.

A critical examination of the current trends all over the world reveals a fundamental problem If children are trained up in the right way, - our value system, the set of personal principles, standards they will not become a menace as adults. and beliefs in which we have an This might seem farfetched but nothing less emotional investment. The gory tales recounted above are will yield lasting results. How else do we raise fundamentally linked to a a new generation of refined, cultivated and warped value system. The herbalist who scooped out his civilized human beings if not by entrenching a baby's brains obviously valued power, his religious beliefs or new mindset in the younger generation? whatever it was that prompted We're not giving up on the Old Guard but his action, over and above the life of his son. We can reach we're investing more in children and youths similar conclusions about the other incidents; all culprits have

WRITE TO US

“

Nigeria the beautiful? of dance-dramas, stage performances developed from his evocative poems. Hear the name of one of these festive dances: Nigeria the Beautiful!

A puzzling title, not because its literal meaning is untrue, but because it is uncanny.

Nigeria the Beautiful is a dramatic poem, a narrative designed to highlight the twicetold and forgotten stories that combine to make the epic we have come to take as the Nigerian nation. Its concern is to reach for a reservoir of faith that one would be hard put to believe exists anywhere under the living sun, given all the visible signs surrounding the country like a bright, dense halo.

Ofeimun is not one of those profiting from the unacceptable state of things-he does not hold elective position and, as far as I know, is not a card-carrying member of a political party. Like most hard-headed realists, he has his preferences for one political tendency or another, and does not fight shy of expressing these biases in public.

In doing so, he easily incurs the irritation or annoyance of those with vested interests. But this is not unusual, even for the most temperate of opinion-makers.

Ofeimun is exceptional in adding to this dogged expression of his views a certain kind of

unapologetic abrasiveness, one that often leaves his arguments unanswerable.

What does one make of this?

Anyone who has tried to keep a steady view of things will know that every age could appear as bad as the next, or the one before. But the old is often appalled by the historical amnesia of the young; the youthful enthusiasm about a seemingly new phenomenon is treated either with amusement or with exasperation depending on the temperament of the old

and the demeanour of the young.

For example, a teacher who has spent years writing or teaching about Darwinism could be sorely offended if her student were to come up with an aggressive defense of "intelligence design" that also comes across as a discrediting of Darwinism.

When Ofeimun appears to be abrasive during a public debate, I think it is this kind of inability to convincingly connect the dots that riles him. And it is also because such an inability is not always an innocent lack of

“

Anyone who has tried to keep a steady view of things will know that every age could appear as bad as the next, or the one before. But the old is often appalled by the historical amnesia of the young; the youthful enthusiasm about a seemingly new phenomenon is treated either with amusement or with exasperation depending on the temperament of the old and the demeanour of the young

meaningful change and sustainable development; we must start with a deliberate and systematic process of value reorientation.

No quick fix will get the job done; we must start from the foundation - our individual family units. The educational institutions, religious institutions, mass media and other agents of socialisation are only supposed to build on the foundation that has been laid by the family. Parents must commit themselves to a comprehensive process of child training that will help their children imbibe sound ethical principles.

If children are trained up in the right way, they will not become a menace as adults. This might seem farfetched but nothing less will yield lasting results. How else do we raise a new generation of refined, cultivated and civilized human beings if not by entrenching a new mindset in the younger generation? We're not giving up on the Old Guard but we're investing more in children and youths. This way, we can be sure that there are better days ahead even though today may seem dark and dreary. God bless Nigeria.

Philip Amiola, a teacher, writer and campaigner of empowerment, can be followed on Twitter @ information. It could be a lack of rigor, but often in the context of Nigerian history it is a mark of intellectual dishonesty in the service of divisive politics.

Between this steadfast expression and defence of his personal views and the idealistic celebration of Nigeria in the dance-drama, I think, lies the importance of the ideas Ofeimun is developing, or has developed, about his time and place. It is an uncanny vision because it seeks to hold on to the promise of an idealistic future for which the present is not a reliable barometer. In fact, to go only by the present signs about Nigeria is to confront a reality certain to cripple the imagination. Dear reader, review the list of woes at the beginning of this piece and see if you won't find it too incomplete. There is no mention of corrupt, none of barely literate assemblymen awarding themselves salaries and allowances without comparison anywhere in our known world.

There is nothing about hungry millions, the reserved army of the unemployed.

For Ofeimun and builders like him, the point is to see through to tomorrow by gazing steadily at today. It would be salutary enough if this vision were limited to Nigeria, but dreams obey no boundaries.

Akin Adesokan is an Associate Professor of Comparative Literature at Indiana University, Bloomington.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 15

Obama: The inaugural speech of a Nigerian politician

By Victor Ehikhamenor

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very time we gather to install an election rigger, we showcase our strength to the world on how easily subvertable our Constitution can be. We confirm that our democracy cannot deliver its intended promise. We recall that what keeps this nation in bondage is not the shape of our noses or structure of our faces, not the type of beads or rosary we pray with, or the origins of our religions but the insatiable greed of every agbada wearing man and buba and wrapper wearing woman in this place today. What makes us exceptional - what makes us enviable - is our resolve to mismanage our natural resources (by which I mean oil) every time we claw and clubber our way to power. This has been the case since we asked our colonizers to go back to their cold countries fifty something years ago.

My fellow politicians, we are made for this moment, and we will not fail to seize it - so long as we agree to share whatever booty we gather together.

We, the politicians, still believe that our obligations are only to ourselves, not to all Nigerians. We will respond to the threat of detractors from ordinary citizens and other opposing political parties and set attack dogs on them, knowing that the failure to do so would prevent our children and future generations from excessive wealth and going to schools abroad or buy

By Jiti Ogunye

T

he Nigeria Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria's premier police training institution, is in the news. It has been since President Goodluck Jonathan paid an unscheduled visit last week. The visit followed a revealing report by Channels Television, Lagos. The report which exposed the unbelievable rot in the institution is said to be a part of Channels' corporate social responsibility initiative, with a special focus on the state of Nigeria's security institutions. A public discourse planned by the Television House, as a follow-up town hall gathering, scheduled to be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2013, in Lagos, with top police officers attending and participating, was hurriedly cancelled. No reason given. The reason is not farfetched, however.

After the visit and the reported public annoyance exhibited by the President at the audacity of the report, no right-thinking police officer, is expected to grace the Channels' event, without the assurance of the President that he will not be on the firing line.

During the visit, the President wondered how the sorry footage of the decrepit police facility, shown on television, was recorded. The President knew what he was talking about. Given the extensive coverage of the report: library, toilets, kitchen, dormitory and a class in session, it is obvious that the recording could not have occurred without official "police permit" or without insider collaboration. Thus, the President could not have believed the denial of the Commandant of the College that he knew how and when the recording was made. In the circumstances, if any police officer

houses in Washington DC that we may never live in. Some may not see reason with this and tend to be good leaders, the overwhelming backlash will teach you the lessons no science can teach. If you try to disgrace or make us look bad, you cannot avoid the devastating impact of our EFCC, ICPC and the crippling drought that will befall your allocated oil blocs and importation licenses. Remember we are a government of point and kill.

The path towards getting a sustainable inverter to carry our air-conditioners and large refrigerator will be long and sometimes difficult. But we politicians cannot resist the lure and immediacy of Mikano generators. We must lead people to believe in gens and not NEPA. We cannot cede to other nations the income generated from our friends selling generators and creating jobs with the only thriving market.

Through massive generators we should maintain our electricity and our national treasure - our fridges, electric fences, large flat-screen televisions and what have you, whether in the wetlands of Niger Delta or the dry lands of the Sahara desert.

We, the politicians, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace cannot be achieved, and have ordered bulletproof jeeps and wagons for all elected rulers. Our brazen JTF soldiers in uniform are getting snuffed out by the day, tempered by flames of scorching

Boko Haram whose unmatched skills and courage we have witnessed in the past years. Our citizens and places of worship, traumatized by the memories of those they have lost, know too well the price so they have resolved to hire their own security and that has freed up some more money in the security vote.

We, the politicians, declare today that the most evident of truths - that all of us are created unequally in this country - is the coldness of the Star lager beer we will be drinking afterwards, just as our forebears drank it in Dodan Barracks, Federal Palace Hotel to Nicon Noga Hotel to Transcorp Hilton to Eko Hotel, just as our 1st and 2nd and 3rd republic rulers drank the same cold Star, sang and dance in 1004 Senators' flats, and danced to King Sunny Ade juju music in nearby clubs on Saturdays and went to hear preachers preach on Sundays proclaiming freedom for those who have jollied all night, and the freedom of the rich that is inextricably bound to the enjoyment of our looted earth. It is now our generation's turn to carry on what those pioneers began, by chopping very well. For our journey is not complete until our wives go to Dubai to shop till they fall sick, our mothers go to America for hip replacements and tommy tucks, our daughters go to American universities and return to enjoy what we have looted for them.

You senators have no business

with laws that will create jobs for our youth or empower our women to prevent them from been perpetually harassed or raped. Your journey is not complete until you catch some men who wear makeup, walk like women, hold other men's hand or women wearing pinafore and waist coat and liking other women allover the place - and throw them into Kuje jail for 14 years just to pretend you are doing your jobs. Our journey is not complete until our houses in Ministers' Hill are uncountable. Our journey is not complete until you breakdown every little shanty and poor people's living quarters that make foreigners think our neighbourhood is ghetto - until we crush the hope of every little boy or girl from a remote minority village who dreams of ever rising to the top and leading this country to greatness, our journey is not complete. Our journey is not complete until we teach all our own children that you can only win elections through rigging and distribution of bribe in Ghana-Must-Go, from Sabon Gari, Kano to Eguare, Ekpoma. Our journey is not complete until we consider people from Sokoto as immigrants in Isikuato and people from Umuahia as infidels in Maiduguri and don't give a damn about their safety and security. We should always cherish the fact that the ordinary citizen is perpetually in harm's way, until then before our journey is complete.

The Ikeja police piggery

had shown up at the Channels Forum, he would have unthinkingly put his head on the chopping slab.

The political opposition, public commentators and media editorialists have taken on the President for demonstrating fury over the state of utter neglect in which the college lies, and for attempting to constrict freedom of the press. The President ought to be sorry, that under his watch, the college is in that state of disrepair.

The President was not sorry. He was angry.

By demonstrating unwarranted anger instead of contrition, and by not seizing the moment to promise to rehabilitate the college and others, the President missed a good public relations opportunity.

The promise to rehabilitate all police colleges in Nigeria, an afterthought, made by the Minister of Police Affairs, at a press briefing in Abuja, on Tuesday, January 22, 2012, cannot undo the damage that had been done by the President. The President's visit, a detour while on his way to an ECOWAS conclave in Cote d'Ivoire to discuss the war in Mali, was a fitting event to demonstrate his care and love for the men and women in police uniforms that he relies upon to maintain law and order and keep the peace. Men and women he puts in harm's way everyday to fight armed robbery, kidnapping and bloodletting insurgency in the country.

What is the correct position to be pushed by the public regarding the neglect of this police facility? Is it to demand that the police college

and others scattered all over the country, suffering from neglect, be rehabilitated, or that all police facilities all over the country that are in a state of general disrepair be fixed? We think not. The Unitary Government of Nigeria alias the Federal Government of Nigeria is incapable of rehabilitating all the police facilities in Nigeria. The Police College, Ikeja, is a metaphor for infrastructure decay in all spheres of our national life: roads, schools, hospitals, court rooms, military facilities, et cetera. There is too much concentration of legislative, executive and judicial powers at the central government level.

That is the central problem, and this is a distortion of federalism.

In the United States, there are the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Marshalls, State Police, and County Police. On top of all these, certain public institutions like university colleges have "police units".

This arrangement has not caused dysfunction. There is synergy and

inter-police cooperation. With the guarantee of the rule of law, no mayor or governor will use the police to terrorize political opponents.

Fundamental rights are protected by the Constitution, and just as it was the case in the United States during the civil rights movement when federal marshals escorted schoolchildren to school whilst enforcing antisegregationist laws in Alabama and Georgia, if a state police is complacent or conniving at the violation of rights of the citizen by a state government, the Federal Police, under an executive order, subject to a constitutional challenge or the court's power of judicial review, can intervene.

Nigeria ought to have a statute of general application under which states and local governments all over the country shall establish their separate but identical police forces, lest we have disparities in the existence, structure and powers of the police forces in the same Nigeria. The

“

Nigeria ought to have a statute of general application under which states and local governments all over the country shall establish their separate but identical police forces, lest we have disparities in the existence, structure and powers of the police forces in the same Nigeria

For now powers are upon us, and we cannot afford to waste time in arranging ourselves, we must chop. We cannot make the mistake of subverting leadership principles, or substitute corruption for good governance, or treat name-calling by investigative journalists as a reasoned debate. We must chop, we must chop decisively knowing that our work will always be imperfect like that of our predecessors. We must chop fast, knowing that today's victories might be challenged in courts tomorrow and we be removed from power like we have seen in recent times. We must chop and clean mouth and it will be up to those who stand here in four years, eight years and for life to find their solution to the myriad of problems we were supposed to solve. We cannot waste time in this timeless spirit of chopping once conferred on us by the British in Lagos.

My fellow politicians, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who are chopping in the Senate and at the state level was not an oath of God and country, but of us as a band of fresh filches, inner caucus of our party, national working committee, godfathers and godmothers - and we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our chopping.

Victor Ehikhamenor's professional profile is on LinkedIn envisaged police statute will more or less be like the Nigerian Constitution, under which the Federal, States and Local Governments are established, with the governments of the various states and local governments exercising similar, if not identical powers. There is no unitary police in a federal Canada or Germany. Even in the United Kingdom, there is no unitary police system.

The federal government has not been providing the facilities and equipment the police in Nigeria need to function optimally.

State Governments have come to the rescue of the Police.

Demanding that the Jonathan administration should revamp the dilapidated police colleges, without posing the central issue of reorganization, decentralization and re-federalization of the Nigeria Police Force will only sustain the illusion that in a federal state like Nigeria, the police force could be adequately established, organized and funded, solely and unitarily, by a central government.

A distant federal government in a country like ours where the governance arena has become a crime scene cannot ensure that monies disbursed to public institutions like the police colleges, customs training schools, prisons, et cetera, are not stolen or diverted.

This has become a culture. The other time, for protesting against their superiors for the embezzlement of their payments during peace keeping operations, soldiers of the 31st Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Akure, Ondo state, were court-martialled. The offence?

Mutiny or "conduct prejudicial to good service discipline." What a country!

Jiti Ogunye wrote in from Lagos.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Corps member donates directory board to UATH

A

corps member, Miss Chineze Diogu, at the weekend donated an illuminated directory board to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH).

Unveiling the board in Gwagwalada, Dr. Peter Alabi, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, said the board would assist the hospital toward patients’ care.

“Coming into a environment that is as large as this hospital, a proper directional sign will limit time wastage, particularly for visitors and patients who have no good knowledge of the hospital.

“With the directory board, I am sure that the stress of locating places within the hospital is eased and life will be more comfortable for our patients and visitors”.

Alabi said that the directory was in line with the commitment of the hospital’s SERVICOM to ensure efficient service delivery to the people.

“In my opinion, I think the corps member who executed the project deserves a national award. But for employment, that will have to take its normal course.

“If we have an opportunity, these are the kind of people we will give priority to”.

He called for dedication among corps members, particularly in embarking on projects which they could be remembered for even after their service year.

In her remarks, Diogu said the project was borne out of the need to address difficulties in locating places in the hospital, especially visitors.

Diogu, a dental therapist serving in the hospital, said that the fund for the execution of the project was sourced from individuals within and outside the hospital.

She said that the project gulped N219, 000, adding that it would also add to the beauty of the hospital.

“I saw the need to have a direction in the hospital because most of the time you see patients roaming around in the hospital before getting to the department they are visiting,” Diogu said. (NAN)

The Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya ( right) watches while the Director, Public Health, Dr. Folashade Momoh presents the keys of utility vehicles to the Medical Director of Bwari Hospital, Dr. Ebedi.

Asokoro District Hospital gets dialysis, intensive care units

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

A

n Intensive care unit, dialysis unit have been commissioned at Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja.

This was as all the Medical Directors of Federal Capital Territory(FCT) hospitals were also presented with utility vehicles to.

While commissioning the facilities, the Secretary Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya reaffirmed the commitment of FCT

Administration to provide qualitative, accessible and affordable health care services that is comparable anywhere in the world.

He said FCT Administration was aware of the rising number of cases of kidney diseases in our hospitals and communities, many of which have to be referred out of the country to save lives.

This has necessitated the urgent need for responsive health care services like the FCT health & Human Services to establish functional and effective kidney disease management centres with dialysis and intensive care

units.

