Peoples Daily Newspaper, Thursday 29, November, 2012 by Peoples Media Limited

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

Vol. 9 No. 79

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Sack Sanusi now, NLC, others tell FG

. . . putting the people first

Snakes invade village in Bauchi

>> PAGE 3

>> PAGE 5

Al-Muharram 14, 1434 AH

N150

Police kill 70-yearold, two sons in Nasarawa >> PAGE 4

Under fire NNPC opens up, to spend N2.1tr in 2013 By Richard Ihediwa

ollowing intense pressure from federal lawmakers, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), for the first time, yesterday opened its books showing that it has budgeted a total of N2.1 trillion ($13.48 billion) for 2013, representing almost half of the N4.9 trillion federal budget for next year. It also emerged yesterday, that the corporation whose budget had until now been shrouded in

secrecy, had already spent N1.66 trillion ($10.4 billion) out of the N2.023 trillion ($12.78 billion) it requested for its operations in 2012. NNPC Group Managing Director, Mr Andrew Yakubu and other top officials of the corporation made those disclosures when they appeared before the Senate Committee on Petroleum to defend its 2013 budget. The decision of the NNPC to make public its budget came against the backdrop of threats

by the National Assembly to suspend all work on the 2013 budget if the NNPC and other revenue generating agencies including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) refused to present their budgets for approval. Arguing that the agency needs that much money for its operations, the NNPC boss pleaded with the lawmakers to approve the budget, though he failed to give details about how the money would be spent.

Senators were however not comfortable with the sketchy presentation which did not contain clear cut details of the expenditure profile of the budget and ordered the NNPC boss give details. After a closed session with the lawmakers, the committee directed that the NNPC chief should re-appear on Monday with details of how the establishment intends to spend the N2.1 trillion in one year. Some lawmakers also wanted to know how it spent N1.66

trillion in the last 11 months which represents 61 percent of the total budget for 2012. The corporation in its presentation said the cumulative gas production by Joint Venture (JVE) companies from November 2011 to October 2012 stood at 74, 930mmscf. Domestic supply of gas was also put at 734 mmscfd. The sum of $3.8billion was said to have been paid for the same period under review for JVE operations.

FEC approves N2.2bn for new State House banquet hall By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

“more befitting” banquet hall for the State House where President Goodluck Jonathan works and resides was one of several expenditure approvals running into tens of billions that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) gave at its meeting yesterday in Abuja. The new banquet hall, estimated at N2.2 billion, will be built by the construction giant,

PD INDEX

26th Nov., 2012

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.76 246.91 197.25 0.2831 41

SELLING 155.76 248.51 200.54 0.3031 41.5

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 207 255 42 157

SELLING 209 256 44 158

Julius Berger. Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed, said the firm got the contract because it “is familiar with the whole structure and security network of the State House having done the bulk of it over the years.” He said as in other parts of the world, the State House, also called Presidential Villa, needs another banquet hall close to the President's office and residence. The present banquet hall is outside the pilot gate and is about two kilometres away from the President's office. The FEC meeting also approved N6.4 billion for the importation of 13 million smart cards needed to register Nigerians under the new identity management system. Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson explained that additional smart cards would be procured next year Contd on Page 2

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, signing a condolence register, during her visit to the family of late Justice Kayode Esho, yesterday in Ibadan. Photo: NAN

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

CONTENTS News

2-11

Editorial

Op.Ed

Letters

Opinion

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

Report

24-25

Earth

26-27

Updated

28-29

PDP mulls sanctions against Nyako over anti-party activity I By Lawrence Olaoye

ndications emerged yesterday that Adamawa state governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, may be sanctioned by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for actions considered to be anti-party. The party dropped the hint when its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the weekly NWC meeting, said that the party resolved to summon the governor to appear before it tomorrow (Friday) to answer a

query on why he should not be sanctioned for anti party activity. Metuh said "The National Working Committee reviewed the activities of the party in Adamawa state and resolved to invite the governor to appear before it on Friday." According to him, the governor will be expected to clear himself of several allegations of anti-party conduct that could jeopardize the electoral fortunes of the ruling party in that state. "This is a party that is disciplined; it is bigger than anybody and will outlast everybody. The party is big

and accommodating, but we will administer it to the satisfaction of everybody," Metuh assured. He added that the NWC was aware of several meetings held by the governor and with whom and would want him to explain what transpired in those meetings. Asked whether Nyako would get a fair hearing in the matter since the rift between him and the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has become common knowledge, Metu explained that the Chairman has made it a tradition not to chair any meeting

concerning the governor of his home state. He assured that the Friday meeting would be chaired by the party's Deputy National Chairman, Chief Sam-Sam Jaja. Metuh also assured that Tukur's interest in the matter would not in any way affect the outcome of the NWC's engagement with Nyako. It is recalled that because of internal wrangling the executives of the party in Adamawa have been removed from office by the national leadership and a care taker committee has been put in their place.

Why INEC can't prosecute electoral offenders - Jega By Richard Ihediwa

T Difference between Iran I heard of and saw, Pages 24-25

Discourse Int’l

30 31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

Politics

39-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The Peoples Daily wants to hear from you with any news and pictures you think we should publish. You can send your news and pictures to: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com pictures@peoplesdaily-online.com contact@peoplesdaily-online.com

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

he Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega has said the commission does not have the adequate funds and manpower to successfully prosecute electoral offenders. Jega, who stated this at the INEC/Civil Society Dialogue on plans and progress towards the 2015 elections, in Abuja yesterday also announced that his commission will early next year commence the issuance of permanent electronic voters' card that will be valid for 10 years. He said the commission had so far been able to apprehend

about 870,000 electoral offenders in the 2011 elections, out of which only 200 has been successfully prosecuted. He lamented that prosecuting has been "a big problem" due to lack of funds and manpower. The INEC boss said the task of prosecuting electoral offenders was that of the police before it was transferred to the commission adding that adding that it was beyond its capacity and should be vested on another agency. Calling for the implementation of the report of the Justice Mohammed Uwais committee, which recommended a separate body to handle electoral offences, Jega said the major mandate of

the electoral commission would suffer if it continued to be saddled with the responsibility of prosecuting electoral offenders. On the permanent electronic voters' card, Jega said such will help eliminate electoral fraud such as multiple voting as it has series of security features. Already, the contract for the production of 40 million voters registered card out of the 73.5 million registered had been awarded. Jega said INEC was at the last stage of processing the second batch of the contract and by the middle of 2014, all the eligible voters that had registered would have been

given their permanent voters' card. He assured that certain features on the electronic card like the micro testing security, hologram and fingerprints, will help eliminate electoral fraud and ensure credible and transparent polls. The chairman said that card readers would take the finger print and determine the legitimacy of the owners of the card and that it would be used during the 2015 elections. He said with the introduction of card readers, matching the electoral manipulations and fraudulent activities of people buying voters card and multiple voting would be eliminated.

FEC approves N2.2bn for new State House banquet hall Contd from Page 1 but they would be produced locally. According to her, 30,000 applicants have been registered with Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines that have been distributed to the 36 state branches of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). Johnson said the cards are highly secure and difficult to fake and will be personalised here in Nigeria with applicants' biometric data making it possible for them to be used for health insurance schemes, pensions, tax, voting data, and relevant banking purposes. “Anyone in the 36 states that enrols to get a social identity number will get the chip. It is on first come first serve basis,” she said. “We are immediately going to the 774 local governments with connectivity. At the point of enrolment you will be asked to show some form of identity that shows you are a Nigerian”, she added.

FEC also approved the purchase of two sets of modern five-Car Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) each with the capacity of 540 passengers and an additional six 60-seater air-conditioned passenger coaches at a cost of N4.34 billion for intra-city rail mass transit services. Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, explained that the new trains will be used on the existing narrow gauge rail tracks, while more trains will be purchased when the eastern rail route of Port Harcourt-Maiduguri is ready next year. The Council also approved a contract of N189.73 million for the supply of radiation and explosive detection devices to be used by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to monitor containers arriving or leaving the ports as provided for in international maritime regulations, conventions and best practices. The minister also disclosed that plans have been concluded by the Federal Government to open the Kano- Lagos standard rail

line before this year's Christmas. The Council approved the rehabilitation of Umana-NdiaguAgba-Ebenebe-Amansi Akwa road with spur to Umumba road in the sum of N10.37billion as well as the construction of OgruteUmuida-Apkpanya-Odoni road in Enugu /Kogi states in the sum of N12.4 billion. Other projects approved were the Jamata-Lokoja inland waterway project (N121.14m); cost adjustment of Jos-Kafanchan double circuit power transmission line contract to the tune of N470.85m; and Obudu-Ogoja power transmission line (N1.36 billion). FEC also approved the resurfacing of some selected existing roads and remedial works on bridges in Garki (Area 1 to 11) and Wuse (Zone 1 to 7) at the cost of N2.8 billion. Equally approved was the supply of anti-Tuberculosis drugs worth N297.87 million capable of treating 500 Nigerians in multi-drug resistant cases. Minister of Health, Onyebuchi

Chukwu, who announced this, explained that no less than N400,000 is needed to treat one patient, which is why government intervenes to make it easier for Nigerians who can't afford that cost. He said more of the drugs will be provided next year to meet high demand as 5,000 drugresistant new cases emerge every year. Also approved for the health ministry was the purchase of vaccines worth $2.10 million for routine immunisation which has since 2006 been supplied through UNICEF for safety reasons. The Council was informed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, of a landmark diplomatic agreement between Venezuela and Nigeria to allow transit and 90-day stay for holders of official and diplomatic passports of both countries. She announced that N13 billion has been approved by President Jonathan to clear debts owed by some Nigeria's foreign missions.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 3

Sack Sanusi now, NLC, others tell FG By Isa Abdulwahab and Muhammad Nasir, with agency report

he Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has called on the Federal Government to sack the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi for recommending to the sack of 50 percent of its workforce in the country. This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the president of the NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar who said

since Sanusi resumed as CBN governor, all his major pronouncements have been either directly anti people or ruinous to the Nigerian economy. “The burden of wealth creation in Nigeria, like any other country, has been on workers, while some politicians and economic parasites like Sanusi over consume what the workers sweat to create. Workers are the key driving force of all economies and only a hollow economist like Sanusi will underplay this”, Omar noted. Omar also noted that the major

problems of the Nigerian economy are corruption and lack of good governance, and “until we solve these problems, our economy will continue to be comatose”; adding that “there are countless probe reports with names of those who swindled our country of several trillions of both naira and other foreign currencies still living in Nigeria either walking freely around the corridors of power or directly holding public or political offices rather than being in jail. “The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress sees Sanusi an agent of death that must be

defeated and crushed before he further destroys the Nigerian economy,” NLC fumed. In the same vein, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria while reacting to Sanusi’s suggestion yesterday, advised the CBN governor to tender his resignation letter to buttress his call for the sack of 50 percent of the country’s federal work force. The National President of the association, Mr. Olakunle Olaitan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Sanusi’s position was outrageous.

Also, the Radio, Television, Theatre and Art Workers Union (RATTAWU) has condemned the call. The National President of the union, Mr. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, told NAN that the statement was “unfortunate and unbelievable”. “I want to believe that he made the statement on the spur of the moment; it is not a statement that should come from a man of his calibre. “He urged Sanusi to tell Nigerians how much he earns and what he does with the CBN's budget.

Attack on SARS: Police counter new sect’s claims By Lambert Tyem

L-R: National President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Alhaji Balarabe Shehu, VicePresident, NSE Membership Services, Mrs. Valerie Agberagba, and Executive Secretary, NSE, Ahmed Amshi, during a news conference on the forthcoming National Engineering Conference, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

FEC approves N6bn for 13m Identity Smart cards  To open Lagos-Kano rail line before Christmas

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

he Federal Executive Council (FEC), yesterday, approved N6.4 billion for the importation of 13 million smart cards needed to register Nigerians under the new identity management system. Briefing State House correspondents after the Council meeting, Minister of Communications Technology, Omobola Johnson explained that additional smart cards will be procured next year but will be

produced in Nigeria. According to her, 30,000 applicants have been registered with Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines that have been distributed to the 36 state branches of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). FEC also approved the purchase of two sets of modern five-Car Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs) each with the capacity of 540 passengers and an additional six 60-seater air-conditioned passenger coaches at a cost of

N4.34 billion for intra-city rail mass transit services. Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, explained that the new trains will be used on the existing narrow gauge rail tracks, while more trains will be purchased when the eastern rail route of Port Harcourt-Maiduguri is ready next year. The minister also disclosed that plans have been concluded by the Federal Government to open the Kano-Lagos standard rail line before this year's Christmas celebration.

Cop, four-year-old girl die during abduction From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Benin based estate surveyor and agent, Chief Dan Odiete has reportedly been abducted by yet to be identified gunmen suspected to be kidnappers, leaving his police orderly and two civilians including a four-year old girl dead. The incident occurred yesterday evening at one of

Odiete’s offices along Akpakpava by Second East Circular Junction in Benin City after close of work. His abduction came barely one year after his second son (name withheld), narrowly escaped been kidnapped shortly before his marriage. Eye witnesses say the hoodlums who came in two sport utility vehicles (SUV) and took their victim into their operational vehicle were trapped in traffic,

forcing them to shoot sporadically to scare motorists away. According to the witnesses, one of the mobile policemen attached to the businessman and four-year-old girl whose identities were yet to be ascertained died during the shooting. Contacted for comment, Edo Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Anthony Airhuoyo said he was yet to get details on the kidnapping.

he Nigeria Police Force yesterday faulted claims by an unknown Islamist sect that it carried out Tuesday’s gun attack on the office of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja in which it said it freed over 300 detainees. The Jama’atu Ansarul Musilimina fi Biladis Sudan (JAMBS), which translates as “Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa”, in two separate emails written in English and circulated to some media, contradicted the police account of the incident, claiming that it had secured the release of 323 captives, including 37 of its members, during the raid. Both statements were signed by one Abu Usamatal Ansari, identified as Amir or leader of JAMBS. The police had earlier said that they re-arrested 25 out of 30 detainees that fled the detention centre during the shootout. But the group in an email top some media houses had also stated: “We are indeed thankful to Allah SWT to have granted us a perfect success as a result of the attack on SARS detention center that took place yesterday in Garki area II Abuja.

However, Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, reacted last night and described as baseless the claims by the sect. He said: “First, that facility cannot take up to 300. The claim is absolutely baseless. We still have people in the cell even as we talk now, so how and where did they get there figure? Secondly, how did they take out over 300 suspects and ferried them out of town? Did they bring a bus, okada or a mini bus? It is all lies. Thirdly, there was an exchange of gunfire. So, none of those people was caught in the crossfire? How did the over 300 escaped into the Rocky Mountains there? If you know the place very well, it is not possible for such a large number to have been taken away especially for the fact that the facility is a small one. Even vigilance groups would have attacked the gunmen at that time of the night because you cannot move such a large number at that period; their statement should be thrown into the trash can where it rightly belongs. Nigerians should not listen to them. If they really want us to take them serious, how come they are making this claim after 48 hours? The modus operandi of such groups worldwide is to claim responsibility few hours after such attack”.

Nass wants Jonathan’s SURE-P programme scrapped By Richard Ihediwa

resident Goodluck Jonathan’s administration yesterday came under fire as the Joint National Assembly Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) recommended that the programme be immediately scrapped. The lawmakers at a joint sitting described the programme as a drain pipe, arguing that it was a duplication of the responsibilities already being carried out by existing ministries and agencies of government. Trouble started when the chairman of the SURE- P,

Christopher Kolade told the lawmakers that the N135 billion realised by the agency from its N15 billion monthly accrual has been channeled to abandoned road projects and maternal mortality care, an explanation that was rejected by the lawmakers. Lawmakers insisted that the advent of the SURE-P it is an indication that the Federal Government has lost confidence in existing ministries and agencies since the activities of the programme have been statutorily vested on them. They also queried the programme for not undertaking on any project that will directly impact on the welfare and development of the youths in the country.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 4

Igbeke files contempt proceedings against IGP

Police kill 70-year-old father, two sons in Nasarawa – Community leader

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

former senator representing Anambra North senatorial district, Alphonsus Igbeke, has commenced contempt proceedings at a Federal High Court in Abuja against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar for refusing to release Igbeke’s vehicle as ordered by the Court. Senator Igbeke filed Form 48, which is a notice of consequence of disobedience of a court order; a precondition for a full hearing of a committal proceedings against the IGP. Besides, the police boss, Demola Fosat and Abdullahi Mohammed were named as co-defendants. On October 24, 2012, Justice A.R. Mohammed had ordered the IGP not to compulsorily take possession of Senator Igbeke’s Mercedes Benz G65 (vehicle). However, the judge’s order was not complied with, causing the plaintiffs’ lawyer to seek further legal remedy. On November 1, 2012, Justice Mohammed made another order directing IGP to take steps to immediately comply with his October 24 order, saying, that order is still subsisting since he has not set it aside or varied it. Consequently, he adjourned to November 14 for report of compliance with the orders of the court.

70-year-old father, Shehu Ado and two of his sons, Rabo Shehu, 42, and Peuri Shehu, 20, were allegedly shot and killed in an early morning raid by policemen drafted from the Uke Divisional Police Station, Karshi Development Area, Nasarawa state. Narrating the incident to our reporter yesterday in Keffi, Ardo Mohammed Dahiru, community leader in the area, alleged that the armed policemen, led by a native identified as one Tanimu

Jaji blast: Senate wants civilians relocated from cantonment From Muhammad Adamu, Kaduna

he Senate Committee on Defence and Army, yesterday, called on Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna state to find a way of relocating the civilian population living within the Jaji Military Cantonment as a means to averting further attacks. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator George Thompson Sekibo, stated this at the Conference Room of the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) after he and other members inspected the bomb blast site and the general area of the cantonment. This is sequel to the earlier inspection of the affected church by the Minister of State ofr Defence, Dr. Olusola Obada who also sympathised with the military personnel who were affected by the attack. Senator Sekibo while addressing newsmen, maintained that the military is the last hope of all Nigerian’s and if something happens to the military, it will send a very bad signal to the country especially those that are not armed and don’t have body guards moving with them. He appealed to the government to find of way of evacuating the civilian population living with the cantonment saying it is a military formation and should have only military occupants except civilians working in the cantonment.

Namariya, stormed the sleepy enclave of the herdsmen in Nike, Veti district, Tuesday morning at around 5 am, shooting the sleeping men, with two dying instantly while the third later died at an undisclosed hospital. He alleged that unknown to the policemen who had left their patrol van at a distance and approached the Fulani settlement on foot, they were sighted by a third son of the deceased, a cripple who was able to hide away, while he watched two men dressed in police uniform shoot and kill his father and two brothers.

He said it is unprecedented for the police to raid a Fulani settlement, shooting and killing the inhabitants, without any manner of provocation, urging the state government to look into the matter with a view to finding the killers and ensuring that justice is done. Corroborating, Malam Hussaini Nuhu, secretary, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), Nasarawa state chapter, alleged that he was summoned to Nike to supervise the burial of the deceased persons, who were said

to have been killed by the police, “intentionally.” Reacting to the allegation, police command spokesperson, Michael Ada, confirmed the incident, saying though information was scanty on what happened at the Fulani settlement, report reaching the command indicate that policemen were drafted to invite a man in the settlement for questioning. “Yes, policemen went there to invite a man to the station but what happened there I cannot say for now because we are yet to get a report from there”, he stated.

L-R: Representative of Minister of National Planning, Mr. Fidelis Ugbo, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Prof. Olufemi Taiwo, representative of Director-General, Budget Office, Dr. Hassan Suleiman, and representative of DirectorGeneral, Centre for Management Development, Dr. Chidi Iheama, during NISER's first national policy dialogue, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

‘Nigeria’s asset sales uncertain after BPE boss’ sack’ By Aminu Imam & Abdulwahab Isa with agency reports

igeria’s privatisation exercise faces uncertainty after the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa was fired with key sales yet to be concluded, analysts from Financial Derivatives Co. and Standard Bank Group Ltd. have said. President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday relieved Ms. Onagoruwa of her appointment as the Director-General of the BPE. No reason was given for the

decision. Chukwuma Nwoko, a spokesman for the agency said it was a presidential directive that had to be obeyed and declined to comment further. Reacting to the development yesterday, chief executive

officer of a Lagos-based business advisory group, Financial Derivatives, Bismarck Rewane, said: “It’s a curious development in terms of the timing and very disturbing from an investor’s perspective. It is a major setback

Senate moves to check executive legislation By Richard Ihediwa

he Senate has listed for debate a bill seeking to regulate powers by government agencies to make rules and issue orders in the areas they operate. This is basically to check abuses and ensure that rules and orders

by such agencies conform with their enabling laws as passed by the National Assembly. Such agencies include the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Police, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Communications Commission (NCC) Federal Airport

Senate queries NDLEA boss over staff victimisation By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

he Senate, yesterday, ordered the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade to immediately reinstate a dismissed officer of the agency, Adamu Magaji, as lawmakers insisted that he was unjustly sacked. This followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions which stated that his appointment was wrongfully terminated following his refusal to

and would make international investors more wary”. Reuben Abati, a spokesman for the President, declined to comment on Onagoruwa’s removal at a news conference yesterday in Abuja.

compromise official responsibility in the agency. Presenting the report, the chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, said after a thorough investigation, the committee discovered that Adamu Magaji was sacked irrationally by the agency. “He was a dedicated staff who was accused of soliciting and collecting bribe from a suspect without facts to back up such accusation due to the mindset of his boss to relieve him of his appointment,” he stated, urging

the Senate to order that he be reabsorbed by the NDLEA. Most of the lawmakers who contributed supported the committee even as they demanded that all officers involved in plotting Magaji’s sack should be investigated. The lawmakers backed the recommendation of the committee that the NDLEA should immediately pay every entitlement, including salaries, allowances among others, which is accruable to Magaji and to forthwith stop any form of victimisation against him.

Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other regulatory agencies that make orders, rules and regulations. Sponsored by Senator Andy Uba, the bill which has been listed for second reading today, seeks fundamentally to make provisions for the “monitoring and control of instruments by which statutory powers to make orders, rules, regulations and other subsidiary legislations are exercised and for other matters connected therewith” There are indications that the bill will receive the support of the lawmakers as many of them have in the past complained about certain abuses by some of the agencies in issuing orders and regulations as well as clashing of roles by some agencies. Also listed for debate today is the report of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which has concluded work in a bill seeking to streamline the administration of Property Tax in the territory.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2012

PAGE 5

Presidency not silent on Jaji, SARS attacks – Abati By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

he Presidency has refuted accusations that it is sleeping over the recent terror onslaught in the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and the Special Antirobbery Squad (SARS) office in Abuja. Suspected members of the Boko Haram sect had launched twin bomb attacks on a church in the Jaji Cantonment on Sunday, leaving scores of Nigerians dead with others severely injured. Barely 24 hours later, another attack claimed by a new group, the Jama’atul Ansarul Muslimina fi Biladissudan, was made on SARS headquarters in Abuja, killing some policemen and freeing some of their members in custody. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati who fielded questions from State House Correspondents after yesterday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting noted that a couple of steps have been taken by the President since the incidents occurred. According to him, the President had been briefed on the

I haven’t left CPC, says Buba Marwa From Umar Dankano,Yola

he former gubernatorial candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the Adamawa State’s February 14, 2012 gubernatorial elections, General Muhammadu Buba Marwa has debunked speculations that he has dumped CPC for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) again. General Marwa who made the denial in an exclusive interview with Peoples Daily in Yola through his director of publicity and public affairs, Alhaji Bello Zubairu yesterday said that ” Marwa is still a bonafide and active member of the CPC and has not told anybody that he will change political party for now”. Alhaji Bello explained that, the party was highly disturbed by the development because Marwa is acclaimed to be a true democrat, whom they so much respect and treasure. He therefore called on Nigerians, especially the Marwa supporters and well wishers, to disregard the “political gimmick” aimed at creating confusion and disaffection among party loyalists. Our Correspondent reports that, tension started recently when the caretaker chairman of PDP, Ambassador Umaru Damagun said at a political gathering at the Yola party secretariat that General Marwa told him of intention to return to PDP soon.

incidents by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’d and the Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed. He added that the Minister of FCT was also mandated by the

President to hold a security council meeting at the level of the FCT as part of ways to further secure the capital city. Abati further stated that part of the Federal Government’s response to the incidents was the committees set up by the Minister

of Defense to look into the incidents, adding that the “Ministry has also held a security meeting at the level of FCT.” The Presidential spokesman also revealed that yesterday’s Council meeting would be the last to tackle issues of contracts and

projects in 2012. “Subsequent meetings in the year would be on nonprocurement issues as the Council would dedicate the remaining part of the year to a review of what it has done in 2012.”

L-R: Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ali Gulak, FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuleri, during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Communities close Indomie factory in Kaduna From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna

ost Communities of the Northern Indomie Noodles have closed down the Kaduna factory indefinitely to protest against the company’s refusal to fulfill agreements reached before the commissioning of the factory owned by an Indian firm. The communities accused the management of the factory of neglect and refusal to employ youths from the host community based on their agreement. Over 200 youths sealed off the gate of the factory in the early hours of yesterday carrying placards with inscriptions such as:” Indomie Does Not Want The Progress of The Host Community”, “Indomie Company Has Cheated Our Community”, “Northern

Noodles is not a Friendly Organization”, “We Demand Equal Employment Opportunity”, “Indomie is Conspiring With Some Element”, “We Demand Our Right” and so on. Leader of the communities known as Five Based Community Progressive Youth Development Association, Comrade Waziri Waziri said the community had written three letters to the management requesting for courtesy visit over the matter, but to no avail. “We are very much conscious of the unstable peace and insecurity in the state, that is why we have the security agents in our midst to ensure peaceful and orderly conduct of the protest. ”But today, because the Gbagyi people in the northern

region are accommodating, gentle and peace loving by nature, that is why the management betrayed our trust and refused to listen to our plight and they allowed themselves to be mislead against the host community. “The factory will remain closed until the management agreed to meet with our leadership to correct all the injustices meted on us especially on the issue of recruitment and fulfilling their social responsibility in terms of the provision of basic infrastructure to the community. “It is not all demand that will be met, but we are saying that what belongs to us should be given to us.We know the limit of our rights and privileges and must be given to us because this is not obtainable anywhere in the world”, he stressed.

