Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday, May 29, 2012

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 8 No. 47

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

. . . putting the people first

Rajab 8, 1433 AH

N150

FR ONT P AGE COMMENT FRONT PA

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A democracy without its dividends

oday is Democracy Day, and marks the thirteenth anniversary of the change-over from military to civilian rule on May 29, 1999.

Nigerians had good cause to jubilate and celebrate this day in 1999, having endured almost 13 years of military rule, with all its impunities, contempt for the people, ineptitude, oppressive conduct and locust behaviour.

Hopes were high on that day that the change would usher in a new era of opportunities for the people, that the politicians had learnt their lessons and would now conduct themselves and the country’s affairs with more commitment and better vision and foresight, and that the Nigerian people would see such marked improvement in their lives and living standards that would empower and enable

them to participate more meaningfully and effectively in the political process.

Thirteen years after, today, the promises held out to the people have remained unfulfilled, the people’s high hopes and expectations dashed. And all this, in spite of the unprecedentedly huge increases in the revenues that have accrued to the Nigerian state in this period.

DEMOCRACY DAY

Jonathan is our headache, says Tambuwal

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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ouse of Representatives Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday openly chastised the executive for not respecting the principle of separation of powers because of the failure of the President to assent to bills passed by the National Assembly.

On his part, President Jonathan said separation of powers between the executive and the legislature is not like a wall separating two parties.

Sharing a platform provided by the 2012 Democracy Day National Symposium that took place in the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, the two gave their separate perspectives on power separation and party supremacy.

The President told the Speaker that as people elected under the same political party, they must work in line with the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which they used to campaign for election.

However, speaking on the topic Contd on Page 2

Contd on Page 16

Gunmen kill 4 in Adamawa

>> PAGE 3

Niger condemns defence of man with 86 wives >> PAGE 6

Army courtmartials 14 soldiers in Jos >> PAGE 10

NUPENG to begin solidarity strike with sacked doctors

L-R: Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CNB), Mr. Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor, Monetary Policy of CBN, Dr. Sarah Alade, and CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, during a meeting with Senate Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, on CBN (Amendment) Bill, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: MAHMUD ISA

>> PAGE 24

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

CONTENTS News Editorial

2-11 16

North’s under-development: Stop blaming its govs, says Shekarau From Ajagu Madugba, Kaduna

Op.Ed

17

Letters

18

Opinion

19

Metro

22-23

Business

24-27

S/Exchange

30

Agric

31-32

Newsxtra

33-34

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former governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said there is no basis for comparison between levels of development in the northern part of the country and those in the South.

According to him, it is unfair to condemn governors from the north for the region’s underdevelopment.

“States in the south receive huge amounts of money while the north gets peanuts, so people are

International 38-41 Strange World 42 Digest

43

Politics

46-49

Sports

51-55

Columnist

56

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gathered some information on how to establish independent electric power.

“We found one big company from South Korea that was ready to give us 450 megawatts.

“What strengthened (our resolve) was the Federal Government under Obasanjo that had given that company a contract to install gas pipelines that would come through Kano from Katsina.

“But unfortunately, the Federal Government revoked that contract with the South Korean

company.

“We were able to get another company from China which agreed to give 85 percent and we would give 15 percent and the talks progressed. But in searching for that 15 per cent, we were looking for at least N300 million.

“We approached several banks but it was difficult to get any facility, bureaucratic bottlenecks and other shoddy deals made it difficult.

“I do not know if there is any state from the north that can release N300 million at a go.”

President, ministers, decline to say ‘amen’ to prayer against corruption at church service — Premium Times

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Why North won’t advocate Nigeria’s break-up, says Amb.Shuni, Page 48

not fair to the northern governors,” Shekarau told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitored yesterday in Kaduna.

Using electric power development in the north as an example, Shekarau said the northern states could not afford the cost of generating independent electric power.

As he put it, “before we came in, between 1999 to 2003, we had already started thinking along this line and we constituted a committee and

resident Goodluck Jonathan, governors, ministers and top government officials on Sunday failed to demonstrate a public commitment to the fight against corruption.

At the interdenominational church service held at the Ecumenical Centre, Abuja, to commemorate the 2012 National Democracy Day, the guest preacher and immediate past Prelate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Most Reverend Peter Akinola, in a sermon, challenged the congregation to join him in the fight against corruption in the country by committing perpetrators to God. But the congregation,

including the President, accompanied by his wife, Patience, the Governor of Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson and Kaduna, Patrick Yakowa, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dameshi Luka, as well as some ministers failed to respond to prayers to take corrupt officials “to the court of God.” Apparently, expecting to hear a thunderous YES or AMEN from the congregation, the Reverend, who instead got a deafening silence, exclaimed: “There you go!

Oh, corruption! So, you are not ready to fight it, because you are all beneficiaries of it. Whether you steal in a small or big way, stealing is stealing."

The clergyman shot angrily at Mr. Jonathan and his

delegation, “See, it is very clear.

You are not interested in fighting corruption. If you do, let us take our case to the court of God, if you dare. Who is deceiving who? You are only deceiving yourselves, not God. And you who is stealing government funds, subjecting the poor to untold hardship; you who steal oil subsidy money, making Nigerians pay for fuel through their noses; you who steal funds meant for improving our power supply, deliberately making Nigerians live a life in utter darkness, will you repent today? I doubt it!"

“This hydra headed monster (of corruption) has literarily taken over the soul and eaten up the fabric of Nigeria,” Reverend Akinola said.

“Officials steal our public funds openly by the pen, while others steal by the power of the gun.

Successive governments have declared half-hearted war against corruption to no avail. We know only too well that the fight against corruption is largely selective directed at those opposing the government, with no strong political connection.

“Many of those fighting it (corruption) in police and Judiciary have no clean hands.

When any National Assembly Committee or any government agency is inviting anybody for questioning it is because those being investigated have not yet given the agency inviting it their due share of the booty.”

Jonathan is our headache, says Tambuwal Contd from Page 1 “Our Democracy: Progress and Challenges”, Speaker Tambuwal had noted that he was disturbed that the executive had shied away from its responsibility by not signing bills passed by the legislature.

Enumerating the challenges facing the legislature, Tambuwal had said: “Another challenge is the issue of assent to bills passed by the National Assembly.

“Just as it is the constitutional duty of the legislature to pass laws, it is equally the constitutional responsibility of Mr. President to assent to the same.

“It is, however, disturbing to note that the executive has shied away from this responsibility by not assenting to bills passed by the National Assembly.

“This makes the legislative process cumbersome because some of these bills have to be introduced afresh.

“This is not healthy for executive/legislature relationship neither does it portray our democracy in a good light in the comity of nations.”

Responding to the Speaker’s comments, President Jonathan, who addressed the issue of the workability of the principle of separation of powers, said that while it is possible to completely separate the judiciary, the executive and the legislature must

work together in the interest of the people.

On the charge that the Presidency is sitting on bills passed by the National Assembly, Jonathan replied: “The Speaker made reference to bills, for example.

“We all belong to political parties but the judiciary does not belong to any party.

“Every political party has a manifesto and those who contest elections to hold any office, whether in the executive arm of government as president, vicepresident, governor or those who contest election to be in the legislative arm of government either as a legislator or councillor, are supposed to campaign based on their parties’ manifestoes and that is why individual governors don’t have their separate manifestoes.

“Every member of PDP, for example, is supposed to key into the PDP manifesto. So, when we are elected into office, both arms of government are supposed to work together to make sure that the party’s manifesto guides our actions. If that is true, how do we separate them?

“If it is the policy of PDP to carry out a programme in agriculture, it is the executive that would come up with the programme. My thinking is that the legislators who are members of PDP are supposed to support that programme because we are there, because we

contested election on the platform of a particular political party, the PDP. “But in Nigeria, sometimes, you see anomalies. Sometimes, people play up separation.”

President Jonathan, who revealed that he was angry when he came into the State House Banquet Hall to find out that officials of the different arms of government had been made to sit separately, regretted the playing up of divisions among the arms of government.

He explained that for democracy to be meaningful to this country and for it not to have conflict but render good services, there must be a good budget.

However, he said it would be difficult for government to plan if the National Assembly distorts the budget sent to it by the executive.

“If you send your budget to NASS and they tear it to pieces and package what they like for you, you start planning and managing the economy. We have challenges every year,” he said.

He added: “Budgets are not created from the moon. It is based on projections, commitments and funding and what you see sometimes could be disturbing.

“This has been a major conflict between NASS and the executive.

The Speaker mentioned it, that is why I am raising it. These are little things that need to be sorted out if both arms of government must

work together.”

The President regretted that contrary to what obtains in developed democracies where it is news for a lawmaker to publicly vote against the executive, it is news in Nigeria when a lawmaker supports the President.

“I believe if the parliamentarians and those in the executive maintain that theoretical separation of powers as if there is a wall separating the executive from the legislature, then this country will continue to have problems,” he said.

He, therefore, stressed the need for both parliament and executive to work together “for us to succeed, for Nigerians to get the dividends of democracy, for us to even have good governance.”

On campaigning for 2015 elections, the President warned that elected officials should be allowed to do their jobs since they are just one year into their tenure of four years.

The President also addressed the issue of rule of law and the expectations of Nigerians for him to take swift actions.

Noting that judgement debts against the federal government has reached N185 billion, he reiterated that he could not behave like a dictator but would like to carefully consider his actions before taking them in order for him not to run foul of the law.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 3

Nyako bans motorcycles as unknown gunmen kill 4 in Adamawa A From Blessing Tunoh, Yola

damawa state government yesterday announced an indefinite ban on the use of both commercial and private motorcycles in the state.

In a statement signed by Secretary to the state government, Mr. Kobis Ari Thimnu, the ban became necessary following the recent style of attack on residents by unknown gunmen who usually

come on motorbikes.

Thimnu announced the ban shortly after three traders were shot dead alongside several others currently receiving treatment from various degrees of bullet wounds at the Yola specialist hospital.

Peoples Daily learnt that the deceased were shot after successfully staging a peaceful rally in protest against the killing of an Igbo trader Sunday night. Igbos in the state protested by refusing to open up their

shops in mourning and solidarity.

An eyewitness told this reporter that four men suddenly stormed Mubi roundabout in the state capital where some of the traders stood in a group discussing after the rally, and opened fire on them killing three and injuring several others.

PPRO of the state Police command Nemuel Yoila would not pick his calls but the leader of Igbos in the state Igwe Solomon Ebis confirmed the incident.

NUT says ASSUS is fraudulent

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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he Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has described as a fraud to civilized existence, the recent claim by the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), that it dissociated itself from NUT because its interests are not protected.

Addressing journalist in Abuja,

the President of the Union, Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya, said that ASUSS has been denied registration by the Registrar of Trade Union for being parallel with the NUT, hinting that the refusal was gazetted by the federal government.

Comrade Olukoya further stated that while the group was still striving to survive, it also approached the Trade Union

Congress (TUC), pleading to be carried along as an affiliate body, but was rather queried on its legality by the Registrar of the TUC. He pointed out that ASUSS would suffer similar fate, since Section 3(2) and 5(2) of Trade Union Act forbids registration of any union where one exists to cater for the interest similar association seeks to cater for.

Cassava production: Farmers threaten to cripple legislators

By Mohammed Kandi

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igerian farmers yesterday threatened a showdown if members of the National Assembly refused to approve the 10-40 percent inclusion of cassava products into cassava confectionaries that are produced in the country after 21 days.

The farmers, who gave a 21day ultimatum during a peaceful protest yesterday in Abuja, matched to the National Assembly premises carrying placards with several inscriptions against the alleged attempt by some members to scuttle the proposal by farmers asking them to vote at least 15 percent of the budget to finance agriculture in Nigeria.

A member of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, Chief James Awoniyi, said farmers were ready to confront the legislators if they failed to endorse the proposal, adding that, cassava production was the only area where the country had been scored

high by the international community.

Awoniyi, who lamented that many Nigerians were misinformed about cassava bread, however, noted that 10-40 percent inclusion of the product in wheat for bread-making was not harmful to health as speculated.

Processor at the BOLFEM Corporate Services Nigeria Limited, Pastor Soladoye Timothy, said full-wheat bread was not health friendly because it contains gluten, adding that, “consumption of too much of gluten can affect the heart but, cassava is gluten-free and is better for the people.”

Pastor Timothy appealed to the Federal Government to ban the importation of wheat or impose 1000 percent tariff so as to encourage local production of the product in the country.

On their part, the Nigerian Cassava Processors and Marketers Association (NICAPMA) described the legislators’ action as “anti people”, saying that cassava production was the mainstay of the country’s economy.

Mark, Ekweremadu salute Nigerians

By Richard Ihediwa and Lawrence Olaoye

A

s the nation marks Democracy Day today, Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, have called on Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process, saying that is the only way to strengthen the institutions that will ensure good governance and faster development.

A statement on b ehalf of the two by Mark’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh yesterday, said it was by design that Nigeria chose democracy as the best form of government suited for its pluralistic society, adding that Nigerians owe it a sacred duty to nurture and sustain the democratic institutions.

They said democracy is participatory and representative enough to carter for all interests where no one would be marginalized or oppressed. He noted that democracy should not be seen or perceived as those in government versus those outside government, saying “we must all keep faith”.

Also, Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has said democracy remains the only option to resolve the challenges facing the country.

He said while Nigerians have endorsed democracy as a system of

We’ve stabilized democracy- House Leader Deliver on your election promises, Atiku charges politicians government, it is more expedient to accept democracy as a medium of expression.

He said, “Our democracy has matured and deepened. This is the longest uninterrupted episode of our democracy. We have moved from a transition of one term of a president to another term; and from one president to another president. Then one successful succession when even a president died in office.

“Our challenges - economic, social, political and security notwithstanding, democracy still offers us a veritable opportunity to negotiate, discuss and resolve these challenges; and the terms of our federalism to guarantee a stronger, more united, prosperous and secured Nigeria, based on equity, equality, secularity, justice and a rectitude in the public sphere.”

Equally commenting on the achievements made by the House of Representatives as the nation commemorates Democracy Day, the Majority Leader, Rep. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, yesterday said the Seventh Assembly has succeeded in stabilizing the nation’s democracy by providing an effective legislative platform for it

to thrive.

Akande-Adeola who spoke through her media aide, Mr. Abiodun Fadeyi, said the House is in tandem with its legislative agenda has ensured that motions and bills meant to make life more meaningful and comfortable for the people are passed.

According to her, “The House of Representatives has lived up to expectations by ensuring that government agencies are made to be responsive through routine oversights; we have also been able to bring government closer to the people by making sure that they are well represented in the parliament.”

She added that the seventh Assembly led by Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has ensured the exposure of corruption and corrupt tendencies and succeeded in engendering lost public confidence in the parliament.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in his message to Nigerians on the Democracy Day said despite the challenges facing Nigeria’s current democratic order, the citizens should not lose faith in the system of government.

In a message released by his

media office in Abuja, Atiku noted that, while it is natural for disappointed expectations to lead to despair, Nigerians should not give up because democracy remains the best form of government, despite its limitations from one society to another.

While commending the sacrifices of the ordinary Nigerians who had to endure lengthy hours at the polling units to cast their votes, the former Vice President also reminded elected office holders that “democracy should not begin and end at the polling booths.”

He maintained that the tendency of leaders forgetting their oath of office or their covenant with the people can lead to disillusionment, a situation, which should not be allowed to dampen popular morale about democracy.

According to him, election is an event but governance is a process, noting that the behavior and attitudes of elective leaders while discharging their mandate would invariably affect public perception of power.

The former Vice President also argued that Nigerians didn’t come out to vote for the sake of it. “They voted because of the belief that the

democratic process can transform their lives for the better.”

Mohammed Soba, Chairman, Kaduna state Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said there was nothing to celebrate because the nation has yet to experience democracy.

According to him, “Nigeria is a funny country that practices only a unique brand of governance that you can neither call democracy nor military dictatorship. It is a combination only known to our Nigerian politicians. You cannot run a democracy without giving the people the right to make their choice. As the Constitution says that sovereignty belongs to the people through which those elected derive their powers. Without the sovereignty belonging to the people, it means that the kind of what we are practicing can be called everything but not democracy.

“There is no cause to celebrate anything because Nigeria is not yet a democracy and we should stop deceiving ourselves that we are running a democratic government. Democracy is not about civilian rulers. It is about the right of the people to elect their representatives,” Soba asserted.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Salami: Tinubu is just looking for lost relevance – PDP

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the 'restlessness' in the camp of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the issue of the reinstatement of the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami as 'a confirmation of veiled vested interest.'

In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said that: "The desperation of the Action Congress of Nigeria which peaked today with an unreflecting statement from its leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu amounts to a frontal attack on both the President and our great Party and is further

confirmation that ACN has a different agenda in the Justice Salami saga than its touted role as an evangelist of the rule of law." It continued: "For Tinubu to describe as a coup on the rule of law, the engagement of due process in the resolution of Justice Salami's re-instatement, sketches a graphic effigy of a hypocrite in a desperate agenda to re-shape facts."

"This level of desperation raises a gigantic question mark on the sincerity of the ACN and the integrity of its leadership especially in the background of insinuations that four states were delivered to the Party via judgments that were 'more political than legal' to use

Tinubu's very words.

We therefore insist that it is high time Tinubu told Nigerians his political relationship with Justice Salami that has driven him and his party to cry more than the bereaved."

"The Salami case," insisted PDP "is purely a legal issue which Tinubu is least qualified to delve into." Metuh said, "Justice Salami can only be reinstated when all pending cases relevant to the matter are fully resolved, and therefore we expect a measure of decorum from all parties, except for those bent on attacking the President to score cheap political goals or politicizing the issue in order to demonize the ruling party".

Tambuwal commissions busses, projectors to aid NOA’s campaign

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam, Umar Mohammed, Mohammed Kandi

I

n his bid to extend the "do the right thing campaign," of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to all parts of the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday commissioned vehicles and projectors that will facilitate operations at various local government offices of the NOA in the country.

Speaking during the commissioning, Tambuwal challenged the NOA on the current security challenges facing the country, saying, "there is the need to ensure that members of the public are properly sensitized and enlightened on safety measures."

In his remarks, the DirectorGeneral of the Agency, Mike Omeri, said the newly commissioned vehicles would help the local government areas and the rural communities get the message of reorientation across to all Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on MDGs, Precious Kalamba Ggbeneol, expressed her organisation's readiness to assist the NOA in decision-making towards national development.

She also assure that the MDGs office would partner with the NOA in enhancing and coordinating the implementation of various interventions as well as establish effective communication channels and working relations with the local populations, development actors, and technical and financial partners.

SEC probe: Court decides Hembe’s fate July 2

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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L-R: Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omere, Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Senior Special Adviser to the President, on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr. Precious Gbeneol, during the commissioning of the buses and flag-off of the distribution of projectors to NOA local government offices, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

n Abuja High court yesterday, fixed July 2, 2012 to rule on two separate applications brought before it by the suspended chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market, Hon. Herman Hembe and his deputy, Azubuogu Ifeanyi.

While Hembe is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the two-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), his Deputy and 2nd accused person is faulting the leave granted the anti-graft agency to prefer the charge against him.

When the matter came up yesterday, Hembe's counsel, Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) told the court sitting before Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar that he filed a preliminary objection on May 21, urging the court to quash the two-count charge

Stop blaming northern governors for under development- Shekarau From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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ormer governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau has argued that there is no basis for comparison between the levels of development in the northern and southern parts of the country.

"States in the south receive

huge amount of money while the north gets peanuts, so, people are not fair to the northern governors," Shekarau told the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) monitored in Kaduna yesterday.

"Before we came in, between 1999 and 2003, we had already started thinking along this line

and we constituted a committee and gathered some information on how to establish independent electric power.

"We found one big company from South Korea that was ready to give us 450 megawatts. What strengthened that was the Federal Government under Obasanjo had given that company a

NUJ polls: Mark congratulates Garba

By Richard Ihediwa

P

resident of the Senate, Senator David Mark has congratulated president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Malam Mohammed Garba on his re-election at last Saturday's bi-annual national conference of

the union.

Mark in a congratulatory message to Garba and his executive members urged them to uphold the sanctity of fairness, objectivity and truth in the discharge of his duties.

He stated: "I earnestly congratulate you and your executive members on your

election. Your victory I dare say was a reflection of the wishes of the majority of your colleagues.

"I enjoin other contestants in the election to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship and come together for the prosperity of your noble profession," the Senate President said.

contract to install gas pipelines that would come through Kano from Katsina.

"But unfortunately, the Federal Government revoked that contract with the South Korean company.

"We were able to get another company from China which agreed to give 85 per cent and they would we will give15 per cent and the talks progressed.

But in searching for that 15 percent, we were looking for at least N300 million.

"We approached several banks but it was difficult to get, bureaucratic bottlenecks and other shoddy deals made it difficult.

"I do not think if there is any state from the north that can release N300 million at a go," he said.

on the ground that the court lacked the inherent jurisdiction to try his client, more so that the subject matter of the suit, according to him, is still being investigated by the House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

Okutepa further submitted that, the counter-affidavit, which contains "extraneous facts and purports to make the EFCC a respondent in the suit", is contrary to the Evidence Act, adding that "there is contrivance and falsity of information."

Accordingly, he asked the court to quash the charge against Hembe pointing out that, "The prosecution is nothing but persecution and a waste of Nigeria's public money. By virtue of Section 89 of the 1999 constitution, it is the National Assembly that has the jurisdiction to investigate this matter."

In aligning with Okutepa, Counsel to the 2nd accused person, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) argued that, since the report of the House' Ethics committee is yet to be released, it will not be in the interest of justice to try the accused person, just as he argued that "the court must rely on an investigative report before trial".

In Ikpeazu's submission, "There is a case of inadequacy of documents and so there is no case for the 2nd accused person to answer to, especially as he sought to return the money through the Clerk of the House, only for the Director-General of SEC to ask him to keep the money, since there will be another conference."

In citing Section 167 (b) of the Evidence Act, Ikpeazu contended that, "the prosecution is bound to produce all criminal documents to the court to warrant trial and the absence of the DG of SEC in this case exposes the complicity in it."

In his objection, however, EFCC'scounsel, Ojeffu Ibe prayed the court to dismiss the two applications and further urged the court to determine whether the purpose for which the estacode was given was used.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 7

Kogi: Officers, others held over bunhering From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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ogi state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina has arrested some police officers suspected to be among miscreants promoting oil bunkering business in the state.

The arrest followed complaints from soldiers, SSS, and National Security and Civil Defence Corps, that the police were giving out information to criminals.

A police sergeant (name withheld), who was alleged to have been in the business of bunkering with his civilian accomplices, was caught and detained with several others who were alleged to be involved in the crime.

The police sergeant, sources said, had fleets of cars in his garage in Lokoja and his home town residence, which drew the attention of the CP to his movement and life style in the command.

It was learnt in Lokoja that most oil bunkerers in Itobe, Ajaokuta and Oworo in Kogi state were alleged to have their accomplices in the police force who gives them security cover for a fee; which led to the intelligence unit of CP to trap them.

Kogi expends N180 million on FADAMA III From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he Kogi state Coordinator of FADAMA, Paul Ogunmola, has stated that N180m has so far been expended on FADAMA111 project across the state.

The state coordinator, who disclosed this during zonal inspection of FADAMA projects in the Adavi, Okene and Okehi in central senatorial district of the state, said for the project to be sustained, each group of the FADAMA Community Association (FCA) should have equity fund meant for saving 10 percent of their total recovery rate from the projects.

He added that henceforth, the beneficiaries would have regular monthly meeting where they will be contributing some amount for the projects.

Ogunmola said that FADAMA would not relent in its effort to continue reminding the beneficiaries of the importance of handling the projects with all the seriousness it deserve.

In his remarks, the FADAMA Zonal Coordinator in North Central, Musa Dalang, urged the states to ensure proper implementation and growth of FADAMA projects, stressing that the beneficiaries in the local governments inspected have efficiently utilized its projects fund.

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Peoples Media Limited, Malam Ali M. Ali, with Senior Programme Officer, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr. Kolawole Banwo , during CISLAC members' visit to the media house, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

N47.1 billion theft: Akingbola has case to answer – EFCC From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday told Justice Habeeb Abiru, of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, that sacked Managing Director of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, (Now Access Bank), Erastus and his aide, Bayo Dada, has a case to answer in the alleged N47.1 billion theft case made against them by the agency.

This was sequel to a no case From Salisu Zakari, Sokoto

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he Sultan of Sokoto, and President, National Council of Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar III, has called on political leaders at all levels to exhibit the fear of God in everything they do as they will be asked in the hereafter to give an account their stewardship on earth.

They should also consider everyone as their own irrespective of tribal, political or religious differences so that peace will continue to reign among the people.

Alhaji Sa’adu made the call over the weekend in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara state, on the occasion of the commissioning of the permanent site of the state’s Zakkat and endowment board.

He explained that at a crucial time like this, Nigeria needs nothing but peace, without which, according to him, the country cannot move forward.

The Sultan, accompanied by the Emir of Maradun, Alhaji Garba Muh’d Tambari, stated that the religion of Islam teaches nothing but peace, love, and understanding.

He said that it was time for all

submission filed by Akingbola’s lawyer, Deji Sasegbon (SAN).

At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, Sasegbon (SAN) informed the court that though they just served the prosecution, he has a no case application before the court and subject to the court’s convenience; he is ready to move it.

The embattled bank chief in his no case submission is asking for an order discharging him of the charges and such other orders as the court may deem fit.

Sasegbon also asked why a company named Chartwell which was involved in the transactions was not brought for trial while also seeking to determine the definition of stealing, citing Section 383 (2) (f) which deals with money and fraudulent conversion.

He argued that a case of theft has not been proved against the defendants as ”The defendants cannot be accused of stealing the bank’s money.

“Some of the transactions are

Sultans asks leaders to be accountable Nigerians to pray for their leaders to find a lasting solution to the country’s current security challenges.

“I also urge you not to relent in telling the leaders the naked truth”, he said.

“Correct us where we go wrong so that we can make amends, and this is the only way you can help us to govern well for the good of all.”

He asked the wealthy ones in

the society to assist others, particularly the less privileged so that they can have a sense of belonging, saying, “You should also try as much as you can to enlighten your neighbours, friends, and relatives on the importance of peace.

“Peace should be maintained among us; it is the most vital instrument for development all over the world”.

Lamido sacks commissioner From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

J

igawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has sacked one of his commissioners in the state, Mukhtari Muhammad Birniwa, for undisclosed reasons.

The decision though not clear may not be far from the commissioner’s role in hosting party officials in his area during the visit of Katsina state governor, Ibrahim Shehu Shema recently.

According to a statement signed by the Director of Press to the governor, Umar Kyari, the sack was with immediate effect, while the Commissioner for Lands, Barde Mohammed, has

been directed to oversee the ministry.

Until his sack, Mukhtari Muhammad served three times as commissioner under the former Jigawa state governor, Ibrahim Saminu Turaki.

He also served as commissioner with various ministries that included: Information, Youths, Sport and Culture, Commerce, Agriculture and Environment under the Lamido administration.

A former classroom teacher, Birniwa was made commissioner of Health, then commissioner for Gum Arabic under Turaki administration.

based on loan and the common denominator in loan is that money will be returned.

“If there is intention to return money, then they cannot be charged with theft,” Sasegbon said.

But EFCC counsel, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), who had first kicked against the defence arguing its no case submission on the ground that they had earlier told the court that they have no intention of moving a no case submission and are ready to open defence.

“This is why the series of dates were given for defence to call their several witnesses which they stated are eight in number.

“The stage to apply to the court to the effect that a no case submission will be made is treated in Section 239 of the Administration of Criminal justice Law 2011 and it indicates that it is at the close of evidence in support of the charge and not when date is fixed for trial.