Dr Demola expressed delight that that presently the FCT have two dialysis and intensive care units that are fully equipped in Asokoro and Wuse District Hospitals to care for the citizens of the FCT and beyond.

He noted that the units would reduce the hardship faced by many patients and save many lives and at subsidized rates.

He further observed that general hospitals are scattered all over FCT catering for the increasing number of residents for which we are expanding services and building more hospitals to provide specialized

care to our people.

He commended the efforts of FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed for granting approval for the procurement of utility vehicles to all the Medical Directors of FCT hospitals which he added would go a long way in ensuring that FCT residents get efficient and affordable services.

Responding on behalf of the medical directors, Dr. Abubakar Ahmadu said FCT hospitals has witness a radical change in the last one year, while thanking the FCT administration for the gesture and promise to use the vehicle judicially.

IGR expert advocates revenue collection c’ttee for FCT

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

o ensure proper assessment, collection and accountability of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and boost IGR base in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), an Abuja based IGR expert, Illiya B. Gashinbaki has advocated for setting up of a revenue collection Committee as an interim designated tax authority, which would eventually evolved into an FCT revenue board at the instance of amendment of Personal Income Tax Act (PITA).

According to him, it is an abnormality that the Personal Income Tax of residents of the territory are been collected by

the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), without a proper designated authority as a coordinated management system for other IGR base, which if properly harnessed would provide billions for the Territory.

Gashinbaki, who is the global partner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Discovery Cycle Professionals and also policy consultant/ adviser on IGR to the Nigeria Governor’s Forum (NGF), made this point in an interview with our reporter, said the committee when set up with the support of well experienced experts to craft the process, would ensure a more coordinated and efficient revenue management system in the FCT. He said: “FCT has tax

collection frameworks for other forms of internal revenue assessment and collection; which are not per se backed by law.

However, the revenues itself are not illegal as they are legal collections, but the bodies or agencies collecting these taxes are not backed by the appropriate legal framework”.

Also the expert noted that although the PITA, which is the law that designated revenue authorities in all the thirty-six states of the federation, excluded the FCT because of its status as the nation’s capital, it won’t be difficult to reverse the current trend and set up a revenue board for the FCT. According to him, this makes it imperative for the PITA to be

amended for the territory to have her own designated revenue management authority, which will further boost her IGR base.

However, according to him, there could be another widow to be explored in the transition to create an FCT tax authority through amending the existing law under the current arrangement.

He added that this is important given the territory’s huge potential of IGR, which is being explored through a system that is not as organized as what you would find across the states.

He further explained that ”going by other studies, the current population of the City’s is put at about seven million people; so the territory is not just

only the federal capital of civil servants that people used to know, as it is now a full blown commercial centre, but because there is no designated revenue authority that would have complimented or even completely substitute what FIRS is doing, these potentials are not adequately explored”.

Also he is of the view that because Abuja has evolved to have become a big commercial nerve centre and as a result, the conduit for generating more internal revenue has triple over the years, which the committee when set up with the support of well experienced experts to craft the process, would ensure a more coordinated and efficient revenue management system.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

INSIDE FCT COURTS Houseboy docked for trespass, mischief

A

25-year-old man, Kabiru Mamman, of Jabi, at the weekend appeared before an Abuja Chief Magistrates Court, Zone 6, charged with conspiracy, criminal trespass, mischief and theft.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Musa Abdullahi, told the court that on January 22, 2013 one Jibrin Audu of No. 30 Anthony Enahoro Str., reported the incident at the Utako Police Station.

Abdullahi said that the accused who was a houseboy to the complainant, conspired with two others now at large to trespass into his compound and stole his belongings.

The prosecutor listed the items stolen to include one Toshiba laptop, valued at N180,000 and a Blackberry cell phone valued at N80,000.

He said that the offences contravene Sections 79, 348, 327 and 288 of the Penal Code.

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

In his ruling, Magistrate Musa Jobbo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Jobbo adjourned the case to February 7, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

PAGE 17

Applicant, 25, in court for alleged theft

A

n applicant, Saidu Mohammed, 25, of Area F, Nyanya, Abuja on Wednesday appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court for alleged theft.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Silas Nanpan, told the court that one Faith Ngbede of Area E, Block 86, Nyanya, Abuja, reported the case at the Nyanya Police Station on January 22, 2013.

Nanpam said that while

Faith was coming back from church at Dunamis, Area 1, Mohammed, who was riding a bike, came closer and forcefully snatched her handbag.

“The bag contained one Nokia phone, one Samsung phone and a bible. And Mohammed sped off after snatching the bag.

“Faith shouted for assistance and one Bilyaminu Mohammed of Aso, Nasarawa State, ran after the accused and blocked him,” Nanpan said.

He further told the court that while trying to escape, Mohammed hit a vehicle and fell down.

Nanpan said that the bag was recovered from the suspect.

“The offence contravenes Section 287 of the Penal Code.

Mohammed, however, denied the allegation.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Sunday Essienekak, urged the court to grant the accused bail.

He said the Constitution

presumes the accused innocent till proven guilty.

He assured the court that the accused had a reliable surety if granted bail.

The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N50,000 with a surety, who must reside reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to April 29, 2013 for further hearing. (NAN)

A young man receiving pedicure from a local specialist yesterday in Area 1, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Police arraign mason over house-breaking

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mason, Michael Anthony of Lugbe in Abuja, was at the weekend arraigned before an Abuja Senior Magistrates Court for alleged joint act, trespass, housebreaking and theft.

The Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Elijah, told the court that the case was lodged at the Lugbe Police Station on January 20, 2013 by one Stephen Simon and Mabogunje Oludare of the Federal Housing Authority, Lugbe.

Elijah said that on that date, Simon and Oludare were in church when Anthony and one other person now at large, criminally broke into their house through the ceiling.

He said the accused stole a 20-inch LCD television, two digital cameras, one LG cell phone, two laptops and one window blind.

“Anthony admitted to the offence during investigation and the television and window blind were recovered from his possession,” Elijah said.

The prosecutor added that the offence contravened Sections 79, 343, 347 and 288 of the Penal Code.

Anthony pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Senior Magistrate, Simisola Adeniyi, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

Adeniyi ordered that one of the sureties must be a civil servant and adjourned the matter to February 20, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

Police arraign commercial motorcyclist for fraud

T

he Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Police Command at the weekend arraigned a commercial motorcyclist, Zayyanu Ahmed, 20, of Area 1 , at the Wuse Zone 6 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja for alleged misappropriation of a motorcycle.

Prosecutor, Corporal Musa Abdullahi, told the court that

Musa Ibrahim reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on January 21, 2013.

Abdullahi said that on October 20, 2012, Ibrahim of Army Barracks, Kuje entrusted his Bajaj motorcycle to Ahmed on hire purchase.

“Ahmed was to pay N150, 000 but by installment. But on January 20, he alleged without

satisfactory evidence that the motorcycle was stolen,” he said.

He also told the court that the accused had only paid N30, 000 before the reported theft of the motorcycle.

He said that the offence contravene Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The accused however pleaded not guilty to the

charge.

The magistrate, Alhaji Musa Jobbo, granted bail to the accused in the sum of N100, 000 and a surety in like sum.

He said that the surety must have a fixed address within the jurisdiction of the court.

The magistrate however adjourned the case to February 7 for further hearing. (NAN)

Apo 6: Court adjourns for adoption of written addresses

A

n electrician, Rafiu Kazim, 27, of Airport Road Abuja has been arraigned before a Karu Senior Magistrates Court for criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.

The Prosecutor, Mr Christian Munonye, told the court that one Ikechukwu Eze of the same address entrusted his Toyota Carina E car with registration No. AX 473 GWA valued at N350,000 to the accused for repairs.

The prosecutor said the accused, who collected the car sometime in December, 2011, disappeared to an unknown destination.

He said efforts to discover the car and the accused proved abortive.

Munonye said the accused was, however, seen and arrested on Jan. 16.

He said that Kazim had during interrogation confessed that he conspired with one Sunday Ojo, who sold the car

to one Ozoemena Nwankwo of Zuba Motor Spare Parts Village for N70,000 “The offences contravened sections 96, 312 and 309 of the Penal Code,’’ he said.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Sharon Ishaya, granted Kazim and Ojo bail in the sum of N100,000 each and a surety in like sum, who must resided within the jurisdiction of the court.

The magistrate also granted Nwankwo, the alleged buyer of the stolen car, bail in the sum N100, 000 and a surety in like sum.

Ishaya said the sureties should present their recent photograph, driving licences or international passport to the court’s registry.

He also directed that their addresses should be verified by the prosecutor and adjourned the case to February 20, for hearing. (NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

An elderly man seeking for alms on the pedestrian bridge, in Nyanya.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

MDGs corps members offer free medical treatment for Kute, Karako communities

By Etuka Sunday

G

roup A NYSC members serving under the platform of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the weekend offered free medical treatment, drugs and insecticidal treated bed nets to the people of Kute and Karako in Bwari Area Council.

The gesture was done in line with goal 6 of the MDGs which is to combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases and also in fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals’ Awareness Creation Project of the Federal Government.

Speaking shortly after the exercise, the Group A Coordinators Mr. Kefas Steven Garba and

Mr. Udaga Monday Inyila said that the group project was necessitated by the zeal to help the communities and to also attain the Millennium Development Goals.

They also added that with the present level of development in the country, Nigeria may achieve the Millennium Development Goals, disclosing that most African countries could not meet up with the earlier dateline.

According to them, they left some drugs at the Kute Health Post to ensure the sustainability of the project, saying that they worked based on the procedure direction given by the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB)

Receiving the drugs on behalf of the two communities in Kute, the Medical Director, Kute Health Post, Aboki Mohammed said that the people due demonstrate willingness for medical treatment therefore he would ensure that the drugs are equitably distributed between the two communities.

He lamented low government attention in the communities, adding that the only support the people receive from government is during IPDs and immunisation.

Meanwhile the Head of Kute, Chief Yunana Gimba and that of Karako Chief Ayuba Madaki thanked the MDGs corps members for the gesture and pray God to reward them richly.

Mini bus operators warned against attack on high capacity buses

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

M

ini bus operators have been warned to desist from harassing or attacking high-capacity bus operators and users in order to prevent them from operating in the wake of their recent ban from operating on some designated routes.

Lamenting that such behaviour constitutes a criminal offence and offenders would no doubt face the full wrath of the law if caught, the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Information Management Systems, Hajiya Jamilah Tangaza who addressed journalists at the weekend, explain the rationale

behind the new policy.

She said the FCT new Transportation Policy has been planned to curb congestion, persistent gridlocks, chaos, reduce traffic accidents, enhance security and ensure traffic sanity on the major roads and interchanges in Abuja.

According to her, this is the time for us as nation to take major decisions on whether we want to sanitize the system and make it work to propel Abuja to be one of the best 20 cities in the World by 2020 or continue with this chaotic situation.

Tangaza further explained that no category of transportation mode in Abuja was banned by the new Transportation Policy; noting that the measure entails a

restriction of operations of minibuses (popularly known as Araba) to certain routes and the high-capacity ones to other routes in the City.

This was as she emphasized that the policy has taken good care of all the modes of transportation including the high capacity buses, mini-buses (Araba) as well as the taxis; insisting that none will suffer but will only be restricted to the area of their operations.

She further called for cooperation and understanding from the several transport unions as well as the motoring public because the policy has been carefully planned to allow all transportation modes dwell on their areas of jurisdiction.

BUSINESS

PAGE 19

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

INSIDE

- Pg 20

CBN sustains intervention with NTBs

Mob: 08033644990

BPE to handover PHCN to successor companies in 2nd quarter of 2013 - Official T he Federal Government will officially handover Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) generation and distribution companies to core investors in the second quarter of 2013.

A top official of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on condition of anonymity.

The official attributed the slow pace of the bidding process of some of the power stations in the country to the cumbersome privitisation process.

He said that the distribution company in Kaduna and the generation company in Afam in Rivers were exempted from the exercise because no preferred bidder had emerged for the firms.

He said that an agreement had been executed by the government and labour that guaranteed the cooperation of workers in the handover process.

The source said that government was working to raise the finance to pay staff entitlements, adding that the BPE was collaborating with the

Ministry of Lands and Housing to resolve land and property titles.

"I don't think we can handover PHCN to successor companies now due to the ongoing bidding process of some of the power generation and distribution companies.

"But am sure that by second quarter of this year, government will officially hand over PHCN to the core investors,'' he said.

The official, however, debunked insinuation that the Federal Government would in the next two weeks handover the PHCN successor power generation and distribution companies to the core investors.

He said that handing over of PHCN to investors within the next two weeks was not realistic since government had just cleared all

the preferred bidders for the PHCN successor generation and distribution companies to enter the final negotiation stage on the sale of the electricity firms.

NAN recalls that in November last year, the BPE announced that it received 335 million dollars from the bidders for both the generation and distribution firms.

The 11 distribution companies up for sale are located in Abuja, Benin, Enugu, Eko, Ibadan, Ikeja, Port Harcourt, Jos, Kaduna, Kano and Yola.

The generation companies slated for privitisation include the Ughelli Power Plc, Sapele Power Plc, Geregu Power Plc, Kainji Power Plc and Shiroro Power Plc. (NAN)

Firefox launches Mozilla mobile phone

M

ozilla, one of the foremost internet browser providers, has dolled out details of it’s plans to launch new smartphones to be powered by its Firefox operating system.

It disclosed that two mobile phones would be introduced by a fast growing Spanish firm called Geeksphone and will be targeted at developers before the system is formally launched.

The system will be based on the HTML5 web programming language and is being sold as offering software writers more “freedom” than alternatives” However, it may face stiff competition from other systems that will soon be released into the mobile market.

It is no longer news that Blackberry 10, Ubuntu, Tizen and Sailfish will be released before 2013 runs to a close, to compete in a market that has already been taken over by Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry 7 and Symbian among others.

Some analysts believe that the global market will be too small for the entire smartphones to survive.

Nigerian analysts have seen the development as a welcome one, considering the dominance of Blackberry.

Left to right - Tarik Mumtaz (CFO Al-Qahtani), Umaru Kwairanga ( Director Jaiz Bank PLC), Salah Al-Qahtani (Vice Chairman Al-Qahtani), Dr. Mohammed Indimi ( Chairman, Oriental Energy Resources Ltd. and Director Jaiz Bank PLC), Mohammed M. Bintube (MD/CEO), Musbahu Bashir (Director, Jaiz Bank PLC) and Mr. Rick of Oriental Energy Resources Limited, during the official visit of Al-Qahtani Group a Saudi based Company to the Bank's Head Office in Abuja recently.

Nigeria’s power generation drops to 4, 286MW- TCN

By Udenna Orji

N

igeria’s power generation has dropped from its December figure of 4,502 megawatts to 4,286 megawatts, the Transmission Company of Nigeria, (TCN), has disclosed.

The company said that electricity generation has hit 4,286 megawatts as against the 3,700 megawatts that is being insinuated in the country.

Nigeria reached its highest

peak generation of 4, 517 megawatts on December 23, according to the TCN and hovered around that figure in December.

The current generation of 4,286 megawatts also dropped on Monday, the TCN’s Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Dave Ifabiyi, said. He explained that the drop in power generation on Monday was due to the one-day shutdown of a power plant.

Mr. Ifabiyi, who made the clarifications in a telephone interview with the News agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Lagos, said that power generation dropped by 460 megawatts on Monday.

“The 460 megawatts drop in power generation on Monday was due to the one-day shutdown of the Okpai Power Plant owned

by Agip Oil Company in Delta. The plant was closed to undergo repairs,’’ he said.

Management Tip of the Day Keep your audience engaged by sharing the stage

A

udiences find monologues boring. They’re no longer willing to sit for an hour while a single speaker drones on. The key to getting and holding their attention is having new things continually happen. You can keep your presentation lively by doing two things: · Bring in other presenters.

Invite other experts to join you on stage or by video. Or look for ways team members can play to their strengths. If your colleague Sam is quick on his feet, for example, have him lead the Q&A. · Mix up your visuals.

Alternate between slides and other media. Hang posters and exhibits on the wall. Use video

to inject humor, boost credibility through testimonials, or clarify concepts with animated infographics. If you’re talking about a product, give a demo — hold it, display it, and allow people to interact with it.

Source: Harvard Business Review

He said that the one-day closure of the Okpai Power Plant forced power generation to stand at 4,100 megawatts, which rose to 4,286 MW on Tuesday.

“As at Tuesday, Nigeria’s power generation stood at 4,286 megawatts. We are expectant that our power generation capacities will build-up with time.

“The shutdown of the Okpai power plant was because of vandalised line, which was later restored back on stream the same day,’’ he said.

Mr. Ifabiyi said that the ongoing privatisation of the power sector would result in increased power generation and improved supply of electricity to Nigerians.