Don’t reduce EFCC budget, CACOL tells NASS From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has cautioned the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Anti-corruption against reducing the 2013 Budget of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Speaking on behalf of the Coalition, its Executive Chairman, Debo Adeniran, described as unfortunate, a situation where the anti-graft agencies are starved of funds and still expected to perform their duties whereas the

National Assembly and the Presidency budgets huge funds for themselves . “ Ours is a nation the lawmakers earmark billions of dollars for themselves without anyone raising an eyebrow; ours is a state the executive arm of the government eats with over 1 billion naira and the lawmakers saddled with the oversight functions see nothing wrong with it, but an anti-graft agency’s budget must be reduced…proper prosecution is not possible if there is no adequate funding. Up till now, EFCC has not

achieved major convictions, especially under the present Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde because the government is just paying lip service to fighting corruption. The agency could hardly afford the service of a fresh lawyer, whereas the corruption indicted person employs the service of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to defend him in court. How will the accused not win the case? Comrade Adeniran noted that measures should be put in place to track the use of the monies by EFCC instead of querying the budget.

Snakes invade village in Bauchi From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

nakes have infiltrated Yuli village’s stream owing to the recent flood that devastated the Duguri district area of Bauchi state. The snakes type believed to be foreign would have its venom samples taken to determine the appropriate vaccines for treatment of possible bites. The assurance was Monday given by the Chairman of the Presidential sub-committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Prof. Dora Akunyili when the body visited Duguri district to donate relief materials to flood victims in the area. Akunyili who led the subcommittee to the Yuli village river site bordering Bauchi and Taraba states to assess the extent of damage caused by the flood, was told that the foreign snakes infiltrated the district area following the Cameroonian dam’s release of water during the last rainy season. She noted that the different species of snakes would portend great danger to the inhabitants of the district.

PAGE 6

Adamawa proposes N94.8bn for 2013 From Umar Dankano, Yola

damawa state government has earmarked N94, 843,314,620.00 billion for the 2013 fiscal year as capital and recurrent expenditure tagged "Budget of Continued Delivery of Democracy Dividends". Governor Murtala Nyako told the lawmakers while making the presentation at the Adamawa State House of Assembly, that the proposed budget was a product of extensive study and consultation with key stakeholders across the state. He stressed that the budget estimate has been designed and articulated against the backdrop of the current economic challenges and realities. Reflecting on the performance of the 2012, budget of his administration, Nyako disclosed that N87.911 billion was approved by the House of Assembly, of which 62% of the revenue projection of N54.75 billion has been realised and expended. Nyako expressed the belief that the 2013, budget if approved by the House would help to consolidate on the gains of the 2012 budget. "The 2013 budget is designed to promote continuity of this administration's efforts to transform the state economy for the better and to embark on mass development programmes", he said. The budget proposal, he declared would be derived from the statutory allocation of N43.30 billion Valued Added Tax of N9.609 billion, petroleum subsidy of N2.664 billion, excess crude of N3 billion and capital receipts N28.79 billion. The revenue, he further added would be derived from N0.500 billion as well as from the internally generated revenue of N6.980 billion. The summary of the budget indicated that, N20.960 billion would be expended on personnel cost, N28, 383 billion for Over Head cost of N6.460 billion for Consolidated Revenue Fund Charges while N39.040 billion for capital expenditure.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Tukur admits PDP's cluelessness - ACN From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), has said the statement credited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, that the PDP is not a security agency and should not be blamed for the insecurity in the country, is the clearest indication yet of his party's cluelessness over the worsening state of insecurity and other ills bedeviling the country. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its national publicity secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party however expressed pleasure that "the chairman of the biggest non-performing party in

…says it's biggest non-performing party in Africa Africa has finally come to terms with what the ACN and others have been saying for a long time, that the PDP lacks the wherewithal to preside over a country that is hungry for security and development like Nigeria. ''What the PDP chairman is saying, in essence, is that his party is no longer fit to rule and that Nigerians should look elsewhere if indeed they want a government that will ensure the security of their lives and property", it said. ACN said it is inconceivable that a man of Alhaji Tukur's standing, experience in public life and

international exposure will not know the powers and responsibility of a ruling party. ''The PDP sired the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government that controls the security agencies in the country, and the party's chairman is not unaware of this fact. If therefore he says the party should not be blamed for the insecurity stalking the land, he definitely knows what he is saying, which is that the 'PDP is clueless", it said. The party said Nigerians should take their destiny in their own hands by using every democratic means to get the PDP out of their

Terrorism: NASS is not safe - Reps By Umar Muhammad Puma

M L-R: Former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, Steering Committee of the State Peer Review Mechanism, Justice Muhammadu Uwais, discussing with Jigawa state Head of Service, Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, during the initiation/sensitisation on the State Peer Review Mechanism, yesterday in Dutse, Jigawa state. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Governors never disagreed on constitutional amendment - Amaechi From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

hairman of the Nigerian Governors' Forum (NGF), Mr. Rotimi Amaechi in Ibadan, yesterday, declared that the forum never disagreed on the ongoing constitutional amendment, clarifying that the governors agreed on all the issues discussed on the amendment to the constitution. Governor Amaechi, who

was in Ibadan on a dual mission of a condolence to the family of the late Justice Kayode Esho and a visit to the Oyo state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, however saluted the transformation agenda of the Ajimobi administration which he noted has changed the face of the state capital to a cleaner environment from a filthy set up. On the alleged deadlock of the governors' forum, the governor

said: "We never disagreed. We agreed on all the issues we discussed. We met in the morning by 10am and by 3pm; if we had disagreed we could closed before 12pm and not the time we closed…" However, the governor said that the forum was concerned on the autonomy of local governments and the funding of the state legislatures. "Local governments should no more be an issue that should bother the country…"

Suspects killed as robbers engage police in gun duel From Matthew Aramunde, Lagos

en of the Bar Beach Police Division led by the Divisional Police Officer Adegoke Fayoade, a Chief Superintendent of Police, have arrested a gang of notorious armed robbers who are said to usually terrorise residents of Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah areas and commuters who ply the ever busy Lagos-Epe highway. A release issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, also

lives, since the ruling party has wasted all of 13 years and billions of naira in the resources of the commonwealth since the country's return to democratic rule in 1999. ''The insecurity that has now reached a level at which daring gunmen will attack the police and the military, the very institutions the country relies upon to ensure its internal and external security, is a reflection of the deep rot in other spheres of life in Nigeria. ''To be fair, the rot did not start in 1999. But 13 years is a long enough time for a party that is worth its name to make an appreciable effort to turn things around. Sadly, the situation is worse today than it was 13 years ago. If the PDP says it should not be blamed for the country's woes, it means it is finally ready to get the heck out of the scene to allow capable hands to take charge,'' ACN said.

revealed that the policemen who were conducting stop and search on Cowry Black Spot, spotted and suspected occupants of Mazda 323 with registration No EX145 TTD that was coated in Lagos state commercial vehicle colors. The occupants were thereafter ordered to disembark while a search was conducted on the vehicle leading to the discovery of a double barrel pistol and two cartridges. The two occupants one Segun Oladujoye and Olakunle Shodipo both residents of No 46 Ilupeju Road, Ilupeju, were arrested and are

presently helping the police in their investigations In a similar vein, policemen attached to Apapa Division who had responded to a distress call and engaged armed robbers who were operating on a motorcycle at Randle area of Apapa. One of the robbers was shot dead in the ensuing gun duel while others escaped. One locally made pistol was recovered from the suspect while the corpse of the dead robber has been deposited at Lagos Island General Hospital Mortuary. Also about 1030hrs on the same

day, policemen attached to Ajegunle Division who had responded to a distress call were also engaged in a gun battle with some armed robbers at Olayinka Street, Ajegunle. One of the robbers simply identified as Ismaila Balogun, was not lucky as he was shot dead. One locally made cut-to-size gun and two cartridges were recovered from the dead suspect. The corpse has been deposited at Lagos Island General Hospital mortuary while the case is under investigation at the SCID, Yaba.

embers of the House of Representatives yesterday decried the worsening insecurity in the country, declaring that there is reason to be worried over the safety of the National Assembly complex. A motion under the matters of urgent national importance, read by Rep. Abubakar Momoh, said the insecurity had reached a level where no security facility was safe again. "The Tuesday robbery in Auchi, Edo state which claimed the lives of three soldiers, some policemen and civilians clearly show that insecurity in the country was getting out of hand". Rep. Raphael Nnanna, said the successful operation by gunmen who invaded the headquarters of Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja was a testimony that the security personnel lacked the capacity to stem the tide of insecurity in the country. He recalled that the SARS invasion came less than 24 hours a church at Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna was bombed by gunmen. 15 people were reportedly killed and several others injured. "The state of insecurity in the country has reached an embarrassing level. What happened in Jaji and SARS headquarters is embarrassing to the leadership and people of this nation". He argued that if the gunmen could operate and go unhurt at the premises of security agents, they could also invade the National Assembly. "I see these people coming to the National Assembly very soon", he warned.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 7

Igbinedion varsity seeks review of NUC Act From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

gbinedion University, Okada, Edo state, has renewed calls for review of National University Commission (NUC) Act to enable private universities in the country attract grants and develop properly in line with global best practices. Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, made the submission at a press briefing ahead the 10th convocation ceremony of the university. Osaghae noted that the move

became necessary in oreder to ensure equilibrium which has made market forces to determine demand and supply chain in private sector education in Nigeria. “As at the time the NUC Act was established there were no private universities in Nigeria”, he said.

The professor of political science, who described N1.5 billion yearly wage bills of the university as outrageous, said “the same body that has established private universities is also closing the gaps against them”. Chancellor of the school, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion who described

the university’s journey so far as tortuous, said six distinguished personalities would be honoured on Saturday including, former President of Ghana, John Kufuor, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, Controller General of Nigeria Customs, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde alongside former governor of Kogi state

governor, Prince Audu Abubakar. The ceremonies will begin on Friday with award of first degrees and prizes to 929 students alongside a convocation lecture titled: “Towards the Resolution of the National Question: A Regional Response by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti state. L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Taye Haruna, Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia, and Director, Climate Change in the ministry, Dr. Samuel Adejuwon, during the budget defence by the ministry before the committee, on Tuesday at the National Assembly, Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jigawa Assembly approves N5.065bn supplementary state budget From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse he Jigawa state House of Assembly has approved and passed the N5.065 billion supplementary budget sent to it by Governor Sule Lamido of the state. While reading the executive’s request on the floor of the House before the members during the sitting yesterday, the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Inuwa Sule Udi who presided over the sitting, explained “that the supplementary bill is to allow the executive arm of government to appropriate the sum of N5.065 billion to carter for additional budgetary requirements on the new projects in the state”. The Majority Leader of the House, Honourable Adamu Jafaru Kukuma, who earlier moved the motion for presenting the supplementary budget on the floor, was seconded by the member representing Jahun constituency, Honourable Umar Imam. According to the supplementary appropriation, the sum of N1.5 billion would be used for the furniture of the recently commissioned new state secretariat; and N729 million for the new Dutse International Airport. The sum of N425 million would be for the construction of Unguwar Mani to Gwiwa road; N390 million Limawa /Jidawa to Sakwaya road; N381 million for the renovation of Government House and N341 million for the dualisation of Dutse main township road, amongst others. Contributing to the deliberation, the member representing Taura constituency, Honourable Rabiu Dangabi Kwalam, advised the members to approve and pass the Supplementary Bill based on the importance and impact of the projects. Dangabi explained that “the projects in the appropriation would transform the lives of the people and would affect all parts of the state”. The house unanimously approved and passed the supplementary budget.

NSE to hold conference on quality service delivery By Adeola Tukuru

he Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is to hold its conference and annual general meeting (AGM) from December 3rd -7th, 2012 in Abuja. The President of (NSE), Engr. Mustafa Balarabe Shehu, explained that the conference will be focusing on “Strategies for Promotion of Sustainable Technology-Based and ProductionDriven Economy in Nigeria”. According to him, the conference will focus on collaboration with various arms of government by way of providing

quality advice with a view to influencing major policy decisions in the various sectors like commerce and industry, infrastructure development, the academia etc and ultimately lifting the nation to greater heights. In his words: “Our interest as engineers lies in making meaningful contributions to these various sectors to the advancement of technology worldwide. Much of the public infrastructures that will be needed for our nation to develop and achieve the vision 20:2020 are engineering based. “Thus underlying the fact that our lifestyles and level of

development as a people and a nation are clearly dependent on our capacity to explore engineering and technology. “As professional engineers, we have the opportunity to dialogue and come up with strategies and techniques that can enhance a technology-based and production driven economy”, he said. Musa explained that the conference will showcase exhibitions, awards, annual dinner, spouses’ programmes, welfare programmes, cultural nights, young engineers’ programmes, engineering games and the AGM.

Leaders should keep their promises on sanitation and water, says NGO From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

he Network of Civil Society Organisations in Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), an NGO in Bauchi state, has reminded all leaders and decision makers to stick to the pledges made on sanitation and water in the communities. The programme officer of NEWSAN, Mrs. Deborah Kogi stated this at the 2012 World Toilet Day commemoration organised by NEWSAN and supported by WaterAid Nigeria at Kafin Madaki, Ganjuwa local

government area of the state. NEWSAN noted that this day is important especially to children who are leaders of the future and reminded all the stakeholders to keep their promises on sanitation and water. “It is a true saying that the health of a child begins in the toilet; that is why school pupils who had demanded for provision of adequate toilet facilities and safe water points in their schools in 2011 are here again to remind decision makers that there is still need to provide

toilets and safe water points in most schools and indeed their communities”, Kogi said. According to her, “it is the healthy child that attends schools regularly; therefore if we want to have future leaders that are well equipped, then decision makers should strive hard to meet the MDG promises as signed by leaders of Nigeria”. She stressed that sanitation is the most cost effective of any health intervention as majority of illnesses in the world are caused by human excreta i.e. faeces and urine.

Suswam swears in new council chairmen From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

he new elected local government chairmen in Benue state yesterday took oaths of office with a stern charge by Governor Gabriel Suswam to ensure development in their areas. The governor advised the chairmen to be resident in their domains and to always consult with their people before embarking on developmental projects. He also charged them to ensure peace and tranquility, warning that the state government would not tolerate any break down of law and order in the local government areas. Governor Suswam, who adjudged last Saturday’s polls as the freest and fairest held in any part of the country, maintained that the State Electoral Commission has set a pace for other states to follow in the conduct of local government elections. He urged those aggrieved by the result of the election to seek legal redress at the recently established local government election petition tribunals in the state. “In the true spirit of democracy there has to be a winner and loser in every election, I urge the losers to take the outcome in the spirit of true sportsmanship”, Suswam said. The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) won the 23 local government areas in an election that has been widely criticized by the opposition party as well as coalition of nongovernmental organisations, BENGONET as having been marred by lots of malpractices.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 8

Open University matriculates 139 students By Usman Shuaibu

he National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has matriculated a total of 139 students for the special study centre for Immigration in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Speaking at the occasion, the study centre Director, Dr. Emmanuel J. Umoh, who represented the Vice-chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe said that about 47 study centres were matriculating students across the country in this year’s academic session. Tenebe lamented that all the

programes of NOUN were given approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC), adding that most of the courses that reached accreditation criteria were assessed by the NUC in March, 2012. His words: “NOUN had just submitted the master of Business Administration (MBA) and master of public Administration (MPA) programmes for accreditation by the NUC”. He said that the management of the University was geared towards improving the network and system of course materials distribution for students to enhance learning.

Kebbi to commence monthly sanitation From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

rrangements have been concluded by the Kebbi state government to introduce the monthly sanitation exercise across the state. Briefing newsmen yesterday in his office, the General Manager [GM] of Kebbi state Urban Development Authority, [KUDA] Alhaji Aliyu

Galadima said that the government will soon commence the month end sanitation exercise in order to combat the recent flood disasters in some part of the state this year. Galdaima further pointed out that his office will also fight against the illegal dumping of refuse by arresting offenders and ensuring that the state was clean to avoid diseases.

Briton asks court to order IG’s investigation of police robbery By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to order the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the complaint of a British citizen, Mr. Sayed Bukhari, that two police officers robbed him at the Millennium Park in Abuja in October last year. The court was also asked to order the IG to publicise the outcome of the investigation. The Briton is asking for an investigation into his complaint in the amended originating summons in the suit in which he prayed the court to order the IG to pay him N1billion as damages for the failure of police authorities to investigate his complaint. The plaintiff is also claiming another N1billion as exemplary and aggravated damages for a press statement in which the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command doubted his complaint. The court, sitting before Justice Gabriel Kolawole, had on November 21, 2012, adjourned to January 31, 2013 to hear an application for amendment of the originating summons. The court would also on that date hear the notice of preliminary objection filed by the police. In the amended originating summons, filed by his lawyer,

Mr. Bamidele Aturu, the Briton asked the court for, “An order mandating/directing the defendant to investigate the report made by the Plaintiff to his office on the 31st of October 2011 concerning the robbery incident of 29th October at the Millennium Park F.C.T Abuja involving some police officers and make public the outcome of the investigation.” The two policemen alleged to have carried out the robbery were named as Samuel Ekpah and Daniel Marcus. In the statement, the FCT police command doubted the plaintiff’s claims that the two policemen robbed him and also made malicious and libelous statements against his person.. The statement accused the plaintiff of trying to embarrass the police. In addition to the N1bn he is asking for as damages, the plaintiff also asked the court to order the IG to pay him N1.5million being the combined value of the N200,000 cash and the N1.3million Breitling wrist watch the policemen allegedly collected from him. In his preliminary objection to the Briton’s suit, the IG asked the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that he was not responsible for the alleged libel and that the action was statute barred. The case was adjourned to January 31, 2012.

L-R: Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, Minister of Transport, Alhaji Umar Idris, and Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bashir Yuguda, jointly briefing journalists on the railway system in the country, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Military slowed down democracy in Africa – Tambuwal From Mike Etim, Uyo

he spate of interference in democratic process in 20th Century Africa by military dictators has been cited as reasons for the slow democratic process experienced in the continent. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, stated this while

speaking at the opening ceremony of the first edition of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Africa Youth Parliament in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state yesterday. The Speaker urged the participants to use the conference to educate the people on wide range of parliamentary issues and processes for the interest of

democracy in Africa. Speaking earlier while declaring the conference open, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio said the theme of the conference “Economic Integration Amongst Commonwealth African States for Creation Of Job Opportunities for Our Youths”, was apt and timely.

GEMS3, Kano partner to boost agriculture From Edwin Olofu, Kano

non-governmental organisation, Growth and Employment in States (GEMS3) funded by DFID, is partnering with Kano state in taking the campaign on largescale agricultural production and processing to the rural areas with a view to encouraging youth and women empowerment. The Kano state manager of the organization, Dr. Muhammad Sagagi disclosed this to reporters in Kano yesterday at a publicprivate dialogue titled “The Challenge of Private Enterprise Development in Kano,” said GEMS3 focused on agriculture because it was a vital sector which could be explored to boost economic activities in the ancient city.

According to him, the organization has made a number of interventions in the state in its entrepreneurship drive, access funds and fast-track registration of businesses within four days without beneficiaries going through lawyers and other legal hiccups. Sagagi explained that the problem associated with private and public partnership is to understand the fundamental difficulties whereby interested partners could be talked to directly and facilitate government’s contribution in harmonizing their potentials. He stated that Kano people deserve to be encouraged on the need to sit up and explore the opportunities in agriculture, which he described as the basic

foundation for economic development in the North. According to him, “the only biggest problem in Kano today is the multiple taxation and levies which Local Governments in the state impose on businessmen and women,” pointing out that GEMS3, through its intervention initiatives were able harmonize the tax and levy charges through reducing all the difficulties businessmen who engage in their programmes face. He described as unfortunate a situation where by 99 percent of landlords in Kano build their houses without Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), “but our intervention with the Kano state government will enhance and increase revenue collection in the state.

Cybercrime bill passes second reading By Umar Muhammad Puma

bill to provide for offences and penalties relating to computer misuse and cybercrime was Tuesday passed for second reading by the House of Representatives. The bill which was sponsored by Hon. Aisha Bayero Ahmed (PDP, Adamawa) is seeking to amend the criminal code act, cap C38 law of the federation of Nigeria 2004. Leading the debate, Hon. Aisha argued that the biggest cybercrime of about $242 million in the United

States, was perpetuated by Nigerians. She also sighted another example with Cynthia Facebook death perpetuated by Nigerians, using computer to commit the crime. She lamented that even the Nigerian Police, the Army, National Assembly and the Nigerian labour congress (NLC) among others have had their websites hacked by unauthorised persons for unlawful access to documents. She also lamented that Nigeria is ranked among the top 10

cybercrime offenders in the world adding that connivance by professional in the illegalities was worrisome. “The EFCC has prosecuted 288 cases and is working on 234 cases. Recently four American citizens were extradited from Nigeria to their country over cybercrime offences. Nigeria not only need cybercrime law but also need a comprehensive legislation against cybercrime,” she said. The House referred the Bill to the House Committee on Justice for further legislative inputs.

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Dogon Dawa: FG, 5 states to fight insurgents – Yakowa From Mohammed Adamu, Kaduna aduna state government will partner with four border states and the Federal Government to stop the incessant attacks at Dogon Dawa in Birinin Gwari local government area Kaduna state. The border states are Niger, Kebbi, Zamfara and

Katsina. Gov. Patrick Yakowa stated this while flagging-off the Dogon Dawa-Sabon Layi-old Birnin Gwari road on Tuesday in Kaduna. Yakowa said the persistent attacks on the people of Birnin Gwari necessitated the need for the state government to collaborate with border states to address the issue. "We are not resting on our oars, all measures are being

taken to curtail the phenomenon. But I can't say more than that because we don't know the types here in our midst”, he said. He decried the spate of attack witnessed in various parts of the state, adding that no meaningful development would be achieved if the attacks continued. While flagging off the 31km Dogon Dawa-Sabon Layi-Old Birnin Gwari road,

Governor Yakowa said more roads within Birnin-Gwari, Zaria, Kafanchan as well as other cities would also be constructed to open up commercial activities in the state. Earlier, the District Head of Dogon Dawa, Alhaji Musa Yerima said marauders sneak into the communities at night and maim people, steal animals and retreat into the forest.

L-R: Lagos state Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi, and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs. Dare Awosika, during the 2012-2013 borrowing meeting with state governors by the House Committee on Aids, Debt and Loans Management, on Tuesday at the National Assembly, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Jonathan urges Sudan, South Sudan to embrace peace By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

resident Goodluck Jonathan has pledged that Nigeria will continue to work with other African Nations to ensure a peaceful resolution of disputes between Sudan and South Sudan. Speaking at an audience with the Vice President of Sudan, Dr. Adam Yousuf yesterday, President Jonathan said that Nigeria will work through the African Union’s Peace and Security Council and the African Union’s Authority of Heads of State and Government to achieve a resolution of the disagreement between Sudan and South Sudan over Abyei District that would be acceptable to both countries. The President assured Dr. Yousuf who delivered a special message from President Omar El-Bashir to him, that he would confer with other African leaders ahead of the next meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council on Abyei . Dr. Yousuf assured President Jonathan of Sudan’s readiness for continued dialogue towards the peaceful resolution of the dispute over Abyei. He told the President that Sudan was already doing its best to implement the nine agreements signed with South Sudan in Addis Ababa last month on other issues arising from the separation of both countries.

Pakistan to assist Kano in agro-allied industries From Edwin Olofu, Kano

he Pakistan government has said that it is prepared to collaborate with the government of Kano state toward establishing agro-allied industries in the state. The acting Pakistani High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey who made this known while exchanging

views with Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in his office in Kano noted that Kano had rich agricultural raw materials that could favour the setting up of viable agroallied industries. Mr. Sirohey said he was in Kano sequel to an earlier meeting he had with the governor in Abuja, where issues relating to agricultural development were discussed,

adding that Pakistan had manpower and expertise that could assist Kano to exploit its vast agricultural potentials. The envoy also told Governor Kwankwaso that his country planned to invite Professors from the stateowned universities and other scholars to Pakistan for academic exchange visits, adding that this will strengthen the existing

bilateral relations between hic country and Nigeria. On his part, Gov. Kwankwaso stated that Kano is blessed with agricultural potentials that could be harnessed for economic transformation, lamenting that most of them are not properly utilized due to inadequate agro-allied industries among other things. “Our products especially perishable farm commodities are

wasted annually because we don’t have adequate processing, preservation and storage facilities. Therefore we will welcome investments in the agroallied sector”, the governor said. Governor Kwankwaso assured that his government is also willing to support any initiatives from Pakistani authorities that would promote the development of education in Kano.

support of the plans by the Nigerian Law Reform Commission to unify the laws. He noted that operating different criminal codes had resulted in the North and South dichotomy in national discourse, noting that, unification would help government to forge national unity as a crime in Lagos would also be seen as a crime in Kano. In the words of the AGF: "It has therefore been argued that our colonial heritage of two legal system dealing on

criminal matters has been one of the mechanism that had perpetuated the concepts of North and South in critical national discourse. "In addition to the needs to address this historical distortion through a bold attempt at harmonization, there is an equal imperative to review both codes, modernize them and keep them relevant to the needs of our society", he said. Chairman of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Justice Umaru Kalgo, a

retired justice of the Supreme Court said that having a single penal code would promote greater sense of oneness in the country. According to him, the two criminal codes were long overdue for reforms as some of the provisions have become obsolete and unnecessary. He said: "We shall improvise to maintain our diversities and warn ourselves of the need for strict adherence to the principles of federalism, and by so doing, we promote and maintain

fundamental values of democracy, good governance, human rights and rule of law." The Criminal Code Act which operates in the south was passed in 1916 while the Penal Code Law was passed in 1959 and made applicable to the north. While the Criminal Code was based mainly on the English Criminal and Common law, the Penal Code was based on the Penal Codes of Islamic countries like Sudan, Egypt, India and Pakistan.