“I urge the court to rule that it is a mere ploy to waste court’s time and delay the determination of the case,” Ukala concluded.

Justice Abiru though confirmed that the timing of the defence is wrong but in the interest of justice, allowed the no case submission to be moved.

Ukala stated that the defendants have not done much to reasonably discredit the testimonies of the witnesses brought by the anti graft commission, adding that they have established a case of stealing by conversion against Akingbola.

“I urge the court to discountenance the submissions and hold that in the circumstance, prosecution had led a prima facie case in all the counts pending before your lordship.

“I urge the court to call upon them to open their case and call their witnesses.

Justice Abiru however adjourned the matter till Wednesday May 30, 2012 for ruling.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Speaker commends Kano airport renovation project

By Muhammad Sada

T

he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has expressed his delight and satisfaction with the state of the ongoing renovation work at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

The commendation was given by the Speaker at the weekend after an inspection of the airport.

The Kano International Airport is part of the airports in the country being upgraded to meet up with internationally acceptable standards and requirements.

According to the Speaker,

“When the renovation is completed, activities at the airport will receive boost, and I urge the people of Kano and its environs to make maximum use of it.” He also expressed happiness with the level of work carried out by the contractor and urged the supervising agency not to compromise standards so as to avoid any hitch in the implementation of the project.

While conducting the Speaker round the airport, the northern regional general manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Ali Nock assured that the agreed completion date would be effectively met.

Oil coys are insincere in fight against bunkering, says Army

Scene of Sunday's explosion near the Customs bridge, Maiduguri, in which two cars were damaged but no life was lost.

Photo: NAN

Abuja to become world class city through infrastructural development – FCT Minister

By Morufat Ojulari

T

he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has unveiled his plan to make Abuja a world class city during his administration.

Senator Bala disclosed this in an interactive session with the media executives while speaking on his attainments in office in the last 12 months especially in line with Transformation Agenda.

He said his administration

intends to model Abuja into a mega city through massive infrastructural development with Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and satellite town development among others.

The minister who recounted his achievements in the last 12 months in office stressed that his administration has attracted direct foreign investment culminating into more than N500 billion for the funding of the 37 storey World Trade Centre in the city.

He hinted that the Mandate

Secretariat in his administration had been mandated to deliver 159 major projects including the provision of 5,000 affordable housing units, wild life development project through establishment of game reserves among others come 2015.

“My dream is to sink deeply into the ground, seeds of development that would germinate and ultimately lead to a city which runs efficiently on sustainable structures,” he said.

B

rig.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Commander of the 2nd Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has accused multinational oil companies in Nigeria of insincerity in the fight against oil theft.

The commander made the accusation at a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday.

“The major stakeholders in the oil industry are not quite sincere in their approach towards fighting oil theft in the Niger Delta.

“If all the oil companies and indeed the NNPC will cooperate and work together, I want to assure you that we will completely stamp out oil theft in the Niger Delta.’’

Describing oil theft as a major national issue, Buratai said a lot would be achieved if

the oil companies cooperated in the fight against oil theft in the country.

He said the situation had enabled oil thieves to deal the economy of the country “a blow”.

Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of the command, Lt.-Col. Sunny Samuel, had listed some achievements of the JTF in Rivers and Bayelsa in the month of May. He said the task force arrested 131 suspected oil thieves after carrying out a total of 28 raids in addition to the arrest of 121 trucks, destruction of 96 illegal refineries and seizure of 2,020 drums of adulterated petrol.

The army spokesman also said the JTF destroyed three marine vessels, one tug boat and seven giant badges. (NAN)

Army courtmartial’s 14 STF soldiers in Jos

T

he Nigerian Army yesterday began the c o u r t - m a r t i a l of 14 soldiers serving in Special Task Forces in Maiduguri, Jos and Bauchi for alleged misconduct.

The accused included two Colonels, a Master Warrant Officer, seven Lance Corporals and four Privates.

The GOC, 3 Armoured Division, Maj. Gen Jack Nwaogbo, while inaugurating the court at the 3 Armoured Division Jos, said the trial was to determine the culpability of the accused in the charges brought

against them.

“Court-martial is one of the procedures in the Armed forces to right some of the perceived wrongdoings by either officers or soldiers who may have erred or allegedly erred in the course of performing their duties.

“This court-martial is meant to try alleged offences committed by officers and soldiers serving in 3 Armoured Division, the Special Task Forces in Plateau and Bauchi, and the Joint Special Task Force in Maiduguri.”

Nwaogbo explained that the

3 Division was the only location in the North authorised to set up such court to try erring personnel.

The GOC urged members of the public to always report cases of abuses and misconduct by military personnel, pointing out that such reports would help the authorities enforce discipline and the rights of victims.

“For now, all of them (accused) are presumed innocent until proven otherwise by the court; it is not my duty to pronounce any one of them guilty for now.

Lakemfa not dropped, says NLC boss

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, yesterday, refuted the controversy that the acting general secretary of the NLC, Comrade Owei Lakemfa has been dropped, clarifying that he went for the ILO conference in Geneva and will be back in midJune.

This was disclosed to our reporter by the NLC boss through

a text message which reads: “Owei Lakemfa is one of those going to Geneva for ILO conference and would be back by mid June. It’s natural that someone acts for the GS in his absence,” the statement said.

Peoples Daily learnt on Sunday that Lakemfa had been replaced

by Chris Uyot who is expected to serve as acting secretary general pending further instructions.

It was also learnt from sources that a decision may have been reached to rotate the post of

secretary general, but the modality for that remains unclear, and that Lakemfa may have run into trouble over a recent statement he issued which some insiders said “went beyond his brief.”He is being accused of taking on some new labour centre in a manner considered inappropriate.

Lakemfa became acting secretary general on the heels of the controversial sacking of John Odah as secretary general. Odah is in court seeking redress.

Nwaogbo charged the defence counsels to look into the charges preferred against their clients to ensure that justice was done, while also urging the prosecuting counsels to cooperate with the court.

Earlier, Lt. Col. Stephen Andow, General Staff Officer, 3 Division, explained that the

offences leveled against the accused were beyond the powers of their various commanders.

The President of the six-man Court, Brig Gen Adamoh Salihu, pledged to be fair and just in the discharge of their duties.

NAN reports that details of the charges were not given.

Don’t scrap EFCC, Borno gov advises

By Lambert Tyem

T

he governor of Borno sate , Alhaji Kashim Shettima, has joined other Nigerians in calling for the strengthening of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a way that would make its scrapping or merger with any other anti-graft agency unnecessary.

According to him, the activities of the EFCC have continued to reinforce accountable governance and institutional sanity in the country and that the nation stands to benefit more from its

empowerment.

"Today, the existence of EFCC has brought about self scrutiny, probity, transparency, and consciousness on the part of political office holders who hitherto behaved differently", he noted.

He urged Nigerians to continue to support the Commission while promising to make the EFCC's job lighter in Borno state, by ensuring probity and accountability in his government.

Shettima , who was the host of a three-day retreat for Borno state political office holders which held at Maiduguri , stressed that Nigeria could only move forward if concerted efforts are made by all Nigerians to shun corrupt practices.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

FG allocates 14,800 tonnes of fertiliser to Kaduna •It’s not enough-Yakowa From Agagu Madugba, Kaduna

T

he Federal Government has allocated 14,800 metric tons of fertiliser to Kaduna state under the Fertiliser Voucher Scheme where each registered farmer is expected to get two bags of fertiliser.

The farmer pays for one bag and gets one free.

Governor Patrick Yakowa who announced this yesterday regretted however that the quantity is far short of about 65,000 metric tonnes required for farmers in the state because five million farmers had registered for the scheme.

Yakowa spoke at the state launch of the Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Fertiliser Scheme at the Chief of Kagoro’s palace, Kaura local government area.

“To help bridge the gap, we have ordered substantial quantity of assorted fertiliser and we are here today to launch the fertilizer sale for the state. The cost of the Fertilizer to our farmers has been subsidized by about 50 per cent.

“Agriculture is our area of comparative advantage and we have to take its development with all the seriousness it deserves and back the Federal Government initiative in the drive to uplift the sector so as to diversify the nation’s revenue base away from oil.

“Based on this, schemes like the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) and

the Nigerian Insurance Risk – Based Sharing Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) have been put in place by the Federal Government to actualize our potentials in the agricultural sector to the optimum.

“In the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, the value chain in agricultural development, from production to processing, is fully packaged and entrenched.

“Crops such as rice, sorghum, cotton, maize, soya beans, ginger, cocoa, palm produce, livestock and fish among others, are already receiving appropriate attention.

“In order to enhance the availability of fertiliser in our state, the government is working hard towards the establishment of one Fertilizer Blending Plant in each of its three Senatorial zones… this administration has awarded contracts for the construction of dams and irrigation schemes”.

PAGE 11

Killings: Group accuses JTF, Sayawa of complicity From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

T

he Tafawa Balewa Youth Development Association, has accused the Join Task Force, JTF, operating in Tafawa Balewa local government area of Bauchi state of connivance with a particular community in some killings in the area.

The secretary of the association Hassan Dahiru made the accusation in a press conference held at the NUJ secretariat Bauchi yesterday saying that for long, the JTF had taken sides with the Sayawa community as they failed to stop these atrocities but instead connive with them or behaved in a manner that clearly shows the JTF and the Sayawa community acting in concert.

Hassan Dahiru explained that recently an incident occurred in Fulani village in Jaja, a suburb of Tafawa Balewa

town on May 14, 2012 where a team of JTF personnel went to the village and started harassing, intimidating and beating residents of the area.

He added that the security operatives ransacked their houses, vandalising other valuables in the process before the Sayawa people followed up with sophisticated weapons during which they shot randomly injuring people and killing a number of cows.

“The Sayawa communities despite the presence of the JTF men have dozens of road blocks mounted and manned by them along the Federal Highway that passes through Tafawa Balewa town where innocent Muslims passing by are being killed and their corpses set ablaze. Two weeks ago, a vehicle coming from Yelwan Shandam in Plateau state were stopped by the Sayawas at one of their check points where three

passengers, all Muslims were slaughtered while the vehicle was set ablaze”, he said.

The group however called on the federal and state government to take drastic steps against perpetrators of the killings, saying, “we wish to call on the Bauchi State Government to come out with categorical stand on the issue of reconstruction of houses, places of worship, the palace of the district head of Lere and other properties destroyed by the Sayawas.”

Reacting, the spokesman of the JTF, Captain Markus Mdahyelya in a telephone interview said that the group is not telling the truth. “If they have any source, they should come forward and make official complaints rather than trying to castigate the JTF. JTF has no issue with religion and we are for both Christians and Muslims and we don’t take sides.” he said.

ASUU battles Fashola over dismissal of 788 doctors From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

T

he Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday frowned against the recent dismissal of 788 doctors by the Lagos gtate government and called for their reinstatement, failure of which may lead to indefinite strike by the academic union if NMA embarks on an indefinite strike.

It would be recalled that, 788 doctors were sacked by the state government when they embarked on an indefinite strike over the government’s non implementation of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure, (CONMESS) as agreed upon by the two parties in March 6, 2011.

Briefing newsmen at the ASUU national secretariat at the University of Ibadan (UI), the ASUU national president, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie described the action of the Lagos State Government as illegal as it had no power to declare the doctor’s strike illegal.

First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan (3rd left), wife of Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark (middle), in a group photograph with children, during a party organised by the First Lady to mark 2012 Children's Day, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye.

Israel celebrates 20 years of diplomatic ties with Nigeria

By Miriam Humbe

T

he embassy of the state of Israel in Nigeria during the weekend rolled out the drums to celebrate twenty years of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The event which took place at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja featured a brilliant cultural display by a 20member contingent led by a renowned female singer from Israel.

It will be recalled that full diplomatic ties between the two countries were established shortly

after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, but were severed in 1973 in compliance with the then Organisation of African Unity, OAU resolution but in 1992 however, diplomatic relations were again restored with Nigeria opening for the first time, an Embassy in Israel the following year.

While addressing the wellattended gathering at the cultural show, Mr. Moshe Ram, Israel’s Ambassador to Nigeria described the restoration of diplomatic relations as a significant move symbolising the return of Israel to the most

important country on the African continent, after an absence of about 19 years.

Mr. Ram recalled that during the 1960s and early 70s when Israel first established diplomatic ties with Nigeria, the country played a very significant role in the development of the SubSaharan region including Nigeria, adding that as part of the Israeli government’s African policy, hundreds of Israeli experts and volunteers were sent to help in the continent’s development and modernisation of agriculture, education, medical institutions and technological training

programmes.

The Ambassador also disclosed that hundreds of Nigerian farmers , experts, educators, academicians, students, doctors, community workers and engineers were trained in Israel through MASHAV- the Israeli agency for International Development Cooperation .

He stated that there were strong ties between the people of Israel and Nigeria at all levels especially in organising annual pilgrimages from Nigeria to Israel, every year, the largest spiritual exercise from any part of the world.

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Libel: Oshiomhole slams N250m suit on magazine

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

Pupils of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) International School, Asokoro, in a march-past during the 2012 National Children's Day celebrations, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Courts to sit daily to hear EFCC/ICPC cases, says CJN BySunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, yesterday, said arrangements are being made to hear criminal cases filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) on daily basis.

The CJN, who stated this while swearing-in 12 new Federal High Court judges at the Supreme Court complex, Abuja, said the Federal High Court, has been properly staffed to deal with cases filed by the EFCC and ICPC without any delay.

He said some of the newly sworn-in judges will be

exclusively assigned to try high profile cases on day to day basis and urged them to be dedicated and discharge their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

While congratulating the new judges, the CJN commended the National Assembly for approving the increase in the number of Federal High Court judges from 70 to 100 and noted that the move will go a long way in reducing the number of pending cases at the Federal High Court.

At present, the CJN stated that there are 150, 000 pending cases at both the Federal High Courts and the State High Courts throughout the federation and commended the hard work and dedication to duty of the judges who man these courts,

while urging them to sustain the momentum.

The CJN also called on them to guard against bribery and other forms of corrupt practices and observed that acorrupt judge is not only a dangerous obstacle, but also an anathema and adisgrace to the profession or institution to which he does not deserve tobelong.

“As ministers in the temple of Justice,we must do justice to the satisfaction of not just the parties but the public as well. We must remember that as we sit at trial, we also stand on trial”, theCJN stated and urged them to shun corruption and shrink from all actions,in-actions, omissions or commissions of bringing the judiciary into disrepute.

Justice Musdapher also pointed

at efforts being made to reform the judiciary noting that in the very near future, the process for employment of judges will be more rigorous and may include tests and interviews in order to choose the most suitable Nigerians to man the courts.

It would be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan, last week, approved the appointment of 12 Judges for the Federal High Court, following there commendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) for the appointment of the judges.

ChiefMagistrate in Rivers State Judiciary and the Deputy Chief Registrar, FederalHigh Court, Abuja, Mrs. Folashade O. GiwaOgunbanjo.

Nasarawa NMA wants sacked Lagos doctors reinstated From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

M

embers of the Nasarawa state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), have joined their colleagues nationwide in calling on the Lagos state government to rescind its decision to sack the 788 doctors under its employ, failure of which has the potential of snowballing into a national crisis capable of

N

ational President, National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees, Mr. Sunday Alhassan, has appealed to the Federal Government to pay the 2011 arrears of pensions to NIPOST pensioners.

Alhassan made the plea yesterday in Abuja saying``the arrears of pensions from January to December 2011 are still pending with the Federal Government".

“The Pension Board had already given the Office of the Accountant-

dislocating the health sector.

The association made this known yesterday in Lafia while addressing a press conference.

State chairman of the association, Dr. Clement Onwube, flanked by other members of his executive council, condemned the unprecedented mass sack of the doctors by the Lagos state government describing it as "flagrant violation of existing labour laws and rules of

engagement".

He warned that the association in the state would not hesitate to join other NMA branches and affiliate bodies in the quest to ensure justice and "to proceed on solidarity strike action if the national secretariat finds it necessary."

Onwube and his colleagues dorned the black arm bands in line with the directives of the national headquarters of the association, "to signify dead, decay of the health

sector in Lagos, as well as the loss of several lives as a result of insensitivity on the part of the Lagos state government."

He appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura, the national assembly, traditional rulers, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), as well as all meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Lagos state government to reverse its decision immediately.

do state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, dragged a magazine, News of the People to a Benin High Court asking for N250 million as damages libel by the publication.

In the case No. B/556/2011, between Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Dockland Communications Limited, publishers of the magazine, the governor alleged that the content of the publication which was published sometimes last year on page 19 titled "Oshiomhole's Sex Power Exposed: Impregnates young girl six months after death of wife", was calculated at discrediting his reputation.

He further told the court presided over by Justice (Mrs.) Efe Ikponmwonba of High Court number 8 that in the edition, he was also alleged to have bought the girl a Jeep and was interfering in the academics of the girl at the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.

Besides that, the report alleged that Oshiomhole used sexual performance enhancement drugs and did the traditional marriage rites to the alleged girl, while the edition which was widely circulated, coincided with the preparations for one of his daughter's wedding.

Under cross examination by the lead prosecuting Counsel K. O. Igiebor why he was demanding for damages, the governor who testified as Principal Witness 1 (PW/1), replied that the said publication caused him and his children serious psychological trauma six months after the death of his wife.

"When I called a brother governor to sponsor my daughter's wedding, the governor said he was confused, and asked me if I was the one doing the marriage or my daughter, adding that he was reading a magazine which said that he (Oshiomhole) was about getting married to a university student, and that the said wife to be was already pregnant."

The governor added that the publication also alleged that he had marathon sex with a female partner in Lagos who fainted under him, adding that he could not have been preparing for another wedding just 6-months after his wife's death.

Justice (Mrs) Ikpomwonba thereafter adjourned the case to June the 25, 2012. for hearing.

Union leader appeals to FG over NIPOST pension arrears General the cost of the arrears and we expect that if the money is released, all these issues would be resolved", he said' It would be recalled that on May 22, the Senate gave the Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) a seven-day ultimatum to pay into the account of the Pension Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) the sum of N220

million.

Alhassan said that the insurance company, IGI, recently released about N110 million and NIPOST, being mindful of the agony its retired workers were going through, decided to lend the board additional N65 million.

The union leader said IGI also provided N45 million, making it N220 million for the payment of the

pension arrears.

“All payments concerning pensions are handled centrally by the Office of the Head of Service and payment is done from the Office of the Account-General of the Federation.

“Once money is released from the Federal Government for the purpose of payment of the pensions, the money is given to the underwriters.

“Pension payment is not done by the management of any organisation where the workers retired. It is done directly by the Federal Government.

“Whenever the AccountantGeneral's office releases money to the underwriters, there is a period that they have to remit the money to NIPOST Pension Board account before they can remit it to the retirees''.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUSDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Yuguda preaches peaceful coexistence From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

B

auchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda has petitioned Nigerians to put aside ethno-religious and or political sentiments and support the developmental efforts of the President Goodluck Jonathan in order to lead the country to greatness.

In a Press release issued and signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ishola Michael Adeyemi made available to newsmen in Bauchi at the weekend, says that ethnicity will further divide the country admonishing Nigerians to accept to be their brother's keepers as it was in the olden days.

The Release stated that Governor Yuguda made the remark after he was initiated into the prestigious Yoruba

Tennis Club in Lagos Yuguda , who has the privilege of being the only Northerner to be a member of both the Island Club and the Yoruba Tennis Club explained that "our fore-fathers lived together not minding where their neighbors came from neither were they interested in the religion being practiced, all they were after in those days was peace, tranquility and togetherness which was demonstrated in the various communal activities done for the good of the people."

Isa Yuguda then pledge his loyalty to the ethics of the Club promising to use its popularity to promote peaceful coexistence among the diverse cultures of the country. According to him, "our cultures are not there to separate us but to make us stronger and united in purpose and action."

PAGE 15

Be cautious of sycophants, cleric tells Amosun From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

O

gun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was yesterday advised to be weary of sycophants in his administration, with a warning that their {sycophants} roles will only pull down governance and make him loose focus.

The advice came from Diocesan Bishop Church of Nigeria {Anglican Communion} Cathedral of Saint Peter, Rev. Emannuel Adekunle at a Special Sunday Service in commemoration of Amosun's one year in office.

He emphasized that sycophants are fond of parading corridors of power, hence, the urgent need to checkmate them before they find their way into government and embark on destruction which will cause untold hardship to the innocent citizens of the state.

On democracy dividends, the Bishop said political office holders should stop the vogue of distributing motorcycles to the youths as empowerment program and posited that it would be more honorable to empower them with scholarship and other meaningful programs.

The clergyman also appealed to the governor on need to

introduce and establish psychiatric departments in all state owned government hospitals, in the interest of producing mentally sound leaders in offices, 'we need that departments in our general hospitals' He equally begged the Governor to have a second thought on the proposed scrapping of the Tai Solarin University of Education{TASUED}, Ijebu-Ode, pointing out the scrap will not do good for the state, 'I know education is dear to the governor, so I want to beg you to re-consider your position on Tai Solarin University of Education".

NMA Sokoto condemns sack of Lagos doctors From Sadeeq Aliyu, Sokoto

N

igerian Medical Association (NMA) Sokoto state chapter has condemned the Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Fashola over the recent sack of 788 doctors in the state.

Addressing a press conference yesterday in Sokoto, Secretary of the chapter Dr. Abubakar Panti described the action of Lagos governor as undemocratic, inequitable, autocratic and unconstitutional.

Dr. Panti said the act of sacking the doctors who embarked on legitimate strike to press home the demand for their rights have shown clearly that the Lagos state government is wicked, insincere, hypocritical, deceitful and not conscious of the plight of the masses.

According to him, this was clearly exemplified by the recent media report that the governor

allegedly flew his father abroad for medical care when the entire people of Lagos have been left to suffer silently and die slowly as they cannot afford to fly themselves or their relatives abroad for medication.

The NMA traced the history of the crisis between Lagos state government and the doctors to March 2011 when the state government agreed to implement the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale to May 7th, 2012 when the doctors were issued with sack letters.

He said the NMA Sokoto is in full support and solidarity with the Lagos doctors and discussion and consultations were on top gear with all relevant stake holders on the crisis, adding that despite hope for a speedy resolution of the crisis, "let no one be in doubt about our resolve to stand for truth we believe in".

Aliyu denies breeding anaconda snakes

G

ov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger says he is not breeding anaconda snakes in his farm and does not have a university in Ghana.

"I have no snakes in my farm and neither do I have a University in Ghana, the lies are by enemies of progress,'' he said while addressing children in Minna as part of activities to mark this year's children's day".

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rumour mill has been awash of recent with reports that the governor has two large anaconda snakes in his farms and that he is also the proprietor of a university in Ghana.

He said people should

disregard such talks, especially children who could be easily swayed.

He told the children to take their education serious as it is the only legacy their parents and government could bequeath to them.

The governor urged the children not to respect their parents and teachers, including their mates and seniors.

Aliyu said the state government "does not want to see any child hawking or selling things on the streets and has no room for truancy".

He promised to create a conducive environment for learning by providing learning tools. (NAN)

L-R: Anambra state governor, Mr. Peter Obi, Minister of Power, Professor Bart O. Nnaji, Niger state governor, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, and Lagos state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, during a town hall meeting on attaining sustainable and reliable power supply in Nigeria, recently at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, in Lagos.

Borno first lady empowers 100 tsangaya schools From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

A

s parts of efforts to boost almajiri education system, wife of the Borno state governor, Mrs. Nana Kashim Shettima, yesterday distributed assorted materials to over 100 tsangaya schools.

Some of the items comprised of mats, treated mosquito nets, drugs and fruit drinks, among others.

The distribution of the materials

which was facilitated under Mrs. Shettima's pet project, tagged 'Foundation Support for Widows, Orphans and Almajiri (SWOT), has drawn thousands of tsangaya pupils across the state.

Speaking at the occasion, chairman of the foundation, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, said the scheme was initiated to improve the well being of widows, orphans, tsangaya pupils and other vulnerable people in the society in order to make them feel a sense of belonging.

Alhaji Bello explained that SWOT was particularly disturbed over the unfavorable condition of the tsangaya schools due to absent of basic needs for the pupils; hence there was need for the foundation to come to their aid.

According to him, even before the latest gesture, the foundation had also unveiled a self -reliance project for tsangaya teachers and widows, in which they received 100 tricycles, sewing and spaghetti-making machines.

Korean showcases traditional craft works

By Mohammed Kandi

I

n commemoration of second anniversary of the opening of the Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria, it's government has exhibited some wonderful masterpiece of craft works made from Hin-ji paper.

Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, H. E. Choi Jong-Hyun, said during the exhibition at the Centre that, the traditional paper was made up of mulberry, using only natural

materials in a traditional method that is environmentally friendly.

Some of the crafts created by three Korean artists, he said, include "wallets, pencil cases, tea table, traditional wardrobes, and chests of drawers.

Speaking further, Jong-Hyun noted that via the exhibition, Nigerians will know more about Korea's traditional crafts as well as its rich culture.

He assured that his embassy will continue to promote understanding

between both countries by hosting more events in Nigeria.

One of the artists, Mrs. Chung Hyeyoon, who said she learnt the craft from her Mother six years ago, observed that the work was easy to learn when the techniques are known.

Hyeyoon also stated she loves creating magnificent aesthetics from the work but said she does it with passion rather than treat it as occupation.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 16

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

A democracy without its dividends Contd. from Front Page

I

t may be true that the worst kind of democracy is better than the best form of military rule. But this is little comfort for a people who, in these 13 years, have, for the most part, seen only a progressive decline in their living standards, impoverishment and not improvement in their lives.

In these 13 years, the masses of the Nigerian people have been forced to lower their gaze from the prospects of a good life to the dreary struggles of daily survival.

And this, for no other reasons than the lack of vision, lack of commitment, planlessness, corruption and wanton disregard for the plight of the common man on the part of our leaders.

By 1999, only about 40 percent of the Nigerian people were living below the poverty line. Today, according to even official government surveys, about 113 million, or 80 percent of Nigerians, are classified as poor, living on less than one dollar a day, while 70 million are put in the category of “food poor.”

In an oil-rich country that has, in these 13 years, earned hundreds of millions of dollars, there is no excuse or justification whatsoever for this level of poverty. Or for the high level of unemployment, high rate of illiteracy, the near-collapsed education system, poor health care system and the many other failings that together make the Nigerian backdrop so bleak and frightening.

The problem is to be blamed largely on the high level of official corruption. Official corruption has meant that most of the billions earned by the state have been stolen by a few officials and their fronts, and are therefore not available for development.

Its less obvious consequence, however, is that the country’s affairs are being conducted without good planning. For, corrupt officials plan not so much with the needs and interests of the nation as a whole in mind as with their own selfish interests.

Their planning imperative always is how they can corner and steal more of the nation’s resources.

In these 13 years, the nation has, so far, had three governments, one bad one being

succeeded by a worse one, each of them with a higher level of poverty, not riches or improvements, to show as its achievements.

The nation is today living with the dire consequences of this state of affairs. High level of official corruption has significantly increased the level of mass poverty, which, in its turn, has helped to create a situation of despondency, mass disaffection and an acute sense of deprivation – just the kind of mix that pushes otherwise sensible and responsible people to fashion or imbibe ideologies – some of which may preach violence by which they seek to understand and/or change their situation.

“

In these 13 years, the nation has, so far, had three governments, one bad one being succeeded by a worse one, each of them with a higher level of poverty, not riches or improvements, to show as its achievements Today, insecurity, as reflected in the Boko Haram insurgency, and the no less violent activities of countless criminal groups all over Nigeria, is one of the biggest challenges facing the nation and threatening its unity and corporate existence.