President Goodluck Jonathan had claimed, in an interview with the CNN, that power generation and distribution in Nigeria was getting better and that Nigerians could attest to that fact.

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS FAAN

T

he management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and AIC Hilton Ltd., on Friday engaged in a serious argument with each other over the ownership of hectares of land.

The land is located at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja. It took the quick intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Airport’s Command, Mr Olatunde Caulcrick, to bring the situation under control.

A similar fight broken out early this month between the two organisations when workers of AIC Hilton were chased out by aviation security, the security outfit of FAAN and armed policemen.

NPA

T

he Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Alhaji Habib Abdullahi, has approved the purchase of more boats for waterfronts patrol, motorcycles, patrol van and towing vans for the security department of the authority, in order to ensure efficient and effective security at the nation’s seaports.

The General Manager in charge of security in the authority, Lt. Col Jamil Tahir (rtd.) disclosed this while addressing heads of security department from all port locations at their quarterly meeting, which took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to the General Manager, baggage scanners and scanning machines which will scan vehicles, trucks and their drivers will also be installed at ports. Tahir pointed out that the equipment will not in any way conflict with Nigerian Customs operations because as he puts it, “customs are looking for contrabands, Nigerian Ports Security is looking for dangerous cargoes”.

NDE

T

he National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Oyo State, has graduated 80 unemployed youths that participated in the four months Rural Agricultural Development Training Scheme (RADTS) of the agency.

In his keynote address at the graduation ceremony held in Oyo town last week, the representative of the Commissioner for Agriculture in Oyo State, Mr Yode Ayanlowo, urged beneficiaries of the programme to make the best use of the training and skills they received by venturing fully into agriculture.

Oyo state coordinator, NDE, Dr Ayodele Olusegun Akinremi said the programme, which is ongoing, was meant to engage the unemployed youths in the state in modern agricultural businesses, increase food production and to reduce unemployment in line with the Federal Government’s Vision 20:2020.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

CBN sets new deposit limit for account holders

By Aminu Imam

T

he Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday set new deposit limits for all categories of account holders and introduced three-tier Know-YourCustomer (KYC) requirements for banks.

The policy pegs a maximum single deposit amount of N20,000 and maximum cumulative balance of N200,000 at any point in time on the Low Value Account.

It also places a maximum single deposit of N50,000 and a maximum cumulative balance of N400,000 on the Medium Value Account. However, for the High Value Account, no limit is placed on cumulative balance.

The policy also categorised bank customers into Low Value Accounts (Level One); Medium Value Accounts (Level two) and High Value Accounts (Level three).

A circular to all banks and other financial institutions (OFIs) signed by the CBN’s Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Chris Chukwu, explained that the policy became exigent after the CBN recognised that access to basic banking facilities and other financial services is necessary in achieving the policy on financial inclusion. He advised banks to adopt the new KYC requirement adding that the proposed deposit limits is meant to reduce the risk of

money laundering and financing of terrorism.

He said the Low Value Accounts are subject to close monitoring by the financial institutions and less scrutiny by bank examiners.

The CBN director said the accounts could be opened at branches of banks by a prospective customer or through banking agents and no amount is required for its opening. However, such accounts prohibit international funds transfer.

According to him, the Medium Value Accounts can be opened faceto-face at any branch of a bank by agents for enterprises or by the account holder but, the accounts are strictly savings with no amount required for its opening.

Also, where cross-checking of client’s identity cards information is not completed at the point of account opening, withdrawal would be denied.

Chukwu added that for the High-Value Accounts, banks are required to obtain, verify and maintain copies of all the required documents for accounts opening.

Account is to be opened at the bank branches by physical presence of the prospective customer and the accounts could be both savings and current.

However, for mobile banking products, the account attracts a maximum transaction limit of N100, 000 and daily limit of N1

million however, such products are subject to the CBN Regulatory Framework for Mobile Payments Services in Nigeria.

He said that banks are required to have robust, effective and efficient anti-money laundering / combating the financial terrorism (AML/CFT) solutions with screening tools in place that will monitor the various thresholds.

“All accounts, no matter how low the transaction or the risks, must be subjected to continuous suspicious transactions monitoring by financial institutions which will determine when incremental KYC

CBN sustains intervention with NTBs

By Abdulwahab Isa

I

n the economic report of 2012, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said it had sustained its normal call through Open Market Operation (OMO), as it put out for sale, the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) in November last year.

In its eighth time intervention within the month, it had given out N820.00 billion for sale and

Fidelity Bank asks Citi to raise $100m debt

By Abdulwahab Isa

F

Inflation rates from Jan, 2012 to Dec, 2012 Max = 12.9 %, Min = 11.3 % for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 12 % Source:CBN

requirements need to be provided by the customers,” he said.

He said the CBN will ensure the establishment of appropriate processes and procedures for the purpose of monitoring compliance with the regulatory framework. He added that non-compliant financial institutions would be sanctioned in line with the provisions of extant laws and regulations.

He said 64.1 per cent representing 56.3 million adult Nigerians do not have access to financial services, hence the policy is also meant to bridge the gap.

idelity Bank Plc has mandated Citi to raise $100 million via a two-year loan from the international debt market, to help increase its foreign currency lending capacity, a senior executive told Reuters on Friday.

Head of Strategy, Francis Ikenga said Citi was in the debt market to secure the loan through a book building process and that yield on the paper will be determined at the end of the transaction.

Ikenga said Fidelity had seen an increase in demand for foreign currency loans from all sectors of Nigeria’s economy especially within the oil and gas and telecom sectors. (Reuters)

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

N1.523 trillion for public subscription, while it maintained N939.54 billion allotment.

Making this disclosure in the November 2012 Economic Report, presented by CBN, it said that the business engagement showed mixed fortunes when being compared with the entire offer, subscription and allotment in October of N1.2 trillion, N1.2 trillion and N882.80 billion, as the case may be.

Deutsche bank holds Global Banking workshop in Abuja

B

ankers and financial experts from Nigeria and other West African countries will converge in Abuja today for a week- long annual banking workshop organized by a leading global investment bank, Deutsche Bank.

At the workshop, experts will brainstorm on issues including international trade finance, international payments, agriculture funding and compliance regulations and operations. “To date, Deutsche Bank had organised three of such annual workshops in Abuja, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana.

“The workshop is aimed at adding value to investment banking operations in the West African sub-region.”According to Charles Weller, Head, Deutsche Bank, Nigeria, “Over the past years, we have hosted close to 500 West African bankers at our training events and we have been delighted with the success of these workshops.”

Deutsche Bank experts across the globe will be presenting and speaking at the event, highlighting the ever increasing importance of Nigeria and West Africa in the international financial space,” Weller said.

“The bank’s Deputy Head in Nigeria, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, said the workshop aims at putting Nigeria and the region more firmly on the Deutsche Bank map and equally cementing and increasing relationship with the bank’s clients and customers in the West African sub-region.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Market CAP records N200.93bn gain in week Stories from Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

rading activities in the week closed with a gain of 2.12% as the bulls continue to dominate the bourse amid low market price volatility.

The market witnessed sustained cautious bargain drive to extend previous week’s gains riding on low-key speculative trading as sentiments remained positive in the week.

Nigerian stocks experienced sell pressure on Monday, losing -0.27% to open the week on negative note.

The key benchmark indices gained 0.46% on Tuesday on the back of improved optimistic trading paraded by

value investors towards the blue chips.

Furthermore, market sustained the rally as the key benchmark indices climbed further on Wednesday by +1.47% despite the prolonged sell pressure witnessed during session as investors sustained strong commitment towards blue chips.

Subsequently, equities sustained healthy breadth on Friday as market traded above the line to end the week with aggregate gain of +2.12%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded +124.85%

gains with FCMB recording +25.90% gain while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with +269.86% gains. However, Sterling Bank Plc recorded +121.26% gains and ETI closed positive with 9.68% gain recorded.

However, the All-Share Index in the week under review appreciated by +2.12% to close at 31,583.49 as against appreciation by +5.91% recorded last week to close at 30,927.18.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week appreciated by N209.93 billion (US$1.37 billion) to close at N10.10 trillion (US$66.03 billion) as against appreciation by N553.23

billion (US$3.45 billion) recorded last week to close at N9.89 trillion (US$61.82 billion) The total volume traded in the week closed at 2.61 billion units valued at N19.51 billion (US$125.51 million) compared with 3.25 billion units valued at N21.63 billion (US$135.22 million) exchanged in 27,186 deals last week.

The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved down by -19.85% as against up by +50.91% recorded last week.

Weekly value also went down by -11.28% as against positive position of +27.29% recorded last week.

Operations Department, Polycarp Anyanwu while confirming setting up of Lagos zonal office said Acting Director General of PenCom, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu has put logistics in place for the Lagos office.

Polycarp Anyanwu said the idea behind the establishment of the zonal offices was to extend the services of the commission closer to its stakeholders.

"We already have zonal offices in Calabar for South-

South, Ilorin for North-Central, Gombe for North-East, Kano for North-West and Awka for SouthEast."

He lamented that "retirees come to make enquiries, people come to ask for different things, how to access funds after retirement and complaints about the services they get from PFAs and we have started engaging stakeholders on sensitization seminars within the zone."

He noted that "the zonal office structure is to get more of our contributors, retirees to have easier access to the commission and it brings us closer to the PFAs to enable us have better oversight of their operations".

According to him, "the Zonal Office will facilitate logistics and make it easier for PenCom to carry out the usual enrolment exercises for prospective retirees".

It was also disclosed over the weekend that 21 states of the federation have passed the Pension Reform bill, which has as its flagship, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).

He said , 14 states have commenced proceedings leading to the passage of the bill while seven states have started contributions under the Contributory Pension Scheme.

One State it was revealed is yet to make any effort towards adopting the Pension Reforms.

Pencom to open Lagos office

By Abdulwahab Isa

A

rrangement has been concluded to open the South West Zone office of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

The office to be open in Lagos is considered by PenCOM very strategic as it would ease the burden of retirees moving often to Abuja for clarification and processing of their benefits.

PenCom zonal Head,

FG must create enabling environment for IPOs – NSE CEO

T

he CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyeama has stated that the market capitalisastion of the Nigerian stock market will increase if government creates an enabling environment for initial public offerings to return to the exchange.

He said to journalists at a press briefing earlier in the week that the market recovery will be sustainable if efforts are made to deepen the market.

He said, “We cannot say that our market is completely back until initial public offers and new listings are back in the market; therefore, we need active government support in terms of providing the environment for companies to list their shares on the Exchange.

“Presently, our market capitalisation is only 17 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, and this is one of the lowest in Africa. We need the utility companies, oil companies and telecoms companies to list their shares, and we believe that government has a great role to play in this regard.”

Speaking on the goal of achieving $1 trillion market capitalization by 2016, he said it was still possible if the oil and gas majors listed their stocks on the exchange.

“Our goal is to grow our market capitalisation from $74bn to $1tn in five years. If we can attract the oil and gas sector, if we can attract the telecoms and power sectors, then we should be able to hit those numbers.”

IFC to list N8bn Naija bonds on NSE

T

he International Finance Corporation (IFC), has announced innovative plans to launch $50 million/N8 billion worth of bonds and list them on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

The initiative was announced by the IFC VicePresident and Treasurer , Mr. Jingdong Hua, who described it as the first Naira bond to be issued by the IFC and the first of its kind in emerging markets.

The bond, which has a five year tenor is a collaborative effort of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Ministry of Finance

and other regulatory agencies.

He said the IFC chose the name “Naija” bond in order to represent the Nigeria spirit of hard work and patriotism.

He said: “The IFC Naija bond will be a milestone achievement as we continue to work with governments and local authorities to strengthen domestic capital markets in the region.”

The IFC Naija bond is targeted at investors such as pension funds, insurers, asset managers, and banks seeking high quality assets and portfolio diversification.

INVESTORS NEWS BITS

Flourmills of Nigeria

F

lourmills of Nigeria Plc has notified the exchange that both the Boards of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and Niger Company Limited have been in discussion and negotiations with regard to merging their respective businesses.

The proposed scheme of merger will be undertaken pursuant to part XII of the investment and securities Act No. 29 of 2007. Flour Mills currently holds 99.97% equity in Niger Mills and the proposed merger will facilitate the consolidation of the companies’ operations and processes into a single enlarged entity.

The scheme will be achieved by the transfer of liabilities and undertakings of Niger Mills to Flour Mills in exchange for which ordinary shares of flour mills will be issued to the minority shareholders of Niger mills or alternatively a cash consideration in lieu of the allotment of the said Flour Mills shares be made to the minority.

NSE

S

everal weeks after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked the licences of 35 stockbroking firms, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is yet to remove the names of the affected brokerage firms from its website.

The delay by the Exchange to act promptly has been described as one capable of misleading both local and international investors to still carry on business transactions with the stockbroking firms who had their operation licences withdrawn.

A check on the NSE website portal on Friday showed that the addresses, emails and phone numbers of the chairman and brokers of the stockbroking firms were still intact.

Ecobank Transnational

E

Source:Pro-share Nigeria

cobank Transnational Incorporated has disclosed that it will sell shares, and bonds in order to meet rising capital requirements in the African countries where it operates.

Ecobank has operations in 33 African countries, and many of these countries are asking their financial institutions to recapitalize in order to deepen their capacity.

The CEO who took over from Arnold Ekpe last year also said that the bank may consider listing its shares on an Exchange outside Africa .

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 22

PHCN privatisation to be completed in two weeks NCC

By Udenna Orji

T

he much-anticipated privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) should be completed within two weeks. This is the assurance of the Federal Government, as declared by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim on Thursday in Lagos.

Chief Anyim, who was in

Lagos to unveil the centenary document and project, expressed optimism that the Nation will witness remarkable improvement in the power sector with the privatization process underway.

He said “In the next two weeks, power generation and distribution will leave the government into private hands, as plans have been concluded to handover PHCN to new

investors”.

On the centenary celebration (100 years of Nigeria’s existence), which will start from this month till October 1,2014, Senator Anyim said, “The Successes of cities like Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen, Singapore and Songdo, have shown that development of certain class of cities is the strongest social, political and economic tool to securing foreign investment,

promoting positive international attention, and indeed signalling a new national economic awakening.”

He said the Federal Government was planning to provide the private sector partnership with 1,000 hectares of land along the Abuja Airport road, for a city that will be built from scratch to attract about $15 billion investment into the country, when completed.

Ex-CITN chief seeks autonomy for revenue bodies

F

ormer Chairman of the Ikeja Branch of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mr Chukwuemeka Eze, has advised State Governments to grant autonomy to the Internal Revenue Service (SIRS) in the states.

Eze told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) over the weekend in Lagos that the gesture would enable the SIRS to perform optimally.

He said that it was unethical for government to directly be involved in the affairs of the SIRS.

Prioritise your development agenda, former CBN director tells FG

A

former Director of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Chris Nemedia has urged the Federal Government to prioritise its development agenda to achieve goals.

Nemedia told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was economically unhealthy for the government to try to achieve many things at once.

He advised the Federal Government to follow elementary economics principles about making opportunity cost choices from a scale of preference of its development agenda.

“And it is a common precept in economics that choice and opportunity cost is made from not more than two or three items.

“So, it will not augur well for our economy if the government is not prioritising its development agenda and focusing on attaining some at a time,” he said.

Nemedia said that the economic transformation of Nigeria would not be speedily attained if government continued to “do many things at once“.

He added that government at all levels needed to consult widely, especially with experts, on projects that required immediate attention. (NAN)

Eze said that CITN had written all State Governments in the country to allow the SIRS to manage their affairs without interference.

He said that only five states had honoured the letter.

“About five states out of the 36 states have honoured our letters on the need to grant autonomy to the SIRS — they are Lagos, Sokoto, Adamawa, Ekiti and Benue.

“We have written letters to State Governments on the need to grant autonomy to the various SIRS. “However, we will continue to press harder to ensure the remaining State Governments implement our

plea,’’ he said.

Eze said that tax administration had become a great challenge, due to government’s involvement in running the tax authorities.

“When a new government assumes office, the first thing is to remove the chairman of the revenue board and appoint its own,” he said.

Eze said that the autonomy would enable the tax administrators “hire and fire any erring official”.

He noted that the autonomy would instill professionalism and enhance efficiency by way of improved revenue generation into government’s coffers. (NAN)

R-L: Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr. James Olotu, and senior special assistant to the president on power reform, Mr.O.S . Egberongbe, during vice-president meeting with Nigerian Independence Power Project Contractors, on Saturday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

slashes SMS tariff to N4

By Chris Alu

I

n a bid to ensure affordable services in the telecoms sector for about 100 million subscribers , the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has ordered the slashing of Short Message Service (SMS) charges in the country.

As at the moment, the SMS, which has been massively utilized in the Country, has a high price rate of about N10 for off-net, which according to subscribers, is unfavourable.