FG seeks same criminal code for North, South By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

he Federal Government the possibility of the Tuesday said two Criminal Codes being operated by the Northern and Southern parts of the country will foster national unity. Addressing participants at a workshop on that unifying the unification and reform of Criminal and Penal Codes in Abuja, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN) said the FG is in

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 11

What a freelancer should know to be successful L

iterally the word freelance was used in old times to denote a mercenary or a knight who, if paid a handsome compensation by a lord, was willing to offer his services or rather sell his services to whoever was willing to buy them. In old times it was therefore written as free lance. So, what is freelancing or what are these freelancing jobs that you get to hear about so much? Freelancers are writers who are more or less independent and can choose who to work with. Usually, freelancers will write articles (since writing is their job) either for an individual or for a concern/firm/ company and they will be bound by a project or a contract. On the basis of this contract, these freelancers will get paid. That means, if you are offered a project of , say, 100 articles which you have to write up and deliver within a given deadline as mutually agreed upon, you will be paid your due after completion of the assignment. Freelancers are also often known as freelance content writers or freelance journalists etc. By saying that freelancers work on a contractual basis, I may not mean a formal contract. But if you are seriously considering a freelance career, having a contract in place will be in your best interest and safeguard your rights. As freelancers in a freelance career, you have to stick to clear goals and write and submit articles or assignments within a set time frame. Once Project A gets completed, freelancers have to move on to project B and so on. Freelancing jobs can be of different types like web writing (in which case you will be known as a freelance web content writer),

marketing writing, business writing, and technical writing; then there are writings related to proposal development and grants for which freelancers are employed by nonprofit organizations; some other freelancers work for newspapers, anthologies, magazines etc or concentrate on querying. If you want to make it big in freelancing jobs or in the freelance career, you should take the plunge into the world of writing and towards the beginning, you should try to write on a wide variety of topics to increase your versatility. Within 6 months or so, you will be in a position to identify your strengths and weaknesses and later on you should try to focus on writing articles which you like or are good at and where you can showcase

your talents to the best level. Freelancers are supposed to write on a variety of topics, the most common topics being health and fitness, weight loss, travel, Seo, Sem, internet marketing, e commerce, beauty, woman's articles, lifestyle articles including zodiacs, horoscopes, religion , spirituality, landscaping, interior designing, cosmetic surgery, cinema, gifts, career, technical articles, articles on pets etc. In short you are expected to write on anything and everything under the sun. Here are some tips and tricks to present yourself as a professional freelancer. -Present yourself as a professional You should begin by presenting yourself professionally by making

sure that your phone is answered in a professional manner. Even if your home phone doubles as your business phone, make sure that during your business hours it is only answered by you or send it to voice mail. If you have children at home, it is important that they understand not to answer the phone during your business hours. Another important aspect of answering the telephone is to answer with a professional greeting and to have a general voice mail greeting. It is important to also get your name out there. One way to do this is to have business cards. You can create your own business card or have them printed professionally. There are many companies that offer very reasonable printing of

business cards. It is important to market yourself in a professional manner; business cards, postcards and professional letterhead are all tools that can be purchased that will help you promote your professional appearance. Another tip for presenting yourself as a stable and professional business is to send your clients a thank you for their business. This can be done by writing a personal note or sending an email. You should also consider setting up an email address just for your freelance business as well as an email signature that included your website. -Set up a website There are many companies that can help you set up a website expensively. Your website should be a place to present your work. You should offer samples and projects that you have worked on as well as testimonials from other clients. In this age of technology, most consumers want to view what they are purchasing before they contact you. -Offering options In this competitive marketplace, there are many people considering becoming a freelancer or that is already a successful freelance professional. It is offer solutions and options to your clients and potential clients. Most clients will reward you with more business or a referral if you offer to save them money or give them a suggestion that will save them money. In the freelance market you will not get rich over night. However, you can make a decent living and enjoy quality of life by enjoying your freedom.

to start can be said to be among the lowest. All you need is N20, 000 to get a fairly used machine used in pumping tyres. According to a vulcanizer, the new one is in the range of N45, 000-N80, 000. • Machine- As explained above, after getting needed finance, the next step is getting needed machine. Without this machine you cannot operates as the business relies solely on it. There are various brands in the market which comes with different prices. • Location- This is one area any aspiring vulcanizer had to take special caution. Choose a location where you will be patronized on a regular basis. Go for a spot close to major roads, highways. Aside deflated tyres, some vehicle owners pump their tyres up to standard keeping to the saying that protection is better than cure. This will boost the daily income of any serious vulcanizer. • Filter-This looks like a pipe that

would be connected to the nose of the machine for onward transmission of air to the tyre. The filter should be carefully chosen, make sure you buy a hole free one not to cause you undue delay when pumping tyres. • Power- I was made to understand some new machines comes within built generators which propels it to pump out needed air. If you lay your hand on a brand without an in built generator, try and get a source of power to run the business effectively. • Expertise- It is one business that does not really need months or years to learn. 2 weeks is enough to become a trained vulcanizer. Learn how to operate and tend to tyres. • Wide plastic- This is needed to wash the tube of tyres. Make sure the plastic is always filled with water. The tube has to be dipped in water on a regular basis to ensure optimal performance and long life. The rates charged vary from

one vulcanizer to the other. The flat rate goes for N50 for a tyre. The vulcanizer I interviewed put it to me an average vulcanizer pumps at least 50 tyres daily which amounts to N2,500, a good business I guess you will say.

Though, he said a serious vulcanizer like himself makes much more due to how he handles customers. He said some drivers even pay more if you do a decent job. s o u r c e : www.wealthresult.com

What you need to become a vulcanizer

vulcanizer is one that pumps deflated tyres by the roadside. The job might look small and unattractive in nature, but a vulcanizer makes nothing less than N2, 500 on a daily basis if business is dull. It is a business that can be started by any age group (say 16yrs up). The business does not require that special experience but you have to be careful with tyres of vehicles not to cause undue damage to other vital parts. Hints to succeed as a vulcanizer • Capital- The amount needed

Quote Happiness does not come from doing easy work, but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. ….Theodore Isaac Rubin

A young vulcanizer

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

The President and his men

resident Goodluck Jonathan at his last media chat, carried live on radio and television, exposed an aspect of his presidency which was unknown to us till now. During the event, he more than once contradicted his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, and that of his wife, Ayo Osinlu. On November 14, Abati had issued a statement saying categorically that “Mr. President has cancelled the Manitoba power contract with immediate effect.” Manitoba Hydro, a Canadian state-owned company, had emerged as the highest bidder, under the power privatisation scheme, to manage Nigeria’s transmission network, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and was supposed to have commenced work last September. In contradicting Abati’s categorical statement, the President said the contract was not revoked, but that it was being regularized as due process was not followed. Again, before the media chat, Abati had told the world that dialogue between government and Boko Haram was going on

through “backroom channels.” On the day of the chat, the President differed from him, saying “there is no dialogue between the Boko Haram and government.” On the issue of the ill health of his wife which Abati and her spokesman, Osinlu, had

“

For the President to create a babel of voices in the heart of his government will not only compound the security situation but undermine public confidence in his government dismissed as a rumour, our President said: “She was ill. She received treatment.” He added that she had to recuperate on her return home from treatment abroad. By contradicting the aides he willing appointed, President Jonathan has exposed a major weakness in his leadership style. Is it possible that these men

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”

made these statements on such sensitive national issues without clearance from him? If they did so, what actions did the President take against these free talking messengers? We are more concerned about this development because Nigeria is going through a very trying period in which terrorists have carried out daring acts in the most unlikely places. For the President to create a babel of voices in the heart of his government will not only compound the security situation but undermine public confidence in his government. We also find it shameful that these gentlemen have refused to utter a word in self defence after the public humiliation they received from their principal. More honourable officers in more civilized environments than our own would have resigned in protest against this shabby treatment. When all these comic acts by our leaders are put in perspective, it is very clear that we indeed have a very, very long way to go as far as effective leadership is concerned.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

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

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

ACTING EDITOR, WEEKEND JAMILA NUHU MUSA

MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 13

The economy and 2013 inflation outlook I By Ifeanyi Uddin

would ordinarily step back from any opportunity to wager. Thus, I never cease to wonder at the celerity with which my football-loving friends put their naira where their mouths are. I am not sure whether this phobia is because chance occurrences make nonsense of rationale processes. Or if it is the product of conceit that hates to lose? Conversely, I confess that in herds (or do they go about in schools?) numbers discombobulate me. But after trawling through the communique of the meeting last week of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) rate-setting committee (the Monetary Policy Committee MPC), I do believe that there is now a 75% probability of the January 2013 meeting of the MPC agreeing a 25 basis points cut in the monetary policy rate (MPR), that is bringing it down to 11.75%. “Why”, you may ask? For starters, the MPC did not surprise by its decision at its November meeting to leave its main levers unchanged. As expected too, consumer prices strengthened, with the headline figure rising by 40 basis points to close October at 11.7%. How much of this

increase in the inflation rate was the result of the floods that swept through the nation’s bread basket a month or two ago? Available evidence is both sketchy and anecdotal, but the 90 basis points rise in the food index (closed October (at 11.1% year-on-year) is a useful pointer. No less indicative is the fact that computed month-onmonth, the food index for October rose by 100 basis points. Correlation is, of course not sufficient evidence of causation, however. On the other hand, the degree of responsiveness of domestic prices to similar price shocks this year, counsel that this numbers be taken with the proverbial pinch of salt. Still, even if the flooding and its attendant abridgement of the national food supply has driven food prices up (which in turn has the consumer price index out of kilter) we may yet doubt whether we have witnessed full pass through of the flood effects to domestic prices. My sense of this is in the negative. Most of the pressure on food prices captured by the NBS’ October numbers showed up in the urban measure. It is odd, given that much farming in the country is a rural area activity that the rural food index was flat. Is there a

displaced persons effect? Supplies to the numerous displaced persons camps set up since after the floods would have come off urban purchases. Ought we then to dread the gradual return of those displaced by the floods? And will the effect of their return on the rural food index qualify as a second-round shock? Conversely, is “displaced persons effect” a bigger source of disquiet than the fall in core inflation numbers in October? This matters, because core numbers are more important for anchoring inflation expectations than headline numbers (which include the more volatile bits of the index). The CBN has long explained sticky (and high) core inflation as a consequence of structural constraints in the Nigerian economy. Indeed the most

recent meeting of the MPC argued that “the major drivers of core inflation remained outside the scope of monetary policy alone which was helpless in addressing the structural components of inflation”. At a point, the argument was simply that this measure of domestic prices had reached as low as it could be nudged by monetary policy alone. There was increasingly a compelling requirement for further (structural) reforms to the economy to push core inflation down. Remarkably, the NBS explained the 70 basis points drop (to 12.4% in October y-oy) in the core inflation number as due to the “uncompromising monetary policy on the part of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)”. Given that the deceleration in core inflation has been on for the past four

“

Given that the deceleration in core inflation has been on for the past four months, it is either that the CBN does not have as much a sense of the strength of the tools in its kitty, or that surreptitious reforms to the Nigerian economy have been underway in the last one year (include a lag of about six months) that are finally addressing the structural impairments to the economy’s proper functioning

months, it is either that the CBN does not have as much a sense of the strength of the tools in its kitty, or that surreptitious reforms to the Nigerian economy have been underway in the last one year (include a lag of about six months) that are finally addressing the structural impairments to the economy’s proper functioning. Whatever the explanation for these conflicting signals (or noises?), the MPC believes core inflation to be still too high. This is where we loop back on the wager with which I opened this piece. The MPC may argue ceaselessly (in the words of the communique from its most recent meeting) that the “conflicting price signals coming from the latest inflation numbers from the NBS” create “uncertainty as to the appropriate policy stance at this time”. But the clincher for determining the policy rate over the next six months will be the economy’s slowing growth rate: 6.48% in the 9 months ended September 2012; up on the 6.39% for the 6 months to end-June; but significantly down on the 7.37% recorded over the same 9 months period last year. Ifeanyi Uddin is on Twitter

Jonathan and NNPC’s kerosene racketeering By feanyi Izeze

tatistics from the NNPC indicate that an average of about 9 million litres of kerosene are consumed daily, mostly by the poor, low -income earners and those in the middle class bracket. Is not worrying that for almost two years running, the issue of the senselessly high cost of kerosene a commodity that is mainly used by these deprived Nigerians has remained unresolved despite the hundreds of billions of Naira our government is said to be paying as subsidy for the product? How can a government that is supposed to be “of the people by the people and for the people” display such callous aloofness to the sufferings “of this same people inflicted by the people that were supposed to be sitting for the interest of these suffering people? Though it is well known that kerosene was supposed to be officially regulated at N50 per litre but how much are the ordinary Nigerians paying for this product and who in government is actually bothered about this aberration? Is it not funny that kerosene used by the masses for their everyday survival costs more than petrol and diesel in this country? It is even more annoying that the current hardship faced by the majority of the citizenry that depend on kerosene could be traced to sharp business practices by people in

and around government and its agencies. Frankly, in this kerosene matter, the gulf between the price as regulated in the mind of government and what the ordinary Nigerians actually pay for it is a clear indication of how serious the Jonathan government considers the welfare and wellbeing of the poor, low- income and the middle- class segments of our society. Severally it has been said that no matter what the administrators of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) may coerce us to believe, the nation’s apex oil concern is full of glaring aberrations some systemic, most deliberately dubious. It would be recalled that both the Association of Petroleum Products Marketers and Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria in December last year petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan and alleged that the NNPC is the source of the sharp practices in kerosene marketing and consequent high cost of the product. According to the group, “The sharp practice is attractive, because while NNPC which was supposed to sell kerosene at the subsidised price of N50 per litre, now sells DPK as aviation fuel at about N152 per litre to airline operators. The tragedy of the NNPC fraud is that because aviation fuel, Jet A1, has been very

scarce and airline operators have resorted to the use of DPK as substitute for Jet A1, the NNPC and its importers now found it more profitable to sell the subsidised kerosene (DPK) to the airline operators that buy at more than triple the official government-pegged pump price for kerosene. Statistics from the PPPRA show that the landing cost of DPK is N108.06, local distribution takes another N13.20 per litre, bringing the ex-depot price to N121.26 per litre against the federal government’s official pump price of N50 per litre, showing a subsidy of N71.26 on every litre. So selling to the airlines at N152 per litre, the NNPC makes extra N30 on every litre thus bringing its rake-in to about N100 on every litre of kerosene brought into this country. Good business is it not? But the question is: at whose expense?

As at today, whatever trickles out at some of the NNPC mega stations as kerosene for domestic use is just to justify the corporation’s continued stealing of the nation’s resources in the name of subsidy on kerosene. Worsening the already bad situation, some marketers that have “dubious connections” in the NNPC in most cases buy- up whatever is available to re-sell to Nigerians for household use at between N150-N350 per litre depending on the distance from the coastal storage facilities. Is it not curious that none of the self-acclaimed advocates for the interests of the Nigerian workers and masses- the Trade Union Congress, Nigerian Labour Congress, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and even the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has seen anything wrong in the issue of

“

Truth be told, the current scarcity or rather the abnormally high price of kerosene was deliberately caused by the NNPC in its politics with another drainpipe in the nation’s fuel delivery service- the PPPRA. And this is what the President must hear because the strata of the society bearing the brunt of the kerosene scarcity were the same people that stood against all opposition to insist Jonathan was preferred when divine providence threw him up

availability of kerosene to the ordinary citizens of this country to warrant any form of protest or face-off with government? Meanwhile, these same groups would spit fire on the slightest upward review of the prices of petrol and diesel. What kind of a selfish bunch of people do we say represent us? The DPR is the body statutorily responsible for the regulation of the oil and gas industry and that includes licensing and supervising the importation, distribution and sales of petroleum products. But for whatever reasons since Jonathan came in, NNPC has hijacked that role and assumed the dual role of being the sole importer of kerosene and at the same time the regulator of its distribution. Truth be told, the current scarcity or rather the abnormally high price of kerosene was deliberately caused by the NNPC in its politics with another drain-pipe in the nation’s fuel delivery service- the PPPRA. And this is what the President must hear because the strata of the society bearing the brunt of the kerosene scarcity were the same people that stood against all opposition to insist Jonathan was preferred when divine providence threw him up. So if he is their president actually, Jonathan implement urgent measures to address this seriously biting problem. Ifeanyi Izeze can be reached via iizeze@yahoo.com

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Nigeria’s future depends on how its religious groups see each other By Charlotte Keenan

he development of Nigeria with its population of some 150 million people, oil reserves, and an abundance of entrepreneurial spirit, is arguably critical for the future of sub-Saharan Africa. It has had more than its fair share of misfortunes: civil war, serial military coups, tyrannical military government, spectacular corruption and all the downsides of its black gold economy. But today Nigeria is facing a new challenge. It comes from the confluence of three muddy streams in our contemporary globalised world: persistent poverty in the midst of affluence, the growing power of religion to boost and legitimise political ambition, and different forms of religious extremism threatened by modernity and led into violence. Nigeria has the assets to deal with this crisis. Entrepreneurial skills that can otherwise spill over into corruption can be channelled towards social responsibility and effective action towards the countless young people so readily caught up in violence because they are unemployed or underemployed. The corporate giants involved in Nigeria’s extractive interests

principle in the sense that have a wealth of creative talent unity and the common good. The present situation puts an communication is what makes that could be directed towards the enormous responsibility on humanity what it is, not country’s core social problems. warring gangs But with in conflict t e r r o r i s t communicating attacks on only by violent churches and acts but people cathedrals and Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text living together, subsequent messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written sharing the colethal reprisals contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 existence of a g a i n s t words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and d i f f e r e n t Muslims, these a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed identities – assets are to: n a t i o n a l , themselves gender, football b e i n g teams, faiths, challenged. In The Editor, telling their that context a Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, stories. l a r g e 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. That is why population Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com we launched divided almost SMS: 07037756364 our Faith e q u a l l y Foundation b e t w e e n reconciliation Muslims and Christians in a Nigerian schools. The way young religion multitude of states, is in one people are taught to see other programme last week with respect a potential formula for young people of a different faith Tony Blair and Justin Welby, unmanageable conflict. But in is a critical element in archbishop of Canterbury many parts of the country a eliminating the preconditions for designate alongside all Nigeria’s violence. The senior religious leaders and the traditional African tolerance has communal made intermarriage and good experience of many countries president. Faiths are all about inter-faith relations, not least suggests that at the heart of what within families, commonplace. makes a harmonious society is communication. For Muslims, is rasul, a Moreover, the different faith the implementation of a shared Mohammed communities are blessed with commitment to communication. messenger, the embodiment of Communication is about the most important imaginable some outstanding leaders who recognise the ambiguous quality telling your story without fear, communication of the Qur’an. of religion in building social without aggression and knowing For Christians, Jesus Christ is harmony and are committed to how to listen to the other’s story. the word of God, the most communication making their faith and their It is about being able to participate important to humanity. communities a force for national as an interlocutor. It is a religious imaginable

WRITE TO US

Children need to be able to understand their faith and communicate it, and to comprehend what children of other faiths are communicating to them about their belief and practice. That is why diversity is enriching, not a threat, and why the challenge facing Nigeria today is not just a problem for government but a problem for schools and universities, business and corporate leaders, religious leaders and those in their communities desperate to find the path to peace and to move back from religious conflict. The challenge is also for the international community. Yes, Africa and Africans must solve Africa’s problems. But what Nigeria is facing is a global problem. The three muddy streams converge in a river of civil conflict that does not stop at borders. There has to be international solidarity. The bad sort of religion crosses frontiers and is mutually supportive. The bad sort of religion can only communicate with violence and calls to violence. The good sort of religion must be no less persuasive, no less international in its vision, and it must bring hope. Source: guardian.co.uk

Katsina Attorney General and his warped, dangerous logic on rape By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

iolence against women is a dreadfully brutal and pervasive crime. In many countries, those who are responsible for preventing, eliminating and ensuring accountability for it mostly fail to recognize it as such, tolerate it or simply blame the victims for being violated. On the 31 st Anniversary of the International Day of Action on Violence against Women – 25 November – law enforcement and public officers in Nigeria must commit to a programme of action to change this. On Friday, 23 November 2012, I attended a workshop of the International Association of Women Judges at the conference room of the High Court of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The theme of the conference was “Sextortion”. Its aim was to call attention to the various forms of sexual exploitation that women suffer in the public space and inspire a committed search for how the judiciary and the legal process take action to diminish and ultimately eliminate this. Present at the workshop were senior judges of all the Superior Courts in Nigeria, including High Courts, the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court as well as some international judicial experts. The conference showcased the progress that women have made in Nigeria’s legal profession as well as the considerable amount of work that is still needed to eliminate historical discrimination against

women in the legal profession and the wider country. The afternoon panel discussion featured three presentations respectively by a Nigerian judge, a Tanzanian judge and this writer explaining the concept of sextortion, illustrating its various dimensions and offering suggestions as to how to address it. The session was moderated by a recently retired Justice of the Nigerian Supreme Court. In response to the panel ‘s presentations, Katsina State Attorney-General, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Soho, who was also present at the meeting, offered a spirited defence of “men” and a shocking plea for tolerance of the levels of gratuitous sexual violence in our country. During the course of this prolonged allocutus, the Honorable Attorney-General asserted that “rape is selfinflicted….in at least 90% of cases.” Three different participants at the meeting, including this writer, publicly pointed out to the Honorable Attorney-General the egregious baselessness of his claim, the obvious insensitivity of it and the clearly adverse implications for victims of rape and other sexual violence in Katsina State, and requested him to withdraw it. He failed to acknowledge this request. Rape is a vile crime of violence against mostly – but not necessarily or exclusively – women. It grossly violates the physical integrity and dignity of its victims, causes serious damage to public and reproductive health, and injures social cohesion. It is, therefore, evidently outrageous

for anyone to say or suggest that such a crime is self-inflicted or to blame the crime on its victims. Every criminal justice system has a basic obligation not just to recognize rape and similar sexual violence as the vile crime that it is but also to ensure that it is effectively punished. Even in situations of conflict, rape is now well established as a war crime. Victims of such crimes are entitled to expect the state to treat the crime of rape seriously and to provide the necessary care and support to enable them survive its lingering and most damaging consequences. Victims or survivors of rape in Katsina state, for instance, have no hope of such support, care, remedies or accountability if or where the Chief Law Officer of the territory takes the view that a crime of this seriousness is selfinflicted. This attitude further victimizes survivors of sexual violence and violates the political and legal obligation on government to protect its entire people equally by providing effective remedies for such crimes.

This is why most victims will suffer in silence rather than report rape. It is also why the attitude reflected in the statement by Attorney-General Dan-Soho is a danger to public safety and security. Any Chief Law Officer that harbours this view has a duty to re-consider his position as such because this is fundamentally incompatible with the functions and primary responsibilities of the AttorneyGeneral. It is worth recalling that since 1981, November 25 has been commemorated globally as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134 formally recognizing this day as such. The International Day is instituted in memory of the sacrifice of the Mirabal Sisters – Patria Mercedes, Maria Argentina Minerva, and Antonia Maria Teresa – persecuted and ultimately assassinated by suspected agents of the regime of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican

“

Victims or survivors of rape in Katsina state, for instance, have no hope of such support, care, remedies or accountability if or where the Chief Law Officer of the territory takes the view that a crime of this seriousness is self-inflicted. This attitude further victimizes survivors of sexual violence and violates the political and legal obligation on government to protect its entire people equally by providing effective remedies for such crimes

Republic on 25 November, 1961. The globally recognized 16 Days of Activism on Violence against Women also begins this week. In recognition of the multiple dimensions of sexual and other forms of violence against women, the 16 Days of Activism include the International Day of Action on Violence against Women and World HIV/AIDS Day on December 1, and ends with the International Human Rights Day on 10 December. On this beginning of 16 Days of Activism on Violence against Women, law officers and leaders – like Attorney-General DanSoho – must do more and take clear action to address the multidimensional problem of violence against women. A proper investigation and documentation of the prevalence of sexual violence is needed. Inter-agency capability to ensure accountability for it should be established and health ministries must be involved in the design and roll-out of trauma care initiatives for survivors. Above all, reform of rape laws is needed to reassure victims, enhance reporting of such crimes, recognize that rape happens to both sexes and make it less difficult to hold perpetrators accountable. By dealing firmly with this form of violence in which the perpetrators can often be identified, the country will demonstrate readiness to confront other forms of wholesale violence, such as crimes of terror. Odinkalu chairs the Council of the National Human Rights Commission

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 15

Awoniyi: The Sardauna Keremi exemplar (II) I

By Sufuyan Ojeifo

could have used his influence to keep my job, but I did not. That was one of the lessons I learnt from the great man: not to feel humiliated if anybody tried to humiliate me. I was not worthless. I had time to complete some post-graduate studies at the University of Abuja. It was he who spoke with Mallam Kabir Yusuf, who was then Editor-in-Chief of Daily Trust, to engage me at the newspaper where I worked for six months before I left for THISDAY. He respected my decision when I decided to leave for THISDAY. I remember a man whose trajectory and track record of integrity in life have continued to interrogate the antics of a vast majority of duplicitous political actors who bestride the nation’s political landscape, spurning the base metal of the electorate by which they ascended to power. I remember his exploits in the murky waters of Nigerian politics By Akintokunbo Adejumo

he Government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state has come under very fierce criticism and scathing remarks regarding the demolition of illegal shops and other wrongly erected structures that his government has embarked upon. Our people are not only resistant to change, they are also suffused with sentiments, and when it comes to issues like this, they go overboard with self-approbations. This trait is particularly unique to Ibadan people, sorry, I mean not only Ibadan indigenes, but also to other people who have come to settle there over the centuries. Ibadan has for many years been arguably one of the dirtiest cities in the world. No previous government, civilian or military had ever been successful in tackling or taming the scourge of dirtiness, negligence, lawlessness and disorderliness in Ibadan. Our problem in Ibadan is that despite the cosmopolitan and welcoming nature of its people, every settler or non-indigene not only takes advantage of Ibadan people, but also does not care what happens to the city. The aesthetic face of Ibadan is important to me as a “son of the soil” who yearns for and wants progress and development to my beloved city and hometown. I have even discovered, unfortunately, that many people angry over what the government of Oyo state is doing are not Ibadan natives, or they are from opposing political parties.