In many ways, the challenge is the consequence, direct and indirect, of misrule and bad governance and the failings of our past and present leaders. It is the consequence of their failure or refusal to change for the better the miserable conditions under which the vast majority of Nigerians live.

It is the consequence of their failure to use the nation’s resources to build infrastructure, build schools and significantly improve both the quantity and quality of education in the country, create employment opportunities and give hope to

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

the hopeless, and thereby reduce the yawning gap between the rich and the poor.

It is not so much misery, or poverty in itself that fosters revolutions or insurgencies as the gap that exists between what people expect from their lives and what is offered them, and their sense of being deprived.

We at the Peoples Daily are particularly worried that the Jonathan administration is continuing along the same path as his predecessors and with the same traditions that have landed us in such dire straights.

We’ve so far seen no new ideas or signs that the administration has what it takes to stop the rot and take the nation to new heights.

The administration’s transformation agenda is itself not built around a concrete and big idea that spells out a new and better future for Nigeria and Nigerians.

Particularly disturbing is the extremely high level of corruption that has so far defined the administration. The president’s response to the established cases of the theft of trillions of naira by officials and their fronts under the cover of oil subsidy and the more recent case of the Malabu oil deals involving the sharing of billions of naira by, among others, Jonathan’s aides and friends, give us no hope or confidence that there is the will or the intention to tame the monster of corruption that has been ravaging the land.

No less worrying is the administration’s open pursuit of divisive politics and policies, involving the manipulation of sentiments and inflammation of primordial passions – acts which have been serving to widen the country’s many fault lines and further polarize the polity.

The administration has three more years to go, enough time within which to change course and come up with new ideas and fashion new programmes that will enable it to confront and solve the many problems facing the nation.

The question, though, is whether the president will or can do so – especially given the fact that, if he really has a 2015 ambition, its realization will require the kind of compromises and horse-trading that are sure to weaken his hand and capacity for action.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 17

Is Nigerian judiciary corrupt?

By Emmanuel Onwubiko

R

eading the above title most people would think that this writer is behind the news because all those who should know in Nigeria have already answered the question in the affirmative. Most readers would rather be expecting this writer to tackle the much disturbing question of how corrupt is the nation’s Judiciary.

I concede to my readers the right to hold the above stated opinion but again it is right to observe here that even the current chief Justice of Nigeria Dahiru Musdapher had in an exclusive interview with a national daily accepted the shameful reality that the Nigerian judiciary stinks of corruption but he was quick to do what one may call ‘argumentum ad hominem’ or rather he committed the fallacy of attacking the messenger rather than the message when he alluded to the claim that judicial corruption was not peculiar to Nigeria since even

the United States of America has had her own dose of corruption in the period preceding the announcement of the Presidential election results that brought in President George Bush [jnr] for a second term in office in 2000.

The chief Justice of Nigeria spoke through his media consultant Mr. Mohammed Adamu just as he disclosed that he will this week present to the National Assembly what he considers as revolutionary recommendation on possible areas of amendments in the Nigerian constitution so as to tackle judicial corruption.

While citing the scandal that followed the US Supreme Court decision in the dispute between George Bush and AI Gore after the 2000 presidential election, the Nigerian Jurist said even the US judiciary was not immune from corruption.

“The only difference is that democracy is deeply entrenched in the US and a politician there will not insist on the do-or-die attitude of the Nigerian

politician, otherwise, there would have been a judicial crisis in the US,” he added.

He said Nigeria did not need the US to tell it the problems with the judiciary in the country, adding that Musdapher understands the problems and is implementing reforms that are within his capacity as the CJN. The Chief Justice of Nigeria failed to respond qualitatively to the groundswell of allegations of corruption raised in the United States report.

Specifically, the United States report titled “Department of State’s Country report on Human Rights practices for 2011”, which was tendered before the United States Congress last week by the Secretary of State Mrs. Hilary Clinton, had observed copiously that Nigerian Judiciary is very corrupt and susceptible to manipulations by the rich elite in business and politics.

According to the 60-pages report; “Although the Constitution and law provide for

an independent Judiciary, the judicial branch remained susceptible to pressure from the executive and legislative branches and the business sector.” “ U n d e r s t a f f i n g , underfunding, inefficiency, and corruption continued to prevent the (Nigerian) Judiciary from functioning adequately”, says the report.

The United States further revealed the obvious lapses and traces of official ineptitude and corruption in the Nigerian Judiciary when it stated rightly thus; “Judges frequently failed to appear for trials, often because they were pursuing other sources of income and sometimes because of threats against them.

In addition, court officials often lacked the proper equipment, training, and motivation to perform their duties, with lack of motivation primarily due to inadequate compensation”.

The United States government was even magnanimous in the report to have disclosed that the Supreme

Court justices advocated greater autonomy for the judiciary in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

I am shocked that the Chief Justice of Nigeria attempted to defend the judicial arm of government against the well considered accusations of corruption, bribery and ineptitude on the part of Judges.

Where was the Chief Justice of Nigeria when the Independent National Electoral Commission failed to tender the ballot papers of 2011 Presidential election for forensic analysis as requested by the petitioner against President Jonathan, Major General Muhammad Buhari [rtd] and why did the judiciary cave in to executive pressure not to wield the big judicial stick to compel the production of these vital body of evidence that are public property? Where was the Chief Justice of Nigeria as an institution when the former Delta State Governor Mr. James Ibori was set free by the Federal High Court, Asaba division only Continued on page 19

War against Nigerian kleptocracy

By Remi Oyeyemi We hope that, by tackling the likes of James Ibori, we’re saying to those stealing from the state purse, you can’t have your children at private school in London. You can’t have a multimillion pound house in one of the most affluent areas of London. You can’t drive around in top of the range vehicles. We won’t let you move money around to buy multimillion pound jets.

– Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Benton, Proceeds of Corruption Unit of London’s Metropolitan Police.

O

ne of the major reasons why our ruling elites have been incorrigible about dipping their hands in the collective purse and stealing our resources is because they are confident that there are places they could run to when trouble comes. They believe that if Nigeria becomes too hot, their loot would be safe in the overseas accounts where they were kept.

As we all know, family is the most important thread in every person’s life. This is more so with one’s children. The fact that our looters and dealers who call themselves leaders could also hide away their children in foreign schools, away from angry Nigerians that may descend on them in a retributive manner, has also been a very good incentive for the incorrigibility of the Nigerian kleptomaniacal elite.

Coupled with the above is the fact that every country is always looking for foreign capital as part of the global economy. This way, every country hopes that the flow of

foreign capital in whatever form ought to be encouraged to help the local economy and provide jobs. In this activity, morality has often taken the back seat.

Not only that, the operating principle has always been one’s country first, before others. This is in obeisance to the first law of nature, which is selfpreservation.

This has always been the operating rules of the European countries as well as the USA. It has been this way before colonialism. It was so during and after colonialism. This was why the conscienceless exploitation of African continent was carried out without any remorse whatsoever. This crude EuroAmerican mentality has spilled over to the contemporary politico-economic relationships with mother Africa and has encouraged the pillaging of African resources for “safekeeping” and benefits of the citizens of Europe and America.

To this end, our clueless leaders, who lack the vision and capacity to liberate and empower their own citizens, have been willing partners in this odious endeavor. Rather than help to develop their countries, they siphon their local resources for glamor in Europe and America.

They buy mansions in very exclusive neighborhood, purchase top-ofthe-line exotic cars, send their children to the most expensive schools in those countries and patronize their well-equipped hospitals.

They impoverish their own people for the benefits of the Euro-American economies.

They commit treasonable genre of economic and political crimes

against their own countries to accomplish these dastardly acts.

They become highly irritable when critiqued. They transform into blood-sucking dictators and would mow down their people, should the people have the guts to protest misrule. They do all these, because they are confident that, if the worse comes to the worst, and they are chased out of their countries, they could always escape to these EuroAmerican countries to live a life of opulence for the rest of their lives.

Of recent, the frontier of these countries willing to allow the “safe-keeping” of ill-gotten wealth has expanded into the Middle-eastern, Asian, SouthAmerican as well as the Caribbean nations.

The competition elicited by the new global economy has made this possible. But “Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong,” says Daniel O’Connell, as quoted by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in his 1961 lecture, “Politics and Religion.”

This is where Britain’s new attitude and approach to international money laundering law must be commended by those who wish Nigeria well. Though, it could be argued that the British as colonial overlords of Nigeria fermented the ground on which the present corruption has germinated gigantic roots, it is still commendable that they are seeking to allow morality and law to operate pari-passu in checking the excesses of the Nigerian rulers.

Without doubt, there is an element of self-interest embedded in this new attitude of the British. Nevertheless, it must be welcomed by all and

sundry. Nigerian leaders, after messing up their own land, have unleashed their stolen wealth on the British psyche.

Watching a Mutallab, an unemployed student, live in a four million dollar apartment in London; witnessing Nigerians lavishly spend hundreds of thousands of pound sterling in Lloyds’, on their bad days; observing Nigerians buy mansions that would take British citizens two lives to pay for and seeing them buy “cash down,” exotic cars that ninetynine percent of them could not afford on hire purchase, could not be good for the psyche of a people who work hard to make few hundred pounds a week, According to a report by the London CNN, the British Banks have been fingered by Proceeds of Corruption Unit of London’s Metropolitan Police funded by UK government’s Department for International Development, as being complicit in money laundering activities. The same report noted that in March, this year, “the Financial Services Authority fined Coutts, a private arm of Royal Bank of Scotland, a record $14 million for failing to monitor threequarters of its high-risk customers, known as Politically Exposed Persons. Although Coutts says it found no evidence of money laundering, and its processes are now robust, campaigners say London’s banks are still playing a role in the problem of African corruption.”

The Transparency International has reportedly called for “more sanctions” against these Banking Institutions, noting “the greater the severity of

penalties, the greater the deterrent effect.” Robert Palmer of anti corruption NGO, Global Witness, has also echoed this position by contending that “the only way we’re going to get serious change is if you have heavy penalties, you go after individual bankers and, in the worst cases, in the most egregious failures, you put people in jail.”

Reviewing the colonial history of Nigeria it is difficult to miss the overt acts of the British in setting up Nigeria for failure. The British corrupted Nigerian demographic distribution introduced apartheid, hounded and haunted Nigeria’s best out of power play and grandfathered the docile, incompetent and feudalistic into power to guarantee British continued hold on the destiny of Nigeria.

But if this present war on the Nigerian kleptocrats is what the British government would use to atone for its sins against the peoples of Nigeria, then so be it.

We should encourage the British and give them a hand.

While we exercise caution to ensure that this is not a “Greek Gift,” Nigerians the world over should embark on war of exposition against these enemies of our people. Where possible, let us institute court cases against them in the country where their accounts could be traced.

International laws could be employed to frustrate dubious collaborators in such countries and bring these thieves to book.

If their stolen wealth is no longer safe outside the shores of Nigeria, and there is unbearable pressure on them within Nigeria, the incentive to steal would be greatly reduced.

PAGE 18

By under signed US- based Nigerian academics Dear Secretary Clinton, s scholars with a special interest in Nigeria and broad expertise on African politics, we are writing to urge that you not designate Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). We are acutely aware of the horrific violence perpetrated by Boko Haram, including attacks on both Muslims and Christians in Nigeria, whether government officials or civilian targets. We share your concerns about the impact of extremist violence on Nigeria’s democratic progress and security in general. However an FTO designation would internationalize Boko Haram, legitimize abuses by Nigeria’s security services, limit the State Department’s latitude in shaping a long term strategy, and undermine the U.S. Government’s ability to receive effective independent analysis from the region.

An FTO designation would internationalize Boko Haram’s standing and enhance its status among radical organizations elsewhere. Boko Haram’s recent tactics, including the use of suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices, raise questions about their

A

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Boko Haram: Open letter to Hillary Rodham Clinton foreign links. The network’s focus Nigeria. It would also undermine in reality or perception – to abuses has been overwhelmingly the Nigerian government’s ability by the security services. An FTO domestic, despite an August 2011 to address the problem through law designation would effectively attack on the United Nations office enforcement and thereby improve endorse excessive use of force at a time when the rule of law in in Abuja. Rhetorically, some of rule of law.

Boko Haram’s critique of northern An FTO designation would give Nigeria hangs in the balance. underdevelopment and elite disproportionate attention to There is already evidence that abuses by corruption is Nigeria’s within the realm s e c u r i t y of mainstream services have p o l i t i c a l facilitated Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text discourse. But r a d i c a l there are clear messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written recruitment. indications that contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 This was made their tactics and words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and unequivocally targets have a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed clear in 2009 turned most to: following the N i g e r i a n s extrajudicial against them, The Editor, murder of including local Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, Mohammed populations in the 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

Yusuf, which north. An FTO was broadcast Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com designation across the would potentially SMS: 07037756364 internet. That shift the incident was organization’s posture towards the US and counter-terrorism in our bilateral immediately followed by Boko radicalization, validate the more radical factions’ relations, and increase the risk that Haram’s and increased analysis of outsider influence in the US becomes linked – whether splintering,

WRITE TO US

The NJC vs Salami – The President’s dilemma (III)

By Osi Okponobi

S

ome have also argued and asked why the President acted with haste in suspending Justice Salami, but is not acting in haste to reinstate him. They are two different situations or scenarios. One would expect a responsible Employer or President to act timely and with haste when the integrity of a person occupying a sensitive position is being questioned.

Justice Salami was still sitting over cases and the President should or ought to have acted with speed to stop further miscarriage of justice, based on the recommendation of the NJC that Justice Salami was a man of base character, who had compromised his position and office. But now that the NJC appear to have gone back on their decision and eaten their vomit or words, the President must be circumspect and ask, why? He should be asking WHAT HAS CHANGED? For that reason he should thread or tread cautiously!

I would be in a dilemma, if I were the President, and faced with two conflicting decisions from the same body, the first of which has been effected or enforced, albeit, incompletely, at his (the President’s) own discretion. While the second decision contradicts the first. If the President had effected the former decision by the NJC and dismissed Justice Salami, would the NJC now write to him to recall the dismissed Justice Salami? Would they not have explained to him (with good reasons) why they took

the former decision and why they are now taking the latter decision.

Would they not be required to explain to him and to us (since the matter has been made public by Justice Salami) why they have suddenly changed their position, and why they now think or believe that he is innocent of the allegations he was recommended for dismissal?

The other dilemma of the President, I am assuming, is him pondering and asking what has changed since the first decision?

All the issues that led the NJC to recommend that Justice Salami be dismissed, have they been resolved? If so, HOW? Has his LIE been washed away? And what about the PERJURY? Has Justice Musdapher recanted and corroborated Justice Salami’s tales? If so, then we have a huge problem with the person of Justice Dahiru Musdapher and his state of mind, who would appear to have vacillated from denying that the former CJN said the things that Justice Salami accused him of, to now agreeing with Justice Salami. This would then mean that both Justices Katsina-Alu and Dahiru Musdapher have cases to answer for PERVERTING THE COURSE OF JUSTICE. The Sokoto Elections Tribunal issue would have to be revisited then. The Police would be called in to investigate the matters and prosecute. However, if nothing has changed, what happened to the conduct of Justice Salami that were found to be GROSS MISCONDUCT by the NJC last year?

What has also changed about the accusation that Justice Salami brought the Judiciary into disrepute? The Judiciary has not been more embarrassed than at any other time in its history, where Judges and Justices were looked upon with disdain. The former CJN (and his office) was accused of corruption and trying to pervert justice and he was called all sorts of names, and the whole Judiciary was made a laughing stock. There is presently still a crisis of confidence in the Judiciary. And what would happen with the moral burden of having Justice Salami preside over cases in future and being seen or viewed as a LIAR or a compromised Justice by Counsels or even LITIGANTS that would appear before him in future to judge their cases?

And what has also changed on the issue of the ‘Telephone Calllogs’, which the MTN initially denied, but they have again confirmed to be genuine and true?

Should the country simply wish these things away and pretend that it is okay for a Judge to engage in clandestine telephone calls with a party to a matter in his court? What standards do we really seek to set in the Country? What values are we bequeathing on our on-coming generations? We should remember that our actions are being watched by the younger generation and it is time we set good examples and standards for the country.

It is my humble opinion that Justice Salami carries a heavy moral burden and should not be thrust on Nigerians ever again. He

is heavily compromised and he cannot elicit TRUST and CONFIDENCE from LITIGANTS and their COUNSELS. I would not feel confident to appear before him or come to his court, as I would always view him with suspicion, not knowing what he has done the previous night or who he has communicated with in the wee hours of the morning. I may even be afraid that he has communicated with my opponent.

If we are serious about ending corruption in the Judiciary, we should start by clearing Justice Salami and his likes out. I have deliberately avoided inferring CORRUPTION or stating that he may have been induced with money by the ACN, as I do not have those facts. But that doesn’t mean he was not so induced.

As for the NJC, I am sorry and sad to say that this body is not fit for purpose, as it is presently constituted.

Like most INSTITUTIONS in Nigeria, it is laden with corruption, and people of poor morals and base characters. Members of the NJC should really be ashamed of themselves by seeking to cover up a Justice that they had previously found guilty of GROSS MISCONDUCT. The denial of the Telephone ‘Call-logs’ and the denial of that denial (I deliberately used the phrase) are all in the public domain. WHY SHOULD JUSTICE SALAMI BE REINSTATED? Concluded Osi Okponobi can be reached at Jasol2kone@yahoo.co.uk

propensity for large scale violence.

Moreover, the routine use of the military for domestic law enforcement is a cause for alarm in a country with a deep history of military rule, and where formal declarations of states of emergency have historically led to broader political instability.

In publicizing this letter, it is also our hope that the Department of Defense and other concerned agencies will reaffirm the limitations of their roles: informing or implementing policy rather than making it.

Accurately understanding and properly addressing the issue of Boko Haram will require a diplomatic, developmental, and demilitarized framework. The State Department and its civilian developmental partners must be in the lead.

The FTO list system has its origins in Executive Order 12947 in 1995, which was designed to prohibit transactions with organizations that interfere in the Middle East peace process.

Congressional legislation the following year codified a process for making such decisions under the Effective Death Penalty and Anti-Terrorism Act. Once the State Department makes an FTO designation and that entity is added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list managed by the Treasury Department, it is illegal for U.S. citizens to have any interactions with that entity unless they apply for a license. At least 1.1 million individuals and entities are also on secret lists, according to an audit by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Inspector General. Lack of information about the criteria for being listed makes it impossible to be removed and encourages selective enforcement.

This cumbersome and arbitrary process has made it impossible for some humanitarian organizations to operate in the neediest areas of Africa. If economic development is to play a role in alleviating tensions in northern Nigeria, we should not hamper access by USAID or private NGOs in providing aid and assistance in the region.

Should Boko Haram be designated an FTO through this regime, it would be illegal for nongovernmental organizations to interact with members of Boko Haram – even if the purpose of such contact was to persuade them to renounce violence. The US Supreme Court upheld these restrictions in 2010, declaring that such contact would constitute providing “material support” to terrorist groups. Commenting on the threat this poses to the Carter Center, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said this legal restriction “threatens our work and the work of many other peacemaking organizations that must interact directly with groups that have engaged in violence.” It Continued on page 19

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 19

One (or two) down, three (or seven) to go

By Umar Y. Mukhtar

O

ne cannot but admire the amount of work done to remodel federal airports in Nigeria. The MAKIA in Kano is entirely different from that of old.

I came across some renovation work going on also in a number of airports in other states, including the stalled Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt, which is now assuming an admirable image of the Garden City. That is a sector in recent times that one sees government at work and is pleased that there is actually an authority in charge.

Social networking is another area we have seen an upsurge of activity and free flow of information since Jonathan became President.

The government, through Reno and the opposition, notably Nasiru elRufai, frequently have information exchanges which Continued from page 18

would therefore be illegal for third party intermediaries to play a role in some future peace process or in the confidence building measures required to get there.

Less attention has been brought to the damage that this system does to academic inquiry more generally.

An FTO designation would prevent independent scholarly inquiry about Boko Haram, and increase suspicion in the future about researchers with no governmental ties. Public policy benefits from dialogue with public scholars, and an FTO designation would effectively criminalize broad categories of research.

During a visit to Nigeria in

has politically broadened the minds of such site users, no doubt people are better informed, everyone now knows how much it costs to feed a zoologist, and even how much the VP’s Newspapers cost.

Another aspect of this government’s approach to leadership that I find quite admirable is the Ministerial Platform, an initiative for cabinet members to weigh the scale after a year of receiving federal subventions. It appears from there that ministers are actually accountable to the people. A pleasing initiative, I would say.

Some also think that retaining almost the same cabinet since becoming Acting President also lays credence to a sense of continuity that the President extols; he believes ministers should be kept for as long as possible to master their art, giving examples of ministers serving for decades in Saudi and

Russia.

However, the Jonathan government radiates unprecedented indecision and a dreadful incapacity to tackle glaringly critical challenges.

Even though a number of the problems are evident of lack of cohesive leadership from years ago, the present government has still not portrayed intolerance for the deeply rooted ills; rather, the ills have assumed immeasurable depths, leaving Nigerians to lamentation and prayers.

A government that gives examples of how long Ministers serve in another country, but fails to remind the same Ministers to resign when indicted for corruption or inefficiency, as is done in other climes; double standards indeed.

The President has chosen to keep intact an intelligence network leadership that is largely not trusted, an array of Ministers and aides adjudged to be greatly

self serving and a style of leadership characterized by abominable lack of coordination and apparent loss of focus.

If the present government were a football team, then Economy is a player laid off by a long term knee ligament damage, Corruption is the team captain, Sycophancy is the rock defender, Looting the holding midfielder, Blame is the key striker, while Honor and Integrity have yet to be signed and are not even considered by the Manager. PDP is the technical adviser and GEJ the Manager, the ball (Nigeria) is very much in play and the spectators (Nigerians) watch helplessly as their once glorified team is now less than a shadow of its true self.

This is only the first year of the Jonathan government’s first full term. Let’s write off that other full year and three months after he ‘took’ full charge. We could say

it is just one down and three or seven more years to go, depending on what happens in 2015. A lot can happen in this time.

Fuel subsidy imminently will be completely withdrawn, electricity tariffs are going up, Housing deficits are widening, more deaths are being recorded, widespread violence is fast becoming the norm and insensitivity of government is reaching immeasurable heights.

The question is; Was “kare jini, biri jini”really a wrong call by Buhari? All things considered, I think PDP must be evenly matched in 2015, hopefully to be issued a Dishonorable Discharge!

Sad and bloody first year Mr. President, hope and prayers for a satisfactory and violence-free second year and beyond. May God shower you and your team with the clues to start governing and discard old, bad habits. Amen.

Umar Y. Mukhtar wrote in from Kano.

Open letter to Hillary Clinton February, former president Bill Clinton commented on the security crisis there by concluding that “it is almost impossible to cure a problem based on violence with violence.” A lasting solution to Boko Haram will require robust political and developmental components initiated by the Nigerian government and broadly endorsed by the Nigerian people through democratic processes that enhance the rule of law. We believe that an FTO designation for Boko Haram would limit American policy options to those least likely to

work, and would undermine the domestic political conditions necessary in Nigeria for an enduring solution.

We thank you for taking our views into consideration. Our affiliations are listed for identification purposes only and do not constitute an institutional endorsement.

Sincerely, A. Carl LeVan Peter M. Lewis American University Johns Hopkins University Jean Herskovits Daniel J. Smith SUNY – Purchase Brown University Adrienne LeBas R. Kiki Edozie

American University Michigan State University Brandon Kendhammer Susan Shepler Ohio University American University John Campbell David Dwyer Council on Foreign Relations Michigan State University Paul Lubeck Pearl Robinson University of California – Santa Cruz Tufts University Darren Kew Clarence Lusane University of Massachusetts – Boston American University Laura Thaut Nicolas van de Walle University of Minnesota – Minneapolis Cornell University

Judith Byfield Susan M. O’Brien Cornell University University of Florida John Paden Deborah Brautigam George Mason University Johns Hopkins University Michael Watts University of California – Berkeley Additional names added since May 21: David Laitin David Wiley Stanford University University of Michigan Shobana Shankar Georgetown University cc: Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

Is Nigerian judiciary corrupt?

Continued from page 17

for the British magistrate court to have found him guilty of theft of several Billions of tax payers’ money belonging to the Delta State government?

Where was the chief Justice of Nigeria when the Federal High Court hierarchy specifically created a division in Asaba, Delta State which made it possible for the proceedings to have experienced the unprecedented level of alleged compromise that made it easier for James Ibori to have been discharged and acquitted of all the corruption charges only for a much lower court – London Magistrate Court in the United Kingdom to have successfully convicted him and to have succeeded in recovering the monumental amount of public assets stolen by him while he was governor?

The agonizing fact was that these systematic acts of judicial corruption and impunity took place during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, a man whose administration made respect for the principle of rule of law as the

corner stone of his government.

Does it mean that the federal government at that time just like under President Jonathan failed to appreciate the authentic import of the concept of principle of rule of law?

Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia did not make a mistake when it gave the concise and precise meaning of the concept of the principle of Rule of law.

Today, the concept of the rule of law is embedded in the Charter of the United Nations. In its Preamble, one of the aims of the UN is “to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained”. A primary purpose of the Organization is “to maintain international peace and security… and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace.” The Universal Declaration of Human

Rights of 1948, the historic international recognition that all human beings have fundamental rights and freedoms, recognizes that”... it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law…”

For the UN, the SecretaryGeneral in 2004 defined the rule of law as “a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights norms and standards. It requires, as well, measures to ensure adherence to the principles of supremacy of law, equality before the law, accountability to the law, fairness in the application of the law, separation of powers, participation in decision-making, legal certainty, avoidance of arbitrariness and procedural and legal transparency.”

Justice Musdapher should be told that his administration of the judiciary has failed to tackle the all important issue of corruption because since he assumed office, there is no record to show how some of these corrupt judges have been punished using the powers conferred on the National Judicial council. What other power does he need to confront judicial corruption?

How come that when big thieves are charged before our courts, these thieving elite are set free by judges hiding under the power to grant bail even when small thieves who are charged for petty crimes are sent straight to jail? This is judicial corruption at work.

For example, some so-called fake NYSC Corpers were arrested by the Nigerian Civil Defense in Nasarawa state and charged to court and were instantly sentenced to harsh prison terms.

But in the same week, several prominent Nigerians including a serving permanent secretary were dragged before the Abuja High Court for alleged theft several Billions of Naira from

the police pension fund, but were immediately granted bail. In fact one of the accused ‘big men’ was caught red-handed with N3 Billion cash in his bedroom and yet these persons are free people courtesy of the bail granted them by the Abuja High Court.

If this is not judicial corruption what is it then?

The Nigerian Judiciary must punish corrupt Judges or ordinary Nigerians will no longer repose their trust on the judiciary but will resort to self help.

JP Clark, the professor of English had written a beautiful poem depicting how dangerous it is for a nation’s political and judicial leadership not to do anything to check corruption.

In one of the stanzas of his beautiful poem titled “a state of siege”, Professor Clark wrote thus; “…As if the wailing is not heard, at all on high, on any day, at an hour and place known only to some men of straw burning the land, mayhem may move to market, church, Mosque, then Merge silently with night”.

Emmanuel Onwubiko wrote from www.huriwa.com.

PAGE 22

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Fulani women preparing for market to sell their popular "Foranunu" in Lugbe Abuja, yesterday.

Photo: Justin Imo-owo

Abuja residents rate GEJ administration low on security and transportation

By Adeola Tukuru

A

buja residents have scored the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan low in the areas of insecurity and transportation, as his administration today marks one year in office.

A cross section of residents who spoke to Peoples Daily stated that Jonathan has not performed as expected, while calling on him to improve the lives of the masses, particularly in the areas of security and Transportation.