The Head, Public Affairs and Media for the NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, who issued out the statement on Thursday, said the Telecommunications Companies had been notified since January by the regulatory body of its decision, affirming that the new SMS tariff would take effect from February 5,2013.

President of the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers of Nigeria, Chief Deolu Ogubanjo said the development was a good one and will encourage subscribers to patronize the Network services, especially the SMS provisions.

He further stated: “While we appreciate this development, we believe the commission can do better. What it has done is on SMS. The telecoms subscribers are exposed to three areas, which are voice, data and SMS. NCC has done SMS; the data depends on the networks”.

Director Legal and Regulatory Services for the NCC, Ms Reginald Amuwa said that “There was a general recognition that the cost of SMS is too high, especially in view of the interconnection rate of N1.02 for SMS as determined by the commission in 2009.”

She said the decision was in accordance with the provisions of Section 4, Chapter VII of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, which empowers it to dictate SMS tariff where necessary.

Rosehill Group gives recipe for revenue generation in Abuja

By Muhammad Nasir

O

ne of Africa's most diversified investors, Rosehill Group, has offered a recipe on how the Federal Capital Territory Authority can boost its revenue base.

Chairman of the Group Alhaji Suleiman Yahyah said the introduction of tax on property would not only grow the revenue base of Abuja but would also force landlords to bring down house rent.

He said there are many completed but unoccupied building in Abuja.

Speaking at last NTA's Tuesday live programme on, FCTA and the challenges of Development, Alhaji Yahyah said there is also the need for a law that would regulate rental fees charged and time for tenants.

Commending FCT Minister Bala Muhammad for partnering with the private sector, Alhaji Yahaya said Abuja now being one of the best cities in Africa should have a revenue generating agency backed by the law.

He said the FCTA can also partner with other government agencies that have long time fund at their disposal. Rosehill

Group is one of Nigeria's top estate companies that recently qualified for the land swap programme where lands were allocated to them to develop new districts in Abuja, a statement from the Group said.

Speaking at the interview session moderated by NTA's Cyril Stober, the minister of Abuja commended Rosehill Group for its input and contribution in the conception and implementation of the Land Swap Policy, which he described as very central to the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The Minister described the chairman of Rosehill Group

Alhaji Yahyah as an intelligent economist that has been contributing in the areas of job creation and economic development in the country.

Other members of the television discussion panel are: Chairman Senate Committee on FCT Smart Adeyemi, Adamau Samaila, Executive Secretary of FCDA and Onibokun Abimbola, an urban development expert.

The Group is diversified with interest in oil and gas, trading, infrastructure development, power and engineering, information and communication technology, financial services and property development.

Rosehill has established interest in Aviation handling services, hotels and entertainment and infrastructure concessioning, agriculture and management.

The group is head-quartered in Abuja with business offices in Kaduna, Lagos, Gusau, Rome (Italy) and Dubai (UAE).

The Rosehill Group has in its kitty: Nahco Aviance, Deluxe Suites, Rosehill Luxury Suites Ltd, Rosehill Ltd, Rosecom IT, Tartar Cargo, Maitama Amusement Park, Madeira Ltd, Turnkey Project Ltd, Rosehill Engineering, Empire Group Ltd and Rosegas Ltd among others.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Boko Haram: The last gasps of a killer group? course, he will appear sober, as most gangsters are wont to be and probably in disguise: no long, unkempt beard, no over sized chewing stick, no turban and probably spotting a French suit. Despite an increase in serial killings, he no longer appears to be in control of his group which is in complete disarray. They may continue to target prominent and not too prominent northerners and continue in their unislamic practice of bombing innocent people in their places of worship but truth is that they have come to the grim realisation that they cannot win their misguided

Over the years, Nigerian forces seem to have succeeded in containing Boko Haram terror group. In disarray and having realised they cannot win their war, the group has grown desperate and resorted to attacks on traditional rulers to try and rally locals around a lost cause, writes Abdulrazaq Magaji

T

he terror group Boko Haram would have been history by now had its bandits been operating in Niger or Chad.

This is for the simple reason that security agents in those countries are abreast with terror groups and their antics and could have easily routed them. The troops in Niger and Chad are battle tested in the real sense of the word. This explains why Ansar- u-Deen chose Mali, not Chad or Niger, two places where it would have been easier for them to converge. Of course, Al Qae’da clearly avoided Nigeria for very tactical reasons: they would have

had no hiding place as the skin colour of most of their fighters would easily give them away. So it was convenient to train local, dark-skinned Nigerians to do the dirty work of the predominantly fair-skinned Al Qa’eda fighters.

One may be right to wonder why terror groups are operating with relative ease in Afghanistan since Afghan troops are, to a large extent, equally battle tested. The answer is simple: since the forebearers of the Mujahideen forced the British to abandon Afghanistan in 1922, to the war against Soviet invasion

war. They have reached the end of the road and are desperately clawing at straws in their bid to avoid the deep blue sea. One instance of clawing at straws is the 19 January attack on the Amir (Emir) of Kano, Dr. Ado Bayero.

Northern Nigerians have serious issues with their traditional rulers and many wish to see traditional institutions abolished.

Many see traditional rulers as part of their problems because most of them have been compromised: they do not speak for their people and have teamed up with politicians who mindlessly

“

The Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Aliyu Babangida Mua'zu: Boko Haram is active in several northern states

from1979 until they too fled in 1989, many Afghans have come to view militant opposition to foreign intervention as a patriotic call to duty. This is the way many Afghans today view

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero wasattacked by suspected Boko Haram elements a week ago

the American intervention.

It has nothing to do with reviving Islam; Islam was merely a rallying point, an effective battle cry against the British and the former Soviets and now the Americans. After all, what other brand of Islam is the Taliban bringing to a people who subscribe to the basic tenets of Islam? This says a lot about the failure of the Fulani Jihad of 1804 in the defunct Kanem Borno Empire. By the time the Fulani Jihadists threateningly arrived the shores of Borno, they met a people deeply steeped in Islamic practices and were accordingly questioned by Borno Ulamas as to their motive since Borno had embraced Islam at least one thousand years before the Sokoto Jihad. Which Islam then is Boko Haram reviving in today’s Borno? What on earth is Ansar-u-Deen doing in Gao and Timbuktu?

Back to Boko Haram! All thumbs should be pointing skyward for Nigerian troops who must be commended for rising to the occasion.

Unused to counter insurgency and unfamiliar with fighting urban guerrillas, Nigerian troops have, under three years, succeeded in containing and localising Boko Haram.

There should be no surprises on the day Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, is captured. Of

There should be no surprises on the day Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, is captured. Of course, he will appear sober, as most gangsters are wont to be and probably in disguise: no long, unkempt beard, no over sized chewing stick, no turban and probably spotting a French suit.

Despite an increase in serial killings, he no longer appears to be in control of his group which is in complete disarray

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar

National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki

corner the common wealth. Some traditional rulers are happy playing court to politicians who come calling with bags of ill gotten wealth, and simply turn a blind eye to the many atrocities committed by the politicians. Some of the juiciest government contracts are reserved for traditional rulers who see nothing wrong with indulging in monthly federal allocations that should be used to provide infrastructure for communities. Of course, their children pick some of the best jobs in the land without having to break a sweat. It is now an open secret in many communities in northern Nigeria that voters remain undecided until traditional rulers decree who they should cast their votes for. Having failed to use religion to rally the people to support their wrong-headed campaign, Boko Haram must have reasoned that exploiting this genuine anger of the people against their traditional rulers would do

the magic. This thinking informed the failed attempt on the life of the Shehu of Borno last year as well as the attack on the Amir of Kano, two traditional rulers who should feel genuinely insulated from allegations of greed.

Like the failed bid to exploit religion, the attack on traditional rulers is a desperate change of tactics, a counterproductive move that has

further widened the gulf between the people and Boko Haram. Aside the usual Allah ya isa or God dey, or such invectives as azzalummai which people employ to describe their traditional rulers, very few right thinking Muslims and Christians of northern Nigerian extraction, despite their genuine anger imagine that killing traditional rulers is part of the solution to the many problems of the north.

Of course these are polluted,

“

Like the failed bid to exploit religion, the attack on traditional rulers is a desperate change of tactics, a counter-productive move that has further widened the gulf between the people and Boko Haram.

Aside the usual Allah ya isa or God dey, or such invectives as azzalummai which people employ to describe their traditional rulers, very few right thinking Muslims and Christians of northern Nigerian extraction, despite their genuine anger imagine that killing traditional rulers is part of the solution to the many problems of the north

hateful and hate filled times but despite the madness of the moment, many northerners do not imagine that killing innocent Nigerians, Muslims and non Muslims, in their homes, in market places or at their places of worship or killing policemen, be they Christians or Muslims, is the way forward. Only criminals who read their religious books upside down do.

Like a bad dream, Nigerians will outlive the ongoing madness.

The attack on Dr. Ado Bayero was probably intended to be a game changer. A punch drunk boxer will gasp for breath to muster all effort in the hope of landing a killer punch to turn the tables against a better prepared and more determined foe. That is what Boko Haram’s daredevilry of 19 January represents.

Abdulrazaq Magaji, writer, journalist and former history lecturer, lives in Abuja, Nigeria and can be reached at magaji777@yahoo.com

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013 08028402920 sbejike@gmail.com

The Lawan/Otedola saga: Matters arising

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

here are strong indications that the Federal Government has finalised legal preparations to arraign former chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe,Hon Farouk Lawan for allegedly receiving $620,000 bribe from a Lagos based multi billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola in order to strike out the name of his company, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Company from the list of indicted firms in the oil subsidy scam.

It would be recalled that, at the wake of oil subsidy crisis, the House of Representatives set up an adhoc-committee headed by Farouk Lawan to probe the oil subsidy regime.

The Lawan led committee had indicted some firms and individuals of short-changing the subsidy regime to the tune of N1.7trn and consequently, recommended that they should be prosecuted. Otedola has alleged that Farouk-led adhoc committee demanded $3 million out of which he paid $620, 000 as gratification in order to strike out the name of his company from the of indicted firms.

Otedola who had slammed a N250 billion suit against the embattled lawmaker and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal before an Abuja High Court, wants the court to order the Defendants to pay him N100 billion as general damages for acts of intimidation, loss of good-will and patronages occasioned by the acts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Farouk Lawan.

In the legal action he jointly filed along with his Zenon Petroleum and Gas Company, Otedola is claiming another N150 billion against the Defendants as exemplary damages for their alleged oppressive and arbitrary actions against him and his company.

He is also challenging the alleged move by Farouk Lawan and Tambuwal to re-list his company among the oil firms indicted for allegedly defrauding the federal government.

Meanwhile, a Lagos based lawyer, Festus Keyamo had last week threatened to commence private prosecution of Lawan if the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) fails or delay further to do same.

The AGF had on Friday told newsmen in Abuja that the Federal Government will begin the trial of Farouk Lawan and one Boniface Emenalo this week over the bribery allegation.

While responding to questions over Keyamo’s threat, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) who has secured AGF’s fiat to prosecute Farouk said although Keyamo’s statement could have been capable of jeopardizing the process of prosecuting Lawan

Worried by the delay by the Federal Government to prosecute the former chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc committee on fuel subsidy probe, Farouk Lawan for allegedly receiving $620,000 bribe from a business magnet, Femi Otedola to strike his company’s name from the list of indicted firms in the oil subsidy scam, a Lagos based human right lawyer, Festus Keyamo wrote a strongly worded letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), giving him tomorrow, Tuesday January 29, 2013 to either commence Lawan’s prosecution or give him the fiat to do so. Sunday Ejike Benjamin reports

Femi Otedola except that the Police have already finished its investigation on the matter.

Awomolo said the office of the AGF is too responsible and busy to react to market talk, but that he can assure that the Police have finished investigating the allegation and that they have made verifiable facts to AGF to commence the trial.

“Verifiable facts can only come from the Police that investigated the matter. You don’t investigate such matters based on what you read on the newspapers or heard over the radio and televisions. No, that is not investigation. The Police, as responsible organization have investigated the matter and I can assure you that the AGF will not react to the market talk. The matter will be in court next week’’.

“We will prosecute and not persecute. We are men of integrity, honour and learning.

Nobody should think that he can use the market language or draw us to open debate on this matter.

We are not civil society organization”.

He added also that, “The AGF is the Chief Law Officer under the constitution and will exercise his power responsibly and not irresponsibly to satisfy whims and caprice of civil society

Farouk Lawan organizations. Prosecution is a serious business and a serious statutory duty, it is not a frivolous thing, and you don’t do it to catch fancy or to make people to hail you. These are persecutors and not prosecutors”.

Keyamo had, in a letter dated January 23, 2013 requested Adoke to indicate whether he was prepared to prosecute or not to prosecute Lawan.

The human right lawyer accompanied the letter with a draft charge in readiness to commence private prosecution of Lawan if Adoke fails to do so.

According to Keyamo, his action is sequel to expiration of the ultimatum he gave the Police to charge Farouk Lawan.

He attached to the criminal charge: the proof of evidence, a recording of a telephone conversation between Farouk Lawan and Femi Otedola, contained in a memory card wherein Farouk Lawan was allegedly soliciting or asking for gratification to doctor his report, and appealing to Otedola to keep it secret, the transcript of the said recording and court processes (including a sworn testimony on oath) in Suit No. FCT/3839/2012: Between Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited & Another vs. Lawan & Others where the graphic details

of how the accused persons solicited for, and received gratification from Femi Otedola were stated.

Excerpts from Keyamo’s letter to the AGF reads: “Last week, I gave a seven-day ultimatum to the Police to commence prosecution of one Farouk Lawan, a member of the House of Representatives and his accomplice, one Boniface Emenalo, for agreeing to and actually accepting gratification from one Femi Otedola in order to doctor the report of the House adhoc Committee on fuel subsidy.

From reports I read in the media after issuing my ultimatum, the Police have passed the buck over to your office for the inaction so far, claiming it has finished the investigation and that your office has just refused to file charges for reasons unknown to the public.

“It is for the above reasons that I have prepared a charge (attached herewith) for the purpose of private prosecution.

“May I kindly request that, by virtue of Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Cap. C41, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, you endorse on the Charge whether, having seen the Charge, you are prepared to prosecute Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo for the counts in the Charge or whether you

have declined to prosecute at the public instance the counts in the said Charge.

“The position of the law is that, before I can commence private prosecution, I should be given the opportunity to prosecute or to decline to prosecute. This is what I have done by this letter.

“I will expect your reply by the close of official business on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, to enable me determine my next line of action”, Keyamo stated in the letter.

The Lagos based lawyer who expressed the hope that the AGF would make his decision known added that any indecision on the AGF would amount to a refusal to act on the matter. He listed Femi Otedola, Officers of State Security Services (SSS), Officers of Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Officials of Zenon Petroleum & Gas Limited and Clerk of the House of Representatives as witnesses.

As Keyamo’s deadline to the Chief Law Officer of the country expires tomorrow, there are indications that the Federal Government is set to charge the embattled lawmaker under the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) Act.

PAGE 27

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Only standard education will guarantee future for Nigerian children –Jonathan

P

resident Good Luck Jonathan has recently announced that only high standard of education would guarantee a better future for Nigerian children.

He made this remark in Nsukka at the 42nd convocation and conferment of higher and honorary degrees at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He said the best way to derive the benefits of the country's large population was to get the people educated, skilled and employable.

“It is for this reason that education receives the highest financial allocation in our budget in 2013,” Jonathan said.

“The present administration is determined to provide access to quality education at all levels for Nigerians”.

Represented by NUC Secretary, Prof Julius Okogie, Jonathan urged the private organisations to join hands with the Federal Government in forging partnership in funding of research and scholarship with the universities.

Ajimobi distributes vehicles to education inspectors

“We are prepared to work with all relevant stakeholders to improve education sector of our national economy.

“As a developing economy, our social progress and economic advancement will depend largely on progress we make on research and technology,” he said.

He urged the recipients of honorary doctorate degrees to see the awards as a way to strengthen their relationship with the university as well as make them to contribute more to national development.

“Let this honour done to you by the oldest university in the county spur you to greater height in your service to your fatherland, “he said.

Jonathan commended the university’s Vice-Chancellor Prof.

Bartho Okolo and his management team for the massive infrastructure development going on in the university, urging other universities to emulate it.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four eminent Nigerians conferred with honorary degrees includes Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Secretary to Federal

Government.

Responding, Anyim expressed appreciation to UNN for finding them worthy of the award.

He notes that the award would make them to do more to the university as well as to the country.

"We are excited for finding us worthy of this prestigious award, we will continue to identify with the university in its quest to become world Class University,” he said.

Earlier, Okolo said that the awardees met the stringent conditions of the University for Conferment of honorary degree,

having distinguished themselves and contributed so much to national development.