Contd from back page a representative of civil society and a veteran of the Civil War. This is a call that should be heard loudly coming from other civil war veterans, members of the Borno Elders Forum, the Arewa Consultative Forum and every champion of social justice. This matter must not be left in the hands of the defence headquarters. The military has already given its outcome that

where he was temperamentally impatient with the political shenanigans and chicanery which had marked him out as a rare breed. In his life and times, he demonstrated integrity and accountability in public and private life in the tradition of the late Premier of the Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardaunan Sokoto under whose tutelage he (Awoniyi) honed his leadership skill. His involvement in politics began in the ill-fated Third Republic when he represented his people of Kogi West in the Senate on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC). When the political transition failed and there was another attempt at transiting from military to democratic governance, he got involved in the process by first participating in the Constitution Conference organized by the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

In the political process that followed the conference, Awoniyi partnered with the like of Mallam Adamu Ciroma and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur among others, to form the defunct All Nigeria Congress (ANC). He was then the Protem National Chairman and one of the intellectual bulwarks of the most organized association that sought the defunct NECON registration. But with the formation of the PDP in 1998, he had played a prominent role in the election of the presidential candidate, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who later became President. He had also wanted to lead the party as its National Chairman. But the powers-that-be conspired against him and ensured that he did not achieve his desire through the instrumentality of the “transparent rigging” at the Eagle Square. And for being in the vanguard of protest from within the party against the chicanery of Obasanjo

and the PDP leadership, the same powers had also plotted his ouster from the party. Awoniyi had celebrated his expulsion in the following words: “This is my own democracy dividend. In the words of the Negro Spiritual: I am free at last, free at last. From now on, I am blessed in that I do not need to sit in the assembly of the ungodly nor walk in the path of the unrighteous, political infidels and duplicitous electoral manipulators.” From then on, Awoniyi recoiled into his shell. It was from that cosmos that he defined a trajectory to the ACF where he became chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2000 and Chairman of the Forum’s Central Working Committee (CWC) in December 2004. He had played a fatherly role in the Forum, stepping in at some critical times with wise counsel that had helped in defusing tension. The life of Awoniyi-his

imprints, his ideals, his positive affectations, his nobility, et al- is a big directional signboard for public administrators and politicians to emulate. He was zealous about the Sardaunan Sokoto on whom, in 2000, he delivered the spellbinding 5th Arewa Lecture. It was touching as Danladi (Sunday), as he was always addressed by the detribalized Sardauna of Sokoto (Ahmadu Bello), declassified his late mentor to the audience; it was therefore understandable why many people in the North found it easy to refer to him as Sardauna Keremi (little Sardauna). This was a great honour for a Yoruba man of Okun descent. Even in death, honour for Awoniyi, in and outside Okun land, has not diminished. Those who crave the culture of decency in politics continue to recall his peculiar genre. Concluded Sufuyan Ojeifo is a journalist based in Abuja.

Ibadan: A study in resistance to change At first glance it seems that aesthetics is simply an advanced term for beauty and attractiveness, but this would ignore some important aspects of moulding a city. It also includes the feel, design, layout, and description of a city. It is a desire to create a place that is functional and productive along with being attractive, relaxing, and reflective of the city’s history and culture. It involves the planning of parks, open spaces, and other public areas along with positioning the city’s buildings and streets in such a way that are visually pleasing, easy to use, and promoting of healthy living. In essence, aesthetics represents the soul of a city and how it influences a city’s organs and limbs. We all like the faces of London, New York, Chicago, Montreal, Moscow, Sydney, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, even in Africa here, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Cairo, etc that we see in movies and for those of us fortunate enough to travel the world, what we physically see and enjoy in these great cities of the world. Even then, we see these cities doing even more, finding even more innovative ways to make their cities more attractive, more liveable and healthier to the residents. We like all other people’s cities except our own. Our leaders and the more privilege in our society take great glee and joy in and are fond of taking every opportunity to travel to all these exotic and developed

cities, enjoy the air, the water, the technology, the sights, the aesthetics beauty and other characteristics, the goods and services, the creativeness of the residents and their governments, and the sheer relaxation and comfort they present, yet find it difficult to replicate it back in their own native cities. It never ceases to amaze me that when Nigerians travel all over the world – and believe me, we do travel – and come back from all the good and beautiful places we have seen and experienced abroad, we just settle back quietly into our dour, degrading, degenerating, unhealthy environment. Yet, this is far from being the case. I have travelled the length and breadth of Nigeria, and it always breaks my heart when I see the beauty of our land, our country, from Calabar to Minna to Kano to Ibadan to Ondo to Warri to Otukpo to Abuja to Lagos to Ilorin to Lokoja to Enugu to Port Harcourt to Umuahia to Benin to Ado Ekiti to Jebba to Jos to Sokoto to Yola to Aba to Asaba to Ogbomoso to Abeokuta to Akure to Yenagoa, and even Otuoke, the little village of our President, etc, and I look at my people who never appreciate their own environment nor do they care for it. Even the creeks of the Niger Delta are so beautiful, but the only way Nigerians look at it is if they see only Oil. We do not see the environment, nor do we really care if that environment is

splattered with oil spills. Towns and cities are always changing, in what they are and how they look. In recent years, though, the visual appearance of towns and cities has become increasingly important to a range of powerful urban institutions and organisations. Many urban centres, from world cities to edge cities, from historical centres to new towns, have been given design makeovers. Streetscapes have been remodelled to look more visually coherent; new green spaces and public art have been installed; benches and rubbish bins have become designer items; landmark buildings have been renovated or built from new. The aesthetics of urban spaces have become increasingly important. The fact is, Ibadan, or for that matter, any city or town in Nigeria, cannot continue to exist the way we were a century, a decade or a year ago. There has to be change for the better. In a way, the resistance to change in Ibadan is a reflection of resistance to change in the whole country, and the reason this country is still finding it very difficult to pull itself out from the Dark Ages. In Ibadan, lawlessness, disregard for the environment, recklessness, dirtiness, negligence, lawlessness and disorderliness are things we have been living with for years, if not centuries. This because past Oyo state governments were too

scared and morally compromised to act and clean out the Aegean stable of Ibadan. There are so many illegalities that have long been perpetrated in Ibadan: the scourge of the NURTW, the notorious, murderous and criminal motor union, extorting from commercial drivers and not remitting membership dues to their mother union or paying dues to the government; the administrators of the various markets in Ibadan – Dugbe, New Gbagi, Aleshinloye- pocketing the proceeds meant for the government or the local government who are the owners of these markets; taxis and buses parking anywhere they like and obstructing the free flow of traffic; uncontrolled street traders who take over half of the roads in various areas of the city; illegal structures such as building under high-tension power lines. People should embrace this change and transformation and allow this Government to act without hindrance. All is for our own good and to make the city a point of good reference among its peers and to return Ibadan to its past glories. Beginning of change is difficult but when change finally happens and stays, and is sustainable and sustained, the benefit is great to the people. Lagos state is a shining example, and always one to follow anywhere in Nigeria. Akintokunbo Adejumo is a public affairs commentator

against Boko Haram. General Shuwa is dead. May God forgive him! The other point is that I would not like to accuse him of naivety at this moment when our prayer is all he needs. But I will dare suggest so for the benefit of others. A war for a general does not end with peace but with his death. With the death of Shuwa under

questionable circumstances, we are challenged to review his status vis-à-vis his military career: Was he a hero of the war for Nigerian unity or its latest victim or both? Some would say he lived as a war hero and might have died as its victim forty-four years later. The controversy may never end until the truth is told. And the truth will always surface no matter how long it takes. We remain patient. Dr. Tilde is a renowned columnist based in Jos

Who killed General Shuwa? many of us are not satisfied with. It is hard to see it revoking that verdict and issuing a new ruling on the case. Since its personnel were involved – through negligence or connivance – the military as an institution has a case to answer before the panel. Government must not allow it to be a judge in its own cause. This investigation will

not be of benefit to the relations of Shuwa alone. It is likely to unravel the identity of the mysterious soldiers who commit other atrocities in Borno and Yobe States that involved many innocent but less privileged Nigerians than Shuwa. The military may also find the report important to its operations

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

House help jailed for duping employer of N1.65m By Amaike Beauty

joma Sunday, 20, of Masaka village, Nasarawa state has been sentenced by an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court to six months imprisonment for stealing 4,800 Euro and N30, 000 cash, totalling one million sixty five thousand naira. Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Philip Apolos told the court that on October 31, October, 2012,

one Mrs. Felicia Omiagbu of house E24 Oluagbabi Close, reported the case to Life Camp police station, Abuja. He said same date, the complainant received a call from the accused that he had decided to leave the house to an undisclosed area because of a certain problem. Philip said that when she arrived home, she discovered that the accused has made away with her 4,800 euro and 30,000 cash totaling one

million sixty thousand naira. According to him, during police investigation, the accused said that she gave the money to one Joseph Bara of Jabi village. Meanwhile, Appolos applied

for the case to be terminated adding that the Chief Magistrate should reserve sentence. Counsel to the accused, Barrister Onu applied for leniency on the ground that

proper investigation was not made before arraigning the accused. Chief Magistrate Okeagu Azubuike said the application was belated, improper, and not in line with laid down procedure, adding that the accused has been tried, convicted, and found guilty. He sentenced him to s i x m o n t h s imprisonment with an option of N6, 000 six to enable her to redeem the said amount stolen.

PHCN caution residents against by passing prepaid meter By Adeola Tukuru

he Business Unit of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in Gwagwalda has cautioned consumers against by passing prepaid meter to avoid sanction and prosecution. The Manager, Gwagwalada Business Unit of PHCN Mr Aminu Bello stated this in Gwagwalada during Consumer Consultative Council Meeting organised by the unit. He said the warning became necessary following discovery of some sharp practices associated with the installation of prepaid meters in the unit. Bello said plans were ongoing in the unit to fish out consumers that had by passed the prepared, adding that any consumers found guilty of the offence would be made to face the law. The business manager, however, commended consumers in the unit for their support in the protection PHCN installations in the unit, stressing,

“As I talk to you, no vandalisation was recorded in this unit since the beginning of third quarter of this year and this would not have been possible without your support”. He therefore, urged the consumer to remain steadfast in the protection of power installations adding that PHCN was doing its best to ensure improve supply to the unit. Bello, who said that the outstanding debt owed PHCN in the unit was N800 million called for prompt payment of bill so as to enable PHCN serve them better. Some participants at the meeting had commended PHCN over improvement in power supply in the unit pledging to continue to offer necessary support in the protection of power installations. A participant, Mr. Ayeni Adebayo, who called for prompt response to consumers complaints in the unit, urged staff of the unit to work out machineries to ensure that no consumer by passes the prepaid meter.

Court sentences hawker to one month in prison for mischief

n 18-year-old hawker, Mohammed Aliyu of Bwari, Abuja, has been sentenced to one month imprisonment by an Abuja Magistrates Court for mischief. Magistrate Jacinta Okeke, however, gave him an option of N1,000 fine. Earlier Police prosecutor, Corporal Simon Emmanuel had told the court that one Shamsudeen Ibrahim reported the case at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on November 23, 2012. Emmanuel said that on the said date the convict boarded a commercial bus belonging to the complainant from Area 1 to Jabi for N70, after giving the conductor N100, he was paid N20 instead of N30.

He said when the bus arrived in Jabi, the conductor told the convict that he had no N10 to complete his change and pleaded with him to let go of the money. The prosecutor alleged that Aliyu got furious, ran after the vehicle and hit the windscreen with his hand, and broke the windscreen valued at N12,000. The convict, he said was charged with mischief, which is punishable under Section 327 of the Penal Code. The convict pleaded guilty to the charges and begged for leniency. Okeke advised the complainant to file a civil suit and claim for the replacement of the windscreen. (NAN)

A woman hawking an Igbo delicacy Ugba, yesterday in Jabi, Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

NGO commissions reproductive health centre in Karu

reproductive organisation,

health Marie

Stopes has inaugurated a sexual and reproductive health centre in Karu, Abuja to cater for family planning and sexual health services. The Country Director, Mr Richard Boustred, speaking at the inauguration of the centre, he said that the aim of the centre was to provide an avenue that offered Nigerians a wide range of reproductive health services under one roof. “We believe this is the first time that the people of Karu, Nyanya, Mararaba and indeed FCT and its environs can access affordable and high quality services from a facility that specialises in family planning and reproductive health,” he said.

Boustred said that millions of the poorest in the society and most vulnerable women, who travel long distances to access healthcare, would now smile because the services were now at their doorsteps. He said that it was important that women took care of their reproductive and sexual health as this would enable them live better and healthier lives. He said that the group has been delivering family planning services mother and baby care for over 30 years in 42 countries around the world. “Our clients are at the centre of everything we do, through our innovation and partnerships, underserved women, and couples are able to access services and make

choices about their sexual and reproductive health. “By providing high quality services where they are needed the most, we prevent unnecessary deaths and make sustainable impact on the lives of millions of people every year,” he added. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Marie Stopes Nigeria offers modern methods of family planning counselling on use of contraceptive, condoms, contraceptive pills, injections, implants and Intrauterine devices. Other services include onsite laboratory to carry out tests such as sexually transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS testing and ultrasound scanning services. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 17

Clowns from the Zamfara state contingent entertained spectators at the just concluded Abuja Carnival

Photo: Miriam Humbe

Group alleges corruption, extortion by Karu LGA By Amaike Beauty

forum of heads of community based organizations, traders and landlords in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, under the aegis of Karu Municipal Development Group have raised alarm over alleged extortion of an undisclosed amount of money from traders by the local government authority. The group in a press statement by its coordinator, Hon. Isaac Illiya, obtained by Peoples Daily also alleged other unwholesome practices by the present council’s administration as they condemned the “high

handedness of the Local Government Task Forces on traders and business ventures in the area”. According to him, “revenues extorted from these traders (through fictitious consultants) are either siphoned or channelled towards the electioneering campaign of the Council Chairman”. “Worse still are the introduction of tenement rate; house numbering and street naming without due process compliance. We are also pained by the false claim of the chairman to have constructed a secondary school at Rugan Jully; some bore holes, drainages, electricity and sanitary facilities across the LGA

with the recent N20,000,000.00 capital project fund from the State Government,” the group further alleged. They, therefore, challenged the chairman to make public the published adverts of those contracts. In the same vein, the group condemned the moves by the chairman for his re-election into the council in the coming local government election. “Furthermore, we deplore the vigor and intentness with which the Chairman is pursuing his election into the Council. This type of ambition is not only premature and a diversion, but has a negative compulsion which poses danger to the prospect of free

Woman, 34, in court for allegedly forging British passport

34-year-old woman, Helen Ugboke, who lives behind LEA Primary School, Old Karimo, Abuja, has appeared before a Karu Upper Area Court in the Federl Capital Territory(FCT) charged with criminal conspiracy. Ugboke is also charged with criminal breach of trust, forgery and cheating, which the Prosecutor, Mr Sanni Yakubu, said contravenes sections 97, 312, 364 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Yakubu also told the court that Akhere Ehidiamen of Duste Alhaji, Abuja, reported the case at the FCT Police Headquarters on May 21. He added that the accused and her husband, Anthony Ugboke, now at large, fraudulently collected N1.1 million from Ehidiamen, the complainant, in October 2008 to procure a visa for him to travel to Italy. He said “instead of processing the visa, Helen forged a British

passport and handed over to Ehidiamen and diverted the money to her personal use”. However, the accused denied the allegation, while the prosecutor requested for adjournment to enable him complete investigation on the matter. The Judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, adjourned the case to January 16, 2013 to allow the police to conclude investigation and for the bail of the accused to be considered. (NAN)

and fair election in the forth coming LG polls. The people of Karu Local Government Area are disappointed in the present Hon. Hashimu Gurku led Transition Management Committee in Karu Local Government Area, for lack of focus and foresight,” the reads in part. This was even as they called on the state Governor, Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura to save the situation before “the legacy of his administration is destroyed by the desperation and

inordinate ambition of the TMC – chairman to perpetuate himself in power”. Meanwhile, they reiterated their support for the governor, threatening, however, that should he fail to act fast, they would resort to law enforcement agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Control(EFCC), the Independent, Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission(ICPC), State Security Services( SSS), among others.

Court grants bail to N14.6m fraud suspects

n Abuja High Court on yesterday granted a director of Lupeli Oil (Nigeria) Limited Daniel Edehen, bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum. Edehen was arraigned on Monday on a two-count charge of advanced fee fraud, obtaining money under false pretence and issuing a dud cheque for N8.6 million to Global Royal Company (Nigeria) Ltd. In his ruling, Justice Abubabar Umar said that the accused must resent two sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant of not lower than GL12 salary grade level in the federal civil service.

Umar also admitted a contractor, Chinedu Ebere, to bail in the sum of N3 million with two sureties in like sum. He said one of the sureties must be a civil servant on not lower than GL 12 in the federal civil service. Ebere was also arraigned on Monday by the EFCC for allegedly defrauding a company, Dortmond (Nigeria) Ltd of N6 million. The EFCC alleged that Ebere violated a contractual agreement, obtained the amount from Dortmond but failed to execute the contract. Umar adjourned hearing in the cases to January 24, 2013. (NAN)

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

SARS attack: Minister calls security council meeting By Josephine Ella Ejeh

A man displaying his acrobatic skills at Eagle Square, venue of the just concluded Abuja Carnival Photo: Miriam Humbe

ollowing Monday’s deadly attack on the headquarters of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja which resulted in the death of two police officers as well as serious structural damage, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, Tuesday evening, summoned an emergency security council meeting. The emergency meeting, held at the office of the minister at Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja was attended by the Ag. FCT Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed, FCT Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yau Mohammed Gital, Commander, Guards Brigade. Others are the FCT Police Commissioner, Director, FCT Command of the Department of State Security Service as well as the Heads of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The minister at the meeting, directed the FCT Police Command to always be on high alert with a view of ensuring the safety of lives and property of all the residents of the territory. He expressed sorrow over the

Bus driver, conductor S docked for theft

loss of lives during the unfortunate incidence as well as dismay over the incidence being carried out. Senator Mohammed further instructed that more efforts be put in by ensuring collaboration with other security agencies in the FCT inclusive of the residents. He stressed the need for intelligence gathering and called on residents to avail the security agents of useful information that would assist them carryout their statutory responsibilities of maintaining law and order as well as security for lives and properties. This was as he reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to support the security agents; stressing that security is everybody’s business. In a remark earlier, the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba confirmed that the attack was carried out with gruesome murder of two police officers as well as causing serious structural damage. He added that the attackers were very many in number and attempted to free some of the inmates at the SARS Headquarters detention facility; however, the police were able to re-arrest some of them.

FCT residents decry fruits imports

he police have arraigned two men, Jacob Ugbede, 47 and Osundu Ifeanyi, 37, before a Senior Magistrates’ Court in Nasarawa state for allegedly stealing from a passenger. The prosecutor, Steven Kwaza, told the court that the case was reported by one Adaora Ochiamu of Sharp Corner, Mararaba, Nasarawa, at the Sani Abacha Police Station on November 24, 2012. Kwaza said that Ochiamu, the complainant, boarded a commercial bus with registration No FO16 ABJ from Abuja Central

Business District to Mararaba on November 24 after the day’s job. He added that on getting to the Mararaba bus stop, where she wanted to alight, Ifeanyi, the first accused, who was the conductor of the bus, engaged her in an argument and started beating her in the process. The prosecutor said that the bus driver, Ugbede, the second accused, then came down from the bus and joined in the assault and in the process stole the complainant’s salary of N33, 000 which she was paid on that day. He said that the offences

contravene Sections 97, 266 and 287 of the Penal Code. However, the two accused, both of Masaka, Nasarawa state, pleaded not guilty to the charge while the defence counsel, Ochaje.O.S, applied for their bail. The presiding Judge, Jeremiah Danladi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two credible sureties who must have fixed addresses. He ordered that the sureties should produce two recent-sized photographs each and adjourned the case to December 10, 2012 for hearing. (NAN)

Two men remanded for allegedly swindling woman By Amaike Beauty

wo men, Nnamdi Ogugua and Chigozie both of Jabi village, Abuja have been remanded before An Abuja Chief Magistrates court on a two-count charge of conspiracy to cheat. Police Prosecutor, Sergeant Simon Ibrahim told the court that on November 20, 2012, one Ojo Vivian of Kuchingoro village lodged a complaint at Utako police station that on November 13, 2012 , the accused persons formed a

common intention that they would help her to purchase computer laptops set, valued at about N750,000 and by so doing they deceived her. According to him, after the accused succeeded in duping her of N450,000 they disappeared to an unknown destination. He said that during police investigation, they were arrested and also confessed to be a 419 gang. Ibrahim told the court that the offence was contrary to Sections 79 and 322 of the Penal Code.

However, they pleaded not guilty to the charge. Their Defence Counsel, Barrister ESP Onyeukwu H.O applied for bail for the accused, citing Section 341 SubSections 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code, but the prosecutor objected on the grounds that the accused would jump bail. Chief Magistrate, Okeagu Azubuike refused to grant the accused persons bail in the interest of justice. He remanded them in prison custody and adjourned the case to December, 19, 2012.

ome residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the flooding of Nigerian markets with imported fruits. The residents told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Abuja that the importation of all kinds of fruits into the country was not in the nation’s interest. They, therefore, urged the Federal Government to halt the trend. One of the respondents, Mr. Olubayo Jegede, said that the habit of craving for anything foreign by Nigerians would not help to grow the nation’s economy. Jegede said that the buying of fruits from foreign nations was detrimental to the local farmers. “You see all kinds of fruits that are imported into the country in our markets and the worst of all is that they are even very expensive compared to the ones produced locally. “So, I do not know why they are allowed to be brought into the country in the first place; you can imagine that Nigeria imports bananas from Cameroon, a neighbouring country. “Is it because we do not have bananas in this country? You see grapes, apples, pears (Pyrus) etc, at least some of these fruits cannot be planted here because of the soil difference but what about the ones that are favourable here,’’ he said. Another respondent, Mrs Ruth Gabar, told NAN that she was dumbfounded when she saw bananas in the market with

Cameroon’s label on it. “I was shocked when I saw the label, although I must confess that the bananas were spotless but we also can achieve that with careful handling of the bananas. “Nigeria can also export her bananas and even other fruits if our own farmers could be encouraged that they can do it and I can bet you that we can do it. “I think Nigerians have to decide to change this situation to make things work for this country; we should change our attitude of seeing everything good in foreign things but nothing good in anything Nigeria. ‘’Some weeks back I read about how much it cost Nigeria to import rice and not just rice but also other things imported into the country are exorbitant. Continuing, she “wonders why we should spend so much on foreign items when we have cheaper and more available substitutes. This is not healthy for our economy at all, we should start to encourage our local farmers and even other manufacturers of other products in our country,’’ Gabar said. Mr Emmanuel Johnson told NAN that some Nigerians buy these items to show a class difference not because the fruits were nourishing. Johnson urged Nigerians to change this attitude which would only build foreign nations’ industries “while we pull down ours with our inordinate knack for foreign commodities”. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 20

Customers’ rights: CPC goes tough on airlines operators

Mob: 08033644990

Kerosene now sells for N127per litre in Abuja By Muhammad Nasir

L-R: Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Gimba Ya'u Kumo, former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Robin Renee Sanders, and Director, American Building Systems International (ABSI), Mr. Emmanuel Iwuoha, during a business meeting between ABSI and FMBN, on Tuesday in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

NDIC payments to insured depositors hit N6.6bn 2011 By Abdulwahab Isa

he Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) said it had paid a total of N6.681 billion to 527,942 insured depositors as at December 31 2011 just as another N73.55 billion was paid as liquidation dividend to 250,119 depositors. Similarly, debt recovery drive of the agency has led to an increase in cumulative debt recovery from N21.756 billion in 2010 to about N22.236 billion in 2011. The figures representing an increase of about 2 per cent since

the Corporation began bank liquidation in 1994. These facts were contained in NDIC annual report for the 2011 obtained yesterday in Abuja. For the closed Micro Finance Banks MFBs, the sum of N13.48 million was recovered by the agency as at December 2011. Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) According to the report, “In order to enhance the pace of debt recovery and payment of uninsured deposits, the NDIC appointed a number of debt recovery agents in 2011, while it offered for purchase thirteen eligible bank assets with total

NUPENG pickets Shell, Chevron Nigeria offices over anti-labour laws By Muhammad Nasir with agency report

il workers picketed the offices of Shell and Chevron in Nigeria on Tuesday over potential plans to cut jobs and amid union demands for temporary employees to be given permanent contracts. The protest however had not affected oil production in Africa’s largest crude producer. “The offices of Shell and Chevron in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Warri have been blocked by our members,” said Tokunbo Korodo, he Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) , naming Nigerian cities. “No worker is allowed into the premises.” He said the picketing of the two

firms, which began Monday, would continue “until the management heeds our demands to scrap their anti-labour practices.” Korodo said the union action has affected only administrative operations in the two companies.

book value of N3.85 billion to the AMCON to boost recovery and facilitate payment of liquidation dividend to uninsured depositors of failed banks|”. During the year under review, the Corporation said it provided deposit insurance coverage to 20 Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), 880 MFBs and 100 Primary Mortgage banks (PMBs) in operations. The insured amount had remained at N500, 000 and N200, 000 for DMBs and MFBs and PMBs respectively. It said all insured depositors of the MFBs closed in 2010 were reimbursed using the new coverage level of N200, 000. Shell has begun selling off its stakes in a number of onshore oil fields in Nigeria, a move analysts say signals its interest in increasingly shifting its focus offshore, where the risk of theft and sabotage is reduced. The company in a statement denied the allegations of antiunion policies and said that affected workers were being compensated.

erosene now sells for N127 per litre in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) due to the scarcity of the product in the nation’s capital as against the officially subsidised price of N50. When our reporter visited Total Filling Station at Zone 5 Abuja yesterday, one of the fuel attendants, Musa Haruna, confirmed that Total has not been receiving supply of kerosene for a long time for a reason not known to them. “You can only buy kerosene outside Abuja or in some of the villages nearby, like Mararaba, Masaka and Dutse. “We hope the scarcity of kerosene will come to an end because people are really suffering, especially the poor”, Haruna noted. Peoples Daily also learnt that Oando filling station at Zone 5 are lacking supply of the product for a while, as confirmed by one of its attendants, Ahmed Idris, who said that the scarcity of the product is getting worse every day. However, our reporter found out that Yaman filling station located at the heart of Abuja at

From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

he governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatude Fashola, on Tuesday, explained to the House of Representatives Committee on Aids, Loan and Debt Management why the state must be allowed by the Federal Government to access a $600 million (N96 bn)World Bank loan, saying the loan was needed to fund infrastructure deficit in the state. The governor stated this while meeting with the House Committee over the noninclusion of Lagos State by the Federal Government in the Medium Term Frame Work for External Loan borrowing. According to the governor, “we have a commitment with the World Bank for a loan of $600 million offered to Lagos. It is supposed to be in three tranches and the first tranch

Don’t waste your organisation’s anniversary think together about why their work matters and how the organisation should move forward. Start by looking back on the company’s history and the trends that have affected your work. Will these trends continue? How might they change? Recognising these can

Area 3 Garki has enough products (kerosene) to go round. According to Bala Umar, fuel attendants at the station said” We have enough supply of kerosene to sell to our customers. We are at their service at anytime. As you can see, we are selling, he added. It could be recalled that Capital Oil and Gas limited, a major distributor of kerosene in the country was shutdown last week, which triggered the scarcity of fuel and kerosene in the country. The operations of the firm was suspended following a court order by Justice A. Abdu-Kafarati of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which mandated the Asset Management of Nigeria(AMCON) to take over the possession of all the properties and assets of Capital Oil and Gas pending the resolution of all outstanding issues with the firm. Our correspondent was told by most of the service attendants that more hardship await Nigerians who use fuel and kerosene product as Capital Oil and Gas controls more than 35 percent of the fuel imports and supply in the country.