According to them, the present administration has only increased the hardship of Nigerians, owing to its decision to increase fuel price and its inability to tackle the Boko Haram menace and other security problems in the country.

Austine Adikwu, an Abuja resident who is also a legal practitioner, said that the Jonathan's administration is the

worst administration ever experienced by Nigerians. He said that Nigerians have not really felt the impact of democracy since this new administration took over.

"For the past one year that the President had been in office, what we see is a chain of suffering that the people are subjected to certain hardship that was created by those at the helm of affairs. We elected them to represent us but they only represent themselves and their families.

"It is no news that a lot of people in our country cannot see food to eat, talk more of buying the new fuel price that the government is forcing us to adopt.

So many things are wrong with our country which the masses are speechless to talk about. I just pray that change should come one day and safe us from the present situation", Adikwu said.

Similarly, another resident, Vera Awu, told Peoples Daily that

the President has not really done anything, as the condition of living in the FCT is getting worst for the low income earner. She said price of commodities are no longer affordable and the government is contributing in making things hard for the people.

"I don't know where to start from. The situation in Nigeria is beyond comprehension. One can not really point out where the problem lies. Everything seems to be wrong with our system and the people who are supposed to deliver us out of the quackmare are the ones planting the seed of suffering on the populace.

"Our own is to pray. Many thought that this administration will answer our prayers, but it looks as if we prayed for the wrong prophet. Most of us voted for Jonathan with the hope that he will give us the fresh air he promised, but we found ourselves suffocating in the middle of

storm.

"He said his name is Goodluck, but he is not living his name, so we are not happy at all. He should stop all these killings.

Transportation has also become very expensive. All this is putting people like us in so much difficulty", she said.

Also, Biturs Isa, another resident and a self employed graduate, stated that the masses are really suffering in this country because the economy is very bad. There is no benefit from the government at all. There are no jobs; even our children cannot go to school because we have no money to train them.

He added that even now that people are relocating to Imo state where they say there is free education, things are getting worst in Abuja, people are packing out because the condition of living is too harsh. The President has not been working, that is why things are not improving for Nigeria.

Build a culture of peace and security, Jiba task Nigerians

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Micah Jiba has enjoined Nigerians to build a culture of peace and security for the Nigerian children.

Hon Jiba stated this during the March Pass to mark the 2012 children and Youth day celebration themed “Let’s build a culture of Peace and Security for the Nigerian

Children,” organised by the leadership of AMAC council for students in the area council.

Jiba assured to improve the standard of education in the council that was why he decided to encourage students in council by organizing a march pass and use the opportunity to distribute educational materials to them.

In his words: “I have always said that any body that is giving you education is giving you life, because without proper education, there

cannot be development in any developing country.

“Without education our children cannot understand our culture and practice it, which is why I am urging parents to encourage their children in the area of eduction, so that they can become useful to themselves and the entire country.

“Our children are the future of this country and when we give them good education, we have secured our country for a better tomorrow, also our children owe it a

duty to the nation and God to be law abiding and be agents of peaceful coexistence,” he said.

The council boss further advised children to be God fearing, tolerant and be their brother’s keepers at all time, saying that as they grow up, they should be thinking of building a better, secured and peaceful tomorrow.

Educational materials like note books were distributed to participated twelve schools that in the March Pass.

FCT FRSC, CAPI unveils customized reflective armband and jackets for students

By Etuka Sunday

I

n a bid to alleviate the risk children face every day on the road while going to school or elsewhere, the FCT Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in collaboration with Children Accident Preventive Initiative (CAPI) has unveiled a customized reflective armband and jacket for school children in Nigeria.

The sector commander, FCT FRSC sector command, Fanola J. Kayode explained that the need for the reflection armband is to protect school children who are coming back from their various schools and are vulnerable to road accident ,adding that they are the future leaders of tomorrow.

He Sector Commander made this known yesterday during the unveiling of the FCT FRSC and FME customized Reflection Armband and Jacket for school Children in Nigeria , tagged : “Be seen …Be safe”.

He explained that the programme was to reach out to school children and to save lives since they spend more time on the road side without the assistance of parents, guardians and adults to cross the roads.

Kayode further stated that FCT FRSC is ready to partner with any organization in ensuring that the development is sustained, and he also solicited for the support of other stakeholders Also the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin who is also the President said Nigeria has the largest road network in West Africa but to boost safe and effective Road transportation in the Country which is a basic right of the people seems to be impossible because our road networks are poorly maintained and lack basic road infrastructure.

He said the FRSC customized reflective armband and jacket for all school children in Nigeria is worthy of support, stressing for extensive campaign in all motor parks to educate NURTW Members and other road users on the importance of safety on the roads.

“We are very much aware of the importance of lives of the public and have constantly advised our members about the dangers of reckless driving and disobedience to traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 23

METRO

Abuja residents lament hardships underJonathan administration VOX POP Austine Adikwu, legal practitioner n my opinion, for the past one year that he has been in office, President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to deliver as I expected most especially in the area of security, electricity and other sectors. All he has been telling us is that he is on top of the situation, security wise. Being on top of the situation does not solve the problem. There is no constant power supply, even in Abuja here, but his administration wants to go ahead to increase the electricity tariff. Increasing the tariff is going to be one of the worst things that will ever happen to us in this country because this is something we are not seeing and they want to increase it.

Ifeanyi Innocent, hair stylist I have neither seen with my eyes nor heard any impressing thing done by this present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, except that recently, was said to have instructed state governors in the country to employ graduates in their respective states.

The issue of Boko Haram has become a serious security threat that is creating perpetual fear in all Nigerians. The President he has power to stop them but up till this time, he has failed to do anything. Before he got to the office, he promised us heaven and earth. Where is the heaven?

People are in hell. He has not done all that I expected because I voted for him.

There are so many graduates who are unemployed, yet the government is not saying anything. In this Abuja, it is very difficult to get a job when you don’t have connections. What becomes of those that don’t know anybody? Are we going to remain unemployed? This is not good. We need to tell ourselves the truth.

Christopher Geoffrey, commercial bus driver Well, we thank God for everything. With the way things

I

Ikenna Umeano

As Nigerians mark Democracy Day today, and President Goodluck Jonathan’s one full year in office,mixed reactions from Nigerians residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have trailed the performance of the administration so far. The Metro desk, which went to the streets of Abuja to sample opinions of residents, reports that their opinions are as varied as their faces.

Austine Adikwu

Ifeanyi Innocent

Christopher Geoffrey

Vera Awu

are going, I believe everything will be fine. Now that the President has completed his one year, before his tenure elapses, I believe he will do something tangible. Although, since he increased the fuel pump price, we have not been finding it easy on our part because now we buy at the rate of N95. From Madalla to Wuse is about N200, there is no much gain in our business anymore. What is happening is that we are losing.

We heard that the President is still contemplating to increase it again. There is going to be a very serious problem if he carries out this plan.

This will be very unfair because many Nigerians have not recovered from this increment.

When you watch the situation of things now, you discover that things are now very expensive in the market. I am pleading with the President not to touch the pump price again. He should leave it the way it is now, so that we can be managing ourselves.

Vera Awu, applicant The President has not done anything because things are very

difficult. Boko Haram members are killing people here and there.

Corruption has taken over the whole country, but he does not care about all these. He said his name is Goodluck, but he is not living his name, so we are not happy at all. He should stop all these killings. Transportation has also become very expensive. All this is putting people like us in so much difficulty.

Ikenna Umeano, businessman From what I have seen so far, Goodluck has been trying and he needs to be given more time to do things Nigerians expect of him.

We hope that life for us will get better later. In terms of transportation and road construction, he has been doing well. We now have enough vehicles to go wherever we want to go to and the cost is relatively cheaper.

Ime Jonah, businessman President Goodluck Jonathan has done well for Nigeria. The country has become better except the security challenges. The bombing all over the country is

now the only problem that we are facing. We pray that God will intervene.

Biturs Isa, self employed We are really suffering in this country because the economy is very bad. There is no benefit from the government at all. There are no jobs; even our children cannot go to school because we have no money to train them. Even now people are relocating to Imo state where they say there is free education. Even in this Abuja people are packing out because of the harsh condition the found themselves. The President has not been working, that is why things are not improving for Nigerians. If the government can look into this, I believe that the country will be a better place.

Patrick Peter, lawyer Our President knows the right thing to do. Fight corruption and things would be better in all sectors of the economy. He knows the problem, like the issue of security he knows the people involved, but he has failed to finger them for prosecution because he doesn’t have the courage. He is at a parallel

line with the masses. We are suppose to fell the impact of this government but there is nothing.

In the aspect of unemployment, we have millions of graduates in the labour market but there are no employments. All the same, the President has come up with certain programmes in the area of deregulation, self empowerment and if by the special grace of God he is able to implement this, by the end of his tenure, there might be a positive change and the country will get better.

Tony Ugochukwu, public servant So far the President has tried a lot but the only problem is that of insecurity. The major problem that his administration has failed to address is this bomb blast issue.

Apart from that, I will say that he has done well so far in the area of road transport. Since they say that the deregulation of the oil sector is for a while to repair our own refinery, it is for our own good and I think with this, things will get better in the country subsequently.

Ime Jonah

Biturs Isa

Patrick Peter

Tony Ugochukwu

BUSINESS

PAGE 24

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

INSIDE

- Pg 24

Kwara slashes shares in Aviation College to 30%

Mob: 08033644990

PIB to outlaw gas flaring by end-2012

By Muhammad Nasir with agency report

A

new draft of the longawaited Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is now close to being finalised, mandates that oil firms must stop flaring gas by the end of this

year, and that if they don’t they can be fined.

According to the bill, “Natural gas shall not be flared or vented after 31st December, 2012, in any oil and gas production operation, block or field, onshore or offshore, or gas facility,” except under

Africa mustn't let growth go to its head-AfDB

A

frica's robust 4.5 percent economic growth forecast for 2012 should not prompt premature celebration, the African Development Bank (AfDB) cautioned yesterday, citing the festering euro zone crisis and chronic youth joblessness.

Ranked as the poorest continent in the world, Africa has posted strong growth rates in recent years, second only to Asia, drawing rising inward investment and giving rise to talk of its economic resilience, accompanied by much selfcongratulation among officials.

"I'll be cautioning against excessive exuberance," AfDB president, Donald Kaberuka said at the launch of its African Economic Outlook, during the

start of the bank's annual meeting.

The AfDB's forecast for 2012 outpaces the 3.4 percent growth rate posted in 2011, after the Arab spring in North Africa cut the northern region's growth in economic output to 0.5 percent.

In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa grew by more than 5 percent, with the exception of South Africa, the continent's most advanced economy, which expanded output by 3.1 percent.

The euro zone and other rich nations would take some time to resolve the issues bedeviling their economies, Kaberuka said. (Reuters)

exceptional and temporary circumstances”.

“Any licensee who flares or vents gas without the permission of the Minister in (special) circumstances ... shall be liable to pay a fine which shall not be less than the value of gas.”

Nigeria flared some 30 billion standard cubic feet of gas in January, according to the latest figures from the Nigerian National petroleum corporation (NNPC), published by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). That

is equivalent to a third of the annual consumption of an industrialised country like the United Kingdom.

Of that, ExxonMobil topped the list, flaring 9.85 billion cubic feet out of 38.64 billion produced, while Chevron flared 8.25 billion cubic feet out of 19.23 billion.

Leading operator Shell, which runs Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, flared 5.44 billion cubic feet, a relatively small part of the 76.4 billion it produced.

NUPENG joins Lagos doctors in solidarity strike today

By Muhammad Nasir

T

he on-going crisis in the a g o s state health sector is about t o deteriorate into a national labour crisis as the National Union of Petroleum and Gas (NUPENG) has directed workers in the oil and gas sector to embark on an indefinite strike action, beginning today.

Lagos Zone Chairman of L

NUPENG, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, in a circular sent out to all oil and gas employees in Lagos state yesterday, identified the strike as a way of showing solidarity with the sacked Lagos doctors, stating that only Lagos state oil and gas stations will be shut down during the action.

“We have resolved that if by Monday, Lagos state government fails to reinstate all the sacked Doctors, we shall embark on Solidarity democracy strike

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30 ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

AEROCONTRACTORS (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 06.50, 13.30, 19.45 LOS-ABJ (SUN): 12.30 LOS-ABJ (SAT): 16.45 ABU-L OS: 07.30, 13.00, 14.00, 19.00 ABU-LOS (SUN): 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 ABU-LOS (SAT): 18.30

DANA AIRLINES (MON - SUN) LOS-ABJ: 07.02, 08.10, 12.06, 15.30, 17.10

UBA Plc GMD/CEO, Mr. Phillips Oduoza (middle), Group Country Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, VISA Card, Mr. Gerald Hawkins (2nd right), Divisional Head, e-Banking, UBA, Mr Yinka Adedeji, (left), Country Manager, West Africa, VISA Cards, Mr Ade Ashaye, (2nd left), and Head, Emerging Products, VISA Cards, Mr Douglas Henderson (right), during the visit of VISA officials to UBA Plc, recently in Lagos.

ABJ-LOS: 07.20, 09.36, 13.05, 14.40 ABJ-LOS (SAT/SUN): 13.05, 18.00 LOS-KANO : 08.10 KANO-LOS: 11.25 KANO -ABUJA: 11.25 ABUJA-KANO : 10.08

IRS AIRLINES LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

CFA • £ RIYAL $

SELLING 0.3017 198.7822 246.115 41.5156 155.7

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45 LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

22nd May, 2012 BUYING 0.2817 197.5055 244.5343 41.2489 154.7

• £ RIYAL $

BUYING 210 250 40 156

SELLING 212 252 42 158

where all operations of Lagos state alone will be shut down together with all filling stations, tanker drivers and all Oil and Gas workers will be sitting at home in Lagos until doctors are recalled back to their duty”, he enthused.

It could be recalled that all health workers in Lagos have also commenced a solidarity strike in sympathy with their sacked colleagues in the state.

The feud between the Lagos State Government and the grieving doctors has a history dating back to 2009, when doctors in the state demanded for the implementation of the policy of Consolidated?Medical Salary (CONMESS).

However, the Lagos state government has opposed this.

Several warning strikes and a subsequent indefinite strike were embarked upon by the doctors, snowballing into government’s move to sack all 788 of them.

During a warning strike in 2011, a National Industrial Court (NIC) sitting had ruled that the doctors had the right to embark on a strike action in pressing home their demand, but it became a different ball game recently when the Lagos state government said it sacked its 788 doctors who had embarked on a strike action in April.

The doctors took their grief to court, but when the trial was to commence, the Lagos Government requested that the NIC strike out the matter, first contending the legal status of the Medical Guild in filing a suit on behalf of the sacked doctors, and then challenging the jurisdiction of the NIC in entertaining such suit.

Management Tip of the Day

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN

All have been criticised by environmental groups, but the oil majors retort that they would be happy to trap all of the gas if the government provided them with a market for it.

Nigeria has long pledged but failed to end flaring, and although officials say it has fallen in the past decade, Nigeria remains the world’s second biggest burner of gas associated with crude oil production after Russia. Many see the new target date to end flaring as unrealistic. (Reuters)

M

Don’t take that coffee break

ost people assume it's good to take a few breaks during the day — grab a coffee, make a personal call, check Facebook — and then return to work refreshed. But those non-work related breaks may be making you more tired and distracted.

Detaching from work is only beneficial if it's over a longer period of time. If you need a break — and we all do — try writing out a to-do list or giving a colleague a compliment instead of drinking a caffeinated beverage or listening to music.

If you do something workrelated during those brief times you'll be more engaged and energized. At the end of the day, you can punch out and pursue those non-work conversations and hobbies.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PAGE 25

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

COMPANY NEWS LCCI frowns at National Lottery Regulatory Commission activities

T

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has frowned at the activities of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission after it allegedly sealed the premises of a multinational company and arrested some of its officials.

Actis sells 85% stake in Accra mall

T

he pan-emerging markets private equity firm, Actis, with strong presence in Nigeria, during the weekend, confirmed the sale of its 85percent shareholding in Accra Mall to South African commercial and retail property developer, Atterbury, and financial services group, Sanlam.

Lafarge’s focus on continuous business process improvement yields, growth in earnings

Kwara reduces shares in Aviation College to 30% From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Kwara state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has disclosed that the state had reduced its share at the International Aviation College to 30 percent, to further give private sector to play dominate role in the activities of the

institution.

Governor Ahmed, who disclosed this yesterday during the flag-off of flight training at the College also disclosed that six indigenes of the state would be given scholarship in the college, as part of his administration to motivate citizens to acquire knowledge.

The Governor, who commended the initiative of the immediate past governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki to establish the College noted that it has the college has started increasing the tempo of economic activities in the state, stressing that the institution has opened up for the training of commercial pilots.

First mobile academy for launch in Nigeria

By Muhammad Sada

N

okia has partnered with Nigeria’s innovation incubator, Co-Creation Hub to launch the first mobile software accelerator academy in the country.

The academy, known as the Nokia/CCHub Growth Academy programme, entails a 3-month intensive program aimed at equipping early stage start-ups and business ideas with the required skills and resources.

According to the Director,

Pre- incubation and Research of Co Creation Hub, Adetunji Eleso, “The Growth Academy programme is a novel accelerator programme in Nigeria, which will build the capacity of Nigerian technology start-ups to create world-class applications that meet the real needs of Nigerian consumers.

While speaking, the head of Ecosystem and Developer Experience for Nokia West Africa, Teemu Kiijarvi noted that “at Nokia, our objective with the Growth Academy is to support local talents in

developing their skills and in growing their companies, and our aim is to integrate them into both regional and global markets and ensure future funding for growing their companies,” The program aims at helping mobile software developers develop world-class mobile applications. Following a presentation to investors at the end of the program, funding will be given to select participants to enable them scale their operations.

C

F

Nobel Carpets excites market with new center rug designs

D

Lubricant manufacturers seek low tariff on raw material to lift local industry

L

ubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN) has called on the Federal Government to urgently take steps to protect Nigeria’ s lubricant manufacturing industry and safeguard millions of jobs across the country.

China increases orders for Nigeria’s crude oil as US reduces demand

By Muhammad Nasir

oremost cement manufacturing and marketing company, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc announced that it recorded a profit after tax of N8.5 billion in the 2011 financial year, compared to N4.8 billion for the year ended 31st December 2010; an increase of 74.6 per cent, the company said recently.

elivering on the brand promise to consistently provide best quality Carpets & Rugs and constantly evolve with innovations for customers’ satisfaction, Lucky Fibres Plc., makers of Nobel premium brand of Carpets and Rugs has introduced its new designs for Centre Rugs into the market.

In his address, the Chairman of Board of Directors, Captain Edward Boyo, who recalled that the institution had gone through various ordeals before it could stand of time, said it would needed ten more single Engine Aircraft, three twin engine aircraft, three flight simulators and buoyant budget for more technical and academic personnel.

“Today, the College prides itself with excellence and the first twelve students that started our SPI class have been drilled and well-trained. They are our proof to the world that Kwara state can do it.

“We are on the process of admitting the SPII class and we have received a good level of interest from several state of the federation. We will be admitting twenty students into the SPII class and SPIII of thirty students will follow by December 2012”.

L-R: National Chairman, Association of Mega Filling Station Owners of NIgeris (AMFSON), Chief Andrew Ashiga, being presented some documents by the senior programme officer of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Tunji Sekon duing the introduction of AMFSON into the TUC of Nigeria in Abuja, recently.

hina has increase it orders of crude oil from Nigeria as Asian marketers are demanding a per barrel price reduction due to the increased cost of shipping the crude.

This was after the United States (USA) slashed oil imports from Nigeria due to surging output and refinery closures in North America.

It is to be noted that Nigeria was the 5th largest supplier of crude to the USA and the loss of volume from one of its major trading partners has caused Nigeria to have to seek out alternative markets to supply its crude oil.

However, the distance between Bonny Terminal and Tianjin China is 12,172 miles compared with the distance to New York which is almost half at 5,847 miles.

According to data from Bloomberg, Asian customers will increase their daily imports of Nigerian crude in June, buying at least 513,333 barrels of Qua Iboe per day.

NITDAs task stakeholders to improve its products through IT

By Adeola Tukuru

T

he Director-General of the National Information Development Agency (NITDA), Professor Cleopas Angaye has charged all stakeholders in the Information Technology (IT) sector to use the Consumer Contribution/Complaints Platform for ICT Products and Services to improve the IT products and facilities in there applications.

Dr. Angaye stated this during the just concluded launching of the Consumer Contribution/ Complaints Platform for ICT

Products and Services in Abuja. He explained that the current computing environments are complex and therefore sharing of resources between applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, databases, operating systems etc, can only be seamless if there are efficient IT standards.

Cleopas further added that the current IT platforms have provided a wide range of services that previously would have been impossibly. In his words: “ These might include Video/Audio Streaming, Videoconferencing,

Telemedicine, E-Commerce, Elearning and E-Governance amongst others in government”.

He said that these new development will allow users of IT facilities to report inferior or substandard products, to discourage consumers from patronising pirated products and to promote the development o efficient IT products.

According to him, the provision of IT standard facilities exchange of information and documents with current computer Technology System and other interfacing networking connectivity

environment. Adding that Software and Hardware standards are based on the current technology that are available combined with the current needs of end-users.

He further added that in developing a nation, wide standard computing infrastructure based on hardware and software standards greatly improves the day-to-day functions of government and business offices and also improves the operations and interaction of departments, Federal, state and local government at administrative levels.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

One year on, it’s an economy

By Aminu Imam and Abdulwahab Isa

A

year ago, in the heat of the build-up to the 2011 presidential election the team recruited to spearhead President Goodluck Jonathan's political campaign organ, Neighbour-to-Neighbour,was saddled with the task of spreading the message of transformation which promised "good tidings" for Nigerians.

The transformation agenda, especially as it concerned putting the economy on the path of growth, which folks at Neighbourto-Neighbour adopted as a signature tune, is however still at ground zero one year since GEJ was elected, on his own platform, the president of Africa's most populous nation.

This assessment is hinged on the Jonathan Presidency's performance in the following critical sectors of the economy: Power & Energy As he campaigned for the presidency, Jonathan repeatedly promised to improve the epileptic national grid. Speaking at a campaign rally in Benin City at that time, he promised to ensure reliable electricity supply by 2015.

"Our idea is to transform the economy to create space for all of us to operate in," he said. "We are putting the emphasis on the power sector. Power is one of our key points in our process of transforming the country. Our focus is to support the small and medium-scale enterprise that employs more than 70% of our people to be very vibrant, and we cannot do it without power."

One year on, the government is nowhere nearer a solution to issue of power supply which is very critical to resuscitation of productive or commanding heights of the economy. Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, during a budget defence in 2011 listed a delay in the release of budgeted funds and cash backing as major setbacks to stable power supply. He noted that the failure of the National Assembly to pass the virement of his ministry and the attendant cumbersome procurement process also posed serious challenges.

The minister noted that an additional generation capacity of 960MW was expected to be recovered from the rehabilitation of units at Kainji, Shiroro, Ughelli, Egbin and Geregu power stations during the 2012 financial year.

The Egbin power station, which contributes about 1,080 megawatts to the national grid, has dropped to 800 megawatts and this has adversely affected electricity distribution and supply to customers.

Against this background Nigerians were told to prepare to start paying higher electricity tariff from the second quarter of this year as plans have been concluded to raise the current rate.

The new tariff was initially scheduled to take effect on January 1, this year to coincide with the plans by the Federal

One year into the Jonathan administration, the consensus is that if the programmes contained in the transformation agenda Transportation On transportation, the present administration have said it recorded major achievements from the dredging of River Niger, to the near completion of the inner waterway ports, to the construction of the Onne Port in Port Harcourt and the renovation of the old Warri port, and the renovation of the rail lines.

At the Apapa Ports, work is going on 24 hours to ensure that the huge demurrage incurred in the past by both governments and private sector is really a thing of the past.

The dredging of River Niger, which was begun few years ago, has been completed according to the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Peter Obi on Inter Party Affairs, Chief Ben Obi who said that the Onitsha port, which is one of the inland ports being built by the Federal Government to service the country's inland waters is also awaiting commissioning by President Goodluck Jonathan when he visits Anambra state.

According to Chief Ben Obi, the Onitsha port is already providing skeletal services as it is being used by some companies for the clearing of goods, and that business at the port would peak when it is officially commissioned.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Government to sell the power generation, distribution and transmission firms unbundled from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.

The increase in tariff, according to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), would only go up by about 11%, not the widely speculated 88%.

The NERC Multi-Year-TariffOrder is aimed at gradually increasing electricity tariff to attract private investors.

Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi made it clear that for Nigerians to enjoy constant it should be able to generate 22, 000 to 25,000 megawatts daily, stressing that the current generation capacity is unacceptable.

The nation's electricity generation, according to him, currently stands at between 3, 600 and 4,800 megawatts daily out of which about 200 megawatts are kept in reserve to take care of system collapse.

As way of successfully actualizing this, Dr. the Chairman of NERC explained that the meters have been classified into R1, R2 and C1 among others, pointing out that R1 customers would no longer pay both the meter maintenance fee and fixed charges as they would only be paying for the energy they consumed at the rate of N11 per kilowatt hours.

The R2 customers, according to him, would be paying a monthly fixed charge of N500 in addition

to whatever they consume at the rate of between N11 and N12 per kilowatt hours.

Saying that it may not be possible for all electricity consumers in the country to be provided with meters before the take off of the increase in electricity tariff, Dr. Amadi pointed out that it would cost about N7billion to provide meters for consumers nationwide.

The Senate has however queried the rationale behind the proposed increase in electricity tariff by 88 per cent in the face of poor power supply across the country. Its committee on Power had summoned the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, and the Chairman, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, to explain the reasons behind the planned increase in tariff.

Agriculture Agriculture is receiving a major boost under the present administration as a major plank, in terms of policy to generate and create wealth for the people of Nigeria.

The new agricultural programme that has been unveiled by the Minister of Agriculture is revolutionary in nature, in terms of the targeted impact and is aimed at making Nigeria sufficient in food production, to give the nation food security in the longterm.

Oil & gas In pursuing the transformation and reforms, President Jonathan stated on assumption of office that he would continue with the oil and gas industry reform in order to transform the industry into a

modern one where international best practice would be the rule.

In keeping with the desire to continue with the reform of the oil and gas industry, President Jonathan's government reinvigorated the drive for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which would provide a legal framework for his reform Agenda.

The refineries which are being constructed with the NNPC were expected to increase the nations refining capacity by 750,000 barrels per day translating to over 45million litres of pms per day. In terms of job creation, experts forecast that the projects will collectively attract over 20,000 jobs.

While about 14,000 workers would be required during the period of the planned construction, an estimated 6,000 workers are needed to run the three refineries and the petrochemical plant when they come to stream. Other multiplier effects will include the generation of local businesses for auxiliary services, including suppliers of goods and services of all types to the industrial sites.

There was renewal of oil exploration activities in the Chad Basin which witnessed spirited moves by the federal government to build up the nations proven oil reserve through the exploration of the new frontiers for oil and gas production.

Unfolding the agenda, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke stated that the federal government is

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 27

that is still prostrate are to be realisable government should confront its challenges head-on by 'walking' its talk. focused on ensuring expeditious implementation of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan to attain clear-cut short-term and some medium-term objectives as well as to position Nigeria as a major player in the global gas market by securing the FID of the Brass Liquefied Natural Gas by the end of 2010, while refocusing on the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas plant.

The Minister also explain the new pricing regime, noting that currently the price of gas to power is two cent ($0.2) per mmbtu of gap, and that by the end of the year, the price of gas would increase to $1/mmbtu, adding that the price would graduate to $1.50/ mmbtu by 2011 and $2/mmbtu by the end of 2013 and by 2014, it would increase based on inflation rate.