“By this award, they awardees have become alumni of UNN and will share in pride privileges and responsibilities of the university.

"As special alumni of the university we hope you will hearken to our calls in times of need," he said.

The VC announced that 198 persons would bagged doctorate degrees, 2,268 master degrees while 269 will receive postgraduate diploma. (NAN)

Vice-chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (futo), Professor Chigozie Asiabaka (middle), with the students union government executive, during the 31st Matriculation ceremony of the institution, last Friday in Owerri.

PHOTO: NAN

From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has distributed 10 vehicles to Local Inspectors of Education (LIEs) in 10 local government areas in the state as part of his commitment to strengthening the inspectorate division of the education sector in the state.

The governor while presenting the vehicles to the LIEs at the state secretariat at the week-end, said the remaining 23 LIEs would receive theirs very soon.

The beneficiaries were LIEs from Ibadan North-East, Ibadan North, Ibadan North-West, Ibadan SouthEast, Ibadan South-West, Akinyele, Egbeda, Afijio, Atiba and Oyo West Local Government Areas.

Ajimobi, who was represented at the occasion by the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun, said that his administration is poised to ensuring a total transformation of the education sector.

This, he said, informed the need to strengthen the inspectorate division through the provision of necessary logistics to the local inspectors of education for school monitoring and supervision.

Fayokun charged the local inspectors of education to work diligently so as to ensure a total turn-around of the education sector.

Responding on behalf of others, Mrs. Yetunde Fatoki, the LIE for Ibadan North-East Local Government, commended the state government for its commitment to the repositioning of the education sector, pledging that the vehicles would be used for the purpose for which they were meant.

Yobe organises workshop for school principals, supervisors

By Uche Uche, Damaturu

I

n an effort to improve the standard of education in the state, Yobe state government in collaboration with the Federal Inspectorate Service of the federal ministry of education, has organised a 3 day training workshop for school inspectors, principals and local government education supervisors on quality assurance.

The workshop which took place at the Government Girls School, now Unity School, witnessed the presence of distinguished federal and state inspectors, school managers and supervisors.

In his opening remarks, the state Commissioner of the state ministry of education, Alhaji. Mala Musti, represented by Mai Aliyu Usman, the Special Adviser to

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam on education, said the workshop is intended to enable the participants acquire knowledge and skills towards improving their capacity and remain relevant on their statutory responsibilities.

He said the administration of Governor Gaidam is committed to the promotion and up -liftment of the standard of education in the state and by implication, the quality of education service delivery.

To achieve this vision he said the government has continued to pay adequate attention to the education sector by earmarking 26% of its annual budget to education in line with UNESCO recommendation and in accordance with global best practice.

Listing the achievements made

so far by the present administration towards uplifting the sector, he said the state government has among other things, established a new directorate of Inspectorate Service and provided it with monitoring vehicles at the headquarters and zonal levels to ensure prompt and regular monitoring and inspection of schools.

Earlier in his welcome address, the permanent secretary in the ministry, Alhaji Muhammad Ta’a Daura, said the resource persons from the federal ministry of education were nominated not only on the basis of their knowledge and experience but for their outstanding characters and ability as well.

He expressed confidence, therefore that they would be able to deliver and contribute meaningfully to the noble course and called on the beneficiaries of the

training to dedicate themselves to the training to enable them acquire the much needed knowledge and expertise for the successful conduct of the current inspection and monitoring.

In his opening remark, Dr. E.G.Kutara director, federal inspectorate service, stressed the need to enhance quality education sector, saying “ the falling standard of education at all levels with the prevailing state of examination malpractices in schools and mass failures of students in examinations has become a major concern to many Nigerians.”

“High rate of dropouts, the inability of our graduates to compete favourably in the world of works are all pointers to the fact that our nation is in dire need of enhanced quality education sector,” he added

VC warns matriculating students against cultism, exam malpractice

T

he Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Hillary Edeoga, has warned new students that the institution will not condone cultism and examination malpractice.

Edeoga, who gave the warning while matriculating new undergraduates and postgraduate students on Friday, said that appropriate sanctions would be meted out to culprits.

He also warned against ``forgery of any kind’’, extortion, gangsterism, and indecent

dressing, among others.

He promised that the institution would continue to provide the necessary facility and enabling environment for the students to excel in their studies. ``I therefore, enjoin you to avail yourselves of the opportunities provided by the university to lay solid foundation for your success in life,’’ Edeoga said.

He explained that the university’s curricula in all the courses were structured to make them ``not only self-employable

but also job and wealth creators on graduation’’.

The vice-chancellor said that frantic efforts were being made to find a lasting solution to inadequate classrooms and hostels facing the students.

He said the Niger-Delta Development Commission-assisted hostel project in the university was almost completed adding that 10 hostel complexes built by the university also be completed soon. ``I enjoin you to strive to protect all facilities provided for use by the university against vandalism and

theft,’’ he said.

According to him, the authorities are working to reposition the institution, and that all their activities will be technologically-driven.

He said that state-of-the-art media accessories, interactive boards, improved Internet access, were being provided to boost academic training.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that no fewer than 4,000 students matriculated for various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. (NAN)

PAGE 28

ABU VC advises students against threat to peace Form NasiruMu'azu Isa, Kaduna

T

he authorities of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, has advised students of the institution against acts capable of disrupting peace on the campus.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Abdullahi Mustapha, gave the advice at the 2012/2013 matriculation ceremony of 6,000 students of the institution held at the main campus in Samaru, Zaria.

Mustapha, who was represented by the Deputy ViceChancellor (Administration), Prof.

Na'iyaSada, said the advice became necessary in view of the current security challenges in the country.

He said peace was critical to success and as such the university community required peace to run stable academic calendar.

The vice-chancellor urged the new students to make judicious use of the unique opportunity to learn and become useful to themselves, their families and the society.

"Let me use this medium to congratulate you for securing admission into this prestigious university because many wished to be here but were not opportune.

"I urge you to desist from all forms of social vices that will tamper with your educational career, these vices are in no doubt inimical to your future success," Mustapha said.

He identified some of the vices as examination malpractice, cult activities, alcoholism, drug abuse, indecent dressing, among others.

FUTO matriculates 4,300 fresh students

T

he Federal University of Technology, Owerri, on Friday matriculated 4,300 students at its 31st matriculation ceremony.

The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. ChigozieAsiabaka, called on the matriculating students to be diligent to uphold the reputation of the university.

Asiabaka also urged them to obey the rules and regulations of the university and avoid any infringement on the laws of the land in the pursuance of their educational aspiration.

He said that it would be in the best interest of the students to shun bad company, illegal associations and secret cults among others.

The vice chancellor said the university had established scholarship scheme in favour of the best undergraduate students in each school of the university with effect from the current academic year.

According to him, students with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) from each school will be given scholarship to entitle them to undertake their training at no tuition or accommodation cost.

He, however, stressed that the scholarship would be withdrawn if the beneficiaries failed to maintain their positions as best students.

He promised that his administration would improve the learning environment and welfare of staff and students. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Borno students laud Shettima's education sector revival Form Mustapha IsahKwaru, Maiduguri

T

he National Union of Borno State Students (NUBOSS) has commended Governor KashimShettima for declaring a state of emergency in the state's education sector which led to the total transformation of the sector.

The union in a statement issued by its spokesman Mallam Baba Isa in Maiduguri yesterday, stated that the creation of the ministry of higher education to take care of tertiary education, ministry of education to take charge of secondary education and

the ministry of Universal Basic Education to take charge of basic education is a clear indication of the governor's determination to move the state forward.

The statement said "we commend GovernorShettima for the establishment of the Borno state University which would solve our long problems of qualified state indigene not getting admission. We equally commend him for the upward review of allowance of the state medical students undergoing studies in different tertiary institutions across the country."

They however commended the giant strides of Shettima through his laudable projects and programmes which they said has direct bearing on the lives of people in the state despite the daunting security challenges facing the state and prayed to Allah to protect him, grant him good health and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state.

NUBOSS also appealed to the governor to review the allowances of allthe state students studying in the tertiary institution across the country, as the minimum and maximum scholarship being received by students in the state

are N2,500 and N3,500 respectively which they said is inadequate considering the increase of tuition fees in tertiary institutions, inflation rate and the economic hardship because of the current security challenges.

The union also called on the governor to intervene and direct the payment of their backlog scholarship allowances of the 2010/2011, 2011/2012 and 2012/ 2013 academic sessions which were long overdue and also solicited for an 18 seater Bus for their runnings.

BUK ASUU threatens to sue security men Form Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

Enugu state acting governor, Mr Sunday Onyebuchi (4th left), with officials of National Mathematical Centre, during their visit to Government House, recently in Enugu. PHOTO: NAN

Nigerian Law School begins lecture in Yola campus From Umar DanKano, Yola

L

ectures have commenced at the Yola Campus of the Nigerian Law School.

The Deputy Director-General of the school, Prof. Isa Chiroma, made this known recently during a courtesy call on Gov. MurtalaNyako, at the Government House, Yola, Chiroma said the first 250 students admitted into the school commenced lectures on

January 14.

He however lauded the Adamawa Government for providing the school with the needed infrastructure and vehicles for its take off and promised that the management would uphold the standard obtainable in other campuses.

Chiroma called on the governor to intervene in the matter of encroachment on the land allocated to the school to check the trespass and requested for the extension of the school

library, pointing out that the present library could only accommodate 30 per cent of the students.

In his response, Nyako assured the deputy directorgeneral that he would do everything possible to assist the school and make sure that the students enjoy their stay in Yola adding that the State Government would take full advantage of the school by introducing law programmes in the state university.

he Bayero University Kano (BUK) branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened to institute a legal action against security operatives in the state who he allegedly said assaulted one of its officials.

Addressing newsmen at a press conference in Kano on Wednesday, the Chairman of the branch, Dr. Mahmoud Lawan, alleged that armed security operatives stormed the ASUU secretariat at BUK on January 20 with the intention of arresting the Zonal Co-coordinator of the union, Dr.AbdullahiBichi, who was a leading figure in the mass protest against the removal of petrol subsidy in the country.

Lawanalso alleged that the armed security personnel who could not tender an arrest warrant as requested by Bichitried to forcefully abduct him but left him wounded when he resisted and raised alarm and rushed out of the campus.

He said the government should not transfer their aggression on their members as they are not responsible for the security failures in the country.

He however warned that the union could not be intimidated, threatened or subdued saying that all their actions are legal and within the confines of the constitution.

The union however, declared every January 20 as AbdullahiBichi Day to commemorate the attack on him, saying, the day would be marked with series of activities.

ASUSS wants FG to establish national secondary schools commission

T

he Kebbi chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has called on the Federal Government to establish National Secondary Schools Commission (NSSC) for improved performance.

The state Chairman of the association, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in BirninKebbi on Friday.

He said that if established, the commission would help to promote the standard of education at the secondary level.

“The federal and state authorities must ensure the establishment of the commission if they wish to improve teaching at the secondary school level.

“If established, the commission will also help to improve performance in external examinations which had been on

the decline over the years in Nigeria,” he said.

Garba also stressed the need to reduce the disparity in the salary of secondary school teachers and graduate assistants in the university.

“A fresh graduate lecturer in the university receives about N100, 000 per month while graduate teachers in secondary school receive far less.

“This has contributed in brain

drain in secondary school,” he said.

The chairman said the association would soon work out modalities for a new salary structure for secondary school teachers.

He said that since there was dearth of qualified teachers in Kebbi State, the association would advocate the enactment of a law for the return of teachers training colleges. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 29

Incorporating traditional medicine into Nigeria's healthcare system

By Anna Angbazo

I

n recent times, traditional medicine has been receiving significant attention in health management efforts across the world partly because several people have somewhat lost confidence in the efficacy of orthodox medicine.

Analysts attribute the people's loss of confidence in orthodox medicine to factors such as drug counterfeiting and drug reactions as well as the affordability and accessibility of the healthcare delivery.

They also observe that traditional medicine has been used to cure various lifethreatening ailments in all parts of the world at lower costs, even before the discovery of some medications.

The general acceptance of traditional medicine is even attested to by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which notes that more than 80 per cent of the population of Africa depends on traditional medication.

According to the global health agency, certain complementary and alternative medical therapies are also getting popular among Australians and Europeans.

Besides, a survey conducted by the Roll Back Malaria programme, indicates that 60 per cent of children with high fever in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Mali and Zambia, use herbs as first-line treatment.

With this trend in its patronage, experts, therefore, recommend that traditional medicine should be regulated and incorporated into Nigeria's healthcare system to ensure the quality, safety and potency of products.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mrs. Julie Offoboche, a former Solicitor-General of Cross River, urged the Federal Government to acknowledge the work of traditional medicine practitioners by licensing them and creating room for them in hospitals. She stressed that although orthodox medicine had a great value in healthcare delivery, there were some ailments that could only be effectively treated with local medicinal herbs.

Offoboche noted that valuable goods and services, including herbal medicine, were being produced in Nigeria, urging the government to give tangible support to these smallscale enterprises.

She said, "The government should give them some grant and ensure that the amount of money given to them is actually given to the right person. "When this is done, herbal medicine practitioners would be independent and be

able to give quality service delivery; they can even perform better than their counterparts in India and China.

"As regards herbal products coming in from India and China, people will tell you, "I took this and I took that but it did not work;" when they take the Nigerian herbal formula, it would work for them.

"Our herbal products are every efficacious.

The government should give support to the herbal medications' producers by giving them grants to enable them to conduct research and produce more drugs,'' she added.

Nevertheless, Offoboche noted that the Cross River Government had been licensing herbal medicine practitioners via annual renewable agreements, urging the Federal Government to replicate the policy at the federal level.

Mrs. Quincy Ayodele, a traditional medicine practitioner, shares a similar viewpoint, she underscored the need to develop and implement a national policy for regulating traditional medicine in the country so as to ensure its efficacy.

She also stressed the need to incorporate traditional medicine into the country's Primary Health Care system, saying that it would expand the citizens' access to good, affordable healthcare delivery.

Ayodele called on stakeholders in the health sector to develop long-term and short-term training programmes for traditional medicine practitioners to improve their knowledge.

At the 62nd WHO African Regional Meeting in Luanda, Angola, in November 2012, traditional medicine practitioners also argued that research was very essential in the drive to improve the quality of traditional medicine.

Traditional medicine

practitioners from Congo, Mozambique and Mali, in their separate contributions at the meeting, particularly stressed that the integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare systems would enhance the people's access to affordable healthcare.

However, Prof. Abayomi Sofowora, the former Chairman of WHO Regional Expert Committee on Traditional Medicine, stressed that the practice of traditional medicine ought to be strictly regulated. He said that the regulation of herbal medicine would stimulate the production of quality, safe and efficacious herbal medicines.

Sofowora said, "Traditional medicine has been with us since the beginning of time, and it is the only source of healthcare for most people due to its accessibility and affordability.

"The holistic approach attracts many people who want to go back to nature for treatment because many people are not happy with the healthcare provided by orthodox healthcare.''

Sofowora stressed that the global trade in herbs grossed over 100 billion dollars per annum, stressing that Africa should seize the opportunity and start reaping the economic benefits of traditional medicine.

Angola's Minister of Health Joseviera Dias Van Dinem noted that many Africans preferred traditional medicine to orthodox medicine because of its affordability and accessibility. He, nonetheless advised traditional medicine practitioners to share their knowledge with others, stressing that most practitioners only bequeathed their skills to their family members alone.

However, Mr Shekwoduza Baba, the Manager (Health Systems Strengthening Programme), Clinton Health Access Initiative, in Liberia, suggested that rigorous

“

Corroborating this view, Dr. Dorcas Angbazo, a nephrologist at the National Assembly Clinic, said that inasmuch as there were claims of cure in traditional medicine, there should be clinical trials to ensure safety of the medications.

Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu analytical work ought to be carried out to ascertain the potency of any herbal remedy which traditional medicine practitioners claimed to have discovered.

"I have a soft spot for traditional medicine because the knowledge of healing has been passed on from generation to generation on my mother's side. "I am working to catalogue all the medicinal plants which my mother recommended for managing or curing different ailments in 2013.

"This is in an effort to set the foundation for further analytical work, which will involve isolating the active ingredients in the plants.''

Baba, nonetheless, stressed that in spite of claims of cure by traditional medicine practitioners and the demand for collaboration, the practitioners ought to disclose the contents of their medicinal preparations for scientific proof.

Corroborating this view, Dr. Dorcas Angbazo, a nephrologist at the National Assembly Clinic, said that inasmuch as there were claims of cure in traditional medicine, there should be clinical trials to ensure safety of the medications.

She warned that the health hazards of ingesting traditional medicines without knowing their ingredients and dosage could be quite devastating.

Angbazo cited an incident in Belgium in 1992 when chronic interstitial nephritis was diagnosed in most middle-aged women in the

country who were using Chinese herbal pills to shed weight.