Why we want N96bn World Bank loan —Fashola

Management Tip of the Day

f your organisation is coming up on an important anniversary — 10 years since it was founded, 20 years since you first launched your most successful product — don’t miss the opportunity. Anniversaries can inspire pride and unity, making them a perfect time to ask people to

…as scarcity bites harder

help you anticipate new challenges you may face. Also, take the time to recommit to who you are. All organisations need to evolve, but think about what aspects or values of the organization should never change. Source: Harvard Business Review

was paid in 2011. We were expecting the payment of the second tranch when we got the shocking information that the loan facility had been stopped. “As I speak, we have not received any official communication from the Federal Ministry of Finance about their concerns. I know that through the telephone communication I had with the Minister of Finance, she had told me that she could not accommodate Lagos State in the 2013 borrowing plan. My plea is for the second tranch to be included in the 2013 borrowing plan and the third included in the 2014 borrowing plans,” the governor stated. When the committee demanded from the governor if the development was politically motivated, he said that “I have to be careful what I say here. Whatever may be the reason, I think the interest of over 20 million people of Lagos State must be paramount in policy formulation in this country. That represents more than 10 per cent of the country’s population. That is where the largest non-oil Gross Domestic Product, (GDP) comes from. “And the interests of those people are more paramount, really. Because the roads have no political colour. The water that we have to provide has no political colour and security is politicallyblind,” Fashola maintained.

PEOPLES DAILY,THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 20

Compiled by Ayodele Samuel 08063727788

COMPANY NEWS PEARL Award Project Nigeria

EARL Award Project Nigeria has renewed its promise to continue to promote the growth of the Nigerian capital market through the introduction of pragmatic initiatives that would impact positively on the stock market. The President of the group, Mr. Tayo Orekoya renewed the group’ promise over the weekend, while announcing Dangote Cement Plc as the winner of the 2012 PEARL Award. He explained that the groups’ resolve to make the nations’ capital market a world-class market, with sustainable corporate excellence by quoted companies remains the driving force behind the resilience of PEARL Award.

ENCON

lectricity generation in the country may receive a boost next year as Energy Company of Nigeria (ENCON) has concluded plan to add 144 mega watts to national grid with its new plants at Ikorodu and Onne, estimated to cost a whooping N72 billion. Works are expected to commence in the two projects before the end of second quarter of 2013. The Chairman of the company, Abidoye Ayoola, who made this disclosure on Tuesday at the company’s yearly general meeting in Lagos, said the projects were currently undergoing predevelopment activities such as environmental impact and social assessment studies, preliminary engineering design, due-process compliance, technical, financial and legal diligence.

PETAN, NCDMB

etroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) and the Nigeria Content Development And Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the NCDMB-PETAN Capacity Building Internship Programme. Under the MOU, PETAN companies and the NCDMB will recruit qualified Nigerian graduates as trainees for the contract, in order to build technical skills and experience for an initial period of one year. They will retain these trainees after the internship phase based on their performance and available vacancies.

Customers’ rights: CPC goes tough on airlines operators

he Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has vowed to go after airlines in the country that abuse passengers’ rights without recourse to them. Speaking with Commerce and Industry correspondents at a media forum in Lagos, CPC Director-General , Mrs. Ifeyinwa Umenyi said airline must be forced to compensate their customers in cases of flights delay beyond two hours and flights cancelation. Umenyi, while lamenting the excesses of airline operators in the country in dealing with customers and passengers said her agency would increase monitoring of customer relationship of airline operators in the country. She noted that passengers who are not satisfied with manners of treatment received from airline operators must begin to demand for their rights.

CPC Director-General , Mrs. Ifeyinwa Umenyi “Nigerians must be willing to demand for what is right; those airlines would delay flights for one hour, two hours without giving recourse to the passengers; some even cancel flights and no refund or another alternative provided, they continue to treat Nigerians shabbily and get away

with it. All these will stop; CPC is charge with the responsibility of protecting the customers anytime.” Umenyi also unveiled plans by her agency to introduce a products and services monitoring and registration scheme, known as ProServe, aimed at eliminating counterfeiting and quackery in Nigeria. She pointed out that the programme would entail the creation of data bank for genuine products and services in the country. According to her, the programme was aimed at enhancing traceability of products and services to checkmate substandard and poor services for the enhanced protection of consumers. She said she believed that products and services registered under ProServe would form an easily retrievable database.

LCCI expresses concern over sustained monetary policy tightening

he Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concern on the implications of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s recent decision to sustain monetary policy tightening. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria, at its meeting of November 19 and 20, 2012, had resolved to sustain monetary policy tightening, by retaining the MPR at 12per cent, the CRR at 12per cent and liquidity ratio retained at 30per cent. LCCI in a statement signed by Director General Muda

Yusuf describe the decision to retain the policy is ill advised and insensitive. “The reality of the current economic and business conditions is a cause for concern – escalating unemployment crisis; profit margins are declining; consumer demand is weak; prohibitive interest rates; decelerating economic growth and high mortality rate of small businesses. These conditions call for policy choices that would stimulate the economy, even at the risk of inflation. Boosting economic activities would increase output and invariably moderate inflation. The MPC decision to retain a

regime of tightening is ill advised and insensitive.” He added that Monetary policy decision should ideally be situated in the context of this reality; the interest of the larger economy and the welfare of the citizens. “The ultimate aim of economic policy is to impact the lives of the people. Economic policies are not ends in themselves, but means to an end! The fiscal authorities also have a critical role to play in revamping the economy; but regrettably, the effectiveness of fiscal policy has been significantly weakened by corruption and pathetic institutional capacity.

Stories from Ayodele Samuel, Lagos he National Association of Small and Medium Enter prises (NASME), in a survey has revealed how the new electricity tariff, known as Multi-Year-Tariff Order (MYTO) II, is killing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector. The survey, initiated by the Association to assess the impact of the new electricity tariff on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, lamented that “SMEs in the manufacturing sector have been the hardest hit by the MYTO II tariff. NASME, Executive Secretary, Mr. Eke Ubiji during a oneday Policy Dialogue with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the effect of the MYTO II policy on MSMEs

in Nigeria said SMEs operators have experienced increases ranging from 70 per cent to 440 percent in their monthly electricity tariff. On average, manufacturing SMEs across the country have experienced an increase of 188.6 per cent in electricity tariff since the introduction of MYTO II.” He said the survey, which was conducted by NOI, took place from November 6th to 12th 2012 in the six geo-political zones in the country with field work conducted in CrossRiver, Bauchi, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos states and Abuja. A total of 138 businesses were interviewed and 127 interviews were completed, 45 per cent of the completed interviews were NASME members, while 55 per cent were non- NASME members but SMEs as well as being members of other business membership organisations (BMOs)

such as Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and State Chambers of Commerce and Industries. Ubiji stressed that the importance of MSMEs cannot be over emphasized, saying that findings from the survey shows that BMO members have a very negative perception about the MYTO II tariff and its introduction. “Also more businesses have increased their average spend on electricity from between 10 per cent to 20 per cent of total operating costs before June 2012 and from 20 per cent to 30 per cent of total operating costs after June 2012. There has also been an increase from 11 per cent to 18 per cent on the average spend on electricity as a percentage of their operating cost since June 2012.

How new electricity tariff is killing SMEs – NASME

She said distinctive ProServe certificates and insignia would also be displayed by registered products and services indicating that the product or service was certified competent. According to her, this would enable consumers to choose on an informed basis, eliminate dubious practitioners in the respective economic sectors.

Aganga to host D-8 trade, investment ministers

igeria’s trade and invest ment minister Olusegun Aganga has said Nigeria will host trade talks among the Developing Eight in February as part of efforts to increase business within member states and Africa. “I will be hosting the trade and industry ministers from the D8 countries sometime around February next year to come up with a strategy plan on how we can increase trade within the D8,” told reporters. Aganga, who held talks with his Egyptian counterpart on the margins of the D8 summit in Islamabad, said there were also plans to boost trade within Africa. Nigeria and Egypt are the only two African members of the D8. “The outcome of our meeting is that we felt it was important that the ministers of trade and industry come together to look at how we can work together to promote trade but first within the D8 countries,” Aganga said. Aganga said African intra trade is very small at 12 percent, compared to Europe at more than 60 percent and about that or more in Asia. The D8 groups include Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey, with an estimated total population of one billion.

Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Mantu chairs Nigerian Royalty awards ceremony today By Muhammad Nasir

he wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan will today lead other women to receive the coveted Nigerian Royalty awards at this year's edition, which celebrates womanhood with the theme: "Nigerian Womanhood: Distinctively

Unique, Celebrating Excellence, A Catalyst For National Development.", at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, at 6.30p.m. The award ceremony has former Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Ibrahim Mantu as the chairman of the occasion while Captain Chinyere Kalu is the

guest speaker. Others include Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye of RCCG, Hajia Amina Sambo, Dr Becky Enenche, Justice Aloma Muktar, Justice Mary Odili, Chief Kema Chikwe, Helen Onma Mark, Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufa'i, Maryam Babangida (post-humous recipient), Sen. Joy Emodi, Hajia Ladi

NBC unveils branded bottles to identify with EKO 2012 Stories from Suleiman Idris, Lagos

n a demonstration of its belief in the power of sports as a tool for positioning, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), bottlers of Coca Cola products, has unveiled festival branded CocaCola products, specially produced for the upcoming 18th National Festival tagged ‘EKO 2012’. Speaking on the rationale behind the bottle, while presenting it to the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, in Lagos recently, the Managing Director of NBC, Mr. Ben Langat, said the company took the step to further demonstrate its commitment to sports and its

enthusiasts. He also indicated that the company was fully committed to partnering Lagos State towards a successful hosting of the festival. Speaking further, he explained that “world-wide the Coca-Cola brand is renowned for its devotion to the promotion and development of sports through its support of major sporting events such as Olympics and World Cup and a number of sporting tournaments.” NBC, he said, is similarly committed to developing young talents and promoting active, healthy lifestyles through physical activity and reinforces this through sponsorship and

participation in sporting activities in its 61 years of operating in Nigeria. He noted that further to the commitment of NBC to supporting sports, the company regarded Lagos State as its home; having begun its bottling operation in the state. “This will mark the first time, in Nigeria, that we will specially co-brand our products for a domestic tournament. The ‘EKO 2012’ branded Coca-Cola 50cl PET is designed to create excitement and drive publicity for the festival,” Langat said. In September, the company announced its partnership with Lagos State on EKO 2012 with a commitment of N100 million in cash and products.

Forbes holds African of the year award

ll is set for this year's Forbes Africa's 'Person of The Year' award slated to hold at the Porsche Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos today, Thursday, November 29. The ceremony, to be hosted by Pan-African event company, ABN Productions in conjunction with Forbes Africa Magazine, would recognise the individual that has made significant impact in business through economic growth by creating employment opportunities for people and spearheading innovation in the continent. The founder of Forbes Africa and the ABN Group, Rakesh Wahi said the event is meant to showcase Africa and her rich culture to the world. "With Africa steadily becoming a leading market for business and development, it is important to recognise the champions driving this vision and because of it, Forbes Africa is proud to be associated with such great individuals." The award ceremony debuted in 2011, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the recipient of the maiden award for his stance against corruption. The nominees for this year's 'Person of The Year' award were submitted by various industries, especially Forbes Africa readers, who voted online. The award ceremony

debuted in 2011, with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the recipient of the maiden award for his stance against corruption. The nominees for this year's 'Person of The Year' award were submitted by various industries, especially Forbes Africa readers, who voted online. The hundreds of nominees were then short-listed by Forbes Africa's seasoned panellists. This year's five finalists are, Aliko Dangote (Founder and President, Dangote Group), James Mwangi (chief executive officer and

managing director, Equity Bank, Kenya), Tony Elumelu (founder and chairperson, Heirs Holdings and Tony Elumelu Foundation), Joyce Banda (president of Malawi) and Steven Saad (cofounder, Aspen Pharmaceuticals). Managing Editor of Forbes Africa Magazine, Chris Bishop said the event is to celebrate African people, who have contributed immensely to the development of the continent. "It is always a joy, to honour people in Africa, who are out there achieving and pushing this continent forward."

LG Electronics launches antimosquito air conditioner

or those living in tropical climates, LG has launched their latest and most advanced residential air conditioner (RAC) that relies on ultrasonic wave technology which will help repel mosquitoes. LG's "Anti-Mosquito" air conditioner has proven itself in tests conducted in a Peet Grady chamber, where it is said to be able to deter on average 64% of malaria-transmitting female Anopheles mosquitoes within 24 hours, and achieved an overall rating of 82%. Not only does this offer you greater peace of mind, the LG Anti-Mosquito air conditioner will also carry with it all the other advantages found in LG's AC

technologies, meaning you get to enjoy powerful cooling and superb reliability even under extreme operating temperatures. Jun-hwa Jeong, General Manager of Air Conditioning and Energy Solutions at LG Electronics, said, "In Nigeria, as well as in a number of other African countries, malaria continues to be a prevalent threat. LG takes great pride in tailoring products and technologies to the specific needs of consumers. By matching technologies directly to these region-specific challenges, we can create real solutions that will help bring about profound and meaningful changes to consumers.

Hamalai, HRM Queen Florence of Kalabari, HRM Ugoeze of Obinugwu. Sen. Zainab Kure, Hajia Zainab Maina, Rose Uzoma, Patricia Etteh, Sarah Jubril, Diezani Madueke, Omobola Johnson, Erelu Dosumu, Sarah Ochekpe, Mulikat Akande, Erelu Olusola Obada, Vera Oguejiofor, Zainab Okino, Tosin Dokpesi, Eugenia Abu, Sa'Adiyatu Dikko, Yeye Funke Daniel, Fatima Shema, Stella Okoli, Dooshima Suswam, Khadijat Bukar Abba, Fatima Maikasuwa, Victoria Okojie and Fatima Bamidele, Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Adikwu and Dr Hajo Sani are also among the award recipients. Alhaji Mohammed Bello Sa'idu, Madawakin Hausawa, Abuja will however, receive

trophies alongside other eminent Nigerians such as M.D Abubakar, Gov. Aliyu Wamakko, Gov. Seriake Dickson, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Sir Patrick Yakowa, Eze Ilomuanya, Gbong Gwon Jos, Ona of Abaji among others. This year's edition is significant because it dwells on women and national development, according to the National Co-ordinator, Omooba Kenneth Aigbegbele. The Nigerian Royalty Awards is a veritable platform for the growth of the traditional institution in Nigeria and conferred on individuals and organizations with distinct services to humanity. This year's event is supported by Zenith Bank Plc.

APPOINTMENTS Mansard Insurance

ansard Insurance Plc (formerly Guaranty Assurance Plc.) has confirmed the appointment of Adeleye, Taiwo Adewale as Assistant General Manager, marketing and communications. Until his new appointment, Taiwo was Marketing Manager – Households, PZ Cussons. Taiwo brings his over 15 years experience in brand management and marketing

communications. With this appointment, Taiwo, according to a statement from the company, will continue to provide strategic leadership for the marketing team as well as manage the corporate communications of Mansard Insurance. On assumption of office, Taiwo led the project team that midwifed the recent rebranding of GTAssur to Mansard Insurance Plc.

Trustfund Pensions

Chairman, Trustfund Pension, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme

rustfund Pensions Plc has re-appointed Dr. Ngozi Olejeme as the Chairman, Board of Directors of the company. The appointment which was announced at Trustfund Annual General Meeting (AGM), Abuja, also saw the reappointment of President of Nigeria Labour Congress

(NLC), Abdulwaheed Omar and President of Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Chief Richard Uche, into the board of Trustfund. Speaking at the AGM, Dr. Olejeme, said significant changes were made in the management of the company in the past one year.

Total Nigeria Plc

otal Nigeria Plc recently changed the baton of management, as it appoints Mr. Momar Nguer to succeed the former chairman Board of Directors, Mr. Stanislas Mittleman, who retired after about five years in service. Nguer, who pledged that he

would use his experience in African oil marketing business to elevate the company’s market share.He sought the support of the staff, and other stakeholders to be able to achieve his vision. Before his new appointment, Nguer was the senior vice president, Africa/Middle East.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 22

Oduah commended for strong budget implementation By Ibrahim Kabiru Sule

he minister of aviation, Stella Adaeze Oduah has been commended for the transformations going on in the aviation sector of the country, making the ministry to be rank amongst the best capital budget performers in the current fiscal year. Chairperson of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha made the

commendation during the 2013 Budget defense by the ministry on Tuesday, saying aviation ministry has “surpassed other ministries in terms of capital budget implementation for the 2012 fiscal year. “The transformation of our airport terminals by the minister is phenomenal and highly commendable. We want to thank the Honourable Minister for taking the bull by the horns in the rehabilitation

of airport infrastructure across the country, especially the toilets which are now a delight to all airport users”. The chairperson of the committee had recalled that “after inspecting the reconstruction and remodeling works of airport terminals across the country, the House was very satisfied with the quality of work and pace of transformation of the sector since the minister assumed

office a little over a year ago”. She therefore called for the sustenance of the tempo of development and transformation in the sector and assured the Speaker’s corporation to enable better performance in the coming fiscal year. Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, in her remark, thanked the leadership and members of

Security challenges may stall N1.9tr Trans-Sahara gas project

L-R: Executive Director, Greensols Exhibition Limited, Mrs. Okologo Philomena, Managing Director, Paradise Production Limited, Ambassador Duru Issac, and Chief Executive Officer, Greensols Limited, Mr. Yinka Olaniyan, during a media briefing on the 3rd Nigerian International Small and Medium Scale Industries Trade Fair, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

the National Assembly for the support and cooperation given to the ministry since she assume office, stressing how the sector is crucial to the growth of the country. Oduah however said that with 66 per cent of the ministry’s capital vote released so far, it has implemented and utilised 65 per cent.

he Federal Government’s plan to build the TransSahara Gas Pipeline (TSGP) expected to transport gas from Nigeria to Europe is being threatened by lack of political will by the government, insecurity and uncertainty about the viability of the project. It was learnt that the promoters were in the process of engaging co-developers like Sonatrach Petroleum, SONIDEP and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for the revalidation of project feasibility study. Clause 3.14 of the Inter Government Agreement (IGA), allows Sonatrach Petroleum Corporation to participate in the Nigerian petroleum upstream supply gas and for TSGP. NNPC to participate in the Algerian upstream, has become an issue. Algeria, Nigeria and Niger signed an intergovernmental agreement for the development of a 4,128 km gas pipeline that will send gas from the Niger

Delta through Niger to Algeria’s export terminals. The project is estimated to cost $12 billion (N1.9 trillion) and would supply up to 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas yearly to Europe. Besides, the project will enable Nigeria to increase its share of natural gas exports, especially, to the European market. The projected construction of the 4,000 km TSGP will be one of Africa’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. However, it was gathered that of serious concern to this project, was the issue of insecurity in the countries that the pipeline will pass through. Nigeria, Niger and Algeria are said to be among the least secure areas of the world because of the prevailing guerrilla and terrorist movements destabilise them. It was indicated that the result of the revalidation of the feasibility study, would determine further actions on the project.

Stakeholders seek commission status for NITDA Body laments 1,000 per cent By Joy Baba

takeholders in the Information Technology sector have asked the National Assembly to collaborate with the National Information Development Agency (NITDA) to fast-track the enactment of appropriate legal framework for smooth integration of IT in all sectors. They have also asked that NITDA be upgraded to a National Information Technology Development Commission (NITDC) to ensure adequate regulation of the IT sector and be more empowered to drive the ongoing growth

process. The stakeholder’s recommendation came amidst the realisation of the role of IT, which has contributed about 18 per cent to the growth of the economy with a $200 million investment in 2003 and an expected increase to $25 billion by 2013. Stakeholders posited that the technology sector in Nigeria is growing at an increasing rate, and it is the fourth largest contributor to the nation’s GDP. The stakeholders’ position was part of a 14-point agenda they recommended for implementation by

GSK to spend N160bn to raise stakes in Nigeria, India units By Stanley Onyekwere with agency report

laxoSmithKline Plc plans to spend more than $1 billion to raise stakes in its Indian and Nigerian consumer healthcare arms, as Britain’s biggest drugmaker deepens its emerging markets and nonprescription consumer health footprint. The deals are the latest of several by GSK, which is reducing

its reliance on traditional regulated markets in Western economies where sales are slowing. According to Reuters, an online news portal, GSK said it plans to raise the stake in its Nigerian consumer products unit to 80 percent from 46.4 percent now in a $98 million deal. GSK Consumer Healthcare shares jumped to a record high in Mumbai on the GSK move.

government, relevant government agencies and the private sector to drive the sector in the years ahead. The position was declared at the just concluded eNigeria conference organised by NITDA in Abuja. Other recommendations of the stakeholders are that there was need for government to include local IT manufacturers in its international trade missions in order to expose the country’s local manufacturers and stakeholders to best practices in the areas of service, software, knowledge and innovation. The shares were locked at 3,659.20 rupees, up 20 percent, their maximum daily trading limit, while the Mumbai market closed up 0.16 percent on Monday. GSK said the Indian and Nigerian transactions will be funded through existing cash resources and won’t impact expectations for the group’s long-term share buy-back program. The Indian deal, for which the offer period will begin in January, will be earnings neutral for the first year and boost earnings thereafter, it said.

increase in cost of equipment

he Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) has lamented the recent 1,000 per cent increase in authorisation fees for radiographic equipment by the Nigerian Nuclear Regulation Authority (NNRA). The Association, which spoke through its President, Mr. Mark Okeji would like President, Goodluck Jonathan, in the interest of the health of the country, direct the NNRA leadership to revert to the old fee regime. Okeji, who spoke in Abeokuta said it was regrettable that the NNRA had abandoned its role of regulating the safe use of ionizing radiation and “dived headlong into money making at the expense of poor Nigerians”. He said it was more regrettable, considering the fact that the country’s health sector is presently ranked among the lowest, not only in Africa but also in the world, recalling that in 2011 Nigeria’s health sector was ranked 51 out of 53 countries in Africa by the Mo Ibrahim African Governance index rating. The Association president, who spoke at the opening ceremony of the Association’s 44th Annual Conference and Scientific Workshop, argued that

the new regime, if allowed to remain would add to the already high cost of setting up new Radiology centres in the country. For instance, “A new radiological centre to be equipped with conventional x-ray, CT and mammography is expected to pay N8,000,000 to NNRA at the outset and N2,250,000 every year,” adding “Neither private nor government radiology centre/ department can afford these outrageous fees, considering the social nature of the services” His words “The centres that will be left will push the fees/ charges back to the hapless patients. For example, chest xray which cost between N1,200 to N2,000 will now cost between N12,000 and N20,000 per examination. A Computed Tomography scan examination that costs about N50,000 will cost between N250,000 to N300,000. Most Nigerians cannot afford these charges”. “We wish to urge the Federal government not to listen to those clamouring for privatilization of Laboratory, Pharmacy, Radiology, Physiology, Catering and Laundry services. They obviously do not mean well for Nigeria health care system”, he affirmed.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Difference between Iran I heard of and saw By Abdulkadir Isa

t is exactly two weeks since I returned from Iran. My eleven days jaunt was to attend the 19th edition of the International Exhibition of Press and News Agencies in Tehran. Iran as most of the western media tells us is far away from serenity, with picturesque words depicting it as home ground to aggressive people and this was the part of what dominated my mind about the Islamic republic. On arrival one expected to see bombed-out structures sitting on defaced infrastructure resulting from persistent military stunts between her and her enemies- mostly the western nations- America, and Iran’s own neighbour, Israel. I also expected to come across trigger happy people, suited with bandoliers , supermarkets shelved to the brim with explosives from grenades to antiballistic missiles as has be imaged in recent times. This was a destination your loved ones aren’t comfortable you visited. On arrival at the Imam Khomeini International Airport, the number of people both old and young with flowers awaiting their loved ones was breath-taking. I assumed it to be occasional but found, chunk of the 75 million Iranians pride themselves as a people unrivalled in hospitality. One spectacular feature that greeted me in Tehran was its whiff. The air had this unique pepperish scent as if it was coming from a chilli plant. The turmeric air provided a balance for the 10 degrees weather. Of course Iran is a country with a long history in culture and religion, so the skyscrapping minarets and gigantic domes were salutationstructures from the Farsi speaking country. The rocky terrain and architectural style of their buildings gave an impressive cross breed. The combo of modernity in building pattern with the cultural look was pleasing to the eye. Visiting the holy city of Qom was a worthwhile odyssey. 150 kilometres from Tehran, Qom is the religious capital of Iran, where the famous leader of the Islamic revolution, Imam Khomeini and some of the twelve imams of Shi’a studied. In Qom, I wasopportuned to visit a library where I saw book preservation unmatched. The eight storey building housed

over 47,000 books collected by one personAyatoullah Maharashi It housed a facility for the upkeep of books called “The hospital”, with incubators, and machines that reproduced pages and its content as if it was cloned and books of 1,300 years old were still on the shelves. A knowledge conscious people I must say. Though I acknowledge the fact that Iran has got a longer history than Nigeria where I come from, there are so many things in common between these two countries that should reflect some level of parity in terms of meaningful development. Iran is about the fourth largest producer of crude oil in the world, Nigeria is sixth on that table. Iran has the second largest gas reserves with Nigeria also with a deep bank of gas among other things. But in terms of mineral resource, Nigeria even has and edge as gold, tin, coal and a fertile soil for agriculture. All these should reflect in the development indices of a willing nation. Above all, both countries fall under the category of developing nations. I will like to look at development milestones in Iran side-by-side what we have in Nigeria. This is not a comparison, just a peer review. Developmental sufficiency is greatly measured by the industrial capacity of a nation, which we all agree is determined

by reliable and adequate electricity. Iran produces between 65,000 and 70,000 MW of electricity far beyond its needs, making it the 15th largest producer of the product in the world. In fact, eight of its neighbours benefit from the remnants of Mega Watts unused. Nigeria needs to set up a national banquet whenever we hit the long anticipated 4,000MW mark, despite the fact that we are two times Iran’s populationmaking our requirements higher. The indigenization of Iran’s manufacturing is one of a kind. The theory that states “necessity is the mother of invention”can be best referred to this “one nation bloc” in world politics. It has successfully built and managed its own subway, monorail and mass transit buses. With a very vibrant automotive industry as most cars on the road are 100 per cent produce locally, this feat goes beyond that of a developing or semi-developed nation as the United Nations calls it. The irrigation facilities are national monuments elsewhere. Technologies deployed by peasant farmers are similar to what exists in functional Sharada, Isolo andKakuri’s industrial areas.The culture of observance of law and order without police in sight speaks well of the people. Whosoever categorised Iran as a developing nation is either

Tourists at the national library in Qom

L-R Mrs Angela, Abdulkadir Isa and Ismail Essi at the Grand Musallah in Tehran Abdulkadir Isa (second right) with students from University of Tehran at the Nigerian stand. ignorant of the meaning of the word developing or cooked the indices of the country from the comfort of his dining table. But irrespective of the amazing sights that had thrown

me into wishes and blaming our leaders back home, Internet accessibility drained my glee. Yes, internet was responsible because in Iran, the internet is highly censored, filtering out all

social networks, I longed for my timeline on twitter, the faces on Facebook weren’t popping and this baled me with the straps of anti-west. Back at the exhibition, the number of the indigenous news agencies was encouraging, with over a hundred of them ranging from nursing news agencies to food and nutrition news agencies. This culture of the media is an invaluable investment. This is a country where the media gets subsidies spanning from production to distribution amounting to about 45% total cost engaged. We have oil and are still battling to buy at international market price.