Many industry watchers acknowledge that besides the PIB, which is yet to be passed by the National Assembly, the Nigerian Content Act signed into law only a few weeks into the life of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration remains the single most important piece of legislation in more than fifty years of oil production in the country.

Indeed, and as is to be expected, the administration has hinged the successful execution of its nascent Gas Industrial Revolution on the progress being recorded in the implementation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010.

Macro-economy

Minister of Trade and Investment, Prof. Olusegun Aganga The reforms of the banking sector initiated by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has succeeded in calming a hitherto near to collapse sector.

The banks have been repositioned to respond to optimally to the need of depositors.

None of the existing Deposit

Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke

Money Banks (DMB) is in insolvency state presently- courtesy of combine effort of CBN and Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The creation of Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) by the sectors' regulatory authorities to mop up bank's toxic asset has saved the banking sector from having nightmares.

While banks have been repositioned to meet depositor's demand; credit flow to the economy has been stifled and constraint due to high lending interest charges by banks.

Entrepreneurs have cried out of arbitrary high lending rate, which they say is dis-incentive to investment while investors still groan under un-assessable credit lines from banks.

Outlook As the Jonathan-led administration roll out drums to celebrate, members of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) has scored the performance of the Nigerian economy as very low in the last one year.

The National Association of Chambers of Commerce Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) have said the national macro-economic performance since the beginning of 2012 only confirms that the challenges as at the end of December 2011 have not translated to any significant impact on the real sector of the economy and the citizenry, due largely to the delayed signing of the 2012 Federal Budget and the tempo of insecurity in the country.

NACCIMA President, Dr. Ademola Ajayi pointed out that the business

community had continued to grapple with the usual issues of unfriendly operating environment, policy inconsistencies and infrastructural con-straints, particularly the perennial power and energy crisis with no end in sight.

"The exchange rate, stabilised within a band of N150 and N160to aUS dollar, while the inflation rate was up from 10.3% in December 2011 to 12.1% in March 2012. The GDP growth rate was up from 7.40% in December 2011 to 7.68% in March 2012.

"The external reserves rose from US$34.4 billion in December 2011 to US$37.5 in March, 2012, while the interest rate remained double digit, hovering between 17% and 28% as against a single digit rate anticipated by business operators."

The association also cited tight monetary policy which is affecting liquidity and delivery of credit; Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of eight per cent; Liquidity Ratio (LR) of 30 per cent and Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 12 per cent as major constraints to liquidity and consequently delivery of affordable credit to the economy.

Also the Lagos Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) has attributed unending incessant power outage to failures of Nigerian businesses in the last one year.

The LCCI noted that there was an evident deterioration in power supply in the first quarter which took its toll on businesses in the Lagos area and other parts of the country. He added that the partial removal of subsidy made the impact more severe, especially for SMEs that use smaller capacity electricity generators.

The LCCI noted that the sharp increase in operating costs due to high cost of diesel and petrol under the present government

had caused competitive disadvantage for local producers and manufacturers, eroding profit margins.

The chamber also noted that the security situation in the country had assumed disturbing dimensions impacting on the investment environment.

According to it: "It has caused declining investors' confidence across the broad spectrum of domestic, foreign and prospective investors in the economy further causing negative impact on image and perception of the country in the global community. It has also escalated the risk of doing business in some parts of the country, thereby giving rise to the relocation of businesses away from the troubled spots in the country."

It pointed out that some organisations reviewed their security budgets upwards in the light of developments in the country, adding that the situation further caused significant setback for the tourism sector in the country.

However what is more disturbing is the recent revelation which shows that the Northern part of Nigeria has continued to witness decline on the region's socio-economic sector, losing about N25billion daily to the prevailing insurgency.

The insecurity has cast a gloomy hue on the country, particularly in the North. The insecurity has not only grounded major commercial activities in the northern states, it has also posed serious challenges to owners of small-scale businesses such as buying and selling at the night. For instance, operators of local fast food (tea and noodles) shacks have been forced to stay out of business because of fear of being bombed.

In Kano, the frequent attacks by gunmen since the January 20 multiple attacks have had devastating effect on the economy of the state.

No doubt, the coordinated attacks have impacted negatively on the long standing economic position of the entire instability and hurt the nation’s struggling economic.

Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

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ANALYSIS

By Sophie Sportiche hen the lifeless body of Mary Kennedy, the estranged wife of Robert F Kennedy Jr, was found at her New York home last week, it gave fresh life to a decades-long speculation that the Kennedy's one of America's most recognisable families - are cursed.

Mary's untimely death - media reports say she committed suicide - is far from the first tragedy to afflict the family.

The most famous member of the family to meet a premature unnatural death was US President John F Kennedy, whom Harvey Lee Oswald shot to death on November 22, 1963 as Kennedy's motorcade drove through Dallas, Texas.

In eight Gallup polls conducted in the past 12 years, Americans have consistently ranked him as one of the all-time great US presidents alongside Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln.

His brother, Senator Robert F Kennedy, was also shot and killed in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination. Two other siblings, Kathleen and Joseph, perished in fatal plane crashes.

Younger generations of the Kennedy family have likewise experienced a slew of tragedies, including drug overdose, infant death, a lethal skiing accident, and another fatal plane crash.

"America's royal family", as they are sometimes known, is not the only family to suffer from misfortune: Pakistan's Bhuttos and India's Nehru-Gandhis are also world-famous political dynasties whose family history are seemingly cursed.

The idea of the "Kennedy curse" was coined by media outlets after late US senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy drove his car off a bridge in Chappaquiddick Island in 1969.

Kennedy lived, but his passenger in the car, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned.

Later, Kennedy gave a televised speech in which he stated that the accident made him wonder "whether some awful curse [does] actually hang over all the Kennedys".

Some historians believe Kennedy's allusion to a curse was a misguided attempt to exculpate himself from responsibility for Kopechne's death.

"Mary Kopechne died because of his actions, not because of any twist of fate. It

W

The mystique of ‘cursed dynasties’

John F Kennedy and his brother Robert - both successful politicians - were assassinated in the 1960s [GALLO/GETTY] happened because he was driving late at night under the influence of alcohol," author Thomas Maier who has written extensively about the Kennedy family told Al Jazeera.

Edward Kennedy did not report the incident to the police, and the accident is often regarded as having ruined his future chances to be elected president.

"The curse is an absurd and deeply offensive myth that has been perpetuated by media and people trying to explain away circumstances," said Maier. "In fact, the deaths were always [except in the case of John and Robert's assassinations] caused by the actions that deliberately endangered their lives."

Maier added that the staying power of the Kennedy's curse stems from the way in which the family embodied the American Dream.

"The Kennedy story is deeply rooted in the story of America itself," he said. "They embody the great American belief that an immigrant can come to America and through hard work and sense of family work

their way to the top of society".

That legacy, Maier believes, was solidified by John F Kennedy's charisma and fate.

"John Kennedy's rhetoric, his appearance, his youth, and the tragic situation in which he died indelibly left its imprint on the American psyche and left people groping for answers," he said. "That is part of the reason that he, and his family, remain powerful figures in the American imagination."

Halfway across the world, the Bhutto family - sometimes known as the Kennedys of Pakistan - are also one of the most well-known political dynasties whose image has been branded by their unfortunate fate.

Their curse began with the death of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, the prime minister who was imprisoned and hanged in 1977 at the orders of General Zia-ulHaq following a military coup.

Zulfiqar's sons Murtaza and Shahnawaz were both assassinated under mysterious circumstances.

Murtaza, who formed the armed group al-Zulfiqar while self-exiled in Afghanistan to

combat the military dictatorship under Zia, was supposedly shot dead in 1996 by police outside of his home - although a number of people question the police's involvement.

His brother Shahnawaz was found poisoned in his apartment in Nice, France, 11 years earlier.

More recently Benazir, who served two terms as prime minister and succeeded her father at the head of the democratic socialist Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), died from a combination bomb and gun attack while leaving an election rally in 2007.

Duane Baughman, who directed a documentary on Benazir entitled Bhutto, told Al Jazeera that the Bhuttos captured the public imagination through "their good fortune, their wealth, their exceptional good looks" and the perception that they were martyred for democracy.

"Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan's first democratically elected prime minister, won on the strength of the [PPP], which promised a poor country 'food, shelter, and clothing' as well as the creation of a middle class," he explained.

"When you try to change the

“

Later, Kennedy gave a televised speech in which he stated that the accident made him wonder “whether some awful curse [does] actually hang over all the Kennedys”.

Indira Gandhi with Rajiv and Sanjay in 1967 [GALLO/GETTY]

course of your nation's history and you are killed, you become a martyr; there will undoubtedly be a huge outpouring of sympathy."

Zarrar Khuhro, the editor of the Express-Tribune daily's magazine section, agreed, and said that their violent deaths turned both Zulfiqar and Benazir into saints.

In Zulfiqar's case, Khuhro said, "the way in which he was killed… had the effect in many ways of putting his political legacy above reproach, much like [President] Kennedy".

"The man did actually achieve a great deal, but he was also autocratic... he also had many faults."

Khuhro also explained that perhaps the family's most important legacy was the influence that the Bhutto name has had on current Pakistani politics.

Unlike other political parties, "the PPP, despite the best efforts of Zia-ul-Haq, the establishment, and subsequent military dictators and civilian political opponents, never broke up", he told Al Jazeera. "To a large extent, that's really due to the Bhutto legacy, name and mystique."

He added that current Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari continues to make use of the iconic power of the Bhuttos to further the party's political goals. "[The PPP] trots out Benazir's legacy whenever they're in trouble, but how many times are you going to play that card? You're not going to have a Bhutto die for you every four, five years - God forbid."

Khuhro stressed that the Bhuttos also shared a number of similarities with neighbouring India's storied Nehru-Gandhi dynasty.

The Nehru-Gandhis (who are not related to Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi) have suffered from similarly bad luck.

In 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi - the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister after it gained independence was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards. Because her son Sanjay, widely expected to be her political successor, had died prematurely in a plane crash in 1980, her other son Rajiv became prime minister after her death. He was assassinated seven years later by members of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a separatist military organisation.

The family has arguably been the most important political force in India: a member of the dynasty has been in charge of the country for 40 out of the last 64 years.

Like the Bhuttos, politicians in India continue to capitalise on the Nehru-Gandhi mystique. Sonia, Rajiv's widow, heads the ruling Congress party despite her Italian origin. Her son, Rahul, is an important party functionary and touted by many as a future prime minister.

No surprises here, since the Gandhi surname does cast a spell on many, just as the Kennedys and Bhuttos do.

Source: Aljazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 39

Dozens injured in Nairobi blast Rwanda ‘supporting DR Congo mutineers’

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he UN says it has evidence that a rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo is being fuelled by recruits and support from neighbouring Rwanda.

An internal UN report seen by the Al-Jazeera cited defecting soldiers, who said they had been trained in Rwanda under the pretext of joining the army, before being sent over the border to fight.

The conflict broke out in April after a mutiny by some Congolese army officers.

Rwanda's foreign minister told Al-Jazeera the UN report is "categorical lies".

"The UN mission in DR Congo is lying; they have not verified anything; they are repeating claims and rumours that we, the Rwandan government, have heard over the last many weeks," Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said.

"What would Rwanda gain in creating instability around its own borders? It does not make sense," Ms Mushikiwabo said.

The UN report says some of the mutiny's leaders are former rebel Tutsi officers who had been linked to Rwanda, whose government is dominated by ethnic Tutsis.

They were incorporated into the Congolese army in 2009 as part of a peace agreement.

The area has suffered years of fighting since 1994, when more than a million ethnic Hutus fled across the border into DR Congo following the Rwandan genocide, in which some 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, were slaughtered.

Rwanda has twice invaded its much larger neighbour, saying it was trying to take action against Hutu rebels based in DR Congo.

Tens of thousands have fled the recent violence in the eastern DR Congo.

They had deserted their posts in the mountainous jungle area on the border between the DR Congo and Rwanda.

The UN report says the deserters were Rwandan nationals, recruited in Rwanda under the pretext of joining the Rwandan military.

They were given weapons and training, and then sent into DR Congo.

Some of the men were recruited as early as February 2012, the report says.

This is a potentially significant detail, our correspondent says, as if the claim is true, it would suggest Rwanda was preparing for conflict before the mutiny by rebellious officers began in April.

One of the deserters, the report says, is a minor.

Earlier, there was fresh fighting between government forces and the army mutineers.

The explosion is the latest in a string of blasts to hit the Kenyan capital since late 2011 [Reuters]

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n explosion at a shopping complex in Nairobi's business district has left at least 28 people wounded, authorities said, although the cause of the blast remained unclear.

Mathew Iteere, Kenya's police commissioner, told reporters on Monday that it was too early to determine the cause of the blast, but that blackened wires inside the

trading centre indicated a possible electrical fault.

But two shopkeepers told the Reuters news agency independently that they saw a man drop a bag inside the trading centre moments before the blast.

"He came into the shop twice, looking at t-shirts. He said he didn't have money so he left. Then he came back," said Irene Wachira.

"(He was) three shops away from where I was. He left a bag and a few moments later we had an explosion. The roof caved in and debris started falling on us," Wachira said.

Al Jazeera's Peter Greste, reporting from Nairobi, said that most of the devastation seemed to be "in a small and confined space" and that security sources had told

him that evidence suggested a grenade might have been used.

"So although we don't have an official explanation for the explosion, the indications are that it might have been some kind of bomb attack," said our correspondent.

Raila Odinga, the Kenyan prime minister, also suggested the blast had been a deliberate attack, calling it an "act of terrorism".

"This is a heinous act, we are under threat but we will not be cowed," he said.

Al Jazeera's Peter Greste, reporting from Nairobi, said local television was showing pictures of a burning building with wounded and possibly dead people lying on the ground.

There was no confirmation of fatalities but the Kenya Red Cross said on Twitter that 28 people had been admitted to hospital with four patients in a critical condition.

A spokesman for Kenya Power, the country's sole electricity distributor, said initial investigations had ruled out any electrical malfunction.

Kenya has experienced a series of attacks in recent months, both in Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa, blamed on Somalia's alShabab and their sympathisers since October when Kenya sent troops into Somalia to fight the Islamic armed group.

Libya’s first post-Gaddafi vote may face delay

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ibya's former deputy election commissioner says he quit his post because he does not believe the country is ready for next month's elections.

Sghair Majeri has told Al Jazeera that "holding elections

by June 19 is a mission impossible" as it is a timeconsuming process.

"The ratification process of the final list of candidates will end on the 5th or 6th of June," he said.

"Then we need to sign a contract to print the ballot papers abroad and have them distributed across Libya. That

would need at least four weeks, which means voting cannot take place before the second week of July."

However, Libya's Election Commission insists everything is still on track for holding the vote on June 19.

Over 2.7 million voters have registered nation-wide. Fourthousand candidates are competing for a seat in the national congress that will be charged with writing a new constitution.

Al Jazeera's Omar Al-Saleh reports from Tripoli.

Libya will be holding its first general elections next month

Abyei dispute: Sudan ‘to withdraw troops’

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udan will begin pulling its troops out of the disputed border region of Abyei on Tuesday, an army spokesman has said.

Abyei is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan, which became independent in 2011 after a long civil war. Sudan's forces seized Abyei in May 2011.

Its status was left undecided in

the 2005 peace deal between the sides, and a referendum on the issue has been postponed indefinitely.

Peace talks between the two states are scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

In the talks due to be held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, the two countries are expected to cover several border

Ban Ki-moon calls on Sudan to withdraw forces from Abyei area

disputes that have caused friction, including Abyei.

Sudan has decided to redeploy its troops out of Abyei in order to "offer a good environment for the talks", military spokesman Sawarmi Khaled Saad said in a statement quoted by the AFP news agency.

He said Khartoum was responding to a request from the talks' mediator, former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

It has also asked for a "guarantee" recognising that Abyei is part of its territory, the spokesman added.

On Sunday, former US President Jimmy Carter said after meeting Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir that Khartoum was ready to pull its forces out of Abyei.

Tens of thousands of civilians were displaced when the Sudanese army took control of the region in three days of clashes with South

Sudanese troops in May 2011.

The dispute in Abyei is rooted in ethnic conflict between farmers from the pro-South Sudan Dinka Ngok community and the proSudan Misseriya nomads.

In April, cross-border clashes centred on the neighbouring oilrich region of Heglig brought Sudan and South Sudan close to all-out war.

South Sudan says Sudanese warplanes bombed several locations on its border, although Khartoum denies this.

The same month, the South's troops occupied Heglig for a week.

It said it pulled out in response to international pressure, but Sudan said it reconquered the territory.

The UN Security Council has called on both countries to cease all bombing and cross-border fighting, and to return to talks aimed at resolving their outstanding disputes.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Mavi Marmara: Israeli officers face Turkish trial

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Turkish court has charged four senior Israeli military commanders over the killing of nine Turkish activists trying to reach Gaza in 2010.

Ex-military chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi and former heads of military intelligence, the navy and air force are expected to be tried in absentia.

The nine pro-Palestinian

activists were killed after Israeli troops boarded their ship, the Mavi Marmara.

They had been hoping to breach Israel's naval blockade and deliver aid to Gaza.

A prosecutor at the court in Istanbul has called for each of the four Israeli officers to face nine life sentences, Turkish news agency Anatolia reported.

The other three commanders are ex-naval chief Vice Admiral Eliezer Marom, former head of military intelligence Major General Amos Yadlin, and former head of the air force Brigadier General Avishai Lev. Israel has refused to co-operate with any prosecution of those who took part in the attack.

If they are convicted, the Turkish court could issue a warrant for their arrest.

The Mavi Marmara was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters as it sailed towards Gaza's coast on 31 May 2010.

A UN inquiry found that Israel's blockade of Gaza was "a legitimate security measure".

It said Israeli troops had faced "significant, organised and violent resistance" when they boarded the ship.

But it said Israel's decision to board the ship and the use of substantial force was "excessive and unreasonable".

The incident has led to a major rift in relations between Turkey and Israel

Colombia’s Farc rebels to free Frenchman on Wednesday

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Israeli navy commandos intercepted the Mavi Marmara and other ships

olombia's left-wing Farc rebels say they will release the French journalist Romeo Langlois they are holding on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Farc said it would hand over Mr Langlois to an international committee that has been negotiating his release.

He was captured by rebels on 28 April during an army anti-drugs operation in the jungles of southern Colombia.

Mr Langlois, 35, has been reporting from Colombia for over a decade.

He was on an assignment for international broadcaster France 24, filming soldiers destroying cocaine laboratories in the Caqueta region.

The army said he was injured in the arm when the group came under attack and ran towards the rebels.

The Farc later described him as a "prisoner of war", because he was wearing military uniform, body armour and accompanying an

army unit.

In their latest statement, the rebels say Mr Langlois will be handed over to a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross, a French government envoy and a peace group led by former Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba.

"The co-ordinates of the location where Langlois will be freed will be submitted at an opportune time."

The rebels say they are negotiating final details for the release, including safety guarantees.

Correspondents say the Colombian army forces usually cease all operations in the region where hostages are being released.

In February, the left-wing group promised to stop kidnapping civilians for ransom, and last month released its last remaining military and police captives.

However, anti-kidnap groups estimate that it is still holding hundreds of civilian hostages.

Shafiq and Morsi confirmed for Egypt runoff

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The rebels have described Romeo Langlois as a prisoner of war

Mohammed Morsi, once dismissed as the Muslim Brotherhood's "backup candidate," received the largest share of votes. [EPA]

he Egyptian presidential election will come down to a runoff between Ahmed Shafiq, the final prime minister under deposed president Hosni Mubarak, and Mohammed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, according to final results released on Monday.

Farouq Sultan, the head of the presidential election commission, announced the results at a press conference. Morsi garnered the largest share of votes, nearly 5.8 million; Shafiq came in a close second, with 5.5 million.

The frontrunners Mohammed Morsi: 5,764,952 Ahmed Shafiq: 5,505,327 Hamdeen Sabahi: 4,820,273 Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh: 4,065,239 Amr Moussa: 2,588,850 The two frontrunners, Morsi and Shafiq, will compete in a runoff election on June 16 and 17.

The third-place finisher was Hamdeen Sabbahi, a former parliamentarian who had emerged as a favourite candidate for many of Egypt's liberals. He received just over 4.8 million votes.

Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, a moderate former member of the Brotherhood, received just over 4 million votes, and Amr Moussa the former Arab League chief, came in fifth with 2.58 million.

Last week's election was the first free presidential ballot in Egyptian

history. Around 23 million people voted, Sultan said, a turnout of roughly 46 per cent.

Sultan said that seven candidates had filed complaints about the results.

Four were dismissed because of a lack of evidence; the other three were rejected because candidates missed the filing deadlines.

Several candidates, including Aboul Fotouh and Sabbahi, alleged that thousands of military conscripts - who are prohibited from voting - cast ballots during the election. But Sultan rejected that claim, saying the commission found no evidence to support it.

One final challenge remains: On June 11, Egypt's high court will rule on the constitutionality of a law which bans senior Mubarak-era officials from running for office. If upheld, the law would obviously have serious implications for Shafiq's candidacy.

(Farouq Sultan, the head of the election commission, is also the chief judge on the supreme court.)

The frontrunners will spend the next two weeks manoeuvring to win support from the defeated candidates, ahead of the runoff on June 16 and 17.

Two of them, Moussa and Aboul Fotouh, refused to endorse either of the frontrunners during separate press conferences on Monday. Moussa lashed out at both winners, saying that "a return to the old regime is unacceptable, [and] so is exploiting religion in politics".

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 41

Chile-Peru landmine blast kills at least one in car

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Peruvian driver was killed when his car hit a landmine in northern

Chile.

The Chilean army said the car - a taxi with a Peruvian number plate - crossed the border illegally on Friday night in the Arica and Parinacota region.

It inadvertently entered a minefield and set off an anti-tank device, which destroyed the vehicle.

Chile planted thousands of mines along its border in the

1970s during a period of tension with Peru.

Chilean prosecutor Patricio Espinoza confirmed the driver was a Peruvian national, but did not identify him.

The victim was apparently driving a taxi that belonged to a private company in the border city of Tacna.

The Chilean army said in a statement that the minefield, in an area known as Quebrados Escritos, "was expressly marked according to existing international norms."

Reports in the Chilean press say another person was killed in the accident.

The police said no one could have survived the powerful explosion, but only one casualty has been confirmed so far.

Periodic border tensions are a legacy of the 19th Century War of the Pacific, which ended with Chile annexing part of southern Peru as well as Bolivia's coastline.

The mines on the Peruvian border were planted during the government of Gen Augusto Pinochet (1973-90).

Chile had tense relations with Argentina at the time, and the military government decided to mine its northern border to prevent an invasion.

Chile's democratic government later became a signatory to the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel mines.

It aims to be mine-free by 2020.

Since 2002, 14,000 mines have been cleared, but thousands still remain on the border with Peru.

In February, more than 100 of them were displaced by torrential rain and washed down a ravine into the vicinity of the road linking Arica in Chile and Tacna in Peru.

The border remained closed for several days, while army bomb disposal experts detonated a number of devices in controlled explosions.

Bahrain activist Rajab released on bail

Rajab has been detained and beaten several times during nearly 18 months of unrest in Bahrain [via Twitter]

N

abeel Rajab, still faces travel ban and criminal charges for "inciting" protests and "defaming" security forces.

Nabeel Rajab, a prominent Bahraini human rights activists, has been released on bail, according to his lawyer.

Rajab, the director of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was arrested earlier this month at Manama's international airport after returning from Lebanon.

He was charged with "inciting illegal rallies" through social networking websites, and with "defaming" Bahrain's security forces.

Rajab was released on 300 dinars ($800) bail, but still faces a travel ban, his lawyer, Mohamed al-Jishi, said on Monday. The next hearing is scheduled for June 17.

Rajab, one of the most prominent figures in the nearly 18-month pro-democracy uprising in Bahrain, has been detained, questioned and beaten repeatedly by security forces. He rejected the charges against him during a court session earlier this month, describing his arrest as "a political decision".

"I only practised my right to free expression," he told the court. "I did not commit a crime."

The case against Rajab has been widely criticised by local and international human rights groups.

Al-Khawaja ending hunger strike Meanwhile, Abdulhadi alKhawaja, the Bahraini activist who has spent the last four months on hunger strike, plans to end his fast on Monday night, according to his lawyer and one of his daughters.

Annan condemns “appalling Miami police shoot dead ‘growling cannibal’ crime” on visit to Syria

The Chilean army said the minefield was clearly marked

P

olice shot dead a naked man who growled at an officer after he was found eating the face of another naked man in Miami, Florida, witnesses say.

Police reportedly told the attacker to back away and then fired several shots, killing him, after he continued to eat the victim.

Drugs may have played a part in the attack, police say,

which happened next to a busy road on Saturday afternoon.

About 75% of the victim's face was missing, local media have reported.

Cyclist Larry Vega said there was "blood all over the place" when he came across the horrific scene by MacArthur Causeway.

"I told him get off," Mr Vega told WSVN Fox 7. "The guy just kept eating the other guy away

like ripping his skin."

He growled like a wild animal and kept eating at the mans face" End Quote Armando Aguilar He said he alerted a police officer, who warned the attacker several times to get off his victim.

"The guy just stood his head up like that with a piece of flesh in his mouth and growled," Mr Vega said.

Children killed in Qatar mall blaze

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uthorities say 19 people killed, including 13 children, in fire at shopping and entertainment complex.

Qatar's interior ministry has said that 19 people were killed, including 13 children, after a large fire broke out at a major shopping mall and entertainment complex in the capital Doha.

The ministry said on Monday that four teachers and two firefighters were among those killed in the fire, while at least 17 others were injured.

"Most of them (the injured) were from the civil defence," the ministry said on its Twitter account.

Al Jazeera's Stefanie Dekker, reporting from the scene, said that the firefighters had to go through the roof of the mall to get to the nursery where the children were trapped.

"The Gympanzee nursery, where most of the children were, is on the first floor with difficult access," our correspondent said.

"We were told the nationalities of the children included Japanese, Spanish, Filipino, South African, and also

European and Arab, but no Qatari," she said. "Three of the teachers were Filipino and one was African."

Dekker said that the cause of the fire was not confirmed, and authorities were still investigating.

Picture posted online showed black smoke billowing from mall as emergency vehicles rushed to scene [via Twitter]

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eace envoy Kofi Annan condemned the killing of at least 108 people in the Syrian town of Houla as "an appalling crime" on Monday and urged President Bashar al-Assad to prove he wants a peaceful resolution to the crisis racking his country.

Assad's forces killed at least 41 people in an artillery assault on the city of Hama, activists said, shortly after the U.N. Security Council condemned the massacre in nearby Houla which took place on Friday.

With international criticism growing of Assad's methods in trying to crush a 14-month-old uprising, now accompanied by a lightly armed insurgency, U.N./ Arab League envoy Annan arrived in Damascus for talks on his faltering peace plan.

He explicitly urged the Syrian government to "take bold steps to signal that it is serious in its intention to resolve this crisis peacefully" before adding: "This message of peace is not only for the government, but for everyone with a gun."

Russia and China, which had previously vetoed resolutions condening Assad, both approved a non-binding text in New York that criticised the use of artillery and tank shells on homes in Houla, but declined to blame the government alone. The rebels do not have artillery and tanks.

China also used strong words

about the killings.

"China feels deeply shocked by the large number of civilian casualties in Houla, and condemns in the strongest terms the cruel killings of ordinary citizens, especially women and children," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said.

U.N. monitors say at least 108 people were killed, among them dozens of children. Many of the victims were also hacked to death or shot at close range, as shown in graphic images distributed by activists.