She, therefore, called on traditional medicine practitioners to subject their claims to the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) for verification through thorough research.

However, NIPRD's Director-General, Prof.

Karniyus Gamaniel, said that institute was only engrossed with research, adding that it was not a final product developer. He therefore, stressed that the institute's work on traditional medicine products could not satisfy the extant market standards in terms of the products' dosage and standardisation.

Besides, Gamaniel said that the institute was trying to reduce the spurious "can-cureall'' claims of traditional medicine practitioners by verifying their claims on the treatment of sundry diseases.

He, however, gave the assurance that the institute would collaborate with traditional medicine practitioners in efforts to garner wider acceptance for their products.

According to him, research into herbal medicines was considered imperative because of the high patronage for the medicines, especially at the grassroots.

Gamaniel and other experts, therefore insist that without scientific proof of the potency of any traditional medication, the users face the risk of toxic, adverse side-effects. (NAN)

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Snorers more liable to heart attack than smokers or obese S

norers are more likely to have a heart attack than smokers or the obese, say researchers.

Far from being merely a nuisance, snoring could be the early warning sign of lifethreatening health problems, they warn.

US researchers believe that the condition may cause a thickening of the arteries which can lead to brain haemorrhages, strokes and heart attacks.

Snorers are more likely to have thickening or abnormalities in the carotid artery that supplies the brain with oxygenated blood Around a quarter of women and four in ten men are frequent snorers, although nearly half of us snore occasionally. Though it can interfere with our sleep and that of our partners, it was not thought to cause any long-term health problems until recently.

American researchers claim the condition is as serious as having high blood pressure and urge snorers to seek medical advice.

A team from the University of Detroit found that frequent

snorers are far more likely to develop a thickening of the carotid artery - which supplies oxygenated blood to the brain.

The condition has also been linked to hardening of other arteries in the body and can lead to heart attacks, strokes and brain haemorrhages.

Dr. Robert Deeb, from the

Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, who led the research said, "Our study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting isolated snoring may not be as benign as first suspected."

"So instead of kicking your snoring bed partner out of the room or spending sleepless nights elbowing him or her,

seek out medical treatment for the snorer."

Dr. Deeb and his colleagues studied 54 men and women aged 18 to 50.They had all filled in questionnaires about their snoring habits and then had ultrasound scans to look at the thickness of their carotid artery. The researchers found

that the innermost layers of the artery walls were far thicker among the snorers than the other adults.

He said that the thickening of the artery may be caused by the constant vibrations of the snoring which results in inflammation.

The researchers now hope to carry out a larger study to see if snorers are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes. Dr.Deeb, who has submitted his findings to the Laryngoscope journal for publication said, "Snoring is more than a bedtime annoyance and it shouldn't be ignored.

"Patients need to seek treatment in the same way they would if they had sleep apnoea, high blood pressure or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease."

Last year researchers from the University of Wisconsin, in the US, said that snorers were more likely to die from cancer.

The study of 1,500 adults found that moderate snorers were at 4.8 time greater risk of death. www.dailymail.co.uk

Finding the right snoring cures, solutions, and remedies

T

he first step to solving a snoring problem is to find the cause of your snoring.

It's crucial to note the different ways you sleep and snore. Sleep positions reveal a lot, and figuring out how you snore can reveal why you snore. When you know why you snore, you can get closer to a cure.

Closed-mouth snoring may indicate a problem with your tongue.

Open-mouth snoring may be related to the tissues in your throat.

Snoring when sleeping on your back is probably mild snoring, improved sleep habits and lifestyle changes may be effective cures.

Snoring in all sleep positions can mean your snoring is more severe and may require a more comprehensive treatment.

Self-help cures to stop snoring There are many things you can do on your own to help stop snoring. Home remedies and lifestyle changes can go a long way in resolving the problem.

Lifestyle changes to stop snoring Lose weight. Losing even a little bit of weight can reduce fatty tissue in the back of the throat and decrease or even stop snoring.

Exercise can also help to stop snoring. Working out to tone

your arms and legs also leads to toning the muscles in your throat, which in turn can lead to less snoring.

Quit smoking.If you smoke, your chances of snoring are high. Smoking causes airways to be blocked by irritating the membranes in the nose and throat.

Avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, and sedatives, especially before bedtime, because they relax the muscles in the throat and interfere with breathing. Talk

to your doctor about any prescription medications you're taking, as some encourage a deeper level of sleep which can make snoring worse.

Establish regular sleep patterns. Create a bedtime ritual and stick to it. Hitting the sack in a routine way together can help you sleep better and often minimize snoring.

Bedtime remedies to help you stop snoring Clear nasal passages.

Throat exercises to stop snoring

Having a stuffy nose m a k e s inhalation difficult and creates a vacuum in your throat, which in turn leads to snoring.

K e e p bedroom air moist with a humidifier.

Dry air can i r r i t a t e membranes in the nose and throat.

Reposition.

Elevating your head four inches may ease

breathing and encourage your tongue and jaw to move forward. There are specially designed pillows available to help prevent snoring by making sure your neck muscles are not crimped.

Avoid caffeine and heavy meals within two hours of going to bed, especially dairy products and soymilk.

Sleep on your side. Avoid sleeping on your back, as gravity makes it more likely for your tongue and soft tissues to drop and obstruct your airway.

Stop Snoring Solution: The tennis ball trick Sleep with a tennis ball (or similar sized ball) attached to the back of a pajama top or tshirt. (You can sew or safety pin a sock to the back of the pajama top then put a tennis ball in it.) The tennis ball is uncomfortable if you lie on your back, and you will respond by turning on your side. Or wedge a pillow stuffed with tennis balls behind your back. Soon you will develop side-sleeping as a habit and not need the tennis balls.

Practiced for 30 minutes a day, throat exercises can be an effective way to reduce or stop snoring.

Repeatedly pronouncing certain vowel sounds and curling the tongue

in specific ways can strengthen muscles in the upper respiratory tract and thereby reduce snoring.

Try the following exercises to stop snoring. Start slow and gradually increase the number of sets you do. In some cases, you may be able to combine the exercises with other activities, such as commuting to work, walking your dog, working out, or taking a shower.

Repeat each vowel (a-e-i-ou) out loud for three minutes a few times a day.

Place the tip of your tongue behind your top front teeth.

Slide your tongue backwards for 3 minutes a day.

Close your mouth and purse your lips. Hold for 30 seconds.

With mouth open, move jaw to the right and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on left side.

With mouth open, contract the muscle at the back of your throat repeatedly for 30 seconds.

Singing can increase muscle control in the throat and soft palate, reducing snoring caused by lax muscles.

If you've tried the self-help solutions to stop snoring without success, don't give up hope. Consult your physician or an otolaryngologist. www.helpguide.org

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

PAGE 35

Mice eat Marijuana evidence at Kansas police storage facility

Lt. Doug Nolte of Wichita Police Department shows sketch of suspect.

H

ey, vermin, don't bogart that evidence! Wichita police in Kansas are hot on the tail of mice that chewed

through bags of marijuana kept in a police storage facility, KMBC reported. The three packages were evidence seized

Boy fakes kidnapping so parents will miss teacher conference

A

n 11-year-old boy in the town of Xinzo de Limia, Spain, really wanted his parents to skip the scheduled conference with his teacher.

So he did what other kids might think about, but not actually do: Fake a kidnapping.

The incident happened early Monday afternoon when the unnamed aspiring criminal mastermind sent a text message from his mobile phone to tell his father he had been kidnapped, according to the Guardian.

When the father, a Spanish police officer, phoned back, the boy claimed he'd been snatched while emptying the trash and

A boy of Xinzo's age.

was now locked in a car trunk, according to Yahoo! News.

A nationwide alert was sent out, and cops in Portugal were notified in case the boy slipped cross the border. Then, the boy's dad noticed the keys to another house also owned by the family were missing.

Upon investigation, he discovered his boy was hiding out there, Fox News reported.

The fake kidnapping victim admitted he was afraid of the pending parent-teacher conference and was trying to make a way to avoid it.

Fake kidnappings are unusual, but not uncommon.

Back in November, 2011, Kevin Ashton, 17, of Delray Beach, Fla., was accused of faking his own kidnappingin an attempt to to extort his father for $50,000.

Back in October, police in San Antonio, Texas, arrested Sheila Baley Eubank,48, for faking her own abduction and said she did it because she wanted more attention and a day off from work.

during arrests in 2009.

The rodents apparently nested in the pot and ate some of it. "We've got some mice that

are stoners," Police Lt. Doug Nolte said on Thursday. The animals were probably attracted to the scent, he

added.

At first look, authorities thought the evidence was tampered with, but some supersleuthing revealed "that the culprits were operating on a much smaller scale," quipped The Inquisitr.

Still, officials adhered to protocol, photographing the scene, resealing the stash and reweighing it, Nolte told KSN. The mice remain at large but a precinct artist did produce a sketch of one of the suspects with big ears, little beady eyes and a long tail (see above).

No drawn-out investigation or jury trial will be necessary. An exterminator has been called.

Other outlets were quick to make sport of the pothead varmints: "There are some mice in Kansas with major munchies," MSN wrote.

And our favorite headline came from the Kansas City Business Journal: "Dude, Where's My Cheese?"

Water pistol weapon of choice in SF robbery

W

hen will the violence end? Not with a bang but a dribble.

A pair of unsuspecting folks in San Francisco's Excelsior District were robbed at water pistol-point, according to the San Francisco Examiner.

Police responded to the corner of Naples Street and Persia Avenue at 11 p.m. Wednesday to reports of a robbery, the newspaper reported.

There, the soggy, sordid details were spilled.

A 20-year old woman and a 19-year old man were accosted by three robbers with a gun near a bus stop, according to police.

The robbers demanded the woman's cellphone, and then demanded "property" from the man.

When the man tried to hand the items over, a robber pulled

Water gun like the one pictured above was used in the crime. the trigger and "squirted" the victim, the newspaper reported.

The 19-year old victim tried to wrestle the water pistol away

and recover the woman's cellphone, but he was struck on the head, and then the suspects fled, the newspaper reported.

Man allegedly points AK-47 rifle at daughter of straight A's, she told him she Tribune reported. She added that she over "B" grades lack hated him, which led to him tried to protect her daughter, but

A

Minnesota man has been arrested after allegedly pointing an AK-47 rifle at his daughter during an argument stemming from her getting two B's - instead of straight A's -- on her report card.

Kirill Bartashevitch, 51, had recently purchased the gun because he was afraid that President Obama's push for gun control legislation would lead to a ban on those kinds of weapons, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WCCO. Bartashevitch and his 15-yearold daughter were arguing about her grades on Jan. 13 in their St. Paul home, the complaint states.

When he swore at the girl over her

allegedly pointing the rifle at her. her husband pushed her onto the A social worker at the girl's high floor and pointed the gun at both of school notified police of the event on them.

Jan. 17, according to KMSP. The social worker said the girl had sent a text message to a friend of hers about the incident. The friend's mother had seen the message and told the social worker about it.

Bartashevitch's wife told investigators that their daughter was telling the truth Kirill Bartashevitch, 51, has been charged about what with two counts of making terroristic happened, the Star threats.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Stand up in the office to lose weight and boost circulation, says expert

O

ffice workers who spend all day behind their desks should consider working standing up instead, according to new research.

Staying on your feet for an extra three hours a day would burn off 8lbs (3.6kg) of fat each year, according to exercise scientist John Buckley from Chester University.

He said there is no need to sit down so much and those feeling sluggish would do well to push their chairs away during the day.

Dr Buckley added that people could switch to higher than normal computer desks to answer emails and type documents.

An upright working stance was championed by author Ernest Hemingway who wrote his vigorous prose on a typewriter at a special chest-height desk.

In a letter in 1950, Hemingway wrote: 'Writing and travel broaden your ass if not your mind and I like to write standing up.'

Dr Buckley, from the department of clinical sciences and nutrition at Chester University, said that switching from chairs to working standing up will reduce obesity and improve circulation.

Standing up for three hours will consume 144 calories, he claims.

'People are sitting down at work, then sitting in the car and then sitting down in front of the television,' Dr Buckley told BBC News.

'Your metabolic rate crashes to an absolute minimum. It isn't natural. Humans are designed to stand up and keep moving.'

Link between concussions, dementia is complex- study

By Genevra Pittman

I

n a new study of National Football League (NFL) veterans, former players with thinking and memory problems also had more lesions in their brains than healthy players and non-athletes in a comparison group.

But cognitive difficulties weren't directly related to the number of concussions a player had suffered in his career - complicating the controversy over long-term effects of head injuries.

"Not everyone gets this problem," said Dr. John Hart, Jr. from the University of Texas at Dallas, who worked on the study. "It's a more complex issue than has just sort of been thrown out there."

The topic of concussions in the NFL and other sports leagues has been thrust into the spotlight after reports of players suffering from depression or memory trouble long after retiring. Last year, former San Diego Chargers star Junior Seau committed suicide after what some believe were years of depression related to concussions he may have suffered as a player.

Hart hopes the new findings will encourage more NFL players to get their brains checked out.

Ideally, he said, all players would be evaluated before, during and after their careers to check for brain changes. That would help doctors learn more about how head trauma is related to mental decline and dementia - and hopefully avert those problems in future athletes.

Hart has been evaluating former football players for years, both in Baltimore and Dallas.

"Starting a long time ago… guys would come in with these problems, and they'd look somewhat different than the typical types of degenerative diseases and cognitive diseases that you see from folks," he said.

For their new study, he and his colleagues evaluated the thinking and memory skills of 34 retired NFL

players and also took brain scans of 26 of them.

The men were between 41 and 79 years old and had spent an average of 10 years in the league.

Hart's team compared their results with those from non-football players who were similar to the original group in terms of age, education and IQ. Of the retired players, all but two had sustained at least one concussion, with one player reporting up to 13.

Twenty of the men were cognitively normal, according to thinking and memory tests.

Two formers players had dementia and the rest had mild or fixed (non-progressing) mental impairment. The players with those problems were more likely to also show changes in their white matter on brain scans, the research team reported Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology.

White matter contains nerve fibers responsible for sending signals from the brain to the rest of the body.

Eight of the former players were depressed - a slightly higher percentage than would be expected in a normal group of men.

Hart said there are a couple of explanations for why more concussions didn't mean a higher risk of cognitive problems in his group of NFL veterans.

"Sub-concussive injuries, all the wear and tear… may be playing a role in this" - not just concussions, he said.

Second of all, "I think there are predisposing factors that if you do get an injury, some people respond differently than others," Hart added.

His team has started examining whether genetic differences may influence the effect of concussions on players' mental status.

An NFL representative said the league would be sharing the report with members of its Head, Neck and Spine Committee.

Source: Reuters.com

Dr Buckley is part of a group of experts working with England's chief medical officer on ways to tackle obesity.

There have been several recent reports warning about the sedentary nature of work and recreation.

A study late last year made a strong connection between too much sitting down and an increased risk of diabetes.

Meanwhile a major Australian study published in March 2012 found sitting down too long increases your risk of dying within a few years - even if you are already physically active.

It found adults who sat 11 or more hours per day had a 40 per cent increased risk of dying in the next three years compared with those whosat for fewer than four hours a day.

Dr Buckley concluded making small changes in the workplace such as standing at your disk can make long-term improvements to your health.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

On your feet: Humans are designed to stand up and keep moving, says Dr Buckley

Teas up! How four cups a day can slash the risk of a stroke

By Pat Hagan

H

ugging a loved one isn't just a great way to bond - it has several physical benefits as well.

Scientists found that the hormone oxytocin was released into the blood stream when you hold a friend close. This lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and anxiety and can even improve your memory.

However, you have to be selective over who you hug. Giving a polite embrace to someone you don't know well can have the opposite effect, according to research from the University of Vienna.

Oxytocin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, is primarily known for increasing bonding, social behaviour and closeness between parents, children and couples.

Increased oxytocin levels have been found, for example, in partners in functional relationships. In women, it is also produced during

the childbirth process and during breastfeeding in order to increase the mother's bond with the baby.

Hugging can also soften your personality. The researchers said someone who hugs loved ones often become more empathetic over time.

Neurophysiologist Jürgen Sandkühler, said: 'The positive effect only occurs, however, if the people trust each other, if the associated feelings are present mutually and if the corresponding signals are sent out.

'If people do not know each other, or if the hug is not desired by both parties, its effects are lost.'

When we receive unwanted hugs from strangers or even people we know, the hormone is not released and anxiety levels rise.

'This can lead to pure stress because our normal distancekeeping behaviour is disregarded. In these situations, we secrete the stress hormone cortisol,' Sandkühler said.

He added that: 'Hugging is good, but no matter how long or how often someone hugs, it is trust that's more

Tealeaves: Britons drink an estimated 165million cups of tea a day

A calming cuppa: Tea is packed with components called flavonoids that are thought to be good for the heart and brain important.'