There is no need to talk about the cost of food, pastries and farm produce, so cheap I began to question their source. And I was told the sanctions had even made things worse as it is. Unemployment level is in single digit, literacy was high as enrolment in schools was at an excellent percentage. Sanitary workers were there at night to mop up the streets against the next day, people with smiles far outweighed those without. The picture was clear- the populace was gainfully engaged, the economy is working. This is the Iran I saw.

“

Abdulmumin Giwa (left), Kabiru Yusuf (Chairman/CEO, Media Trust Limited) with other tourists on the hills of Jamkaram in Qom city.

Iran produces between 65,000 and 70,000 MW of electricity far beyond its needs, making it the 15th largest producer of the product in the world. In fact, eight of its neighbours benefit from the remnants of Mega Watts unused. Nigeria needs to set up a national banquet whenever we hit the long anticipated 4,000MW mark, despite the fact that we are two times Iran’s populationmaking our requirements higher

Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Rufa'I

A book physician treating a page in “The Hospital” at the national library in Qom.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE

By Mohammed Kandi

n an effort to curtail high incidence of fire disaster in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced awareness campaigns on fire prevention, mitigation and preparedness as part of its Disaster Risk Reduction (DDR) measures. The Agency’s Abuja Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Ishaya Chonoko, who convened the programme in Kuje Area

…Inaugurate committee on early steps against fire incidents in dry season By Mohammed Kandi

s dry season draw near, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has inaugurated a technical committee that would identify areas prone to fire outbreaks so as to engage in early preparations against disasters including bush burning and market fire during the harmattan season. Director-General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, who disclosed this in Abuja, solicited the cooperation of the stakeholders in disaster management and called on the international agencies to protect the communities and build the culture of disaster resilience among the people. A statement issued by the Agency’s head public relations, Yushau A. Shuaib said, the D-G made the disclosure when he received a team of experts from the United Kingdom Cabinet Office Briefing Room led by Mr Nick Gibbons and the newly appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Force Abuja Camp Group Captain Joseph Malgwi. Sani-Sidi said: “We have mobilised our stakeholders and volunteers to be prepared in the likelihood of massive fire incidents in Markets, Farmlands and forests in the harmattan and dry season due to indiscriminate storage of inflammable and bush burning.” “We are closely monitoring the traffic in colloboratiom with our stakeholders during massrush of commuters in Ember months so as to minimise risks of road accidents that could involve fuel tankers. While mobile ambulances are strategically stationed in prone areas, sensization campaigns are essential to reduce the vulnerabilities,” he explained. He said the experiences from the unprecedented flood was a challenge that required synergy among the stakeholders including the states and local governments as Nigeria has capabilities to address different kinds of disasters given the necessary cooperation and supports. In their separate remarks, Mr. Gibbons said his team was at the Agency to explore areas of cooperation to assist the country while Group Captain Malgwi said the visit was to strengthen existing working relationship between NEMA and the NAF unit.

NEMA commences public sensitization on fire outbreaks Council, in FCT, said the effort was necessary to avoid fire disaster in public places as the dry season approached. Chonoko said: “One of the disasters commonly associated with the dry season is fire disaster. This easily occurs because there is less moisture in the air well as in the environment and because of high temperature.” “This programme is therefore aimed at sensitizing all and sundry to be extra careful this dry season in their dealings with fire. Indiscriminate bush burning such as for hunting purposes

should be avoided as this could extend to neighbouring farmlands and houses; destroy the ecosystem and also contribute to climate change,” Chonoko explained. He advised that naked fire should not be left unattended, adding that, “bushes close to our surroundings should be cleared. Fire extinguisher should be refilled and kept in handy positions, dried leaves and papers should be disposed of properly.” “Electrical appliances should be switched off and unplugged when not in use. Observing the above would go a

long way to check the outbreak of fire as well as mitigate its impact,” he stressed. In his remarks, Director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Moses Aba, described the event as apt saying management of fire and other related disasters was vital as the dry season draw nearer. Aba therefore urged participants to spread the massages leant at the campaign to their family and friends so as to expand the scope of acceptance by the general public. Chairman of the Council, Danladi Etsu Zhin, however, tasked participants on the need

to communicate to the nearest fire station any fire incident within the community. Represented by head, Administration of the Council, Alkali Ibrahim, and the Chairman sues for peaceful coexistence by residents of the area. He assured of utmost of security of lives and property in the council. Meanwhile, participants at the occasion include member of the FCT Fire Service, Market Women Association, Okada Rider Association, NOA, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Red Cross Society and other artisans.

Participants in a sensitization programme on fire outbreaks organised by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recently in Kuje Area Council

Floods: NEMA warn victims against returning home

s part of its effort to ensure disaster-free environment and safety of lives and property, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has cautioned those evacuated from floodprone areas against returning to their former residence until proper assessment was done. The Agency’s South-West zone Information Officer, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, who gave the warning in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that people evacuated from flood-prone areas should be very cautious in returning to their former bases. He said that the agency and

NEMA D-G, Mohammed Sani-Sidi

other relevant professionals have not completed the necessary post-disaster assessment on affected structures and the environment. “From what we have done so far, we discovered that many of such structure were not habitable again. We have heard story of people being attacked by wild animals, which were equally displaced from their natural habitat by the flooding. So, people must apply caution in returning to their homes,” he said. Farinloye suggested that the affected areas should be fumigated before it could be fit for human habitation again so as to avoid epidemics. The NEMA spokesman said

that it was absurd for people to return home when a thorough post disaster assessment had not been done in the affected areas. “Our duty is to intensify our enlightenment campaign to create awareness on the dangers inherent in returning to such environment without assessment,” he said. Farinloye, however, said that the agency could not force the people against their will. “If the evacuated people are saying that now is the peak of business and that they want to go back to the flood prone areas, they will be risking their lives. But we will continue our awareness programmes to discourage them from doing so,” he said.

PAGE 29

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

EMERGENCY UPDATE Simulation exercise on communal crisis management, recently organized by National Emergency Management Agency (NEAM), in conjunction with stakeholders in disaster management at Bwari, in Abuja.

YOUTHS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY By Abubakar Jimoh abujimoh01@yahoo.com

Rising deaths from generator fumes (II)

he U.S. Fire Administration and Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety revealed that all generators have power rating, and should be used only when necessary to power a limited number of appliances or equipment. Also, the total wattage used by the appliances should be less than the output rating of the generator. Overloading the generator can result to fire outbreaks in the power cord. On their part, Youths Against Disaster Initiative (YADI) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have strongly advised that you read the owner’s manual before operating your generator. If you have lost the manual, contact the manufacturer for another copy or download it from a manufacturer’s Web site. Keep the owner’s manual with the generator in a safe environment to keep it dry. They counsel on proper training and regular practice will help to mitigate the harm caused by generating sets. This can be achieved by strictly adhere to all manufacturer provided guidelines and preventative maintenance schedule. Ensure that you thoroughly read and follow these instructions when operating your generator. Moreover, sickness and dizziness or light-headed have been discovered as some of the symptoms an individual may experience when using a generator; it is essential to get fresh air instantly in any of these situations. Effective effort should be made to reduce electrocution risks by using your generator in a dry area, and keep it under a canopy-like structure. Also, YADI and NEMA encouraged individual and industries to try as much as possible to avoid fire hazards when operating their generating sets by storing their generator’s fuel outdoors in an approved container, and keep it away from the generator. It has been reported in several occasions that individuals do neglect basic precautions while operating their generating sets like refueling their generator while it is running. Never forget to shut off the generator before refueling it to avoid needless danger of fire explosions. They cautioned that on no account should gasoline b e stored in a garage if there is a water heater or other fuel-burning appliance in the garage. It has been revealed by safety experts that vapor from gasoline is heavier than air and can travel invisible along the floor, and it could be ignited by a pilot light or other source of flame, like an electric spark. Always keep a fire extinguisher close by when using your generator, and keep wreckages away from a

hot generator. Remember to extinguish all flames or cigarettes when handling fuel or the generator, and turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting it down. Workers who engage in risky occupations such as truck drivers, material handling machine operators and those working in bridges and tunnels, loading docks, maintenance garages, mines or railroads are noted to be more vulnerable to the health hazards of generator or engine fumes. For instance, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and World Health Organization (WHO) have revealed that lung cancer is the major cancer linked to generator fumes. According to them, men with the heaviest and most prolonged exposures, such as railroad workers, heavy equipment operators, miners, and truck drivers have higher lung cancer death rates than unexposed workers. Other studies of workers exposed to generator or engine fumes have also shown significant increases in risk of lung cancer. For example, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has confirmed that fumes from generators and engines are the potential occupational carcinogen forming a major part of outdoor air pollution. The Institute believes fumes contribute to other health problems, such as eye irritation, headache, asthma and other lung diseases, heart disease, and immune system damage. In addition, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS), an electronic database that contains information on human health effects from exposure to various substances in the environment has discovered that exhausts are likely to be carcinogenic to humans. Employers and the employees must embrace personal protective equipment, such as respirators as a key part of a workplace protective program. Workers who are exposed to fumes at work are encouraged to discuss with their employers on your adequate protection. Also, hygienic work practices, such as changing clothes after work, washing hands regularly, and keeping food out of the work area, may be helpful. Furthermore, individuals who are exposed to fumes in their environment must avoid spending time near large sources of fumes, such as near trucks and buses. The Environmental Protection Agencies at all levels must formulate and properly implement comprehensive regulations on respiratory protection for the general public. Concluded

PAGE 26

Driver convicted for contravening environmental law

he driver of an articulated vehicle, Obinna Okolo, was recently in Abakaliki, sentenced to three months imprisonment for assaulting officials of the Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency (EBSEPA). The Magistrate, Mr Chinua Uwah, however, handed Okolo an option to pay N30, 000 as fine. The court heard that Okolo assaulted and wounded an EBSEPA official while resisting arrest for plying his trade during this month’s environmental sanitation. “We took this stringent measure to serve as deterrent to people who molest environmental officials while discharging their lawful duties,” the magistrate said. When Okolo was brought to court, he pretended to have fainted. But when nobody paid attention to him, he started shouting and removed his clothes. It took the timely intervention of security officials to bring him under control. NAN reports that more than 50 other sanitation offenders were convicted for violating the Environmental Sanitation Law. The offences included: traveling, loitering and engaging in recreational activities during the sanitation period. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

World Toilet Day: Expert tasks FG, LGs on functional toilets By Mohammed Kandi

s people all over hte globe observe another World Toilet Day, the need for Nigerians to have access to functional toilets in their homes has been stressed by the

Registrar, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria, Mr. Augustine Ebisike. Addressing member of the press in Abuja to commemorate the World Toilet Day, Ebisike lament lack of functional toilets for majority of citizens, especially

in rural areas saying, “more Nigerians have access to mobile phones than functional toilets.” He recalled that the World Toilet Day was set aside by United Nations “for the world to take a break and think of the essential nature of the toilet and its

World leaders deliberating on climate change recently in Brazil

Desertification: Bauchi sets up 15 hectares of woodlot

auchi state Government recently said it has established 15 hectares of woodlot in desert prone areas this year, as part of measures to check desert encroachment. The Director of Forestry in the state, Alhaji Sule Yakubu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi that the government had in addition established four kilometres of shelter belts. “Five hectares of woodlots was establish each in Azare, Toro and Jama’are, while two kilometres of the shelter belts were established each in Katagum and Dungure areas.” Yakubu said about 10 nurseries were set up across the state to raise seedlings for distribution free to the public, adding that about one million seedlings were raised. The director said more than 600,000 of the seedlings were distributed to local government areas, ministries and Individuals for planting across the state. He called on members of the public to plant trees to complement the effort of the state government in protecting the environment through massive planting of trees. (NAN)

significance in our life and in the protection of public health.” According to him, over 40 per cent of Nigerians do not use toilet, adding that whatever resulted from that should be handled in a manner that would not be a threat to public health. “The sick and the elderly people face special difficulty and a loss of dignity when sanitation facilities were not available nearby. Toilets are integral part of life. People defecate indiscriminately and open defecation, which one of the problems they have to contend with in the society,” he explained. Ebisike also said investment as low as a dollar on sanitation yielded as much as six dollars in savings, adding that this savings made good economic sense as it was one of the best ways of fighting poverty. He stated that the inability of the local government to tackle sanitation as their responsibility, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution was a major setback. “The Federal Ministry of Environment produced the National Environmental Sanitation Policy 2005, which was within its mandate to show policy directive in this sector. Unfortunately, seven years after this policy, the LGAs were yet to make desired impact as there is dearth of adequate manpower for Environmental Health Officers in most of the states and LGAs nationwide,” he grieved. The Registrar further stressed that “in line with the Transformation Agenda of the present administration, it is important that we transform the toilet subsector with deliberate policy change to focus special attention on a policy for national coverage of latrines in both rural and urban areas.” Ebisike, however, stated that his profession had mobilised members in the LGAs to focus special attention on the provision of toilets in 2013 as part of the profession’s contribution to its urgent need.

Owners of homes without toilets to stand trial

he Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) said owners of buildings without toilets within the state capital, Jos, and Bukuru township would soon be prosecuted. Mr Mathias Hata, the General Manager of the board, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Monday that building of houses without toilets was a serious environmental offence. “Any building without a standard toilet in it does not merit to be regarded as a standard structure, as those without toilet usually litter the environment, hence their owners will be charged to court. “We are saddled with the onus of making sure that both the

environment and the health condition of the people are properly cared for. “We have the health

Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Jibril Mailafiya

department within the board, which makes sure that the environmental laws are not violated when erecting any structure,” he said Hata added that in the board’s quest to discharge its mandate of turning Jos and Bukuru into an admirable city in Nigeria, the health of the people would not be relegated. He also said that any building within the Jos–Bukuru township must be in agreement with the planning, engineering, architectural and environmental guidelines provided by the board. “There are lots of diseases today that are easily spread and contacted as a result of violation of environmental laws by those

erecting residential structures. “This suggests why we have the environmental health department with well-trained health officers, who make sure those who contravene the guidelines, are dully prosecuted,” he said. The general manager explained that houses built with pit toilets, which were considered not to be in tandem with the environmental laws were usually given one month notice to right the wrong. He said that those to be prosecuted were warned at first, but refused to heed to the warnings, hence “we have no option, but to prosecute them”. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 27

Doomsday: Extraterrestrial land for sale R

ush to buy some land in space, since the end of the world is imminent. December 21st is just around the corner. Do you think is a joke; probably one of the wisecracks of the millennium. Well, it isn’t. You can actually become the proud owner of choice property outside this planet Earth, specifically on the Moon, Mars or Venue, where you could relocate, should the prediction of the doomsday come to be true. And you may have just been amazed that this sale of extraterrestrial property has been on for years, both in the United States and Britain. Though, the sales which commenced some years ago began with the Moon, probably the most surprising of this phenomenon is the price. It’s affordable. But getting there after purchase is another kettle of fish. You can get an acre of the Moon, Mars or Venues for a mere $20 including VAT. And just as it is done on Earth, any person who buys this extra-terrestrial land will be given official documents, which will include a proof of ownership and the exact location of the property. Moon Estate’s CEO is Sue Williams who says that, Moon sales have been absolutely incredible since the prediction that end to life on earth is imminent. He claimed that, “Our supplier has been selling extra-terrestrial land to Americans for some years now, and has never been successfully challenged in court. He has exclusive and legal rights to this property.” While the Moon Estate’s company services Britons, its larger parent body based in the United States is called “The Lunar Embassy”. Its owner, Dennis Hope insists that he has legal rights over every major celestial body in our solar system except Earth: a total of eight planets and 51 moons. And you can add this joker to Hope’s plans: by the time he has had as many people to buy land on the moon; he’s going to apply on their behalf for a seat in United Nations (UN). “He (Hope) would be representing a population larger than that of a UN seat of some kind.” As it is now, nobody may be able to pick holes in Dennis Hope’s unusual business. He is exploiting a defect in the UN Outer Space Treaty of 1967 which states that no country or government can lay claim to land outside the Earth. Hope says the treaty doesn’t say that no person can do so. You can describe Hope’s action as exploitative and an entertainment gimmicks. The huge joke is that how would you get to the Moon, Mars or Venus after purchase, if it true that the end of the world is imminent. A huge joke indeed, you would say. But the huge joke still is that, history has countless examples of

people who have predicted that the end of the world is imminent. One thing the doomsday scenarios tend to share in common: They don’t come to pass.

linked to interpretations of an ancient Maya calendar, which, according to some ends at the winter solstice of 2012. Persuaded by similar

Well, December 21 is just some days away, predicted to be the end of the world. How prepared are you should it come through and through? From ancient times, people have speculated about the things to come, and many concluded that the outlook is not exactly rosy as it is today. The prospect of doomsday, or the end of the world, has intrigued and has fascinated people for millenniums. For example consider the recent prediction that the world would come to an end on December 21, 2012. Of course, other stories and theories make some people much more nervous. Some of these claim to be scientific. One foretells that the earth’s entire crust will experience a massive shift that will result in immense tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Another holds that the planets will come into a straight alignment and that this will cause the sun’s solar winds to intensify and wreak havoc on earth. Still another asserts that earth’s magnetic poles will suddenly reverse and cause radiation from the sun to kill us all. What about the countless books and doomsday websites that predicts that the world will end on December 21 of this year? One claim is that a supposed planet named Nibiru is on a collision course with the earth and will reach here in December 2012. This and other theories unsupported by fact have been

predictions of disasters, some have built shelters in their backyard or, at considerable expense, have reserved quarters in underground community bunkers. Others have moved to the mountains and have become self-sufficient living “off the grid,” independent of public utilities, such as water, heat, or electricity. The most spectacular doomsday prediction was when comet Hale-Bopp appeared in 1997. There were rumors that an alien spacecraft was following the comet and concluded that the world would end that year. The world did indeed end for 39 of the cult members, who committed suicide on March 26, 1997. In May 1980, when televangelist Pat Robertson startled and alarmed many when he informed his “700 Club” TV show audience around the world that he knew when the world would end. “I guarantee you by the end of 1982 there are going to

ENVIR ONMENT ENVIRONMENT WATCH By Ambrose Inusa Sule, mnes globenviron@yahoo.com 0703-441-4410 (sms only)

be a judgment on the world,” Robertson said. But the world never ended. Of course, there are those who will have none of this. They scorn the idea of an imminent end of the world. Scientists at NASA, for example, assert: “Nothing bad will happen to the Earth in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.” It would be a mistake, however, to conclude that humanity faces no peril or that only the gullible believe that doomsday is something more than the stuff of fiction and fantasy. Will doomsday actually come, if so, how and when? “Throughout earth’s history, we have been bombarded by comets and asteroids from space. Impacts happened more frequently in the past, but they will happen again. It is just a

“

It would be a mistake, however, to conclude that humanity faces no peril or that only the gullible believe that doomsday is something more than the stuff of fiction and fantasy. Will doomsday actually come, if so, how and when?

matter of when,” says an astronomer. If present rates of global warming continue and production of carbon dioxide is not curtailed, many scientists believe the Earth’s average temperature will continue to rise, resulting in wilder and more unpredictable climatic swings and higher ocean levels that could threaten the low lying coastal areas where much of humanity makes its home. Some scientists claim that nuclear weapons remain the gravest and most immediate threat to human civilization. There are still some 25,000 nuclear weapons worldwide, and it is feared that terrorists will get the bomb and decided to use it indiscriminately. Again, not a few scientists say that naturally occurring disease remains a serious biological threat: however, a thinking enemy armed with these same pathogens or synthetically engineered pathogens could produce catastrophic consequences. Apart from being utterly pessimistic, the foregoing doomsday scenarios have three things in common. First, they are based on the speculation of men and humans have a far-fromperfect record when it comes to guessing the future. Second human survival, if possible would be a matter of chance. Third, survivors of a postdoomsday world would have a real struggle to stay alive.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 30

By Jibril Aminu

he North East in size is more than one third of the land area of this country, nearer to 45 percent. This is Nigeria in its size and complexities. It is like mini Nigeria in terms of its size and complexity. Realism is the name of the game, whatever we may contemplate to do or to see done. But regardless of the difficulties there are always some things we can do. Success is likely with so many activities to boil down to identifying what can be done, and by who, and then go ahead to do it. Once more, no matter the complexity of the conundrum there are still things that can be done. The North-east is landlocked, as much of its northern part is in the Sahel while the southern part is low savannah to scrubland. Large areas are mountainous, highlands with great difficulties in developing infrastructure like roads and railways. In the South Western part, there are large but underdeveloped river valleys like the Benue, Gongola, Taraba, Katsina Ala, Donga, Kilange, among others. Some have bridges but the River System is generally very underdeveloped. All things being equal and done properly, we are still very poor. We sadly depend almost solely on dwindling and increasingly “inaccessible” oil wealth. We cannot mobilise enough money for any project except through debt and more debt. Debt has however, become more difficult and more costly to secure except for a few countries. The whole of the capitalist world is in serious financial difficulties. They cannot finance their services. They each make a serious squeeze on spending and livelihood (austerity, budget cuts, high taxes, unemployment etc.). If they cannot spend and if they cannot borrow, logically, they cannot lend, not to talk of donating or technical aid. On the contrary, they will try to make a fast buck from anyone gullible or mug enough. Hence, all these laws on money laundering, etc. Big and small, they are desperately trying to find whom they can scam in the name of the law, but really, to make a fast buck. Nations are emphasising prudent spending, curtailing corruption, and earning money outside their borders. They have found from the experience of others over a long time that corruption is very damaging and the rule of law must be maintained because the rule of law is the invisible architecture of economic growth. Apart from corruption, the most critical impediment is conflict. It is often said that: “Money (or capital) is a coward and will not go to where there is trouble”. So, what does that say for us? People invest to make a profit and not to lose. The competition for investment funds is globally keen because things like bureaucratic obstacles, arrogance, and hostility to investors, all drive them away. The answer is to do what we do not seem to like doing. Work hard, behave consistently and act honestly. Industrialisation in the Northeast is zero. We cannot develop and maintain even subsistence industries. Those that we had are either dying or had died. We recall the Dadin Kowa Food Industry in Gombe, Lake Chad Fisheries, Mambilla Tea and Coffee, Bauchi Meat Factory and Steyr Truck Assembly Plant, Savannah Sugar in Numan, and others. Were they

Growing North-east’s political economy (I)

Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Niger state governor and chairman, Northern States Governors’ Forum (NGSF)

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state

solvent? But where are they now? Industry should be based on cooperation in investment, including with the neighbouring countries, using available natural resources. We still have neighbours, but each seems to be going ahead without us. The only thing one hears talked about now are minerals or hopes of minerals including dreamy ones like oil, gold, uranium, etc. The minerals that are already available and could be readily harnessed have not proved attractive to us because that involves work and over a long period of time, like limestone, clay, and kaolin etc. Instead we focus only on the dreamy Oil plus all the other so called precious minerals which take a long time to come on stream, if they ever do. Each one requires a long lead time of search, spending and risk taking. So, why can we not embark on what we can do? These we do not, because minerals are not sensational and do not make much political sounds. Agriculture is the obvious numero uno here, but has been declining, because of some of its many problems of indolence, low attention, corruption, inappropriate investment and the poor strategy of relying on rain fed agriculture and paying lip service to food security. Dependence is almost total, these days, on capricious rainfall with climate change and a disturbing cycle of drought and flood. Corruption and lack of seriousness have ruined much hope especially the rackets around fertilizers, food import and distribution. Agriculture is only subsistence farming in the North East and that is something of a major tragedy.

Islamic system is faith based, it is unlikely that the Western system can ever wipe it out because it is a system which has its own unique features, like no one studies in the Islamic system in order to get a job. The public sector does not employ the teachers, thus avoiding costs and the problem of the remuneration of teachers; etc. It is a very old system, which has long survived many difficult times. Education in Nigeria has also survived and continues to serve the country. It is still very popular but, because of that, and the high expectations for receiving western education, it is subjected to intense scrutiny and criticism at every turn. Every Tom, Dick and Harry is an expert in Education. Whereas the popularity is responsible for the problems because of ever rising numbers and the peoples’ cheap political indoctrination of free education even when they can see that the burden of management and funding, with little contribution from the agitators themselves, is gradually destroying the system. No country has quite solved the problems of Education but the challenges facing the North East in this sector are truly enormous. We have no public health services to speak of. We suffer from falling life expectancy rate. We are not prepared for any medical emergency, e.g epidemics, acute diseases of poverty and deprivation like TB, cholera and malnutrition, and malaria, not to talk of infectious ones like HIV/AIDS, Hypertension, Diabetes, etc. There is no logical

Along with agriculture must be animal science and husbandry, veterinary services, forestry. The North-east would do best in each of these areas, being a prime agricultural and animal growing region. The most logical observation to make is that we are not serious. It seems more attractive to intensify pressure on the Federal Government to allocate more money to the States for developing Agriculture and for assistance following floods and droughts. Recent natural disasters which actually are minor compared with what happens elsewhere have shown that we have no plan whatsoever to deal with water emergencies and we do not care. Not surprisingly, our major water sources are drying up. Lake Chad, Benue, Gongola, Taraba and other rivers as well as our dams are underutilised in all their individual potentials as prime blessings and sources of wealth, employment and growth. Besides, oil and some other minerals, including Gold and Diamond tend to be associated with sedimentary basins and that should alert us as to the importance of water sources in addition to providing water supply, fisheries and transportation. Like some other parts of Nigeria, Education in the North East is both Islamic and Western. The Islamic variety is still spreading, and is still strong. The Western system has assumed control and its practitioners and managers have conferred on themselves the power to comment on and to plan and take decision for the Islamic system so long as they control the particular Government beginning with the colonial system. Since the

sequence to our disease pattern compared to what is noticed in many evolving societies. For example, coronary artery disease was quite rare before, but is now found, together with its complications in many urban centres because of wide disparity in available health care among us. We are moving from diseases of deprivation with high mortality, low life expectancy in most of us to diseases of affluence in some like coronary artery disease in the same area or household or town. Now, the phenomenon of the Paradox of overseas treatment has caught up with us. We cannot say that we can treat many seriously ill patients here. So, any one who could afford it will jet out of the country; because we have not developed the requisite capacity at home. “Medical tourism” is high, draining resources which could have been used to build the capacity. We are thus accelerating the cycle of poverty and disease. The situation is getting worse daily because the capacity to handle developmental issues and aspirations are being outstripped daily by our dwindling capital resources supply and increasing social disorder. One could go on sector by sector. But, even without that, there is enough to show how terrible is the situation and how much is the amount of work that has to be done even to arrest the continuing decline, not to talk of continuing to make progress always associated with development especially in a country like our own. Professor Jibril is a serving Nigerian Senator and former Minister of Education

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 31

Doha climate talks: Any signs of life?