U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan delivers a statement upon his arrival at Damascus May 28, 2012. International mediator Annan flew to Damascus on Monday for talks with the Syrian government, a Syrian Foreign Ministry spokesman said, a day after the U.N. Security Council condemned the killing of 108 people in the town of Houla.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 42

The man who was snapped sending a text from his bike (using both hands to type) Crimes: Innocent young girls are being 'kidnapped' and forced to 'marry' older HIV-positive men because of the myth that having sex with a virgin will cure them of the disease

Virginal young girls in South Africa ‘kidnapped and forced to marry older HIV-positive men to cure them of the disease’

I

nnocent young girls are being 'kidnapped' and forced to ' m a r r y ' older HIV-positive men because of the myth that having sex with a virgin will cure them of the disease.

An investigation into South Africa's rural Eastern Cape revealed how children as young as 12, from the Xhosa people, are being pressured into premature nuptials.

CNN discovered how the

locals in the illegality of their actions is said to be paying off, the channel's 'Ukuthwala - Stolen Innocence' documentary details.

Timothy, a man they interviewed, said there was simply no awareness about what was being done.

He said: 'We apologise for that as we did not know we were breaking the law.'

World Aids Campaign field worker Nombasa Gxuluwe, who was born and raised in the area,

Sitting astride a powerful machine, the rider was photographed working on his phone as he travelled along Sydney's M2 motorway at 60mph

I

t is one of the most extraordinary examples of madness on the highway - a motorcyclist riding with no hands as he sends a text message.

Sitting astride a powerful machine, the rider was photographed working on his phone as he traveled along Sydney's M2 motorway at 60mph.

In order to operate the phone, he had to take both hands off the handlebars and,

it is believed, switch his expensive bike onto cruise control.

The rider was photographed by a passenger in another vehicle - believed to be a bus or a lorry due to the elevated angle - as he rode, head down, his concentration on his text message.

Had he crashed, the thin clothing he was wearing would have given him no protection from, at the very least, severe

cuts, grazing and broken bones.

'I thought I'd seen everything,' said morning radio host Ray Hadley when he posted the picture on his website today. 'But obviously I hadn't until now.'

There has been one other example of texting madness in Sydney at the weekend.

A pedestrian walking up a hill in the suburb of Stanmore was astonished to find a skateboard rider coming towards him texting as travelled at a fast speed.

Swiss psychiatrist jailed after stealing a baby so she could ‘reincarnate’ her dead mother

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Campaign: Work is being carried out to educate locals in the illegality of their actions tradition of Ukuthwala, translated to 'to pick up' or 'to take', was used as an excuse to justify the adbuctions.

It said that, in many cases, the 'kidnappings' were consented to by the youngster's parents in exchange for cash.

But a campaign to educate

Dedicated: World Aids Campaign field worker Nombasa Gxuluwe

dedicates herself to try and end what is in effect the buying and selling of child brides.

She told CNN: 'There's a myth if you sleep with a young girl who is a virgin and as a man you are HIV positive then HIV can be cured. That's why they are focusing on these young girls.'

But she said that the men, who were often widowed by HIV, simply ended up infecting their new brides too.

In the documentary, made by WAC, a girl from the village of Lusikisiki tells her story.

She said: 'The lady from next door called me and asked me if I wanted to get married. I said no.

She said if I refused they would take me by force and beat me up.

'The next night the lady came to my house and took me to the river. There were seven people waiting there.

'They made me go with them to the house where the man lived.

I couldn't believe this was happening to me. That I was getting married.

court in Switzerland has sentenced a deranged psychiatrist to three years in jail for kidnapping a baby girl from Romania so she could 'reincarnate' her dead mother through her.

Constanta Albumel, 40, and her husband travelled 800 miles from their home in Zurich to the Romanian city of Timisoara, where they stole an infant from a local children's hospital.

The Zurich court heard how Albumel then performed shaman rituals and chanted over the child in a bid to bring her late mother

Crazy plan: When police finally caught up with Albumel she confessed to kidnap (file photo)

Timisoara, Romania: The couple travelled to the city, broke into a children's hospital and stole a baby back to life. been named - cut a hole in the The mother-of-two - who has fence of the local children's Swiss citizenship but originally hospital, and Albumel sneaked comes from Bucharest - allegedly through, onto a ward and stole a became 'increasingly obsessed' baby girl. with the idea of taking a baby The pair returned to their girl from Romania' in order that home in Zurich and, using fake her dead mother could be papers, they registered the child reincarnated. as their own.

Her husband, a technology But Interpol were called in by expert for a Swiss bank, went Romanian police and two along with the kidnap plan months later they were under because she threatened to arrest. divorce him.

'It was a crazy idea that came On 18 October 2009, the over us,' they said, confessing to couple 800 miles across the kidnap.

Switzerland, Austria and The judge in the case, Peter Hungary to the city of Timisoara Marti, equated their crime with in Romania. murder, stating; 'You were The husband - who has not ruthless, cynical and selfish'.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 43

The vitamin pills that actually work! How some supplements can work wonders for certain ailments

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hen my grandmother suffered a fall and broke her pelvis, her GP advised her to take supplements to help speed healing.

Initially I was sceptical – these things are not part of medical training and I assumed the herbal remedies and vitamin pills in health food shops were little more than placebos. But I was wrong.

With some research I discovered many supplements have a good evidence base to support their use in specific conditions.

Together, my grandmother’s GP and I came up with ‘bone juice’ – a soluble mix of Vitamins C and D, zinc and calcium.

She was on her feet in no time and she felt she was helping herself by taking the juice. She would call me each day to say she had drunk it all.

My only concern is that people don’t treat themselves without a doctor’s guidance and that supplements should not be used instead of prescribed medication. But, as Gran showed me, there are times when they can have real benefit.

Here is my guide to some that have been proven to help maintain health and even treat disease that I, and other doctors, recommend.

Vitamin B for brain function TRY: Viridian High 12 BComplex, £14.70, 90 capsules, healthstore.uk.com.

THE EVIDENCE: All eight B vitamins are involved in a whole host of bodily functions, from controlling metabolism to the production of red blood cells.

The Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Ageing (OPTIMA) found that tablets containing Vitamin B12 and B6, and folic acid slowed shrinkage of the brain by an average of 30 per cent a year in patients with possible early stage dementia.

THE DOSE: It’s early stage research, but they suggest 500micrograms of B12, 20 milligrams of B6, and 800 micrograms of folic acid daily.

These are quite high doses so you may need to buy separate supplements.

Multivitamin for male fertility TRY: Vitabiotics Pregnacare His and Hers Conception, 30 tablets, £16.45, lifepharmacy.co.uk THE EVIDENCE: Much has been written about antioxidants in preventing cancer but the real news is the emerging evidence that they can improve male fertility.

Trials have shown that men who took a combination of oral antioxidants – including vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, folate, L-carnitine and carotenoids – showed an improvement in either sperm quality or pregnancy rate in their partners after taking the supplements. Experts are yet to

understand their importance in sperm quality.

THE DOSE: There is much debate about exact doses that produce the best effects but research suggests doses in the region of: Vitamin C 1000mg, Vitamin E 400-600mg, selenium 100-225micrograms, B-carotene 30mg, L-carnitine 2g. However, it’s easier to simply take one of the tablets specifically designed to help conception.

Fish oil for mental health TRY: BioCare Mega EPA, 90 capsules, 2,333mg, £16.95, dolphinfitness.co.uk THE EVIDENCE: There’s a surprising amount of research supporting the use of fish oils in patients with conditions ranging from depression to schizophrenia.

Experts do not fully understand how omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the symptoms of mental disorders but it is thought it helps the neurons (brain cells) communicate more efficiently.

THE DOSE: If you suffer depression or other mental illness you should take one to three grams of omega 3 daily, but speak to your GP if you are on blood-thinning medication.

Zinc for beating colds TRY: Redoxon Double Action Vitamin C + Zinc 30 Orange Effervescent Tabs £4.91, pharmacyathand.co.uk THE EVIDENCE: Zinc is involved in making white blood cells, which help the body to fight colds. I advise elderly patients to take Vitamin C with zinc supplements in the winter as while one fights infection, the other helps heal.

THE DOSE: One tablet contains 10mg. Take daily throughout winter as a preventative or as soon as symptoms begin and until they subside. Effervescent tablets, which are dissolved in water, can be acidic so drink with a straw.

Vatamin D for strong bones TRY: Nature’s Plus Adult’s Chewable Vitamin D3, 90 tablets, 1000iu, £11.20, nutricentre.com.

THE EVIDENCE:

J o u r n a l concluded t h a t peppermint oil was the b e s t treatment for those who suffer with irritable b o w e l syndrome.

This is b e c a u s e peppermint acts as an a n t i spasmodic, meaning that it prevents the stomach cramping and has no side effects – apart from making your breath smell minty. It is also a n a t u r a l painkiller.

T H E Positive results: Taking vitamin supplements can DOSE: Take sometimes yield real health benefits. one capsule three times a Numerous studies have found day before meals.

Ginkgo Biloba for sharp that elderly adults who take Vitamin D supplements have memory TRY: Vitabiotics Ginkgo and stronger bones.

Many orthopaedic surgeons Ginseng, 60 tablets, 800mg and £9.95, recommend supplements to 150mg, those recovering from yourhealthfoodstore.co.uk.

THE EVIDENCE: I often fractures.

This is because Vitamin D suggest taking ginkgo biloba to helps regulate the amount of elderly people who have bone-building calcium and memory problems if other treatments haven’t worked, or phosphate in the body.

A recent review of all the if their symptoms are not severe scientific literature published enough to warrant prescribed about Vitamin D also suggested medication.

Ginkgo is a type of tree that that it might reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, produces fan-shaped leaves heart disease and diabetes in which have been used for thousands of years in traditional later life, too.

THE DOSE: If you are aged Chinese medicine.

THE DOSE: A trial in 2010 over 65 you should take a supplement of 10 micrograms found that just 240mg a day was significantly superior to a (1000iu) each day. placebo in treating memory Peppermint for nausea TRY: Obbekjaers Oil of problems.

Vitamin C for speedy Peppermint, extra strength, 60 capsules, 200mg, £9.46, healing TRY: Lamberts Vitamin Cyourhealthfoodstore.co.uk.

THE EVIDENCE: A study Time, 1000mg 60 capsules, published in the British Medical £7.30, healthstuff.co.uk.

THE EVIDENCE: Countless studies tried to prove Vitamin C fights colds but only found it offers little assistance. However, Vitamin C is vital for skin growth and cell regeneration as it is involved in the production of collagen, a key component of skin. A surgeon I once worked with insisted that all his patients took a supplement postoperatively.

His reasoning was that as Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin – meaning that the body cannot store it – we need a ready supply, especially when the body is trying to rebuild tissue.

THE DOSE: Take 1g of Vitamin C daily while your wounds heal. Slow-release Fish oils can help reduce symptoms connected with conditions tablets ensure you do not excrete ranging from depression to schizophrenia. it too quickly.

Folic acid for pregnancy TRY: Centrum Pregnancy Care, 30 tabs, £5.29, otcshop.co.uk.

THE EVIDENCE: Folic acid (Vitamin B9) is one supplement that every woman should know about. It has been consistently shown to be of benefit in pregnant women to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

THE DOSE: Take 400iu daily as soon as you begin planning a child, and continue for the first three months of pregnancy, when the baby’s spine is growing.

Garlic for heart health TRY: Viridian Garlic, 90 capsules, 500mg each, £22.05, naturalwayhealth.co.uk.

THE EVIDENCE: Since reading up on the evidence for garlic, I’ve taken a tablet every day. The University of Maryland has found that it boosts circulation, reduces cholesterol and blood pressure by eight per cent as well as slowing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and reducing the risk of cancer.

Although the benefits are slight in each area, when taken overall, it has a potent effect.

THE DOSE: Up to 900mg per day has been shown to be beneficial.

Ginger for nausea TRY: New Chapter Ginger Force, 30 capsules, £23.69, revital.co.uk.

THE EVIDENCE: Ginger has been used for hundreds of years as a traditional remedy for sickness but there’s actually good evidence that it works. It’s particularly useful in the nausea associated with morning sickness.

A study carried out by the University of Adelaide in Australia found ginger as effective as anti-nausea medication in pregnant women.

Ginger for an upset stomach may seem so obvious it’s a cliche but studies have shown that it may help with post-operative nausea, chemotherapy-induced nausea and sea sickness.

THE DOSE: Just one gram daily of fresh ginger is enough to have an effect. Or take a supplement as needed, following the directions on the bottle.

Green tea for fur-free veins TRY: Solgar Chinese Green Tea, 50 capsules, £11.73, revital.co.uk.

THE EVIDENCE: Japanese research has shown that those who drink green tea regularly have lower total cholesterol levels than those who don’t, although why is not fully understood.

While the effect is small compared with cholesterollowering drugs, it can be useful in those with slightly high levels who are trying to reduce their cholesterol levels naturally.

THE DOSE: Just one cup daily is needed to see an effect, or take a daily supplement.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 1, 2012

75% of SMEs fund is idle in Bank of Robbery: Briton Industry, says SMEDAN DG From Suleiman Idris, Lagos

T

he Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Alhaji Mohammed Nadada Umar has disclosed that due to poor planning and lack of appropriate business knowledge among small and medium enterprise operators, 75 percent of funds made for their development are still dormant with the Bank of

Industry (BOI).

Speaking at a one day validation forum on the revised National Policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMES) in Lagos, he said lack of performance among others has necessitated the review of the document formulated in 2004.

Alhaji Umar urgesd SMEs to develop a bankable plan to enable them access the fund meant for the development of

the sector for which only 25 percent has been accessed in the Bank of Industry.

He said "at the moment, fund is not our problem. The fund that the B ank of Industry has for SMEs has not been accessed up to 25% but the problem is that we don't have bankable business plan by the SMES." Pledging that the new policy would look into its existing structure and strategies in order to make it responsive to the yearning of the small businesses

in Nigeria, he said SMEDAN would carry out similar forum across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

"We will be holding the same thing in six geopolitical zone so that we will make sure that we leave no stone unturned because we want to get all the wisdom and experience of the stakeholders so that the new policy will be a part and parcel of the one developed by themselves and not something that is foreign in nature."

Ogun starts preparations for 2012 Hajj From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji Abeokuta gun State Government yesterday said it has commenced preparations in earnest for this year exercise with the sale of forms, as well as tremendous patronage from applicants, just as it also stated that it would solicit for additional slots.

Chairman of the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Dr. Ishaq Yusuf who made this known during a media chat in his office in Abeokuta said government is intensifying efforts towards sustaining the success recorded during the 2011 Hajj exercise for which the state was adjudged best among others that participated.

He said, after the submission of its report on the 2011 Hajj to the governor, the board was mandated to start preparations in earnest for this year's exercise with the sale of forms.

The Board Chairman stated that the initial slot given to the State by the Hajj Commission was pegged at 1,550 but that the board would solicit for additional slots to enable more applicants have the opportunity to perform the exercise. " I hope to ensure that this slot is increased to 3,000 from 1,500 before the tenure of this board expires", he noted Yusuf advised those hoping to partake in this year's exercise to promptly remit initial deposits at the board's head office, adding that they must also practice all the other four pillars of Islam before they would be qualified to embark on Holy pilgrimage.

O

Transformed Kalare youth, during their passing out, yesterday at Malam Sidi NYSC orientation camp, in Gombe.

1197 transformed Gombe Kalare youth graduate in Gombe From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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overnor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe state has assured people of the state of continuous skill acquisition training and many more programmes in the effort to reduce youth restiveness.

Dankwambo disclosed this while speaking at the Mallam Sidi NYSC Orientation Camp during the passing out ceremony of 1200 Kalare youth transformed as Environmental Agent, Traffic Agent and Ward Agent in the state.

His words, "our administration would give youths and by extension, our state a brighter future, this training has transformed our Youth from agent of violence and destruction into agent of socioeconomic development".

He added that out of 1200 youth registrants in the training, only 1197 were graduating as three were expelled on medical ground, adding that 200 youth would be sent to the Citizenship and Leadership Training Institute, Jos for administration course.

The governor also warned them not to break the law or go back to their former habits, adding that they must abide by the rules of engagement and the operational guidelines of their vocations.

He said that to give legal backing to their duties, the agents bill to establish an Agency to manage the three new services had been sent to the state Assembly for enactment into law, adding that their functions under the Act did not include power of arrest but only to monitor and report any breach to law enforcement outfits.

discovery that the robbers have their network around the communities.

The community leaders' spokesman, Sunday Egbunu stated that the boys should be properly screened to know the level of their involvement since some of them had served prison terms in the past for similar offences, noting that if police continued to treat them with kid gloves, it would be difficult

for the community.

"Cases like Indian hemp smoking, rape, stealing and alcoholism which were handled without weighing the gravity among the teens were responsible for the present situation we now found ourselves", stressing, "if the boys were given punishment commensurate with their offences, the story would have been different".

Four unrepentant armed robbers to face trial soon in Kogi From Sam Egwu, lokoja

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xpectation has become high for quick dispensation of justice against those armed robbers who snatched a Reverend Father's car at gunpoint and were caught on April 21, 2012, at Ankpa in Kogi state.

Reports reaching journalists in Lokoja from the community leaders from the

area yesterday, revealed that most of them were involved in snatching valuables from commuters and in some cases outright shooting to death of their victims.

It was alleged that some members of the robbery gang were arrested and two of them killed by Special Task Force, STF, along Ankpa-AdokaOtukpo-Makurdi road in a crossfire leading to the

sues police for N1bn

By Lambert Tyem

A

Briton, Khomeini Bukhari has dragged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar to the Federal High Court Abuja over robbery involving two serving policemen.

The Briton is claiming the sum of N1billion as damages caused to him by the actions of the cops.

Mr. Bukhari is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the police high command to investigate the report made by him to the authority on the 31th of October 2011 concerning the robbery incident of 29th October at the Millennium Park, FCT Abuja.

He claims that the refusal and neglect of the IGP and his officers to investigate the robbery incident amounts to a tortuous breach of a statutory duty to investigate crime to the detriment of the public.

The complainant had gone to the Millenium Park, Abuja, on the said date to unwind and while there, two policemen on duty came and molested him thereby dispossessed him of his wrist watch worth N1.3million and N200,000 cash.

"The sum of N1billion as exemplary and aggravated general damages for the injury suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the tortuous breach by the defendant of the duty to perform his statutory duty to investigate the robbery incident of 29th October 2011 and malicious and libelous publication against the plaintiff", the prayed.

According to the court document prepared against the police and made available to our correspondent, "N1.5 million being the N200,000 and the cost of the wrist watch taken from him

by Samuel Ekpah and Daniel Marcus, two police officers under the operational command of the defendant who accosted the plaintiff in the course of their duties.

"The sum of N1billion as exemplary and aggravated general damages for the injury suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the tortuous breach by the defendant of the duty to perform his statutory duty to investigate the robbery incident of 29th October 2011 and malicious and libelous publication against the plaintiff.

"Public apology to the plaintiff for the libelous statements credited to the public relations officers of the defendant concerning the Plaintiff to be published in three National dailies circulating in Nigeria".

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

By KaturahYashim and Ikenna Uwadileke

T

he potential of the film industry was showcased at the just concluded 2012 Zuma Film Festival held in Abuja.

Experts at the occasion opined that the industry holds great potential to boost economic development,while also promoting national cohesion.

They stressed the need to further harness the potential in the sector, pointing out that the industry was capable of engaging a large segment of unemployed youths.

The festival entitled: “The Human Story, Connecting People,’’ was attended by film makers, film industry professionals and film lovers from within and outside the country.

Identified as an umbilical cord that binds humanity in their creative activity and diversity, the experts said that film also acts as a platform to reflect on Nigeria’s current security challenges.

Information minister Labaran Maku said in an address that the industry was a source of national pride, with capacity to provide jobs to unemployed youths.

Noting that Nigeria has benefitted from the resources available in the industry, the minister said that film could be used as a medium to re-orientate and educate Nigerians in relation to the country’s current security challenges.

Maku said Nigerians should be educated through films to appreciate the culture of peace and national development, stressing that’ the film industry must respond to the challenges we are facing, because in every country the human story reflects the very situation which it is told.’’

“We have so many films about the Second World War and about the First World War. “Every nation faces challenges; the film makers should reflect that and use the medium that is available to them to get that nation out of the problem,’’ he said.

Maku reminded the film industry of its duty to create great movies that would educate young people and spur them to love their nation.

In his speech, former President Olusegun Obasanjo identified ignorance as a problem which, he noted, “leads to suspicion and mistrust’’.

Hitherto, he said, Nigerians were peace loving people with inherent culture of respect for sanctity of life, elders and constituted authority, but regretted that “the evasion of these values due to increasing acculturation and negative external influences have contributed largely to the spate of violent crimes and general insecurity we have today’’.

Gov. Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State said film should be used to sensitise people on the need to respect each other which, he noted, would promote national growth.

Shema advised film makers in the country to produce quality films that would meet international standards, noting that for the country’s film to gain

PAGE 45

Harnessing the potential of the film industry

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku acceptance in the international market, its quality must be high.

“Currently, most of the films we are making require a push and support from the ministry and from all well-meaning people in the industry to be relevant aboard.

Shema urged film producers to continue to market Nigeria’s culture and films aboard, saying thiswould help educate the international community on how Nigerians live,as well as efforts being made to develop the country.

“The young ones should focus on the unity of this nation, as well as the peace and progress of our country.They should focus on

exporting the culture of Nigeria which needs to be told to the rest of the world.’’

Mr. Idi Nasiru, winner of the student category with a film entitled: “Naked Truth’’, called on youths to take the opportunity of the festival to develop their talents.

He said that film makers should use films to expose social vices, and also teach the people how to avoid them.

“I am not saying that we should not make money as film makers, but we should use film to expose societal vices and also teach people how to avoid them.

“If our film makers focus on this, I believe it will solve a whole

Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke

lot of problems in the society,’’ he concluded.

Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) restated the importance of the sector in national economic growth, and estimated that the industry contributed over N522 billion to the gross domestic product of the nation.

“When fully developed, income from the industry will outstrip petroleum as the major revenue earner for the country” he said.

Adesanyanoted that for the potential in the industry to be fully harnessed, there was also the need for training and capacity building of the professionals.

Mr. Kene Mkparu, Managing

Director, Film House Cinemas, said that the country loses about 50 per cent of its income annually, and attributed the development to low patronage of cinema viewing centres across the country.

“For every cinema that is established, there will be at least 50 per cent direct jobs and between 20and 30 per cent indirect jobs,” he said.

Mkparu, a beneficiary of the Federal Government’s $200 million Entertainment Intervention Fund, said the fund would enable him to establish cinema houses across the country.

Also speaking, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, General Manager, Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) corroborated the huge potential in the film industry, saying if well harnessed it would help reduce the unemployment rate in the country.

He urged the government to liberalise access to the entertainment fund so that more film makers could benefitfrom it.

Mr. Emeka Mba, the DirectorGeneral, Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVSB), said film makers would be educated on how to access the fund, adding that the industry was not living up to the expectations of banks and the conditions set for accessing the fund.

“What we need to do is to go round the country, to places where people make films and hold sensitization workshops to explain the policy and how it works.’’

The potential in the film industry is known by the government, film makers and promoters. Government has provided the enabling environment; key players should therefore reciprocate by adequately utilising the fund to boost national economic development.

Source: NAN

Ace Nigerian nollywood actor and former president, Actors Guild of Nigeria, Segun Arinze

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Jonathan’s transfixed transformation agenda ANALYSIS President Goodluck Jonathan’s inaugural speech on May 29, 2011, promised to transform life for Nigerians from its dreariness to one of abundance, but a year on, his transformation agenda is transfixed with lack of vision and political will, writes Abdulrahman Abdulraheem, our State House correspondent.

J

ust like leaders before him, President Goodluck Jonathan unveiled a transformation agenda when he was being sworn into office last May, after winning the presidential election a month earlier. He committed his fledgling administration to fixing the country’s dilapidated infrastructure, providing jobs for the nation’s teeming youth and restoring the country’s pride of place in the comity democratic nations.

However, the agenda had the worst of possible starts by not having any document where its full details and objectives are enunciated. One year one, the picture has not changed much.

Recall that prior to Jonathan’s coming to power, the country had battled with utter darkness (despite huge billions invested in the power sector by previous administrations), dilapidated roads, insecurity (armed robbery, kidnapping et al), lack of jobs, corruption in all facets of national life, a collapsing economy and all that. May be a year is insufficient to judge an administration, but it must be said that hardly any of the above problems have been solved. In fact, most of them have gotten worse in the last one year.

Also recall that while the country battled the aforementioned challenges, a lot of factors were traced to the problems.

Factors like unnecessary duplication of offices at all levels, the huge and undeserved amounts of money government officials (especially legislators) earn, wastages in government quarters. But the transformation agenda has taken care of none of these issues, we still have over 40 ministers and more than one minister in most ministries as well as countless special advisers and assistants.

We still have 469 lawmakers earning jumbo pay and the legislators in charge of constitutional amendment are talking about creating more states when most of the ones we currently have are not selfsustaining. As is the tradition, the Presidency still acts as the national headquarters of the ruling party and meddles into party affairs at the expense of more urgent

national issues. The Presidency dictates who gets what and how within the party and all party faithful in all the wards across the country have to fall in line.

Transformation has done little to our political culture and mentality. A lot of political of observers had expected the President to carry out a transformation in these areas.

President Goodluck Jonathan has built his transformation agenda around the duo of Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala and Olusegun Aganga, finance and trade and investment ministers respectively.

Basically, the agenda seeks to put all measures in place to revive the ailing economy, fix infrastructure, generate employment and wealth for the people as well as tackle corruption.

Aganga, a former Finance Minister no doubt knows the job at hand. His ministry was tasked by the President to put all measures in place to drive massive local and foreign investments in to the country to help generate employment, wealth creation and poverty eradication. Aganga was asked to recommend and implement policies that will help eradicate all trade impediments in the country.

There is no denying his efforts and commitment to the task but a year has been short enough to feel his impact adequately just as the steady progress his ministry is making in boosting investor confidence will continue to be hampered by epileptic power supply and constant threat of the dreaded terrorists.

Aganga has done well in removing some trade

President Goodluck Jonathan impediments in the area of heavy taxation, delay in clearing goods at the ports and delay in the registration of new companies by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

In the past one year, Aganga has held over 70 meetings in over 12 countries to develop investment interest and commitments in key sectors of the economy. According to the minister, recent ones showed a total investment commitment of over the next 3 years of N3.9 trillion.

In local investment, he said a survey conducted by the ministry showed a total investment commitment in the next three years of N2.7 trillion, adding that local companies have shown strong growth in investment expansion of existing companies.

The ministry has strengthened the One Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) in the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), which is charged with the responsibility of putting all potential investors through to what it takes to invest in Nigeria.

Speaking further on the

“

Despite constant denials that the country is not broke, they struggle to pay salaries and NYSC allowances. They have commenced the process of putting another debt burden on the future generations of Nigerians with another 7.9 billion dollars foreign loan

Dr. Ngozi Iweala-Okonjo progress being made in the free trade zones, the minister disclosed that the Onne Oil and Gas free zones currently employs about 30,000 people with 150 companies in operation while the investments are worth N930 billion with commitments over the next 3 years worth N 1.03 trillion.

The minister noted further that other FTZs put together currently generates 5,120 jobs but are capable of generating 495,250 when completed, adding that they generate investments worth N682 billion.

He also revealed that Nigeria made N428 billion from non-oil export in the last one year.

This feat, he said, was achieved through proactive trade policies and incentives for non-oil exports introduced by the ministry.

In the last one year, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) under Aganga’s ministry has been able to reduce the volume of sub-standard products from 85 to 74 per cent, with a target of 30 per cent reduction by the end of this year.