Sandkühler therefore cautioned against the worldwide 'free hugs' campaign - a social movement involving individuals who offer hugs to strangers in public places.

He said people would only have a beneficial effect 'if everyone involved is clear that it is just a harmless bit of fun.'

Otherwise, it could be perceived as an emotional burden and stress.

'Everyone is familiar with such feelings from our everyday lives, for example, if someone we don't know comes too close to us for no apparent reason.

'This violation of our normal distance-keeping behaviour is then generally perceived as disconcerting or even as threatening,' he said Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012

PAGE 37

Tambuwal tasks religious leaders on peace, harmony

L-R: Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafiya, Minister of Steel Development, Alhaji Musa Sada, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amal Pepple, and Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Deaconess Olatoyosi Ayo Joans, during their meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, recently at the State House, in Abuja.

By Lawrence Olaoye

S

Photo: Joe Oroye

ACN condemns poor handling of Chime's illness, slams NGF From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned the poor handling of the reported illness of Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu state, saying it fits into the growing pattern of shrouding the health problems of elected officials in secrecy.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ahaji Lai Mohammed, the party also criticized the choreographed visit to Chime in London by a delegation of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), which was apparently designed to reinforce the lies being peddled by his supporters rather than keep the people of the state better informed of the true situation of things.

It said there is no doubt that the reason behind all the shenanigans is the desperation by public office holders to hold on to power at all costs, even

when it is clear that their health has failed to such a level that they are better off stepping down so they can attend to their health problems. ''We do not have details of what is wrong with Gov. Chime and honestly that is not the reason behind our intervention. Our concern is that the conspiracy of silence being perpetrated by the state governors who are reported to have taken ill and abandoned their duty posts, as well as their supporters especially the NGF, does not serve the interest of our democracy. ''In the case of Gov. Chime, how can a man who is purportedly on vacation disappear for over 135 days and the people who voted him into office are not expected to ask questions? Does the constitution provide for such a long 'vacation' without consequences? Is Gov. Chime's deputy, whom he reportedly handed over to, given enough latitude to adequately preside over the affairs of the

state. If not, how has this affected governance in the state? And to what extent have the people of the state been denied the dividends of democracy by this unnecessary controversy? ''These are the issues that should be of interest to all lovers of democracy, not the antics of some governors who are frittering away taxpayers money by gallivanting to London to see Gov. Chime and thereafter releasing a picture showing a 'hale and hearty' Gov. Chime, dressed-up like a Sovietera spook, which has now generated even more controversy. ''The governors said Chime is recovering well but did not say from what illness. They say he is in good shape but has not said why he has been away from his duty post for so long. If he is so hale and hearty as they claim, let him come home and end the endless controversy over his illness. In any case, who made

the governors the spokespersons for the people of Enugu state? Are they the ones who voted him into office? Do they really care how this whole controversy has affected governance in Enugu state? Is this the way democracy is run in other climes?'' ACN queried.

The party said since any human being can take ill anytime, no one, especially public office holders, should be ashamed to admit his or her illness through a full disclosure and, if necessary, cede full power to those constitutionally empowered to take over. ''Nigeria and its democracy have yet to recover from the secrecy thrown around the illness of late President Umaru Yar'Adua and the anti-democratic antics of his 'kitchen cabinet'. It is time we stopped this practice that only serves the purpose of those who are hell bent on clinging to power, not considering the interest of the people who voted them into office,'' it said.

peaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has enjoined religious leaders in the country to preach the gospel of love, peaceful co-existence and inter-religious harmony so as to eliminate religious tension among the people.

He stated this weekend during the Thanksgiving Mass and 60th birthday anniversary organized by the Catholic Community in honor of Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah held at Anchuna Catholic Church in Kafanchan Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam,Tambuwal urged religious leaders to emulate the exemplary conducts of Bishop Kukah and described the honoree as a humble and committed religious leader who uses his God-given talent and energy in building bridges across religious divides.

“Bishop Kukah is one religious leader who believes in the universality of the world and therefore dedicates himself to the service of humanity and unity of our country. I therefore call on religious leaders to emulate the Bishop’s efforts at promoting inter-religious harmony “, Tambuwal stated.

Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Lamaran Yero, represented by his deputy, Ambassador Nuhu Bajoga, called for continued intercession of religious leaders for Nigeria to overcome its security and other challenges.

Bishop Kukah had earlier called on Nigerians to eschew bitterness and continue to live in unity and peace with one another.

Councillorship aspirant pledges better deal with AMAC residents

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

T

he United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate contesting for councillorship in the City Centre Ward in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Prince Ikenna Iheme, has declared that he joined the

councillorship race to fill a vacuum created by the incumbent lawmaker at the area council.

Speaking to journalists ahead of the forthcoming area council poll, Iheme, who is contesting under the flagship of the newly registered political parties led by Chief Chekwas Okorie, explained that he decided to join the

councillorship race to usher in a better deal for the residents of City Center Ward.

He emphasized that a lot needed to be done for improved sanitation of the ward. “I am in the race to correct those things that are not in place in my community. The City Center Ward is the Presidential ward. It is not surprising

therefore to see beautiful road networks, edifice, gardens and abundant water supply. But a lot more needs to be done to improve on the sanitation of the ward. I am coming in to fill a vacuum. My campaign slogan is tagged: “the City Center Ward must be better.” The present situation is good, but we have to make it better for the good people

of the ward,” Iheme said.

Commenting on his political platform, the UPP, Iheme said “though it is a newly registered political party, but what Nigerians yearn for is a better condition of living and no matter the political platform, religion or tribe, Nigerians are prepared to stand by you”.

PAGE 38

Maku tasks Obi on council polls

T

he Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, on Saturday in Awka, urged Gov. Mr Peter Obi of Anambra to facilitate the smooth conduct of elections into Local Government Councils.

Maku made the call in his goodwill message at a town hall meeting to mark the end of the National Good Governance tour of projects in Anambra.

He said that the governor had performed well in rural development but should entrench democracy in the Local Government Areas.

Maku said that democratising the local councils would deepen democracy at the grassroots and increase the government’s impact in the local councils.

“Democracy is the best form of governance and as the president has demonstrated at the federal level, I am calling on the state governor to do something about elections in the local councils.

“The State Government must work as a team and ensure that true democracy is enthroned by allowing true election in the Local Government Areas.

“Tthere should be no interference, state electoral commissions should work like INEC to give a true reflection of the people’s will.

“Let democracy win, that will be a part for the development of Nigeria, that is what we want,’’ he said.

Maku also called on residents of the state to complement government’s efforts by protecting its investments in infrastructural development.

He lamented the lack-lustre attitude of some people of the state, especially in the protection and maintenance of government’s property in their domains.

In a related development, the National President of RATTAWU, Mr Yemisi Bamgbose, called for the entrenchment of democracy in the Local Councils in Nigeria.

He said that only true democracy, regardless of political affiliation, could guarantee genuine development in the local areas.

Bamgbose called on the people of the state to complement government’s efforts in providing basic infrastructure by protecting public infrastructure.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Joe-Matrins Uzodike, said that the tour of projects in the state had exposed the good work of the State Government.

He said that 86 projects were scheduled for visit in the state but it was reduced to about 15, due to time constraints.

Uzodike commended the Federal Government for the initiative to help showcase the efforts made by the State Government to make life better for the people.

He called on stakeholders in the state to support the government’s efforts to leave a landmark in the administration of the state.

The event was attended by top public officials in the state, eminent citizens, and traditional rulers among others. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012

Group cautions PDP governors against heating up the polity From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

lected Governors of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been advised to desist from advancing interests that are at variance with the true goals and interests of the party.

Comrade Augustine Adebayo, National Chairman of the Save PDP Group stated this yesterday while addressing

reporters in Benin City on what he said was “the need to save PDP from the ‘satanic’ grip of the Governor’s Forum.” He said the antics of the governors amounted to anti-party activity, both in content and form.

“The unique ‘sovereignty’ of members of the party which has through the years defined its direction and goals have been sorely undermined by the

overbearing influence of our governors, the majority of whom cannot be said to share the vision of the party’s leadership and millions of PDP members”.

He said that it is worrisome that the Governor’s Forum over time has emerged as a ‘cabal’ manipulating the party, “with a view to having its way in every subject matter, even if for only the purpose of self-

Former Anambra state Governor, Senator Chris Ngige (left), and Igwe of Amansea community, Igwe Kenneth Okonkwo (middle), during the Senator's visit to Ezu River, Awka North LGA in Anambra last Thursday, where corpses were recently recovered. Photo: NAN

exaltation”, adding that this is unacceptable to the teeming members of the party.

The Save PDP Group leader said that the frequent and unnecessary over-heating of the polity by the Governor’s Forum must stop, and announced plans by the members of the party to mobilize themselves to confront those with selfish agenda that has made the PDP the laughing stock to the Nigerian people.

According to him, all members of the party must see the party as supreme and sacrosanct and those who were elected to direct its affairs must be selflessly supported for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Adebayo said that the consequence of the governors playing national politics is evident in their lesser commitment to governance in their respective states, which, means denying the people the many dividends of democracy with grave consequences for the polity.

Adebayo added “The President, who is the leader of the party, has more often than not been made to bear the brunt of the haughtiness of the Governor’s Forum, and has openly suffered humiliation in their hands.”

He referred to the recent spat between Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs and Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the Chairman of the Governor’s Forum on respect for the office of the President of Nigeria and said that it was an instance in which “an exasperated Nigerian has had to openly express frustration over the situation.”

Akpabio hosts maiden NIREC meeting

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akpabio, is to host the first 2013 General meeting of Nigeria Inter Religious Council (NIREC) on behalf of South-south states.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Executive Secretary of NIREC, Prof Is-haq Oloyede in Abuja yesterday. Oloyede said the

meeting would hold from February 11 to 13, 2013 at Le meridian Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo. “In keeping with the protocol so far established, the Council extended the hosting right of the first 2013 General Meeting to South – South and it is being hosted by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of AkwaIbom State on behalf of the zone’’ “The entire Governors from

the zone, first Class Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Political and Community Leaders from the zone are expected to interact with members of the Council from across the length and breadth of Nigeria’’.

Oloyede said the formal opening ceremony of the meeting would hold on Tuesday Feb. 12, 2013 at 11.00 a.m.

Top on the agenda of the meeting is the security situation

in the country and how to ensure peaceful coexistence of the two major religions. NIREC is a council comprising of 50 members with Muslims and Christians having 25 members each.

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, President General Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) are co-chairman of the council.

Senator blames decadent society for Nigerians’ criminality in foreign countries

S

en.

Mohammed Saleh (CPC- Kaduna) says the deterioration of ethical values in the country is responsible for the increasing number of Nigerians involved in criminal activities abroad.

He spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja.

NAN recalls that the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs recently informed the Senate that not less than 776 Nigerians were serving

various jail terms in foreign countries.

Saleh described the involvement of more Nigerians in illegal activities abroad as “a reflection of the environment of general lawlessness in our country’’.

He noted that political leaders and public officers had continued to perpetrate illegality and abuse of the laws of the country with impunity.

“If Nigerians leave the shores of this country and go outside to go and

misbehave, it’s a reflection of what is happening in Nigeria.

“They didn’t just pick that culture from somewhere. Look at the environment in Nigeria, there is general lawlessness. From the time a child is born, he sees crime all over the place and he sees that criminals go free.

“He has learnt this here and when he goes outside he thinks that other societies are like this because he knows no better. He thinks that when he goes outside that it would be okay for him

to commit a crime that there will be a way out just like there is a way out always in Nigeria. So he goes there and immediately falls foul of the law.”

Saleh urged leaders at all levels to embark on a reformation of society’s ethical values through exemplary leadership driven by honesty, transparency and accountability.

He said, however, that the task of reforming the Nigerian society was an onerous one that could not be left to government alone. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012

PAGE 39

Edo Journalists eye LG seats, task ACN on fairness From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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L-R: Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Duke Edem, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, during a briefing of members of House of Representatives by the SGF on the Nigeria Centenary Project at the National Assembly, recently in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Gale of ghost workers worries Zamfara governor From Salisu Zakari-Maradun

Z

amfara state governor, Abdul Aziz Yari has expressed worry and frustration over the spate of ghost workers in the state civil service.

Yari after receiving the report of the Alhaji Ahmad Zabarma's led Assessment and Rationalization committee with a mandate to fish out ghost workers in the state said in frustration I think I better resign than to continue to work in this kind of situation whereby there is no honesty among the people;

everybody's hearts is full of insincerity and not ready to cooperate in our desire to move our dear state forward."

According to the governor, no responsible government will fold its arms and allow few people to embezzle its funds for nothing despite appeals to them to be honest in the discharge of their duties.

The Zabarma's committee had discovered, among other things, indiscriminate employments that were not in accordance with the laid down rules and regulation of the civil service act.

He explained that out of the total number of 8000 teachers, only 3000 are qualified to teach, and even among them, few of them are also incapable of teaching, particularly in the secondary schools.

The committee submitted that the unhealthy situation was one of the contributing factors placing the state as one of the poorest in terms of education coupled with the poor infrastructure.

The committee, according to Zabarma was constituted to come up with the actual number of civil servants, but indicted the

state's Education Ministry of tconniving with some undesirable elements to siphon government's funds.

He revealed that over N300 million was lost to the ghost workers monthly even as he lamented that such funds could have been used to fund projects that are of benefit to the people.

The committee also submitted that the state remained the poorest in the country in terms of health care delivery disclosing that all the hospitals across the state are populated by quacks and ghost workers.

Anenih embarks on discussion mission with governors

A

former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih, says he has embarked on a mission to discuss the corporate existence of the country with state governors in the SouthSouth geo-political zone.

Anenih spoke on Saturday when he visited Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta

in Asaba, announcing that he would leave for other states for the same mission.

In Asaba, Anenih lauded the governor for landmark projects in the state, including the new Government House.

He said that the Federal Government placed the state in high esteem and thanked the

governor for his contributions to the growth of the PDP. “I am not just here to see a son of course, one of the reasons I am here is to discuss the corporate existence of this country.

“We still have two people we respect; who can say yes in the morning, afternoon and in

the night, Emmanuel is one.

“I believe that after our 15 minutes meeting here, we may have to go to another state,’’ Anenih said.

Uduaghan assured Anenih of the State Government’s support for Federal Government and thanked him for his visit. (NAN)

Former Jigawa governors, others condole with Lamido over death of uncle

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hree former governors of Jigawa: Alhaji Sa’ad BirninKudu, Retired BrigGen. Ibrahim Aliyu and Retired Col. Rasheed Shekoni, have condoled with Gov. Sule Lamido over the death of a prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Suleiman Abubakar.

The former state chief executives paid their

condolence in Bamaina, the hometown of the deceased.

They described the late Sheikh as a great Islamic cleric, who has contributed immensely to the peace and unity of the people of the state.

The ex-governors explained that Suleiman would always be remembered for his contribution to the

development of Islam in Jigawa and the country in general.

Similarly, Lamido also received a delegation from the NTA headquarters Abuja led

by Alhaji Nda Adama who paid him a condolence visit .

The Wazirin Katatagun Sen. Garba Gada,Kano state Grand Khadi, Alhaji Dahiru

Rabiu and special team from Jingir of Plateau and Wukari of Taraba state were also in Bamaina to condole with the governor.

They prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and the family and people of jigawa to have the courage and fortitude to bear the loss.

(NAN)

wo Edo state based journalists have indicated interest in contesting the chairmanship of some local governments in the state in the forthcoming Local Government election billed for 20th of April.

This is as they called in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state to ensure the conduct of a free and fair congress to produce the right candidates for the poll.

A former chairman of Edo state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ralph Okhiria and former General Manager of African Independent Television/ Raypower, Benin City, Isaac Omoaka made the call when they submitted their forms of interest at the state secretariat of the Action Congress of Nigeria.

Omoaka, who wants to be Chairman of Etsako Central local government council said “I expect our party, the ACN to follow its rules and regulations and I trust the leadership of the party to do that which is right; to select the best aspirant as candidates that will move each of the 18 local government areas to the next level. You know development in Nigeria should be grassroot based because I believe that if the grassroot is developed, if what we have in the city centres are replicated in the rural areas, then the problem of over population, the problem of city congestion would have been solved. It is because there are social amenities lacking in the cities that is why you see the rural-urban migration. The purpose of my going for the election is service, my aspiration is service driven. As an agenda setter, being a journalists, if given that opportunity to serve, you don’t expect less from me than to serve and replicate the good thing the state government is doing.”

On his part, Okhiria said he had the capacity to replicate what the state government is doing in his Esan Central council.