The World Bank needs to "stop financing" coal power plants(such as the one in the picture above) that make their clients' "problems worse".

ANALYSIS By Kumi Naidoo

012 is the year the climate changed. I'm not talking about extreme weather like Hurricane Sandy, the Arctic sea ice melt or flooding in Venice. I'm talking about the climate in the corridors of power at the CIA and the World Bank, the International Energy Agency and some of the biggest consultancies in business, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Alarms are finally ringing in the offices of the bureaucrats and "conservative" businessmen. Despite this, the United Nations climate talks in Doha (COP 18) threaten to be another round of brinkmanship between the socalled global north and south, developed and developing nations, with each waiting for the other to blink - and no one taking leadership. Meanwhile, extreme weather events, the record Arctic sea ice melt and catastrophic warnings from unusual suspects continue to pile up like bits of Boardwalk in the wake of "Superstorm" Sandy. COP 18 comes at the end of year that has seen the impacts

of climate change hit hard around the world. The US suffered its worst drought in half a century and Hurricane Sandy killed at least 250 people in the Caribbean and the US. Record flooding was seen in Beijing, Manila and across the UK. Deadly floods in the Black Sea area of Russia killed at least 171 people. In India, the worst monsoon floods in a decade hit the north-eastern state of Assam, killed more than 80 people and forced around 2 million from their homes. Drought in the Sahel threatened millions with hunger. The annual death toll worldwide from climate change is estimated to be at least 150,000. The CIA says that climate change could lead to "geopolitical destabilisation". The World Bank says a world where temperatures rise by 4

degrees Celsius "must be avoided" and its President, Jim Yong Kim, recently remarked: "It is my hope that this report shocks us into action". PwC, meanwhile, reported that even if we doubled our efforts to address climate change the world would still be on course for a 6 degree rise in average temperature by the turn of the century. Of course, these institutions have only taken the first step - we need them to take action not just issue statements. The CIA needs to tell Congress that the key to US security isn't getting off foreign oil. It's getting off all oil, as soon as possible. The World Bank needs to stop financing coal power plants that make their clients' problems worse and turn their attention to investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. The IEA needs to tell the

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

world that the discussion shouldn't be about whether we can afford to build a thousand new coal plants. It should be about how quickly we can turn off the ones we already have. Faced with these threats to homes, communities, economies and indeed lives, governments in Doha will be put to the test as to whether they are willing and able to take action to protect their people. Will they agree to adopt a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol? Will they eliminate the "hot air" surplus of emissions allocations? Will they sign up to ambitious targets for cutting emissions before 2020 and set a course for a Fair Ambitious and legally Binding (FAB) deal in 2015? Will finance be made available to help developing countries transform their economies to clean energy and

The US suffered its worst drought in half a century and Hurricane Sandy killed at least 250 people in the Caribbean and the US. Record flooding was seen in Beijing, Manila and across the UK. Deadly floods in the Black Sea area of Russia killed at least 171 people.

to adapt to the climate change impacts that are already unavoidable? Will a framework be established that provides finance for forest protection, sets targets for halting forest destruction and includes safeguards for biodiversity and the rights of indigenous peoples? These decisions will set the course for the coming years. In Doha we will take whatever progress we can get an agreement on a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and, if we're lucky, some funding for forest protection. To be honest, COP 18 is once more likely to see civil society trying to breathe life into the corpse of Copenhagen, calling once more for the FAB deal the world so desperately needs, while the government delegates wander the air-conditioned corridors of a cavernous conference centre echoing with empty promises. Doha is already infamous for dead-end trade talks. One more failure and it will be forever known as the place where global deals go to die. Instead, what we need to see is a signal, a sign of life, that all governments really understand what is at stake. We need to see them put people and the planet before the polluters and their profits. We need to see a sign that they are prepared to act accordingly. Source: Aljazeera

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 32

Rebels begin withdrawal in eastern DR Congo AU council to appraise committee on peace report

he Peace and Security Council of the African Union is to work on the report of the Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution (CCIRCR) of the Pan?African Parliament (PAP), on the relations between Council and Pan-African Parliament on peace and security issues. This was affirmed during an interactive session between the delegations of the (CCIRCR) and the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 344th meeting which held on 27 November 2012. Council recalled the provisions of article 18 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU, which stipulate that Council shall maintain close working relations with PAP in furtherance of peace, security and stability in Africa, and outline practical modalities to this effect. Bearing in mind the responsibilities entrusted to it by the PSC Protocol, council stressed the need to give full effect to the provisions of the Protocol relating to the relationship with PAP, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the efforts being made towards the promotion of lasting peace, security, development and integration on the continent. In this respect, Council commended the CCIRCR for the proposals it has submitted and for its contribution to the quest of peace and security on the continent. At the end of the session, council agreed to look in?depth into these proposals and other modalities for strengthening its relations with the PAP.

ebels in eastern DR Congo said they are doing a phased withdrawal from territory they have captured, days after a pull-out deal was reached in neighbouring Uganda. Amani Kabashi, a spokesman for the M23 group, said the rebels were starting to withdraw from the town of Mushake, 50km south of the provincial capital, Goma. They were then planning to pull out of the town of Sake, and finally, Goma, he said, without giving a timetable. Diplomatic efforts to end violence in eastern Congo have been ongoing since the M23 group captured Goma in fighting with Congolese troops and advanced across the east of the country last week. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced by fighting between government troops and the rebels. Herve Ladsous, the UN peacekeeping chief, told reporters on Tuesday night that rebels' advances had stopped. Nazanine Moshiri, reporting from Goma, said there were no indications of a withdrawal from the city on Wednesday. "The big question everyone is asking here is what happens next, if M23 withdraws," she said. "M23 themselves are saying

they want a demilitarised zone around Goma. They're very concerned that people who've been working with them in the city will be targeted once they leave, if the Congolese army comes in." M23 military leader Sultani Makenga said on Tuesday his men would leave Goma "in three days at

the latest" and pull back 20km under a deal struck in Uganda the previous day with an east African regional group. Makenga said the rebels had begun transferring arms, provisions and medical supplies from Goma to the Rutshuru territory north of the city, an area along the Ugandan and

Rwandan borders. Rutshuru has been the rebels main stronghold since they launched their uprising in April. Reports from residents and the UN peacekeeping mission appeared to confirm the announcement that the rebels were transporting weaponry out of Goma. Meanwhile, the M23's political leader, Jean Marie Runiga, said the group was not against withdrawing from Goma, but would only do so if certain conditions were met.

About 300 people demonstrating against the government after M23 urged Goma residents to come out.

Sierra Leone's SLPP in boycott threat over poll results

ierra Leone's main opposition has said it will boycott parliament and local councils unless its concerns about the recent elections are addressed. The Sierra Leone People's Party, which won 40% of parliamentary seats, alleges this month's polls were fraudulent. Their presidential candidate, exmilitary ruler Julius Maada Bio, also lost to incumbent Ernest Bai Koroma. International observers said the poll, the third since the civil war, was conducted peacefully and transparently. The SLPP alleges that some ballot boxes are stuffed with pre-marked ballots. But the electoral commission, which released the presidential election results on Friday and parliamentary and local council

results on Monday, has said it found no evidence of "over voting". Umaru Fofana in Freetown says the law states that an MP who does not show up in the house for about three months forfeits their seat.

In the run-up to the elections there were clashes between rival party supporters in the capital, Freetown. After the presidential results were announced on Friday, about seven SLPP supporters were arrested in the

SLPP supporters protesting the results

eastern town of Kenema because police feared riots. The SLPP also demanded that some of its supporters be released from police custody, and all charges against them dropped. The SLPP controls nine out of the West African nation's 19 local councils. President Koroma, of the ruling All People's Congress, won a second and final term in office with almost 59% of votes cast. The vote was the first postwar election Sierra Leone had organised itself - the other two held since the war ended in 2002 were run by the United Nations. Since the end of the 11-year war, in which an estimated 50,000 people were killed, Sierra Leone has made progress towards reconciliation.

Egypt: Appeals courts launch anti-Mursi strike action

Protesters clash with police in Cairo

udges across Egypt have announced they will go on strike in protest at President Mohammed Mursi's recent decree giving himself new powers. Appeals courts and the Court of Cassation will halt work until the decree is revoked, the judges say. The decree, issued last Thursday, gave Mr Mursi powers to take any measures to protect the revolution, and stated that no court could overturn his decisions. The move sparked anger and widespread protests. Mr Mursi's backers say the decree was needed to protect the gains of the revolution against a

judiciary with deep ties to overthrown President Hosni Mubarak. On Monday, Mr Mursi sought to defuse the crisis by saying the decree granting him new powers was limited in scope. He met senior judges and told them that the measure would be restricted to "sovereign matters" designed to protect institutions. But judges who attended the meeting said they were not satisfied. They want him to withdraw the measure completely. Protesters who have taken to the streets since the decree was issued last Thursday say Mr Mursi's

Muslim Brotherhood has hijacked the revolution. Anti-Mursi protests were held in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Minya and other Nile Delta cities on Tuesday. Low-level rallies continued in Cairo's Tahrir Square on Wednesday. The Brotherhood has organised counter-demonstrations. The decree bars judges from dissolving the assembly that is drawing up a new constitution. The president is also authorised to take any measures to preserve the revolution, national unity or safeguard national security.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Asia and Middle East

wo explosions in eastern Damascus have left at least 34 dead, according to Syrian hospital officials. The state-run SANA news agency said two cars packed with explosives detonated early on Wednesday morning in the capital's eastern Jaramana district,

PAGE 33

Deadly blasts rock Syrian capital populated mostly by the Christian and Druze minorities. Among the dead were 10 unidentified bodies, according to SANA. Another 83 people were reported be injured. Al Jazeera's Rula Amin, reporting from Beirut, said: "When people gathered to try to rescue those injured in the first explosion, another big explosion took place."

Local residents said the series of bomb attacks took place at 6:30am (04:30 GMT) in a location where forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, are stationed to defend the area against the armed opposition. "Terrorists blew up two car bombs filled with a large amount of explosives in [Jaramana's] main square... killing and wounding

several residents, and damaging several residential buildings and shops," state media reported. There was a ball of fire at the end of a narrow lane, and the impact of the explosions brought walls down onto cars, crushing them and scattering debris over the ground. Pools of blood were seen in the middle of the street. The opposition, however, said

Wednesday's attacks, the fourth time the area is targeted since August, could have been orchestrated by the regime to turn the minorities against opposition groups. "The government has its own logic ... [that] most of the rebels are Salafists", who would be hostile to the Christian and Druze communities, said our correspondent.

Bodies found in boat off Japanese coast

ive bodies have been found in a boat with Korean language markings off Japan's west coast, reports say. The 10m vessel was washed ashore on Sado Island, Niigata City in waters between Japan and the Korean peninsula. All those on board were adult males, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported. Police said the victims' nationality could not be confirmed. In the past a very small number of North Korean refugees have made the journey to Japan by boat. Last year, a boat carrying nine North Koreans arrived in

Kanazawa, further to the south. The group were later resettled in South Korea. In January another group of four North Korean fishermen found by the Japanese coastguard after developing engine trouble were repatriated at their request. A police spokesman told AFP news agency that the Korean characters on the boat - which appeared to have been drifting for some time - were impossible to read. "The bodies are decomposed badly and we still cannot confirm exactly how many of them there are," the spokesman added.

Bangladesh arrests three over deadly factory fire

China mulls changes in one-child policy

olice in Bangladesh have arrested three supervisors from a clothing factory in which more than 100 people died during a fire. They say the supervisors are accused of stopping workers from leaving the building and of padlocking exits. Meanwhile, thousands of garment workers staged fresh protests outside Dhaka, demanding higher safety standards. Government officials say preliminary information suggests the fire was an act of sabotage. The government has opened two inquiries. Police say the supervisors told panicked workers at the Tazreen Fashion factory that the fire on Saturday night was just a drill and they had nothing to worry about. "All three are mid-level managers of Tazreen. Survivors told us they did not allow the workers to escape the fire, saying it was a routine fire drill," city police chief Habibur Rahman told AFP news agency. "There are also allegations that they even padlocked doors," he added. On Wednesday, police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse thousands of workers in the Ashulia industrial area, just outside the Bangladeshi capital. "We were forced to react as they started pelting officers with stones," local police official Moktar Hossain said. Anbarasan Ethirajan in Dhaka says there has been growing public anger over the fire, and the industrial suburbs around the capital are tense.

Scene of the blast in Jaramana district where over 30 people died.

hina is mulling changes to its one-child policy, a former family planning official said, with government advisory bodies drafting proposals in the face of a rapidly ageing society in the world's most populous nation. Proposed changes would allow for urban couples to have a second child, even if one of the parents is themselves not an only child, the China Daily cited Zhang Weiqing, the former head of the National Population and Family Planning Commission, as saying on Wednesday. Under current rules, urban couples are permitted a second child if both parents do not have siblings. Looser restrictions on rural couples mean many have more than one child. Population scholars have cited mounting demographic challenges in their calls for reform of the strict policy, introduced in 1979 to limit births in China, which now has 1.34bn people. Zhang said the commission and other population research institutes have submitted policy recommendations to the government. Zhang, who now serves on China's congressional advisory body, said any changes if adopted would be gradual. "China's population policy has always taken into account demographic changes but any finetuning to the policy should be gradual and consider the situation in different areas," China Daily cited Zhang as saying. The relaxed policy might be implemented first in "economically productive regions" and places that have followed closely existing regulations, the paper said.

Police searching for remains on in the boat

Some of the factory workers calling for investigation into the incident

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Europe and Americas US concerned over China passport map

he US has said it will raise concerns with Beijing over a map printed in new Chinese passports that is causing "tension and anxiety" among claimant states in the disputed South China Sea. "We do have concerns about this map which is causing tension and anxiety between and among the states in the South China Sea," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told a news briefing on Tuesday. "We do intend to raise this with the Chinese in terms of it not being helpful to the environment we all seek to resolve these issues." The Philippines and Vietnam have objected that the map shows disputed maritime regions as belonging to China. India has also complained over the map's depiction of its northern border with China and retaliated by issuing Chinese citizens visas embossed with New Delhi's own maps. Nuland said it was up to countries to decide what their passports look like and the US would still accept the Chinese one as a legal document. But she added: "That's a different matter than whether it's politically smart or helpful to be taking steps that antagonise countries." The US intervention will not be welcomed by Beijing, which regards as meddling Washington's advocacy for peaceful settlement of the conflicting claims in the South China Sea, a potential regional flashpoint. The US has no territorial claim itself but says it has a national interest in the stability of a region vital to global trade. Taiwan has also condemned the map, which is printed on inside pages of the passport. Taiwan is selfgoverning but Beijing claims it as part of China.

opes of ending nearly 50 years of war between Colombia and the Marxist FARC rebels have entered a new phase as the warring sides returned to the negotiating table to continue peace talks. The meeting on Tuesday in the Cuban capital Havana saw Jesus Santrich, negotiator for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), voicing optimism over a petition sent to US President Barack Obama requesting pardon for leader Simon Trinidad to participate in the peace process. "We don't want to lose faith, hope that President Barack Obama is going to give a message of peace for Colombia by favouring the request," Santrich added. Trinidad is currently being held in the US on charges for kidnapping three US military contractors in

PAGE 34

Mexican president-elect Pena Nieto meets Obama T

he Mexican president-elect, Enrique Pena Nieto, has told US President Barack Obama during talks at the White House that his main goal on taking office will be reducing violence. Mr Pena Nieto, who takes

office on Saturday, is expected to revise Mexico's war on the drug cartels. It has cost more than 50,000 lives since it was launched six years ago. President Obama complimented Mr Pena Nieto on

what he described as an "ambitious reform agenda". "What happens in Mexico has an impact on our society," he told Mr Pena Nieto. He said he expected to build on the good relationship he had with outgoing President Felipe

President Obama with Mr Pena Nieto at the white house

Calderon. Mr Obama, who will be represented by Vice-President Joe Biden at the inauguration ceremony in Mexico City, joked and said he was "jealous". Immigration was also one of the main issues discussed by the two leaders. Mexican immigrants or American citizens of Mexican descent account for about 70% of the Latino community in the US, estimated at 50 million people. Mr Obama said he would pursue immigration reform legislation in his second term at the White House. "We fully support your proposal," Mr Pena Nieto said, adding that his government was willing to co-operate in efforts to reduce illegal migration into the US. "We want to contribute. We want to be part of this." President Obama by-passed Congress and introduced in June a programme allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for temporary right to work and live in the United States. Most of the estimated 11.5 million undocumented immigrants in the US are from Latin America.

France canvasses support for Palestinian 'statehood'

rance will vote in favour of Palestinian "non-member status" at the United Nations. "Today or tomorrow, when the question is asked, France will vote yes," Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced in the lower house of parliament. The move recognises efforts made by Palestinian officials to establish a statehood bid for the occupied territory. With Tuesday's announcement, France - a permanent member of the Security Council - becomes the first major European country to come out in favour of potential Palestinian statehood. Portugal and Spain are also supporting plans for the

Palestinians to get non-member status. European support for the

Palestinians to get non-member status is on the rise, as almost all have vowed in favour of

Laurent Fabius (left) recently visited Palestinian officials in Ramallah, including Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat

Palestine. Saying that the government is divided on the issue, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she would not be casting a ballot. The Palestinians say the assembly is likely to vote on Thursday on a resolution raising their status at the United Nations from an observer to a non-member observer "state", a move they believe is an important step toward a twostate solution with Israel. The draft seeking the status upgrade also calls on the UN Security Council to "consider favourably" the Palestinian request for full membership made one year ago. The US has been blocking that move at the 15-nation council.

Colombia peace talks â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;progressing wellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2008. Despite FARC's continual calls for his release, it remains unclear whether he will be granted permission to take part in the talks. Santrich noted that FARC negotiators and the government had already agreed to support a broad forum in the Colombian capital Bogota in December to discuss agrarian development, which has been an issue in the class-based conflict. Upon entering the seventh day of talks at a convention centre in Havana, Santrich said: "Up until now we have had good results: "There has been agreement ... We are on the same wavelength.'' The topics agreed upon for discussion hold numerous potential stumbling blocks, land reform

among them, along with decisions on which FARC leaders will be allowed to participate in politics and who must go to jail for the group's crimes and involvement in the drug trade. Participants say the forum agreement is significant because it means both sides have accepted a basic framework for the negotiations centered upon six themes including land reform, victim compensation, drug trafficking and reinsertion of the rebels into society. FARC and government delegations announced on Sunday their first accord reached in Havana to create a citizen participation forum on agricultural development due to meet in Bogota December 17 to 19.

Jesus Santrich with other negotiators in Havana, Cuba.

PEOPLES DAILY, THRUSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 35

Chinese man builds 'Noah's Ark' in preparation for 2012 Mayan apocalypse

orried about the impending 2012 "Mayan apocalypse," a man in China has reportedly spent his life savings on the construction of his very own "Noah's Ark." According to China News Service, Lu Zhenghai, from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China, has already spent about $160,000 on the boat. The vessel, designed by Lu himself, measures about 65 feet in length and will, when completed, weigh about 80 tons, the report states. Lu said he began building his so-called ark in 2010 out of fear that an impending "doomsday" flood would threaten his and his family's survival. "I'm afraid that when the end of the world comes in 2012,

flood waters will destroy my house," Lu told the Chinese News Service, according to a HuffPost translation. "So I took all my savings and invested in the construction of this boat," he continued. "When the time comes, everyone can take refuge in it." Chinese news website FMN reports that Lu's "ark" was built with 10 tons of timber and 60 tons of steel. Due to lack of funds, however, it has yet to be completed. As the Daily Mail notes, experts have long been trying to convince people that the so-called Mayan apocalypse, slated to strike on Dec. 21, will not occur. Still, Lu is not alone in his survivalist struggle. In August, the New York Daily News reported that another Chinese man had

spent two years creating his own "Noah's Ark" in the form of a sturdy, buoyant yellow ball. Even if the apocalypse fails

Caviar, these "caviar ATMs" also offer truffles, escargot, blinis, oils, Mother of Pearl utensils, gift boxes and gourmet salts. No dollar bills here, though, as the caviar prices range from $50 to $500 an ounce, according toLos Angeles Magazine. For

customers' convenience, some of the machines are open until 2 a.m., reported the food blog Eater. The machines are available at the Burbank Town Center, the Topanga Westfield Mall and Century City Mall.

Beverly Hills Caviar has installed vending machines in Los Angeles-area malls to sell the expensive delicacy

Cop: rape suspect allegedly gave phone number to victim

olice in Washington D.C. arrested a suspect in two violent attacks after he gave his name and number to

DeMarco Myles

the second victim, according to court documents. DeMarco Myles, 19, wrote down his first name and cell

tourists who will want to take sightseeing tours. He also said that the boat could be used as a ferry.

This photo taken on Nov. 24 shows the unfinished boat built by Lu Zhenhai, a man from Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

LA malls unveil caviar vending machines hips, candy, soda and now caviar. Vending machines hawking the expensive delicacy were unveiled in Los Angeles-area shopping centers last week, the Daily Mail reported. Stocked by Beverly Hills

to take place, however, Lu still has plenty of plans for his boat. According to FMN, Lu said he hopes the vessel will attract

phone number for a 19-year-old Howard University student after he allegedly raped her in her room at Bethune annex, an allwomen's dorm, Friday afternoon. Police tracked the number to a Fourth Street NW address where Myles lives with his mother and arrested him. The first attack took place in a Rhode Island Row apartment Oct. 26 in Northeast D.C. The victim, a 24-year-old consultant, was working from home when she got a knock at the door about 2 p.m. by a man who said he was promoting a party. He forced his way in to her apartment before allegedly trying to kill her. She said she screamed at the top of her lungs and fought back as he kicked and beat her and stabbed her at least 25 times.

The Humanzee T

he humanzee is a hypothetical chimpanzee and human hybrid. The DNA sequence of a human is very similar to a chimpanzee. Many experimental tests have been conducted, determining that humans share 95% of a chimpanzee DNA, as well as 99% of all coding DNA sequences. This has led to the speculation that it may be possible to breed a human and chimpanzee. No specimen has ever been confirmed. Humans do have one fewer pair of chromosomes than apes. However, having a different numbers of chromosomes is not an absolute barrier to producing young. Similar mismatches are common in nature. The phenomenon is known as chromosomal polymorphism. In the 1920s the Soviet biologist Ilya Ivanovich Ivanov carried out a number of experiments in hopes of creating a human and ape hybrid. He began by working with human sperm and chimpanzee females, but none of his attempts created a pregnancy. He soon fell under political criticism in the Soviet Union and was sentenced to exile in the Kazakh SSR. Research conducted by J. Michael Bedford showed that human sperm could penetrate the protective outer membranes of a gibbon egg. Throughout history there have been many reports and rumors based around the existence of humanzees. The most widely discussed humanzee sighting was a critter named Oliver. Oliver was a sideshow star in the 1970s. He is said to have come from somewhere in the Congo, although this claim has never been proven. Oliver is very different from other chimps. He typically doesn't like being in the same general area of other apes and prefers the company of humans. Oliver possesses a flatter face than his fellow chimpanzees. He has less hair, a smaller chin, a smaller and rounder cranium, and pointed ears. He also reportedly had an unusual scent, which is

different from both chimps and humans. Oliver was habitually bipedal before being struck with arthritis, meaning that he walked upright. He has never walked on his knuckles like other chimps. Many reports have indicated that Oliver prefers human females over chimps. He was acquired as a young animal by trainers Frank and Janet Berger. The Berger's eventually had to sell Oliver because he began to mount and attempted to mate with Janet. Janet Berger has indicated that this behavior started when Oliver reached the age of sixteen. In 1996, geneticists examined Oliver's chromosomes. The test revealed that Oliver contains forty-eight chromosomes similar to other chimps, although Oliver's owner Michael Miller claims he had the ape tested and the results showed only forty-seven chromosomes. These results have been widely scrutinized and challenged. His appearance has been dismissed as a genetic deformity. Scientists will not perform further tests on the hypothesis that Oliver could be an undiscovered species of chimpanzee. Oliver is still alive today, living at Primarily Primates in the state of Texas.