He said notable improvement were recorded with lifeendangering products, saying that the volume of substandard electric bulbs had been reduced from 80 per cent to 50 per cent; reinforced steel bar (45 per cent to 30 per cent); while the volume of substandard tyres reduced from 60 per cent to 50 per cent.

As for Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME) and anchorwoman of Jonathan’s Economic Management Team (EMT), her stewardship so far has been less than remarkable.

Whatever growth she alongside Aganga and CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi claims the economy is recording has existed

only in their books and not in reality. The so-called growth has not brought down the prices of goods in the market neither has it put more money in the pockets of poor Nigerians who are in the majority. We have not seen any serious increase in job opportunities even though their YouWin programme has started well. As they increase corps members’ allowances and give workers N18, 000 minimum wage (which has not even been implemented in most places), they are increasing fuel prices and electricity tariff even when government continues to purchase darkness for the people with billions of dollars sunk into the power sector.

Despite constant denials that the country is not broke, they struggle to pay salaries and NYSC allowances.

They have commenced the process of putting another debt burden on the future generations of Nigerians with another 7.9 billion dollars foreign loan. As the poor masses continue to groan under the ripple effects of the last fuel price increase, no one is sure of SURE just like the subsidy buses have virtually disappeared into thin air.

Defending the federal government’s inability to pay civil servants early enough at month ends, the minister attributed it to government’s effort at curbing ghost workers which she said has saved about N14 million for government so far.

She noted that an integrated payment platform for all federal government agencies has been developed but with a few technical hitches which caused Continued on page 47

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

PAGE 47

Jonathan’s transfixed transformation agenda Continued on page 46 the delay. The minister said when fully operational all civil servants will get their salaries as at when due In fairness to the former World Bank Managing Director however, she has introduced the Single Treasury Account which will ensure that all budgetary allocations to MDAs now reside in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and not in the commercial bank accounts of the MDAs. As a result of this, for any MDA to access its budgetary allocation for the year, it must raise an electronic mandate as against the old practice of manual mandate to the CBN authorizing the apex bank to pay for services, contracts and even over-heads for staff salaries.

The single treasury account, when fully operational, will enable Okonjo- Iweala to monitor the accounts of every MDA at the touch of a button online/real-time, without having to call the directors of finance and accounts of any MDA to know how they are spending their budgetary allocations or the state of their accounts.

Okonjo-Iweala recently announced that the Federal Government was in the process of introducing the policy to sweep excess bank charges into one account.

Besides the duo of Okonjo Iweala and Aganga, other ministers have hardly done anything worth talking about. Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji has travelled to virtually all parts the world and signed countless MoUs with uncountable power firms in all d continents of the universe. He has said a lot about the paper progress being made in the sector. We have had a lot of familiar excuses about gas shortages to power plants and all that. We have also heard about the increment of the tariff on the non- existent electricity. The man has done all he needs to do except causing any improvement on the hopelessly epileptic power situation in the country in the last one year.

But the Presidency seems satisfied with the ministers as it recently came out to say there will be no major cabinet reshuffle soon.

The Boko Haram challenge It is difficult if not impossible for any historian to discuss the Jonathan Presidency without an adequate mention of the dreaded Boko Haram sect. While the violent

activities of sect members, which were restricted to Maiduguri and few other places in the north east, hit the headlines in 2009, their meteoric rise to national limelight with the gut and logistics to carry out more damaging attacks on national assets in Abuja and environs, coincided with the emergence of Jonathan as President of the nation.

Though the President has admitted underrating the sect previously, but now after audacious and unbelievable suicide attacks on the UN House, Louis Edet House and St Theresa’s Catholic Church which left few with any doubt as to the seriousness and devastating intent of the sect members, this writer is sure Mr President dreams of that phrase ‘Boko Haram’ in his sleep.

While their consistent bomb and gun attacks on several people and institutions in the north has exposed the incompetence of our security agencies, they have also exposed the incapacity of the President to in the last one year, handle a complex and problematic nation like ours.

Boko Haram is a serious curse to the Jonathan Presidency no doubt as a good number of the issues that have affected his credibility rating have been Boko Haram-related.

For example, anytime there is a serious Boko Haram attack, Nigerians hiss at the President

especially when he comes out with his usual rhetoric that ‘we are on top of the situation.’

Sometimes last year, at a Sunday Church Service in Abuja, the President told the whole world that he was aware that the Boko Haram militants or sympathisers had infiltrated all branches and departments of government including the security agencies and Armed Forces. So, most observers expected a serious action to follow the statement but nothing happened until the Kabiru Sokoto saga that further proved that the President knew what he was saying. But his reluctance in dealing decisively with the then Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim whose mishandling of the case caused the national embarrassment only reinforced the belief that President Jonathan is weak and indecisive. After much pressure from all circles, the President finally asked the embattled IGP to proceed on compulsory retirement.

At a time people are complaining that the monies budgeted for capital projects are too small to cater for the country’s shortfall in infrastructural development, the President has had to commit more resources to the area of security to make our agencies more prepared to contain and curtail security threats posed by these terrorists at the expense of other crucial areas.

Truth

CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Mr. Olusegun Aganga remains that even if potential investors see huge potentials in Kaduna, Kano or Maiduguri, they will no doubt exercise restraint before putting their monies where terrorists seem more in charge than the respective state governments The Boko Haram crisis is no doubt a brake on the wheel of progress as far President Jonathan is concerned.

At the end of the day, the President may go back and explore ways of dialogue with the sect to bring lasting solutions to the crisis.

Anti- corruption crusade The anti-corruption stance taken by the President has also been cast in serious doubt by several factors in the past one year.

The crusade has been on but with the level corruption is said to have damaged the country in all facets of national life, one expects a government that is singing the tune of transformation agenda to be more aggressive in tackling the menace.

During the time of immediate past EFCC chairman, Farida Waziri, the commission had and still has a lot of cases involving ex governors and other Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) that have lasted many years in court without any headway. There were hardly results not because the agency didn’t do its part but the conventional courts were too busy to grant adequate attention to EFCC cases. Then the woman kept on clamouring for a special court for graft cases to ensure fast and easy dispensation of justice but neither the National Assembly nor the Executive did anything on it. The President merely sacked Waziri for unknown reasons, he has not done anything to address any of the challenges she faced in the discharge of her duties. In fact, President Jonathan has not taken any step to advance anti corruption; he has not demonstrated that the battle is worth fighting.

The President said he had discovered a lot of shady deals in the fuel subsidy regime. But rather than ordering full investigation and prosecuting those involved, he first of all chose to punish poor Nigerians with one sadistic policy they call subsidy withdrawal.

Even when the Farouk Lawan House of Representatives committee exposed mind boggling details of how the subsidy funds was merely paid into the pockets of some people with some key government funtionaries indicted, the President, after weeks of keeping the country in suspence over whether he would implement the report or not, merely dumped it on Ibrahim Lamorde lap. In a nutshell, the approach towards the anti corruption battle is not aggressive, it is non-challant and lackadaisical.

The Malabu oil block scam where Mr President was accused of supervising the sharing of some N155 billion to government officials, cronies and associates has also done a great damage to the anti graft stance of the President.

The fear of most Nigerians is that all the people indicted in all these pension scam, SEC, subsidy theft and all that may end up the way others before them did with slap on the wrist. This is because government is not showing interest in reforming or transforming the process.

President Jonathan’s records in education remain abysmal with the 9 ‘political universities’ yet to take off just as the standard of education in the country has been in a free fall at all levels in the last one year. One must however commend the Almajiri dual education programme launched recently in Sokoto. If sustained and well funded, it will help take the children away from the streets to where they will get both Islamic and Western education needed to ensure a better future.

Aside this, no other sector has witnessed any remarkable change. Hardly any painstaking transformation has taken place in two areas of our national life.

The effect of the afore-mentioned ones has been minimal since the President has left so many things undone.

Generally, the roads are still in bad state, youth unemployment and restiveness on the rise, job losses everywhere, epileptic power supply and so on.

If a student scores 25 percent in an exam, that is very far from a pass mark.

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PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Why North won’t advocate Nigeria’s break-up, says Amb.Shuni INTERVIEW

W

hat would you consider to be the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan in his first full year in office?

The fact that the President has been able to keep the country together is an achievement in spite of problems here and there.

We are only about 13 years into democratic. You can recall what happened in the past, the way the military intervened in the past, toppling one civilian regime after the other. But since 1999, we have not had any interruption of our democracy. I think we have every reason to be grateful to God. We have had two successful democratic transitions. We had one in 1999 when general Abdulsalami Abubakar handed over to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who himself successfully handed over to another elected president.

We have elections all over. We may say that we have never had free and fair elections but then there is no country in the world that has ever had free and fair elections, no matter how developed it may be. But considering our complexity and diversity, I think we should praise ourselves for the efforts we have made so far to conduct successful elections at all levels of government.

Do not forget that Americans spent over 200 years to come close to where they are now being called an advanced democracy.

Do you agree with people who say Jonathan is not in firm control of the government because of his apparent inability to handle the nation’s serious challenges?

People give different interpretations of the insurgency in parts of the North. Some people say that it is an effort to divide the country while others suspect that it is a way of making the country ungovernable for Jonathan. But as far as I am concerned, since the death of Yar’adua, this administration has been tackling and handling one problem or the other and in an attempt to transform the country, the government has come across many obstacles.

People in the opposition too are not helping matters; instead of teaming up with the government to make the country move forward they never see anything good in what President Jonathan does. There are many insecurity challenges in the country, particularly in the northern part but what we must know is that this problem did not start with President Jonathan. The Boko Haram issue started in 2007, it went to Borno state in 2004 and Kano state in 2009. All these problems were inherited by President Jonathan. There were crises here and there after the

Ambassador Ladan Abdullahi Shuni, Danmasani Sokoto, is Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustees of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). He was Nigeria’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco. In this interview with Agaju Madugba in Kaduna, the former envoy speaks on a number of issues, including the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, a rebellion he fears cannot be crushed with brute force. Excerpts: presidential election but then, people believed that Nigeria was going to be better but all of a sudden, killings came, fuel subsidy removal protests came and maiming of individuals here and there. But today we are still talking as one Nigeria and as Nigerians, and I think it is an achievement because we are still talking as one united people of Nigeria. Government on its own has come up with solutions to the problems and as we are told, dialogue is going to be the next line of action and I believe they have started.

What we have in the country is not new. Each part of the country has its own peculiar problems. For example, in the East, you have kidnapping. I read in newspapers the other day that in the Delta area 200-300 people were kidnapped in just one year. You can imagine the amount of ransom collected.

We have the MASSOB, OPC, robbery cases, border clashes between communities threatening the peace of the country. In the North, we have the Boko Haram and religious insurgency from time to time.

But Boko Haram is the most threatening one which people are talking about as if there has not been insurgency in any part of the country except in the north. Of course, the northern insurgency is the most serious.

It has crippled economic activity; it has killed a number of people, so it is really disheartening.

Northern elders are worried about it; everybody is worried because other Nigerians are afraid of visiting the North.

Even some of us who are resident in the north do not feel comfortable. When you are on the road, you’re afraid there may be bomb explosions.

Schools, churches and mosques are not spared. These are challenges for the government because it is responsible for the

Ambassador Ladan Abdullahi Shuni protection of lives and property but everybody must come together and face this insurgency so that we live in peace and stability. I am very optimistic that in spite of these crises, Nigeria will not break up because we have come to live together.

We have come to like one another and all we need is to accept our differences and live with them.

Islam and Christianity are two religions that are very close together. If you read the Koran and the Bible, you will not see much differences and I want to say that any Muslim who does not recognize Jesus Christ is not a true Muslim. In fact, he is not even a Muslim. Islam permits inter-marriages between Muslims and Christians, and our Prophet lived side by side with Jews and Christians without any

“

When you talk of Nigeria as the giant of Africa or a black giant it is because of our size, population and diversity. We have no other country but Nigeria. So, we in the north cannot wish that country breaks up. We have Boko Haram but all the elite in Maiduguri, Borno state have relocated to Abuja

problem. So, what is happening in the country today worries northerners and when people say some elders want to scuttle the administration of President Jonathan, we laugh because we in the north want peace. In fact, we fought the civil war to keep this country together. So, how can northerners who fought to keep this country together turn around to divide the country?

Nigeria cannot separate because we need one another.

When you talk of Nigeria as the giant of Africa or a black giant it is because of our size, population and diversity. We have no other country but Nigeria. So, we in the north cannot wish that country breaks up. We have Boko Haram but all the elite in Maiduguri, Borno state have relocated to Abuja. Why? Why can’t they go back? I’m from Sokoto. If there is a crisis now in Sokoto, I should relocate to Kaduna. No, that is not how it should be. I should be able to remain in Sokoto and talk to those I should talk to who I know respect me in order to solve the problem on the ground. If all the elite in Borno who relocated to Abuja should go back to Maiduguri and sit down with the traditional rulers, government and the people, they should be able to discuss a way out. But most of them have left the place, instead of sitting down with their brothers to talk peace.

And that is why we said that government should negotiate with the insurgents, dialogue with them and let the people come out. They are Nigerians; they have every constitutional right to protection. Let them come out and the government must be sincere to ask what their grievances are. According to what I heard, one of their grievances is that their leader was killed and that nobody was prosecuted.

Government negotiated with the Niger Delta militants, and government gave them amnesty. So, let these people come out and negotiate because killing will not solve the problem.

Now that the government is sincere to negotiate with them, let them come out and identify themselves. If there is need to give them amnesty, let it be done so that we can have peace. I believe the Boko Haram people too are not happy that things are going this way. No government is happy if there is insecurity in the land.

The problem of Jonathan isn’t that he is not firm. If you say he is not firm, are you saying that Jonathan should send soldiers to be killing people anyhow? He should do it gradually. He has to gather intelligence. It is not easy to fight these people; they are not in one place. If a whole village is Boko Haram or the whole north, you will know how to address the issue but you do not know where they are.

Let me tell you, President Jonathan and Vice-President Sambo are sad because every leader wants peace; he wants people to be happy, no leader wants crisis in his domain, no president wants crisis in his country. We cannot really get things done when there is a crisis and meeting force with force cannot solve the problem of Boko Haram. The government has agreed that force for force cannot solve the problem, but Boko Haram should come out, and government should be sincere about it. It should sit down with them, negotiate with them.

This was what government did with the militant right from Obasanjo’s government to that of Yar’adua. The militants were invited to Abuja and they sat down with the government and they tabled their grievances and they were amnesty. The Boko Haram should enjoy the same facility but they should come out as long as government gives them Continued on page 49

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

ANALYSIS

By Ose Oyamendan

T

rust Nigerians not to follow a script. They had the guts to pour out on the streets for almost a week, imitating people from other lands with their shameless OccupyNigeria movement. Who occupies his own land and designs a T-shirt announcing it? I don’t sit in my house with a T-shirt proclaiming “Ose’s Couch”.

What a year! It still feels like last week when we all held candles, singing songs of hope as Goodluck Jonathan completed an unlikely journey from a journeyman deputy governor to the presidency.

We all knew that anyone not happy with the election was either suffering from a serious case of bad belle or needs God in his or her life.

Seriously, who could complain when the leader of the main opposition party went against his own party’s candidate and nodded at his followers to vote for the man with the good luck? Or when his main challenger planned on a northern strategy for

PAGE 49

The year of Gooodluck an election to govern a whole nation.

I love Jonathan. I have to put that out there in case there’s a celestial agenda at play here. You don’t want to be hustled and hassled in the hell that Nigeria is sometimes and then get condemned to an eternity of seasoning in the fires of hell because you made that mistake of going against heaven’s agenda which I’m sure the Jonathan group will lay claim to.

So, today, I have come to sing Jonathan’s praises and defend him. I have come to write about a year of unparalleled success. For a start, I have never seen a candidate win an election and immediately go about changing the portion of the Constitution that deals with the length of the term of his office People think that is power mongering. Well, what would you rather a president monger?

Rumours or rumours about things not as salacious.

And, so what if it led to the current accusation of seeking a second term?

What is wrong with an

President Goodluck Joanthan ambitious man? Do people know the opposite of an ambitious man?

Let me tell you what you get when you get an unambitious man in power.

You’ll be lucky to have an area boy with a starched attire. Now, we have a man with a Ph.D. lusting after power and everyone joins a choir of protests. You can never satisfy Nigerians.

I wish I wasn’t hungry and thinking about where

the next naira would come from otherwise I would have got myself a placard, scribbled “JONATHAN FOR LIFE” on it and planted myself in the middle of the Third Mainland Bridge so the world would know what’s what.

I truly feel bad for the president about the insecurity in Nigeria. It makes him look, well, incompetent. But, what’s a doctor of zoology to do? Boko Haram is not a group of animals bouncing around cages. They are human.

How is this even fair? The man went to school to study one thing and now he’s faced with another thing!

Totally unfair. And, those of you who think differently

just know that you’re jabbering against a divine mandate here and don’t expect Jonathan to dip his finger in the cool waters of heaven and drop some water on your hell-scotched tongues.

I loved the fuel subsidy imbroglio in January. I knew the president was a doctor but no one told us he has a streak of a comic genius in him. The way the whole thing was managed felt like Richard Pryor WAS orchestrating it.

One morning, Nigerians woke up and the fuel price had changed. It was like in the government’s infinite wisdom, it felt Nigerians won’t notice. That’s the way it always happens in the movie.

Trust Nigerians not to follow a script. They had the guts to pour on the streets for almost a week, imitating people from other lands with their shameless Occupy Nigeria movement. Who occupies his own land and designs a T-shirt announcing it? I don’t sit in my house with a T-shirt proclaiming “Ose’s Couch”.

But, what does the president do? He unveils a masterstroke and appoints Nuhu Ribadu whose own party leader had sacrificed him to pave way for the Jonathan presidency to a position that effectively

makes him the anti-oil baron. This is what Ibrahim Babangida used to do in his hey days. Find the most popular guys and put a bucket on mud on their head. Then, sit back and watch them dance their way out of a mud spill.

I have one minor complaint, Mr. President.

Where is the power? I’m not asking for too much. I don’t even want you to put a date to it. I just want to know if regular power supply would return in this lifetime?

You see, I grew up in an era when power outage was so irregular that when it happens we used to scream, “NEPA”. Then, as if to mock us, the power would be back within minutes. I knew I was spoilt then. Is today a punishment for the past?

You and your team probably don’t read anything these days, Mr. President. I don’t blame you.

It’s tough to get past the congratulatory sections of the newspapers. All those thick texts are like the devil’s scribbling. But, if you or your team are trolling through the web, looking at those sites that makes a man and woman’s heart go boom-boom, I just want to say, keep the deaf ears turned to the critics. What do they know?

(Courtesy Premium Times)

Why North won’t advocate Nigeria’s break-up, says Amb.Shuni Continued from page 48 an assurance of protection.

What is your view on the agitation for a Sovereign National Conference?

It is not ideal to think of Sovereign National Conference now. We cannot have a Sovereign National Conference when we have an elected government in place, we have an elected National Assembly in place, we have elected governors in place and elected local government chairmen.

Perhaps the ideal thing to have now is constitutional review but unfortunately for us, the Constitution we have today is not a people’s Constitution. It is a Constitution which was actually made by the Military. But now that the Constitution is to be reviewed, it is left for the National Assembly to allow the people make some contributions to the Constitution; agree on certain things and recommend to the National

Assembly so that we can have a people friendly Constitution.

We can dialogue through the National Assembly, and even through the Arewa Consultative Forum where we are actually putting up a kind of dialogue committee that will look at all problems that are not in the Constitution.

This committee will submit recommendations to the National Assembly and the Presidency so that we can see how we can really amend the Constitution and then live together.

What is important to us as Nigerians is for us to agree that there is no negotiation concerning Nigeria’s territorial integrity There must be development, the electricity power issue must be addressed, insecurity must be addressed, unemployment must be addressed and all other problems must be addressed.

People do not know that economic injustice, political injustice, social injustice,

corruption are worse than Boko Haram, MASSOB and all other problems that we have.

This is because if 10 people die through Boko Haram or MASSOB or other insurgency activities, 10,000 people must have died through these injustices. This is more so because if you do not have money you cannot get medical attention or justice.

So, these issues must be addressed. When we talk of political injustice, people must be allowed to vote the leaders they want; the judiciary must be free of corruption. There should be social justice, let the people have portable water, meals on their tables, jobs, good roads.

But if there is corruption, any programmes you come with will be manipulated.

For example, if you come up with a programme on Agriculture and you earmark so much money there and there is corruption, the people who will implement the programme are corrupt, you cannot have proper implementation.

PAGE 55

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

NPL reschedules week 30 matches for Eagles/ Namibia game A

ll week 30 matches in the 2011/ 2012 Nigerian Premier League competition will now be played on June 2, an official said in Abuja yesterday.

Tunji Babalola, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Premier League, said shift is meant to allow clubs and players to rally support for the Eagles against Namibia. The Nigeria/ Namibia match is scheduled for June 3 at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Four of the 10 week 30 matches were earlier slated for June 2, while the rest six were scheduled for June 3.

“All week 30 matches will be played on Saturday to allow for more support

for the all-important Super Eagles match with the Namibian national team in Calabar on June 3,’’ Babalola said.

He added that the NPL was taking the step of bringing forward the six matches because it considered the Super Eagles match as crucial.

“The match is important to the Eagles, no doubt, given the fact that it is their first in the qualifiers and they must win it. But more important is the fact that our Nigeria-based players are in the team.

“The team has many Nigeria-based players and it is crucial for us at the NPL that the team does well. It is our

belief that the team can succeed with all the necessary support,’’ Babalola said. The matches brought forward to Saturday from Sunday include the Akwa United FC versus Kwara United FC, and Heartland FC versus Rangers International FC. The rest are Warri Wolves FC versus Enyimba International FC, Lobi Stars versus Kano Pillars FC, Ocean Boys FC versus 3SC, and Sunshine Stars FC versus Gombe United FC. The other four fixtures are Niger Tornadoes versus Kaduna United, Sharks FC versus Rising Stars, Jigawa Golden Stars versus Dolphins FC and ABS FC versus Wikki Tourists FC.

Roland Garros: Federer levels Connors record N

ovak Djokovic’s bid for an historic Grand Slam enjoyed the perfect French Open start yesterday as Roger Federer celebrated his 50th straight major with a record-equalling 233rd Grand Slam win.

Top seed Djokovic, bidding to become only the third man to hold all four majors at the same time, and the first in 43 years, eased past Italian claycourt specialist Potito Starace 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 6-1.

World No 1 Djokovic already has the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open crowns under wraps and a first French Open triumph in two weeks’ time would make him the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the sweep.

Djokovic, already the holder of the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open titles, has yet to reach a Paris final, having fallen three times at the semifinal stage. This year, he is scheduled to meet Federer in the last four.

Federer, the 2009 champion and four times runner-up to Rafael Nadal, endured few problems getting past Germany’s Tomas Kamke, the world number 78, winning 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.

The win, acheieved on a sixth match point, took him level with Jimmy Connors’ 30-year-old record of 233 Grand Slam match wins.

Monday’s victory was also his 50th against 12 losses at Roland Garros having made his debut as a wildcard in 1999 where he went down to Australia’s Pat Rafter in the first round.

Li Na Nadal

RogerFederer

Novak-Djokovic

Since that time, he has missed just one Grand Slam – the 1999 US Open where he failed to qualify.

Australian veteran Lleyton Hewitt, a former world No 1, lost 7-6 (7/2), 6-3, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3 to Slovenia’s Blaz Kavcic while Spanish 15th seed Feliciano Lopez retired against French qualifier Florent Serra with a stomach strain.

American 10th seed John Isner, who took six-time champion Nadal to five sets in the first round last year, went through by beating Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Victoria Azarenka battled back from a set and 4-0 down to defeat Italy’s Alberta Brianti yesterday and avoid becoming the first top seed in history to be knocked out in the French Open first round.

World No 1 Azarenka won 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-2 and will face German qualifier Dinah Pfizenmaier for a place in the last 32, but she flirted with disaster for much of her 2hr 16min battle on Philippe Chatrier Court.

Also, Chinese defending champion Li Na in 48 minutes overpowered Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the second round of the French Open, sustaining Asia’s hopes of another Grand Slam title.

Li is bidding to become the first champion since Justin Henin in 2007 to defend the women’s singles title at Roland Garros.

Oshaniwa ready to uper be tested Eagles’ left-back, Juwon

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Oshaniwa, says he is ready to step on to the big stage in the Super Eagles’ 2014 World Cup and 2013 Nations Cup qualifying matches beginning this weekend in Calabar.

Oshaniwa, who has had aboutv five caps for Nigeria, also says underrating any team is dangerous as it tends to shift focus from serious preparations to lukewarm attitude which he believes often had adverse effect of the unwary team.

The Sharks’ defender said ahead of Nigeria’s first game against Namibia in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification: “There are no small teams in football anymore. It will be total disrespect if we call Namibia, Malawi and Rwanda small teams in football nowadays.

“Yesterday (on Sunday) we saw what Iceland did to France. The French national team had to fight back to win 3-2 and that tells you that there are no small teams in football again. We have also taken lessons from Zambia. Not many people believed before the Africa Cup of Nations started that Zambia will become African champions.

Even in the final, many people tipped Cote d’Ivoire to win it but Zambia won.”

Oshaniwa’s focus is now on facing the Brave Warriors of Namibia on June 3 at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar. He added that the Super Eagles will only take the three games one at a time.

“Our first game is against Namibia on Sunday and I am only concentrating on that and same goes for my teammates and the coaches. We want to take the games one after another.

“Yes we all know that the three games (against Namibia, Malawi and Rwanda) are important but we want to focus on one game before talking of the next one because there are different approaches to every game. So after the Namibia game then we can talk about the others,” he said to SuperSport.com on Monday.

However, the left wing back is unfazed by the challenge he will be facing for firstteam place when the three games come up in June.

“I will give my best and by God’s grace I will be in the team to play for my country.

I just want to play for my country in these games,” he remarked.

Oshaniwa faces competition for firstteam football in the left-back role ahead of the three games from Sporting Braga’s Elderson Echiejile.

Nigeria will play Namibia and Malawi in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and face Rwanda in the second leg of a 2013 Afcon qualifying.

Jigawa to keep fighting

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truggling Jigawa Golden Stars have vowed that they would fight for their lives in the remaining matches of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) this term.

The NPL returnees on Saturday forced debutants, Rising Stars to a 1-1 draw in a Week 29 fixture played at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti.

Last week, the Golden Stars defied all odds as they also forced Nigeria’s CAF Champions League representatives, Sunshine Stars to a 3-3 draw in Ijebu-Ode. The club’s captain, Adeiza Abdulazeez told SuperSport.com that avoiding defeat away from home would help their quest of maintaining their status in the Premier League.

He added that dropping points at home would also be disastrous for their ambition.

“We have avoided defeat in our last two away games which would help our target if we can continue this run in our subsequent away games. I believe winning all our home matches would also help us this season,” Abdulazeez said.

PAGE 54

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

EURO 2012 Balotteli, Ogbonna make Italy's squad, as Prandelli drops seven

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ontroversial Man City forward, Mario BaItaly and Angelo Ogbonna, who is of Nigerian parents as well as ageless Andrea Pirlo, have made the final list of Coach Cesare Prandelli for Euro 2012.

The Italy manager dropped seven players from his provisional squad yesterday including uncapped Pescara midfielder Marco Verratti whose side won promotion to Serie A this month along with goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.

Domenico Criscito had already been dropped in order to clear his name of match-fixing allegations while fellow defenders Davide Astori and Salvatore Bocchetti have been left out along with midfielders Luca Cigarini and Ezequiel

Germany’ll be ready, says Podolski

L

ukas Podolski says Germany will be fit when it counts after a succession of recent disappointments for Joachim Low’s tutored side.