“It is my hope that the leaders of ACN would allow fair play so that at the end of the day, the best candidate will emerge. I will look at the issue of water which has been a major problem to Esan people; youth and women empowerment, repair existing and construction of new roads.

The motto of ACN is democracy for justice, I know the ACN leaders will learn from the mistakes of a party that prides itself as the largest party in Africa by not doing what the leaders of that party have been doing. If ACN continues to be a party for all, a party that has been embraced by Edo people, by Nigerians, then the party must at all times enthrone justice so that the people will know that ACN is not like others that have no fairness for their people.”

PAGE 40

Borno ready to partner with DFID for development — Shettima

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ov. Kashim Shettima of Borno said on Sunday that the state government would partner with the British Department of International Development ((DFID) to develop the state.

Shettima made the statement when he received a team of officials from DFID in his office in Maiduguri and added that his administration was determined to harness the full potential of the area to achieve greatness.

He said that the government was willing to collaborate with agencies and other development partners to achieve its aim.

He commended DFID on its numerous achievements in global peace.

“I want to commend the DFID initiative of achieving global peace.

I also want to heartily welcome its planned support toward peace restoration in Borno.

“However, I will like to add that the key to restoration of lasting peace in Borno lies in the hands of the people,” the governor said.

Earlier, Dr Ryan Christ, the leader of the DFID team, had commended the governor for his efforts to restore peace in the state.

He said “I am happy to say that we have followed with keen interest, your efforts in implementing developmental projects in the state.

“We are also happy with your efforts in restoring peace in the state.”

Meanwhile, the Borno Government has expressed its readiness to assist in the take-off of the North-East office of the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) in Maiduguri.

Shettima gave the assurance when he received the NNRA Director-General, Dr Martin Ogharandukum, in Maiduguri.

He requested the agency to submit its requirements to the state government for consideration.

Ogharandukum, who led a delegation of the agency on the visit, had told the governor that the team was at the Government House to intimate him with the operations of the authority.

He said “we have been trying to consolidate our operations in the country by establishing the NorthEast office in Maiduguri.

“Already we have similar offices in other geo-political zones of the country for the smooth operations of the authority.” (NAN)

S

ome lawyers in Lagos have told the Federal Government to enforce the country’s intellectual property law to protect creative outputs of individuals.

The lawyers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, said that the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) should do more in protecting intellectual property rights of citizens.

Copyright law guides and protects the intellectual property works of individuals from being reproduced by others.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012

Reps set to probe govt. MDAs, sponsor autonomy bill for Auditor General

By Lawrence Olaoye

I

ndications have emerged that the House of Representatives has concluded plans to robe all government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

This ic coming as the Green Chamber has equally perfected plans to sponsor a bill seeking to grant full financial autonomy to the office of the Auditor General of the Federation.

According to the Chairman of the House committee on Public Affairs, Hon Solomon Adeola, the essence of the probe is to ascertain the level of compliance of federal institutions to the various Auditor

General’s audit reports.

He said “members of our committee will visit the six geopolitical zones to ascertain their level of compliance. Those who failed to comply would be invited to defend why they failed to comply. We are also aware of the fact that many of these institutions had embarked on white elephant projects. “On the present status of the AuGF’s Office, Adeola said “we will ensure that full autonomy is granted to the office because their present status has made auditors to compromise standards.

This proposed bill will ensure full autonomy to the AuGF’s office without going through the rigours it has been going through in the

past years.”

“Can you imagine that the budget office allocated less than a billion naira for the office to oversee a N4.9trillion budget before we jerked it up. We will also ensure that all auditors are located in one complex rather than the present situation where auditors are attached to MDAs making them to submit doctored reports.

“It would be recalled that in one of its meetings the committee had threatened to deal with the Director General of the Budget Office and the Minister of Finance for allocating a paltry sum to t’he AuGF’s Office late last year.

The committee, in a bid to check paltry allocation to the AuGF

Office, suggested that it was time to sponsor an amendment to the constitution so as to place the AuGF’s office on a first line charge from the federation accounts.

The committee also turned down the allocation of N892.5 million to audit the proposed N4.9 trillion 2013 budget, adding that such poor budgetary allocation would render the operations of the Auditor-General’s office ineffective.

The AuGF, Mr. Samuel Ukura, in the meeting told the committee that his office had sought approval for the allocation of N5.2 billion to audit the 2013 budget, adding that the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office approved only N892.5 million.

L-R: Speaker, House of Reperesentatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, during the Speaker's condolence visit to the governor over the death of his uncle, yesterday in Dutse.

Photo: NAN

Tambuwal in closed door meeting with Lamido From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

S

peaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday held a seventy-two minute meeting with the Jigawa state Governor Alhaji Sule Lamido behind closed door.

Tambuwal who had flown in from Enugu to commiserate with the Jigawa governor over the loss of his uncle had a oneon-one with Lamido.

Although the duo refused to comment on the meeting, there are insinuations that their discussions may not be

far from the state of the nation. It was also rumoured that the two officials may have taken the time to discuss politics ahead of 2015.

Though Tambuwal was accompanied to the Government House by his colleagues in the House from

that state, the lawmakers were not allowed to be part of the discussion.

Asked the kernel of their discussion, Lamido told newsmen “Tambuwal is my son who only came to greet his father and do you have any problem with a son coming to greet his father?”,

FG told to enforce intellectual property law The lawyers called on the NCC to put in place a mechanism for proper enforcement of copyright laws.

A Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs Kemi Ajayi, said that a major aspect of intellectual property constantly abused was the copyright, which had to do with literary and artistic works.

She said that “if a check is not placed on the infringement of intellectual property, there will be a major drawback on creativity and

invention’’.

According to Ajayi, Nigeria, like other developing nations is facing challenges associated with the implementation of copyright laws She said that in developed countries, most intellectual works were internet-based and not largely available for plagiarism.

“In Nigeria, people’s works are replicated without caution by various individuals.’’

She added that the infringement on such rights of

individuals was not properly addressed by the NCC, resulting to flagrant abuse.

Ajayi urged government to ensure adequate protection of intellectual property rights of individuals to foster confidence in creativity.

Another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr George Ogbolu, said that if Nigeria had attained a higher level of technology, cases of copyright infringement would be reduced.

Ogbolu said that a major oncern of

the commission should be in the area of strengthening copyright laws in the country.

He said that protection of intellectual properties would enable the owners to derive maximum benefit from the products of their creativity.

Ogbolu observed that lip-service had continuously been paid to copyright laws in the country.

He said that an appropriate legal framework should be put in place to cushion the wanton infringement on copyright laws. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

Say what?

PAGE 47

Some Interesting Facts UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE FACTS •If you save one penny and double it every successive day, (day two you have 2 pennies and day three you have 4 pennies, and so on), by the end of 30 days you'll have $5,368,708! (or £'s or whatever currency).

•It is not possible to tickle yourself. The cerebellum, a part of the brain, warns the rest of the brain that you are about to tickle yourself. Since your brain knows this, it ignores the resulting sensation.

•The best time for a person to buy shoes is in the afternoon. This is because the foot tends to swell a bit around this time.

•The typical lead pencil can draw a line that is thirty-five miles long.

•Due to precipitation, for a few weeks, K2 is taller than Mt. Everest.

•Astronauts get taller when they are in space.

•There are over one hundred billion galaxies with each galaxy having billions of stars.

•The surface area of the lungs is roughly the same size as a tennis court.

•A dog can hear sounds that are 100 times fainter than the faintest sounds that a person can hear. If a person can just hear a noise that is coming from 10 feet away, a dog could hear that same noise from 100 feet away.

•If a sole (a type of fish) lays upon a chessboard it can change the colouring of its body to match the pattern of the chess board. The sole takes about 4 minutes to make the change.

SUDOKU

•Of all the animals on earth the mosquito has contributed to the deaths of more people than any other animal.

•In the courts of the Roman Empire, instead of swearing an oath on a bible, men swore to the truth on their statements while holding their genitals. Hence the word 'testify', from 'testicles'.

•The first soap powder, produced in 1907, was made with Perborate and Silicate hence its brand name, Persil.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Yesterday’s solution

Brave pack man Werner Freund has a tug of war with a hungry wolf over a chunk of raw meat, at his Source: TheSun.co.uk sanctuary in Merzig, Germany.

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Egypt death sentences spark fatal riots

T

he sentencing of 21 people to death for their role in last year's Port Said Stadium disaster has led to further tragedy after at least 22 people were killed and 250 injured in riots protesting the decision in the Egyptian city.

The football world was left stunned last February when 74 people were killed in violent scenes that saw supporters of Al Masry invade the pitch and attack Al-Ahly fans and players after a league match between the two clubs, causing a stampede and leading to many being crushed to death.

A year on from the incident, Judge Sobhi Abdel-Maguid condemned 21 people to death for their role in the violence - a decision that was broadcast on television and cheered in Cairo by the families of the victims and Al-Ahly supporters. The latest clashes in Port Said have brought further tragedy, with at least 22 people already killed and 250 injured.

Egypt's 2012 football league season was cancelled after last February's disaster, and Saturday's outbreak of violence comes just a week before the 2013 campaign had been scheduled to start behind closed doors.

Another 52 defendants will discover their fate in March, with all death sentences required to be confirmed by Egypt's senior religious authority, the Grand Mufti.

Leeds United dust Tottenham out of FA cup

T

ottenham bowed out of the FA Cup at the fourthround stage as they were beaten at Championship side Leeds United.

Andre Villas-Boas went into the Elland Road clash without a recognised striker and it showed as Spurs, Clint Dempsey's consolation strike aside, repeatedly failed in front of goal.

Spurs could have responded through Dempsey, but he was unable to get the ball out of his feet when put in by Lennon, while Ashdown did well to get down quickly when Tom Huddlestone caught him cold with a snap-shot.

Leeds' two-goal cushion should have been restored when McCormack got away again with 72 minutes gone, but this time he allowed the angle to get too tight and Friedel shut him out.

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE I have said it; they (federal government) don’t like Rivers state...Everything that comes to Rivers state they have taken away. I have said it to the President. — Rivers state Governor Rotimi Amaechi

Scapegoating the achaba After we fry the fat, we see what is left - Yoruba proverb

V

ery few phenomena highlight unique class differentiations and perception in Nigeria more clearly than the ubiquitous commercial motorcyclist. If you can read this piece, chances are that you belong to the privileged group which finds the achaba (or okada) worker an irritating and dangerous nuisance that should be either extremely regulated or banned altogether.

You may have a car or cars, and therefore been spared the harrowing experience of surrendering your life or limbs to a young man in constant hurry to make a living, armed only with contempt for laws, rules, and those privileged to share the road with him in cars. You will be least likely to speak against the widening clampdowns on this mobile threat, even in cities like Kano and Lagos where life for majority of people will be drastically affected by it. You are the elite, and you would rather have an increase in the cost of living, than live with Achaba riders.

If, on the other hand, you are one of millions of Nigerians who make use of this necessary evil, your relative poverty will be much more compounded in areas where the only means of transport you can afford is either banned or severely restricted. You may already have suffered previous injuries or had close shaves with your rider who is impervious to pleas or fear. You have become used to having your heart in your month, and by now live with the numbing uncertainty that no trip on commercial motorcycle is guaranteed to end safely. You are a one of the Nigerians who will be bitter at governments that provide no alternative for the achaba, have failed to regulate it at the point when it was both necessary and possible, and are now reacting in a manner that makes life more difficult for everyone, except the elite. You are the lumpen element, and a victim of a state run by elites. Your life will be more difficult, and you will fight for the achaba rider.

If you are an achaba rider in areas where your lifeline is viewed as the prime source of threat to national security, or in parts of the country where state governments clamp down on you more for political reasons than for purposes of improving public safely or public welfare, you would be made even more desperate. Your life on the margins of legality and safety, hanging on an investment of less than N100,000 (quite possibly made by someone else), is about to change for the worse. If you have been banned altogether, you would have lost your only source of living.

If you have been curfewed, your income is severely slashed, and you

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com are exposed to the predatory tendency of the police and other regulatory agencies when you attempt to stretch the curfew a bit.

The return you make to the owner will be lower; your own income virtually wiped off, and the informal sector of the economy to which you provide a lifeline would have shrunk with your fortunes.

If you are one of the many governors who take decisions to curtail, regulate or ban achaba riders, it is very likely that you would not have found the decision easy to take. If you have advisers with the courage to tell you, you would have heard that achaba is a vital part of the economy which supports large sections of the population, provides essential services to millions as they move around, and that any measure against the service is politically sensitive. You would have heard that night time bans on achaba will virtually wipe out night economies, and young people who live off the service are likely to be pushed into desperation, crimes or become foot soldiers of the insurgency.

It is also likely that security agencies have advised that limiting the operations of achaba will reduce attacks on them; or on other targets.

They may have provided evidence that Achaba riders are used to ferry intelligence and conduct surveillance, and they are difficult to track before, during or after attacks. The evidence may or may not be conclusive on whether partial banning, curfews or outright bans improve security, but as a decision-maker, you need to be seen to be acting in the interest of security. You may also have heard from one or two advisers that banning or regulating Achaba has never worked; is not the source of insecurity; and that the decision cannot be enforced owing to difficulties of enforcement and weaknesses of state regulatory organs.

In nations where public opinion is a vital tool of democratic governance, matters such as banning, regulating or restricting achaba riders will be hotly debated.

Politicians and policy makers will weigh the consequences of decisions very carefully. Studies into the phenomenon of a transport service which fills critical gaps and endangers millions of lives would have been undertaken to support

policies. Major stakeholders, (who are basically the relatively poorer citizens, but by far the largest majority) and the achaba riders, mechanics, operators of the large informal sectors of the economy, security agencies, health managers, youth groups, civil society organizations and community elders would all have had a say in the matter. Studies would have been conducted to establish how and why the motorcycle has become such as vital element in our society and economy; and indices on demographic changes, urbanization and changes in the structures of the national economy would all have been assessed.

Hearings may have been held by legislators, where experts and advocates would have testified on what the achaba represents.

But we are not one of such countries. achaba riders and related stakeholders are only useful around election times. We are the type of countries which are perennially on the defensive, and our decisionmaking is almost always aimed at dealing retroactively with problems that have become intractable. So Lagos State government comes down heavily on achaba ostensibly as part of its social and environmental sanitizing campaign, but in reality as a measure to create the false image of a state which has moved beyond the need for the motorcycle taxi.

Governor Fashola will not be happy to hear the complaint that his decision will be that much more difficult to implement if the majority of the achaba (okada) riders in Lagos come from his state; or that the service will resurface sooner than later, because it is needdriven.

Now Kano State government orders suspension of the service in Kano city and environs until they go through a registration exercise, a few days after the Emir of Kano survived a day-light assassination attempt. It admits it acted on recommendations by security agents. Perhaps the security agents told the Kano State government something new or specifically related to the attempted assassination of the Emir that made achaba riders suspect, but it would have been useful to learn lessons from attempts to ban or restrict

motorcycles in Borno, Yobe, Plateau and one or two places, and the impact of those decisions on levels of insecurity and poverty.

In plain terms, the tendency to clamp down on achaba riders is related to the practice of using motorcycles to assassinate people, attack security agents or escape.

Motorcycles are easy to maneuver, difficult to identify and control and they raise little suspicion. The problem is that there are, in any one city, hundreds of thousands of motorcycles, and only a few of them are used by insurgents or assassins. The rest are used by honest young men to earn lawful living. Even in areas where night time bans on motorcycles have been placed, attacks have not ceased. Nor is it evident that even total bans on motorcycles will obliterate the threats of the insurgency.

Achaba riders are being scapegoated by governments which are desperate to find solutions. They represent the most vulnerable members of society, the group that insists on a slice of the cake even if they have no political clout and live on the margins of poverty and legality. Majority of them should be in schools, technical colleges, working in trades or engaged in agricultural production, but these are not available. If the economy expands fast enough to provide taxis and buses for the public, achaba will not exist. If the Nigerian state had accorded due recognition to providing quality education, skills acquisition and expansion of opportunities in agriculture, the army of unemployed who ride achaba with such reckless gusto and fill massive gaps in the economy will hardly exist.

Kano State's decision to register achaba may be a ploy to limit their operations in Kano. No one needs to tell Governor Kwankwaso that he may have to revisit the decision in the very near future. Kano state economy is already severely affected by the insurgency. The host of further restrictions and other social problems which the restrictions will impose will make life more difficult. Even the security situation in Kano could get worse. The alarming failure of security which was exposed in the attempted assassination of the Emir of Kano will take more than tinkering with the operations of achaba to fix. Kano state is chasing shadows. There is a real problem in dealing with insecurity in a large, densely-populated city like Kano, but scapegoating the poor is not the solution. Nonetheless, achaba riders in Kano should cooperate with Kano State Government, so that those involved in legitimate search for livelihood can resume. They are, after all, as much victims of the insecurity as any Kano citizen.

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