The Germans were beaten 5-3 by Switzerland over the weekend just one week after Bayern Munich against high expectation lost the final of the Champions League to Chelsea, a loss that further dampened hope in Germany.

The eight Bayern players in Low’s preliminary 27-man squad were put through their paces in training for the first time after the Champions League final yesterday and that also gives Podolski reason to be optimistic.

“There is no doubt that with the eight Bayern players here, the quality improves,” he said.

“They are top guys and we have missed them.”

Their experience was certainly lacking on Saturday when Germany were humbled 5-3 by the Swiss.

Yet Podolski is not reading too much into that result, or the performance, as he focuses on Germany’s first group game against Portugal on June 9.

“It has been the same in previous years, when we lost 4-1 to Italy (in 2006), for example,” Podolski said on the website of the German Football Association (DFB).

“Of course defeats like this shouldn’t happen and they hurt, and losing 5-3 to Switzerland is definitely not on, but I can promise there will be a different team on the field (against Portugal).

“We have got to live with the criticism. We are all focusing on Portugal and have got to be fit for that game, and we will be fit.”

To take their minds of the defeat in Basle, 25 members of Low’s squad paid a visit to the Monaco Grand Prix yesterday.

“It was a good day for us to get our heads free. I enjoyed it and the lads enjoyed it too, but now we are focusing on the Euros,” said Podolski.

Lukas

Schelotto.

Prandelli’s decisions were largely expected and the coach now has until midday on Tuesday to drop two more players for his final 23-man Euro squad.

Criscito’s absence leaves Italy with just centre back Giorgio Chiellini as a recognised defensive left footer.

Italy, who play Spain, Croatia and Ireland at the Euros in Ukraine and Poland next month, face Luxembourg in a friendly in Parma on Tuesday.

Squad of 25: Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris St Germain) Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (Palermo),

Ogbonna

Torres determined to repay Del Bosque’s faith

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ernando Torres is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Spain coach Vicente del Bosque after a spectacular loss of form put him in serious danger of being left out of the world and European champions’ squad for Euro 2012.

The 28-year-old striker, hero of Spain’s triumph at the European Championship in 2008, has struggled since joining Chelsea from Liverpool in January last year but has a chance to rediscover his best form in Poland and Ukraine next month.

With record scorer David Villa ruled out through injury, Torres is likely to be in Del Bosque’s starting lineup when they play Italy in their opening Group C match on June 10, something he said he would have found hard to believe in February when he was dropped for a friendly against Venezuela.

“I was left out of the squad and that was tough,” Torres said at a news conference at Spain’s pre-Euro 2012 training camp in Schruns, Austria yesterday.

“I started to understand that things were serious, that I wasn’t getting much playing time with my club and that if things carried on that way I wouldn’t be going to Euro 2012,” he added.

“Vicente has put his faith in me and now I need to show him I am ready to play whenever he thinks it necessary.

I hope to be able to give the team the best of me.”

Torres, who has netted 27 times in 91 appearances for his country, said his reprieve had made him more enthusiastic than ever and he was fighting fit after spending a considerable part of season watching from the Chelsea bench.

“When you see yourself missing out and then you are selected you are more excited even than the first day,” said the striker, whose club side lifted the Champions League earlier this month.

“I have arrived feeling fresh because I haven’t had the same physical burden as the others and I am in good shape.

“I would have liked to have played more for my club but the important thing is that everything works out in the end.”

Meanwhile, Barcelona’s forward Pedro, 24, who has also had an inconsistent season but finished it with a flourish by scoring two goals in Barca’s Copa del Rey victory over Athletic Bilbao on Friday will also be in the frame at the Poland and Ukraine jointly hosted fiesta.

The La Masia graduate’s inclusion meant that Adrian, who scored in Spain’s friendly victory over Serbia on Saturday, and Soldado, who scored 27 goals for Los Che in 2011-12, were both omitted from the final squad.

Alvaro Negredo, Fernando Llorente are Vicente del Bosque’s other two forwards alongside Pedro, with the Spain coach happy to explain the reasons behind his inclusions and exclusions of seven players.

“We always had Pedro in mind. He has had an irregular season like many others, but we valued his trajectory over the medium term and for this reason we have taken him. We need wide players that are efficient and can complement the bench.

“I didn’t have the Olympics in mind when it came to Adrian. Mata and Javi Martinez will be in the same position.

We have preferred other options, but we recognise that he has been brilliant in these days with us. He has done everything very well.

Negredo and Soldado are two extraordinary and distinct players. One is quicker but the other offers more to the play of the team.’’

Del Bosque also reflected on how the squad had evolved since winning the World Cup in South Africa two years ago, but again lamented the absence of David Villa and Carles Puyol through injury.

“Villa is irreplaceable, for his characteristics and effectiveness no one can do better than him,’’ he said. “We feel the same with Puyol, who is also a fundamental miss for us.

“We have come four years since the last Euros and there has been a 50% change in what was a relatively young squad. There were seven changes before South Africa and three since.

“It is a ratification of the fact we are building usefully. Groups have to go and be filled with new people but we have a plenitude of players and I don’t expect such a generation to last. However, we cannot have any doubt in these

Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Torino), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan) Midfielders: Daniele De Rossi (AS Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Paris St Germain), Antonio Nocerino (AC Milan), Andrea Pirlo (Juventus) Forwards: Mario Balotelli (Manchester City), Fabio Borini (AS Roma), Antonio Cassano (AC Milan), Mattia Destro (Siena), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Sebastian Giovinco (Parma). players.’’

Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas was also included, despite concerns about a hamsring injury, though Thiago Alcantara and Andoni Iraola will not play at the Euros because of fitness concerns.

“In the case of Cesc the doctors are optimistic.” Del Bosque added. “We didn’t believe there was any chance

Torres

of not naming him.

“Thiago Alcantara has a problem of certain importance that also puts his participation in the Olympics in doubt and in the case of Iraola, he has all our appreciation but it seems he has been playing with a great desire and is not physically right.’’

Spain squad: Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Victor Valdes (Barcelona), Pepe Reina (Liverpool); Defenders: Jordi Alba (Valencia), Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos (all Real Madrid), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao); Midfielders: Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Mata (Chelsea); Forwards: Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Pedro (Barcelona)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Eagles must be aggressive, Keshi charges team

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iffed by series of clay footed display in the front goal in the last two international friendly matches, Stephen Keshi has demanded an offensive character from the Eagles as the team build up for this weekend 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Namibia in Calabar.

Keshi, who had fumed not only over the quality of play by the players against Peru in Lima, last Thursday, charged the forward to complement the efforts of the defence line and the midfielders whom he equally insisted must be up and doing in every game.

Peoples Daily Sports recalls that though the Eagles scored twice against seven times African champions the Pharaohs of Egypt in Abu Dhabi, they barely managed to create chances but were largely unable to take them in the game against Peru.

Peerhaps, this informs Keshi’s decision to invite Utaka, Ikechukwu Uche, Victor Moses, Raheem Lawal, Ekigho Ehiosun, Sone Aluko, Izu AzukaEjike Uzoenyi, Ahmed Musa, all strikers to the squad.

In yesterday’s training sessions, Keshi pointedly told the players that he desires plenty of goals against Namibia, Rwanda and also their friendly duels against whoever.

And to drive home his point, keshi concentrated on drilling the players on set pieces, offensive play and exploiting same to advantage. “ I want aggression on the ball. “In our time, matches against teams like Namibia are not discussed in terms of whether we will win but how many goals we will score and that is what I want us to return to in the new Super Eagles.

“They say we are the super power and Namibians are minnows, those are only words, and until we show it on the pitch we will just be living in a fool’s paradise,” he said adding that no matter how pretty a team plays if it failed to score goals it loses the essence of such beautiful display.

He warned the players against under rating the Namibians who have been training in Germany and are determined to forestall Nigeria’s quest to overcome them.

The Super Eagles train twice daily at 7:30 am and 3:30 pm inside the UNICAl Sports Ground and will continue when they to the UJ Esuene Stadium on Thursday, where they will perfect strategies against Namibia.

PAGE 51

Utaka, Ejide swell camp to 24 as Keshi names Enyeama skipper

By Patrick Andrew

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ontpellier of France goal poacher, John Utaka and Israel-based goal tender Austin Ejide swelled the number of players in the Super Eagles camp in Calabar to 24, even as Head Coach Stephen Keshi named Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama the skipper in place of injured Joseph Yobo.

Utaka, who is returning to the squad after being left out for about two years, has been in fine vein of form in the Ligue 1 where he has scored more than a dozen goals to help his French club clinched the league title.

The lively forward, who came in along with Ejide another returnee to the team (he last kept for Nigeria in the 2-2 draw with Guinea, a result that sent the Eagles out of the 2012 Nations Cup race), later trained with the rest of his colleagues in the evening session.

Already, Aberdeen forward, Sone Aluko, Victor Moses of Wigan Athletics and ever reliable Ikechukwu Uche, Efe Ambrose, Fengor Ogude, Elderson Echejile, Gege Soriola, Ekigho Ehiosun, Ahmed Musa and Vincent Enyeama were the foreign-based Eagles on parade while the 12 home-based stars who were unveiled at the weekend were equally in action.

Meanwhile, Keshi has named first choice keeper Enyeama, who the deputy skipper the stand-in leader of the squad for the impending qualifying matches. Enyeama, who left out of the squad by former coach Samson Siasia following his role the protest over travelling arrangements, returned to the team for the first time when the Eagles played 0-0 draw with the Amavubi of Rwanda in the 2014 World Cup qualifying game.

John Utaka

Ikechukwu Uche

Sone Aluko Raheem Lawal

Flying Eagles in make or mar clash with South Africa

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efending champions of the 8-nation I n v i t a t i o n a l Tournament, the Flying Eagles in a must-win duel against hosts South Africa if they hope to progress to the last four finals.

The junior unexpectedly lost their opening game against the Black Satellites of Ghana 32 and only Sunday fell before Argentina who snatched 1-0 win to send the Nigerian team rooted on the bottom of the group.

But they could sneak in if they beat South Africa that defeated the Black Satellites 20 a task that the Nigerians are

capable of accomplishing should they put their acts together.

Argentina with six points are through but could do Nigeria a huge favour if they beat Ghana that only need a draw to edge out their West African counterparts.

The Eagles would need to score two un-replied goals or more to dislodge both South Africa and Ghana if both lost their last games.

Coach John Obuh and his assistants had a showdown talk with the players Sunday night following their disappointing display and he expects them to work their promise of

redressing the situation with convincing win.

In Sunday’s game the Eagles were hardly able to create chances not to taking a development the forced Obuh make early substitution by withdrawing Alhaji Gero for Sikiru but all to no avail.

Meanwhile, the South Africans have promised to outrun ‘physical’ Flying Eagles tactically in today’s match.

“It’s a disadvantage (as they are more physical than us), but we are quicker than them and we will try to keep the ball. The team spirit is high after our win over Ghana and we’re capable of getting a result against

Nigeria to march into the semifinals,” said South Africa skipper Mbongeni Gumede.

“We need to calm down especially after our win against Ghana. Nigeria are strong and from nothing they can get a goal. We therefore need to take our chances against them. It’s a big concern that we have not been clinical enough even when we have worked hard to create chances.

“Against Argentina, we created seven chances and only converted one. Argentina had three chances and scored three goals,” he said stressing that they must take their chances against Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

T

hough the pundits utterly disfavoured rule by jackboots, they, however, insisted that the kaki boys were more favourably disposed to sports sponsorships and development that then their civilian counterparts.

According to them, the president administration of Goodluck Jonathan that is one year old today has tended to tow the line of its predecessors to whom sports were merely a pastime and who saw sports as nothing more than ‘small pikin play play’ (kindergarten’s play).

They contended that in spite of the huge image laundry that sports had done to the battered image and in fact corporate integrity of Nigeria because the ugly incidences of bad leaderships, corruption and the involvement of Nigerians in dirty deals abroad, the government at all levels have continued to relegate sports to the background.

“One may be persuaded to see democracy as a curse rather than a blessing for sports.

We recall that during the late General Sani Abacha’s military junta, Nigerian sports were at their zenith. It proved to be a useful weapon for international diplomacy because while the leading nations treated Abacha’s Government like a pariah our sports men were accorded international recognition and respect everywhere they went.

“We recall vividly that it was during that so-called haunted and disreputable military administration that Nigeria won the Atlanta ’96 Olympics gold the first by an African country. We equally won gold in long jump through Chioma Ajunwa and silver and bronze (if I am not mistaken) in athletics.

“Even before then, under General Ibrahim Babangida, agreed that we never really won many major tournaments, but we were always there and it was in that era that we had three Nigerians in the finals of World Athletics Championships. The Golden Eaglets won the FIFA Kodak U-17 Championship in China and again the first by an African country,” Femi Adegundare recalls.

Some others were quick to point out that Jonathan’s government just like Late Musa Yar’ Adua and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s paid lip service to sports by sheer negligence of the sector.

“Wasn’t it under Chief Obasanjo that the handshake policy was introduced? Sports persons who were often not provided for in terms of adequate sponsorship or training grants were expected to obsequiously bow before the president or his representative take an empty handshake and gleefully leave the podium after traversing oceans to accomplish a feat for Nigeria.

“Now, if that wasn’t callousness or outright disdain for sports persons, then one has to define d what disregard and contempt for means? Sports, in my assessments, have fared poorly under this so-called democratic rule,” according to staff of the National Sports Commission (NSC), who did not want

PAGE 53

Democracy kills Nigeria sports, say pundits As Nigerians celebrate thirteen years of uninterrupted democratic governance today, sports pundits in country have asserted the country has witnessed dismal performances in all facets than it used to be in the military era.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Bolaji Abdullahi, newly appointed Sports Minister

“

Now, if that wasn’t callousness or outright disdain for sports persons, then one has to defined what disregard and contempt for means?

Sports, in my assessments, have fared poorly under this so-called democratic rule NFF president, Sani Ndanusa, former Sports Minister

Aminu Maigari to be named.

Ekeoba Izu also believes that democratic rule done little for sports. “Yes, the NSC did enjoy some latitude in terms of financial support sometimes directly from the presidency deviod of the stringent budgetary regime. One had thought that with democracy sports would enjoy bumper budgetary allocation considering that every expenditure is subjected to appropriation by the National Assembly.

“It seems that the executive arm of government has taken delight in offering paltry sums even as it spends stupendous amount on frivolous endeavours that neither yield tangible benefits to the nation nor could be credibly accounted for.”

Not a few sports journalists felt the same way. Some could not hide their feelings about the dismal attention that the various governments have given to sports. “Well, may the politicians who have been smiling to the banks are celebrating 13 years of democratic governance. Most sports persons would hardly have anything to rejoice over. Military government was in all respect lot friendly to sports development

than the civilian.

“Yes, there are synthetic pitches everywhere. But who uses them? What is the maintenance culture like? How do we prepare our athletics for tournaments? In fact, apart from football that some state governments spend money on, what attention is given to the so-called lesser sports, which ironically have several medals?

“No, as a former sports journalist, I know that the past was better than today. Imagine Nigeria with all our talents now narrowing our participation to seven sports. Yes, huge contingent may well have been a jamboree, but why hasn’t the authorities streamlined the number sports rather than allow the athletics to work extra had hoping to participate in this historic event like the Olympics only to chop off ignominy?,” Sani said lamenting the lack of progress in the system.

Patrick Nkwogwu added his bit on the matter. “President Goodluck Jonathan has not improved our sports because our entire sporting sectors are in jeopardy, the wrong persons are still managing our sports and the president has done nothing to correct it. “ If you go round the stadia in the country, you will find out what I am talking about, we don’t have facilities that we can really call our own and be proud of. Abuja National Stadium that cost billion of Naira is in need of rehabilitation. Is it National Stadium Lagos or the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium. All these facilities look like where we are raring cows.

“We are happy for Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi’s appointment as Minister of Sports after making impact in resolving crises that rocked the Nigeria football. But my question is he is coming to work or to resolve that could have been avoided had the right personnel been in charge of the various sports federations?

“Why is the concentration on football?

Why are athletes, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis, long tennis that we used to dominate in African no longer within our grab? Yes, we used to win gold medals in the past, you can’t us doing well in them, not to talk about others. Another thing that is killing our sports federations are the new way of contracting stadia without considering other sports,” Nkwogwu said.

“Democracy has not really helped our sports development but with the appointment of Bolaji as Minister of Sports, may be our sports will return to it glory days, “Ayo Ibidapo said.

“Democratic rule is yet to exploit the full potential of sports since its advent 13 years ago, it has not really done well in area of sports because lack of security has affect the country badly as well as sports development,” Arafat Aliyu said.

“As a Nigerians the truth must be told, president Gookluck Jonathan has not done well in respect of sports development, I don’t think the man have passion for sports if he does the fortune of our sports will change by now,” said Mike Obasi.

PAGE 52

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

Swans strike Sigurdsson deal

Transfer

The season is over. Clubs are counting their blessing as well as losses and would like to make amends and even beef up their squads where noticeable lapses exist. And the transfer market is agog barely 24 hours after major European leagues dropped the curtain.

And so to keep abreast with latest rumours, we begin daily doses of movements within the market both for players and coaches like.

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wansea City has agreed a fee with Hoffenheim for the signing of midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Sigurdsson, 22, spent the second half of the season on loan at Swansea from Hoffenheim, impressing at the Liberty Stadium as he scored seven times in 18 Premier League matches.

The Swans stated their intention to secure the Iceland international on a permanent basis, although the Welsh club faced competition for his signature.

It was confirmed on Monday, however, that a fee of £6.8 million has been agreed between Swansea and their Bundesliga counterparts while

AC Milan consider move for City striker Tevez

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Gylfi Sigurdsson personal terms have also been settled.

Sigurdsson, who joined Hoffenheim from Reading in 2010 for £6 million, last month expressed his willingness to remain at Swansea, who finished 11th in the 2011-12 season, and will undergo a medical this week.

C Milan is considering renewing their pursuit of Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez when the summer transfer window opens, according to reports in Italy.

They Rossoneri failed with a bid to sign Tevez in January, but are ready to move for him again if they can offload Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The former Barcelona star

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The versatile Ivanovic was suspended for Chelsea’s Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich, and saw the January arrival Gary Cahill take his place in Munich. the player who was signed

by Chelsea in January 2008, four months after the departure of the current Real Madrid manager, José Mourinho, said: “I’m am very happy with Chelsea. I have just won the Champions League, a change is complicated. I am very happy in London.”

Cech signs new Blues deal

Petr Cech

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out much of last season after he fell out with City boss Roberto Mancini and flew home to Argentina.

Mancini is known to rate the Swedish striker highly after working with him at Inter Milan and has been linked with a move for the 30-year-old on several occasions since taking charge at City.

Santos seek Spurs talks

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iovani Dos Santos intends to hold talks with Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy with regards his future.

Dos Santos, 23, has struggled to make an impression at Tottenham since joining the club from Barcelona in 2008.

The forward has been

Ivanovic admits Real interest he Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that he is aware of interest from the Real Spanish champions Madrid, but has indicated that he is happy to remain at Stamford Bridge.

Ivanovic, 28, signed a contract with Chelsea in February that takes him to the summer of 2016 but the captain of Serbia said on Sunday: “I know there is an interest from Madrid, who is following me. But it’s not the time to talk about it now.”

recently gave an interview in which he said AC Milan did not have the money to buy the quality of players he believes they need to bring in this summer.

A list of possible replacements is apparently being compiled and Tevez is likely to be at the top of it.

The ex-West Ham and Manchester United man sat

loaned out to Racing, Galatasaray and Ipswich during his time at White Hart Lane, and this season he failed to make a Premier League start for Spurs.

Dos Santos is currently focused on impressing for his nation Mexico but will seek discussions with Tottenham when he returns to England.

City target Silva

T

Branislav Ivanovic

helsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has signed a new four-year deal at the West London club, which will see him through to the end of the 2015-16 Premier League season.

Cech, 30, joined the club in 2004 and is already Chelsea’s record appearance maker for an overseas player, having playing 369 times for the Blues, winning three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two Carling Cups and a Champions League title.

“I am really happy to be part of this great club for another four years. I hope the next four years will be as successful as the last eight years I have been at the club,” Cech said.

The Czech stopper played a key role in Chelsea’s triumph in the Champions League this campaign, saving a penalty from Arjen Robben in extra-time to keep his side in the game.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay added: “Chelsea fully appreciates the highly significant contribution Petr has made to the most successful period in the club’s history, and it is very important to our aim of continuing this level of achievement that he has committed himself to the club until 2016.

“It is clear to anyone who watched the climax to the season just completed that Petr continues to perform as well as any goalkeeper in the world.’’

Over the course of his Chelsea career Cech has kept 178 clean sheets for the club, 48% of the games he has played.

he agent of Man City target Thiago Silva has claimed that the defender would consider leaving the San Siro if AC Milan wanted to sell him.

The Brazilian international has been linked with a move to the Etihad stadium after City boss Roberto Mancini was spotted having discussions with Rossoneri vice-president Adriano Galliani in Milan last week.

Silva has also been linked with a move to big-spending PSG as well as Spanish giants Barcelona and agent Paulo Tonietto indicated he would be willing to listen to any offers.

“Thiago has a contract with AC Milan. PSG and Barcelona are two great clubs and we would be honoured by their interest, but they have not spoken to me and AC Milan hasn’t told me anything,” Tonietto told Calciomercato.com.

Thiago Silva

Cuvelier signs new Stoke deal

S

toke City midfielder Florent Cuvelier has signed a new two-year contract at the Britannia Stadium, with the option of an extra year to see him remain at the club until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Cuvelier, 19, joined the Potters from Portsmouth in 2010, having attracted interest from the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham, but is yet to make his debut for Tony Pulis’ time.

The young Belgian spent the end of the last campaign on loan at League One side Walsall, for whom he scored four goals in 18 appearances, and will now look to push on into the Stoke first-team set-up.

He added: “There were offers from other football clubs so this was a big decision for me, but I am certain that I have made the right choice

Florent Cuvelier

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Hazard to join Chelsea, as Cech signs new contract

H

i g h l y -regarded Belgian international midfielder Eden Hazard has opted to join European champions Chelsea ahead of Manchester City and Manchester United, the player said yesterday.

Hazard, named the best Ligue 1 player in the last two seasons, had been expected to join either Premier League champions Manchester City or runners-up Manchester United after he said he would choose between the two.

The gifted playmaker, capped 27 times by Belgium, led Lille to the French title in 2011 and scored 17 goals this season as they finished third to qualify for next season's Champions League playoff. He announced in October that he would leave Lille at the end of the season.

Chelsea won the Champions League for the first time this month, adding to their FA Cup final success. The London side endured a disappointing league campaign, however, finishing sixth after sacking manager Andre Villas-Boas in March.

Former player Roberto Di Matteo took interim charge and guided the team to an unexpected Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.

Meanwhile, star goalkeeper Petr Cech, who saved three penalties to gift Chelsea the Champions league trophy, signed a new four year contract with the team yesterday.

In that time Cech - who wears protective headgear since suffering a serious head injury in October 2006 - has accrued aside from the Champions League three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups since joining from French side Rennes.

The former Sparta Prague keeper, capped 89 times and one of the few survivors in the present Euro squad from the side that reached the Euro 2004 semifinals, said he was looking forward to more successful times at Chelsea.

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Dr eams come tr ue Dreams true ue.. Without tha tur ew ould thatt possibility possibility,, na natur ture would not incite us to have them —J ohn Updik e John Updike

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012

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The honeymoon is over: An anniversary letter to President Jonathan Y

ou have now been President for one year. Or two years, depending on who's counting - your "friends" or "enemies". Hearty congratulations to you, the canoe-carver's son who, eight years ago, was but a lowly "spare-tyre" (aka deputy governor) tucked away in the murky creeks of Southern Nigeria.

You did start out with a lot of goodwill and support - from multitudes bowled over by your stories of childhood deprivation and divinely -orchestrated promotion; and your disarming mien. You came to that office without the desperation or sense of entitlement that has generally marked many contenders for Aso Rock, and Nigerians seemed to realise and appreciate that.

That, however, was then. One thing is now very clear - the honeymoon is over.

As the weeks have rolled into months, it has become clear that one needs a lot more than an inspiring personal story to make a presidential difference. 500,000plus Facebook friends will also do nothing to positively influence one's chances of being a successful president.

Your "enemies" accuse you of being dour and colourless; in your defence your spokesperson highlights the "magnetism of [your] personality" and praises you for being a "fashion icon". Even worse, your enemies accuse you of being "clueless" (they have actually almost succeeded in permanently hitching 'clueless' to your name, as Google would attest). Your friends insist you're anything but clueless. On your part you tell us you "don't need to be a lion. I don't need to be Nebuchadnezzar. I don't need to operate like the Pharaoh of Egypt.

I don't need to be an army general but I can change this country without those traits."

On the whole, the country expends a lot of energy trying to answer the question: "Who is Goodluck Jonathan?"

One of the most astringent pieces of criticism I have ever come across regarding any national leader, was written in reference to you - Lionel Barber, the Financial

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GUEST COLUMNIST

By Tolu Ogunlesi

President Goodluck Jonathan

Times' Editor, recently described you as a "Chauncey Gardiner figure with no obvious vision for his presidency beyond holding office."

Tragically, it is a description that many are happy to agree with. Questions are mounting by the day - where are you taking Nigeria to? Do you have an idea?

Do you have a personal vision of the kind of Nigeria you'd like to pass on to your successor, in 2015, or 2019 (or whenever fate, in all its randomness, decrees it, as it did for your predecessor)? Is there a big picture somewhere in your mind?

One year (or two?) on, Nigeria's "accidental president" is

fast establishing a reputation as an "accident-prone" leader. From the tenure elongation debate, to the fuel subsidy mishap (both the corruption scandal and the subsequent cruel attempt to make ordinary Nigerians pay for the evils of a privileged minority), to the questionable handling of Boko Haram, to the ridiculous predilection for multiplying meaningless presidential committees - the shoeless kid has since grown up to become an expert mis-stepper, it seems.

Yet, I refuse to give up hope. A year ago I read an article in the Economist that compared you to a former American president (1881 - 1885), Chester Arthur:

"Both men fell in with mean political machines - Arthur in New York, Mr Jonathan in the Niger Delta - and were elevated from total obscurity to the vice presidency by scheming regional bosses. Then the president suddenly died (Garfield in 1881, Yar'Adua in 2010), and the top job was theirs. Arthur deserted the machine that made him and put it out of business. He created the modern American civil service and throttled patronage politics.

He was not re-elected."

The Economist then asks: "Might Mr. Jonathan follow the same path?"

The choice, dear President, is yours. This is about making a difference (the kind of top-driven change that continues to elude this country), not merely holding office or getting a second term. Put the sermons and Zoology lessons aside, and face the arduous task before you. You wield the same power your predecessors wielded; you will face more or less the same choices they faced - to champion transformational change, or to merely speechify, maintain the status quo, punish your "enemies", and enrich yourself and the armies of sycophants that accumulate around every Nigerian president.

And Time / History / Posterity will no doubt judge you the same way it has judged every single one of them. It'll be too late to defend yourself then. Ask Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, the preeminent living metaphor for Wasted Presidential Opportunity.

Ogunlesi was awarded a 2009 CNN Multichoice African Journalism prize

“

Questions are mounting by the day - where are you taking Nigeria to? Do you have an idea? Do you have a personal vision of the kind of Nigeria you'd like to pass on to your successor, in 2015, or 2019 (or whenever fate, in all its randomness, decrees it, as it did for your predecessor)? Is there a big picture somewhere in your mind?

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com ISSN: 2141– 6141