Oliver

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Just one soft drink a day raises men’s risk of aggressive prostate cancer M

A study has found it could take just one soft drink a day to increase the risk of prostate cancer by 40 per cent.

en who drink fizzy drinks are not just ruining their teeth and waistlines they could be at risk of aggressive prostate cancer as well. A Swedish study has found just one soft drink a day could increase the risk of developing more serious forms of the cancer by 40 per cent. Experts at Lund University also found those who ate a carbohydrate diet heavy in rice and pasta increased their risk of getting milder forms of prostate cancer, which often required no treatment, by 31 per cent. And eating lots of sugary breakfast cereals raised the incidence of milder forms of the cancer to 38 per cent Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after lung disease. The study, which will be published in the upcoming edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, examined more than 8,000 men aged between 45 and73 for an average of 15 years. Isabel Drake, a PhD student at Lund University, said: ‘Among the men who drank a lot of soft drinks or other drinks with added sugar, we saw an increased risk of prostate cancer of around 40 per cent.’ The men in the study had to undergo regular medical examinations and kept a journal of their food and drink intake. Those who drank one 330ml soft drink a day were 40 per cent

Study: Traffic pollution tied to autism risk

abies who are exposed to lots of traffic-related air pollution in the womb and during their first year of life are more likely to become autistic, suggests a new study. The findings support previous research linking how close children live to freeways with their risk of autism, according to the study’s lead author. “We’re not saying traffic pollution causes autism, but it may be a risk factor for it,” said Heather Volk, an assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Autism is a spectrum of disorders ranging from a profound inability to communicate and mental retardation to milder symptoms seen in Asperger’s syndrome. The prevalence of autism has grown over the past few years. It’s now estimated that the disorder affects one in every 88 children born in the United States, which is a 25 percent increase from a 2006 estimate (see Reuters article of March 29, 2012, reut.rs/TZnRci). The increase in autism diagnoses has also been accompanied by a growing body of research on the disorder. Including Volk’s new study, there are three articles on autism in Monday’s issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

“A decade ago, the journal published about the same number of autism articles per year,” wrote Geraldine Dawson of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in an editorial accompanying the studies. The two other reports in the current issue deal with ways to image a person’s brain to look for physical differences between an autistic and non-autistic brain. According to Dawson, who is also chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, the number of studies on autism began to grow around 2000. Most studies, she says, deal with the biology of the disease. Volk’s new study, however, is one of a series of looks into how environmental factors may be linked to a child’s risk of being autistic, done over the past few years (see Reuters article of July 5, 2011, reut.rs/TZntdS). “I think it’s definitely an area that’s been understudied until recently,” Volk told Reuters Health. Unlike their last study, which used how close a child lived to a freeway as a substitute for pollution exposure, for the new analysis Volk and her colleagues looked at measures of air quality around kids’ homes. Compared to 245 California children who were not autistic, the researchers found that 279 autistic

children were almost twice as likely to have been exposed to the highest levels of pollution while in the womb, and about three times as likely to have been exposed to that level during their first year of life. They found that children exposed to the highest amount of “particulate matter” - a mixture of acids, metals, soil and dust - had about a two-fold increase in autism risk. That type of regional pollution is tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency. Volk and her colleagues also saw a similar link between autism and nitrogen dioxide, which is in car, truck and other vehicle emissions. “This is a risk factor that we can modify and potentially reduce the risk for autism,” wrote Dawson in an email to Reuters Health. The researchers said certain pollutants could play a role in brain development - but that doesn’t prove being exposed to air pollution makes kids autistic. They warned that there may be other factors that explain the association, including indoor pollution and second-hand smoke exposure. “There are some potential pathways that we’re examining in our current research that will be coming up next,” said Volk. Source: Reuters.com

more likely to develop more serious forms of prostate cancer that required treatment. The cancer was discovered after the men showed symptoms of the disease, and not through the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA). Ms Drake said while further research was needed before dietary guidelines could be changed, there were already plenty of reasons to curtail softdrink consumption. Recent studies have shown fizzy and soft drink consumption

has been linked to osteoarthritis, an 80 per cent increased risk of stroke in women. Previous studies have shown that Chinese and Japanese immigrants in the US develop prostate cancer more often than peers in their home countries. Further research on how genes respond to different diets would make it possible to ‘tailor food and drink guidelines for certain high-risk groups, ‘ Drake said. Source: Dailymail.co.uk

It’s easier to spot when a woman’s depressed

eople identify symptoms of depression more readily in women than men, according to a new study. Researchers found gender stereotypes influence public perceptions of depressed people. For instance, when presented with a scenario of a man or woman in distress, men were more likely to say a woman was depressed than their male counterparts. Dr Viren Swami, a reader in psychology at the University of Westminster, presented study participants with one of two fictitious subjects, Kate and Jack. Both were described as having identical symptoms of major depression, the only difference being their suggested gender. For example, a sample of the test reads: ‘For the past two weeks, Kate/Jack has been feeling really down. ‘S/he wakes up in the

morning with a flat, heavy feeling that sticks with her/him all day. S/he isn’t enjoying things the way s/he normally would. S/he finds it hard to concentrate on anything.’ The respondents were asked to identify whether the individual described suffered a mental health disorder, and how likely they would be to recommend seeking professional help to the subject in the test. Both men and women were equally likely to classify Kate as having a mental health disorder, but men were less likely than women to indicate that Jack suffered from depression. Dr Swami said: ‘Men were also more likely to recommend that Kate seek professional help than women were, but both men and women were equally likely to make this suggestion for Jack. ‘Respondents, particularly men, rated Kate’s case as significantly more distressing, difficult to treat, and deserving of sympathy than they did Jack’s case.’ He also found that individual attitudes towards depression were associated with scepticism about psychiatry and anti-scientific attitudes. Dr Swami added: ‘The results are significant for initiatives aimed at enhancing mental health literacy, which should consider the impact of g e n d e r stereotypes and attitudes towards help-seeking behaviours.’ S o u r c e : People identify symptoms of depression more Dailymail.co.uk readily in women than men.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 37

Pension: Reps summon finance, police affairs ministers A T

NGO certifies Benue LG polls free and fair By Jamila Nuhu Musa

By Lawrence Olaoye

he House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of finance, Dr Ngozi OkwonjoIweala and his Police Affairs counterpart, Capt. Caleb Olubolade to explain why the the Finance Minister flouted the Pension Act by taking over Police Pension Fund without recourse to it for approval. The Minister is billed to appear before the House Committee on Pension today to explain the low releases to pension units in the 2012

PDP Soba LG candidate to face criminal charges today From Muhammad Kaduna

budget thereby making the pensioners to suffer. The Committee equally summoned the management of the Budget Office as well as that of PENCOM to explain what is happening in the police pension. Speaking on the summon at the budget defence of all the pension administrators, Chairman, Pension Committee, Rep Ibrahim Bawa Kamba, stated the committee would not take on the Police Pension till the minister of finance who took over police pension appears before it. The committee requested to know from the minister who took over the running of police pension for the past one year because the lawmakers are unaware of its running and how the budgetary allocation for the 2012 fiscal year was expended.

The committee was also worried that since the passage of Pension Reform Act, the 53% increment which was passed in the Act has yet to be implemented by the Minister of Finance. On the presentation of the Military Pension Board, Committee expressed concerns that the brief on 2012 appraisal was scanty and the details needed were not provided "If you need to carry cartons or Ghana Must Go containing documents to convince us on how you implemented the 2012 budget, it would be appreciated. We know that budget is a proposal, but we have to be convinced. Budget goes beyond garbage in garbage out. It is very important to see all the documents", he committee ordered Member of the committee

threatened to give zero allocation to Universities Pension (NUC) if they fail to provide the relevant documents that give explanations to the 2012 appropriation In his presentation of the 2013 budget, Chairman of the Military Pension Board, Rear Admiral B. M Mshelia explained that the major challenge of the Board was the payment of 53%. incremental arrears. According to him, "Pension have not been adjusted, and the arrears are yet to be paid with effect from July, 2010 when federal government reviewed salaries. MPB has made necessary requisition to federal government through National Salaries income and wages commission and even the budget office of the federation on the issue"

Adamu,

ormer Chairman and Chairmanship candidate of Soba Local Government under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the December 2012 Kaduna LG elections, Hon Kawu Ibrahim Yakasai ,has been summoned to court to face criminal charges of alleged certificate forgery. The accused person was also a former member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly representing Maigana Constituency. Yakasai is being summoned to appear before the Chief Magistrate Court,Daura Road, Kaduna today following a suit filed by Garba U.Shehu, lawyer to the two complainants namely Musa Mustapha and Alhaji Ubale Telan Matasa. According to the application for issuance of criminal summons made available to newsmen yesterday in Kaduna, the accused person (Yakasai) claimed that he sat for the May/June 1988 GCE Examination and was issued a Statement of Result by the authorities of Barewa College Zaria and he presented the said certificate to the relevant Electoral bodies when he stood for elections. "The accused person attended Barewa College , Zaria between 19821988; on graduation , the accused person was issued a Testimonial. "The accused person presented the said Certificate to the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission (SIECOM) in his FORM KDCF001A( Affidavit in support of Personal Particulars of persons seeking election for Chairman/Councilor) which he swore before the High Court of Justice, Zaria on the 29th October,2012 having been nominated to contest for the position of Chairman, Soba Local Government under the platform of the PDP in the forthcoming LG Election in Kaduna State.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Chairman, House Committee on Information and National Orientation, Hon. Buba Jibril, during the Ministry of Information and its Parastatals 2013 budget defence, on Monday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Kogi liaison officer snatches election materials From Dam Egwu, Lokoja

iolence, crisis and general lawlessness characterized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) election in the Central Senatorial District of Kogi state yesterday, when the Liason Officer 1 of Okene, Ahmed Ogembe was fingered in ballot snatching saga. Build up to yesterday's

violence started when a federal lawmaker unleashed thugs on opponent who were trying to rob him of the party leadership in his area. Theofficer who had got wind of manipulation by opponents had mobilized his thugs who were chanting war songs, in nine 18 seater buses to Lokoja,despite ban on thuggery in the state. Truck loads of heavily armed

policemen were seen blocking the gate to party secretariat as movement to PDP office in Lokoja was difficult.. Attempt by our reporter to speak with party leaders hit brick walls as most of them switched off their lines except the Speaker of the state House of Assembly who assured that the issue would be resolved amicably.

Kaduna-based NonGovernmental Organization (NGO) which participated in the just concluded November 24, 2012 Benue State local government elections has adjudged it to be the best in all elections held so far in the state. The CITAR-NGO in a statement in Abuja signed by its Executive Secretary, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, indicated that the organization deployed 40 agents who visited about 40 per cent of the wards and 30 per cent of the polling units in 23 local government areas of the state, and declared that "This election, compared to other previous elections in Benue State, was peaceful and orderly. The conduct went on harmoniously as if it was a normal daily affair." "In our experience observing election in this country both presidential/ gubernatorial and local governments we are bold to say relatively, on a scale of random sampling, that this is one of the best elections conducted so far in terms of transparency, peaceful conduct, orderly arrangements and materials availability," CITAR-NGO said. The statement added the NGO observed that there was early deployment of electoral materials and officials just as it observed that polling unit staff delivered on schedule. It noted that though there was tight security, voting however went on peacefully without fear or molestation by hoodlums. The CITAR stated "Even though the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been the dominant political party since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999, of recent other parties have made some inroads in some few local government areas; in the beginning it was the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and of recent the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Nonetheless the PDP is still the most visible in the state." The organization which noted that there were late arrival of materials in some areas such as Zone A Senatorial district comprising Logo, Ukum, Katsina/ Ala, Kwande and Tarka local government areas also observed that there were large turnout of women and youths. The Organisation also reported late arrival and insufficient of materials in some parts of Tarka, which it said led to the late commencement of the voting in the affected area. It equally advised use of the National Youth Service Corps members due to the noticeable success at federal levels in elections conducted by INEC in Benue State. It stated further "As much as we commend the security agencies in their conduct during the election exercise, we noted with satisfaction the neutrality exhibited by BSIEC during the conduct of the elections, we also commend the government for proving adequate logistics support for the conduct of the elections."

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Kwara Assembly scores MDAs Lawmaker calls for fiscal federalism low on budget performance R M From Olanrewaju Lawal,Ilorin

embers of the Kwara State House of Assembly yesterday expressed dismay at the alleged zero performance of the state's Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) Mallam Idris Sunaboro representing Ilesha/Gwanara state constituency while contributing to the Bill on Revised Supplementary Appropriation of 2012 advised House committee chairmen to assess the activities of ministries and parastatals before approving the estimated budget. He argued that some Ministries

and Parastatals recorded zero percent in 2012 budget which called for total scrutiny. Alhaji Sabi Ibrahim representing Okuta /Yashikira constituency called for monitoring of the implementation of the budget, adding that most of the ministries and parastatals had neglected their constitutional responsibilities on the Internal Generated Revenue. He said that more effort was needed on the generation of IGR for the government to be able to perform its duties as expected. A member representing, Esa-Shawo-Igbodun constituency, Alhaji Hassan Oyeleke, who dissociated the Assembly from any blame on the

implementation of the budget, blamed the outdated system of budget preparation. He called for an increase in oversight functions by the committees to guide against nonperformance by ministries and parastatals, pointing out that the service of professionals could be engaged in that direction. Leading the debate on the bill, the Majority Leader urged his colleagues to give it a speedy passage because of its importance to the running of the state. Mallam Liman Saidu of Edu constitutiency on his part sought for enlightenment on the issue of budget

implementation and commended the state government for looking inward towards increment in the internally Generated Revenue. He cautioned the general public not to regard the issue of generating revenue internally, as a way of squeezing money out of the people but to make the state a better place. Speaking after the debate, the Speaker Barrister Rasaq Atunwa directed the bill to the House committee on Finance and Appropriation for necessary action. Atunwa urged members to support the passage of the bill, adding that any ministry which does not measure up would be called to order.

Imo Assembly summons 3 contractors over abandoned projects

he Imo House of Assembly on Wednesday ordered three contracting firms to appear before it on Thursday. The Speaker of the assembly, Chief Benjamin Uwajimogu, gave the order during the plenary session. The firms are Roche Construction Coy, Waywalk Construction Coy and Grandy-Project Construction Company. Uwajimogu said the contractors were being summoned to give their reasons for abandoning their projects. The speaker, however, warned that any contractor who failed to comply with the summons could be arrested. He directed the Clerk of the assembly, Mr Chris Duru, to issue official invitation to the contractors. Uwajimogu recalled that the state government had earlier mobilised the contractors for the smooth take-off of the jobs awarded to them. (NAN)

Women queuing to vote in local government election in Mayo-Belwa local government area in Adamawa state at the weekend. Photo: NAN

Lawyers urge justices to uphold integrity

ome senior lawyers in Lagos have urged the newly appointed Justices of the Federal Court of Appeal to brace up to fight corruption by always standing for the truth. The lawyers gave the advice on Wednesday in interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Lagos. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam AlomaMuktar, on Nov. 23, swore-in Mrs Zainab Bulkachuwa and Mrs Ifeoma Jombo-Ofor as acting President, and Justice of the Federal Court of Appeal respectively. A Lagos lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo advised the justices to tow the line of other distinguished female benchers like the CJN and ensure that judicial integrity was not sacrificed for personal interest. Keyamo said that women were being elevated to the

bench because they were less prone to corruption and charged them to be catalysts of change and positive transformation of the Nigerian Judiciary. "Women have proven themselves to be worthy ambassadors of the bench, and I can authoritatively say this as a lawyer. "They are always simple minded, unbiased, and willing to effect change, and these are essential qualities of a judge" he said Prof. Taiwo Osipitan (SAN), a don at the University of Lagos, said the appointment of the Justices was a welcome development, as it gave a ray of hope for a better judiciary. Osipitan said that Lagos State had set the pace with the appointment of female judges, and it was commendable that many states of the federation have followed suit. He said that female judges

have given a good account of themselves and so, it was a right step to elevate them to more honourable positions. "Women are very dependable when it comes to justice dispensation as they do not easily bow to pressure. "It is a step in the right direction to have a lot of women called to the bench, because they have shown themselves to be upright. "Even in terms of employment in the public sector, more females are now being employed when compared to their male counterparts," he said. Osipitan said that as more female remain in the legal profession, quite a number of them get elevated to the apex courts, and this was a step in the right direction. He said female judges have given a good account of themselves as justices, and urged the recently elevated

ones to sustain public confidence in them. According to him, the acting president of the court of appeal is a woman of sound intellect. He urged her not to bow to any pressure whatsoever. Another Lagos-based lawyer, Mr Vincent Nwaneri (SAN) urged the acting president and other newly appointed justices of the Court of Appeal to ensure speedy dispensation of justice. He noted that public confidence in the judiciary had diminished in recent times and charged judges to work together to restore the integrity of the bench. Nwaneri urged the female justices to be diligent in the administration of justice, and always stand for the truth. According to him, justice, integrity and fairness should be the guiding principle for the justices. (NAN)

ep. Kingsley Chinda, a member representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday stressed the need for fiscal federalism in the country. Chinda made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt while restating his stand for review of derivation formula. He urged the National Assembly to enshrine the principle of fiscal federalism in the constitution for the country to adopt a system where states could control their resources. Chinda, the deputy chairman, House Committee on Customs, said states should be allowed to regulate their human and natural resources for economic self determination. He said that states should be made to take 50 per cent of their revenue and remit 50 per cent to the centre out of which the centre would allocate 30 per cent to all the federating states. According to him, the centre should use the remaining 20 per cent for development. Chinda said that that kind of federalism would trigger development and unity of the federating units, adding that states would no longer depend on federal allocations. ``Each state ought to be self sustaining without allocation from the centre; I will always call for a fiscal federalism and review of derivation formula,`` he said. On the constitutional role of the National Assembly to make laws that would benefit the people, the lawmaker said that it had lived up to its expectations. Chinda said that the Senate and the House of Representatives, in particular, had delivered effectively to the benefit of Nigerians. He affirmed the achievements of the National Assembly in the area of tackling corruption within its constitutional limits. Chinda scored the House of Representatives high in credible representation and responsiveness, saying that it was what gave rise to the review of the constitution. He added that the National Assembly could not legislate beyond its constitutional mandates, adding that it had brought smiles on the faces of the downtrodden. The lawmaker promised that the legislature would continue to defend the rights of the people by staying alive to its responsibility as a watchdog. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 39

Reps urge FG to complete Minna-Sarkin Pawa-Kaduna road in 2013

he House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a resolution urging the Federal Government to appropriate funds in the 2013 budget for the completion of Minna-Sarkin Pawa-Kaduna road. The resolution followed a motion moved by Rep. Ibrahim Mustapha (PDP-Kaduna) which was unanimously adopted. The motion is entitled: ``Need to complete the Minna-Sarakin PawaKaduna Road``. Moving the motion earlier, Mustapha noted that the contract for the construction of the 148-kilometre Minna -Sarkin Pawa-Kaduna road was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria PLC in 1998 during the military regime. The lawmaker said the major part of the road which covered 100 kilometres was rehabilitated in 2000 but the Sarkin Pawa-Kaduna portion of the road spanning 48 kilometres had been abandoned. Mustapha said the noncompletion of the work negated the Federal Government's commitment to the development of infrastructure and transformation. `` If the road is completed, it will not only boost the revenue profile of the affected states but will also enhance agricultural activities and socio-economic conditions of Nigeria. `` It will also provide the required alternative linkage to many parts of the North-West and therefore, decongest the ever busy AbujaKaduna Expressway linking the Federal Capital Territory to the North West Zone.`` He noted that the rate of accidents and other incidents on the AbujaKaduna expressway ``will be reduced significantly if the Minna-SarkinPawa-Kaduna road is completed.'' Mustapha stressed the need for urgent steps to be taken towards completing the abandoned projects so as to justify the budgetary allocations to the Federal Ministry of works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA). Speaker Aminu Tambuwal referred the motion to the Committee on Works for further action. Tambuwal also referred the motion on the urgent need to reaward the contract for the rehabilitation of Oju-Adum-OkukuOgoja road to another contractor to the committee for further action. The Oju-Adum-Okuku-Ogoja road is a federal road linking Benue State to Cross River. (NAN)

Members of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa during a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, and PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on Tuesday at the State House, in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye

Perfect your records, A/ Court tells Airhiavbere By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

he Appeal Court sitting in Benin City has ordered counsel to General Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd) to return to the State Governorship Election Tribunal and perfect his two records of proceedings. This is consequent upon arguments by counsel to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Wole

Olanipekun (SAN), and Counsel to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Austin Alageh (SAN), as well as Independent National Electoral Commission, Counsel, Robert Emukperho. Counsel to Oshiomhole, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), told the court that there were two different appeals with the same appeal number. Olanipekun submitted that the

appeal listed for hearing had number 320 whereas the one he had bore number 330 emphasizing that a single record of appeal cannot be used for the two appeals. Counsel to the ACN, Austin Alegeh (SAN) told the court that it was better for the petitioner's counsel to go back to the lower tribunal to put their records in order. At that point, the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice Helen

Former governor calls for abolition of states

ormer Governor of Anambra, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife on Wednesday in Abuja called for abolition of states to foster equality and unity among various ethnic groups in the country. Ezeife, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that there was need to merge existing states into regions, as most of the existing states were not viable. He said that the return to regional government would also help in quelling religious and ethnic unrest which occurred mostly due to

marginalisation of some ethnic groups. Ezeife pointed out that the clamour for the creation of more states would affect the development of the country. ``There are too many states and they are mostly unviable. If you remove Lagos and remove Oyo, all the states are unviable, whereas they arose from very viable regions. ``What we should do is to reduce the number of sates but since we cannot cancel existing states, we should put them together into regions or zones," he said. The former governor said that the

merger would also afford various regions the opportunity to unite and solve problems of lack of social amenities and ecological problems like erosion. ``We have six geo-political zones and these zones can be given more power to run their own zones. ``For example, South East where I come from can provide electricity and work against erosion because ecological problems are regional problems. ``Let's recognise the six existing geo-political zones as federating units," he stressed. (NAN)

Ogunwumiju read out a letter written by the Secretary to the lower tribunal, Josephine Aliu, stating that the petitioner perfected the conditions of appeal and paid for two records of appeal, but requested for a single record of appeal. Chief Akpofure then applied to the court to amend the listed appeal to read: number 320; while the second one should reflect 330. Replying, Olanipekun submitted that the Appellant entered into discussion with the Secretary of the tribunal to compile one record of appeal to be used for the two appeals without letting the three set of respondents know about the development. The lawyer also argued that he raised a preliminary objection against one record of proceeding being used adding that the appellant should have gone back to the lower tribunal to set a second record. Counsel to the ACN, Austin Alegeh, (SAN), submitted that the oral application was incompetent, emphasizing that the sanctity of the record of appeal cannot be impugned by the letter of a court registrar.

Ebonyi Assembly urges FG to release grants without counterpart funds

he Ebonyi House of Assembly has pleaded with the Federal Government to release development funds to the state without the accompanying counterpart funds. Mr Chukwuma Nwazunku, the Speaker of the assembly, made the plea on Wednesday in Abakaliki when its committee on education submitted the report of its oversight tour of educational institutions and agencies in the state. Nwazunku remarked that the state had not accessed the

funds meant for its basic education board since 2010 due to its inability to pay counterpart funds. ``We want the Federal Government to know that due to its lean financial base, the state does not have the funds to pay for the counterpart funds needed to access various grants. ``The Federal Government will be helping the state in its development strides by giving us waiver on the counterpart funds to access relevant grants.

``It will be important to note that we don't have anywhere to borrow money to pay the counterpart funds, so we are in dire need of this assistance from the Federal Government," he said. Mr Chris Usulor, the Chairman of the committee, informed the assembly that it toured many educational institutions and agencies while carrying out its functions. ``We visited institutions such as the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, and agencies such the state ministry of education, and state universal basic

education board, among others. ``We discovered that the state government had invested heavily in the infrastructural development and efficient running of these institutions and agencies which had helped improve the fortunes of education in the state," he said. Usulor, who represents Ezza South, said that in spite of the developments, issues such as inadequate teaching manpower, and lackadaisical attitude of teachers, among others, still posed problems to education in the state. ``On arrival at the Kpakpaji High

School, Ezza South Local Government Area, we discovered that most students and teachers were not in school as at 9.30 am. ``We also discovered that the education ministry identified 30 ghost workers during its recent verification of teachers, among other discoveries," he said. The committee recommended increased supervision of schools in the state by relevant agencies, and steady settlement of the remunerations of adult education instructors, among others. (NAN)

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Fayemi advocates zero tolerance for violence against women

he Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Bisi Fayemi, on Wednesday advocated zero tolerance for violence against women and girls. She spoke at Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state, at the opening of a two-day workshop for the state Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Management Committee and other stakeholders. The workshop was organised by the state Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme

(UNDP). Fayemi said the present administration in the state enacted the Gender-Based Violence (Prohibition) Law to create awareness on the unacceptability of any form of violence against women and girls. Government, she added, established the 16-member committee for proper implementation of the law, adding that it would collaborate with other stakeholders including community and religious leader. The governor's wife, who is also the Chairman of the

committee, gave an assurance that the law would not destabilise families in the state as being misconstrued in some quarters. She commended the government and the lawmakers, particularly the House Committee on Women Affairs, for ensuring the speedy passage and signing of the bill into law. Fayemi said this had assured women that their rights would no longer be trampled upon. She charged the participants, who were drawn from various ministries and social groups, to be focused as they had an onerous task to perform. In her remarks, Mrs Fola

Richie-Adewusi, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, expressed appreciation to government for creating an enabling environment for women to thrive. The commissioner added that the state's violence prohibition law was the most comprehensive in the country. The consultant in charge of the training, Mrs Jumoke Adamolekun, stated that the GBV Management Committee was set up to monitor and ensure effective implementation of the antiviolence law.(NAN)

CJN eulogises late Eso

he Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Muktar, on Wednesday described the late Justice Kayode Eso as `` a great man'' who contributed to the reform of the nation's judicial system. Muktar, who signed the condolence register at the Agodi GRA residence of the deceased in Ibadan, wrote: `` To say that we will all miss him is an understatement.'' The CJN was accompanied by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Badejoko Adeniji, and senior federal judicial officers. Muktar, who was received by the eldest son of the deceased,Olumide, held a closed door meeting with family members lasting about two hours. A family source told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on condition of anonymity that the meeting focused on the burial arrangement for the deceased and the role to be played by the judiciary. NAN reports that no fewer than 120 persons had so far signed the condolence register. (NAN)

Tribunal upholds 2006 census figures for 3 LGs in Kano state

INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega (right), reading his address, during a two-day INEC-Civil society dialogue on plan and progress toward the 2015 general elections, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: NAN

Imo Assembly restrains Gov. Okorocha from relocating school

mo House of Assembly has restrained Gov. Rochas Okorocha from his proposed plans to relocate the School of Health Science, Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area to Orlu. The governor was restrained in a motion moved by Ugonna Ozurigbo (representing Nwangele) on Wednesday in Owerri at the plenary. Ozurigbo argued that such plans would lead to political imbalance in the distribution of social amenities in the state. He said that the institution was the only government presence in the entire four local governments that made up a federal constituency where the institution was located. Ozurigbo said that the host communities of the institution had over the years rendered

selfless services to sustain the institution. He wondered why the governor would want to deny the people the only government presence in their area. He said that rather than removing the institution from its original site, the government should appropriate more money to upgrade the institution to a university. The legislator disclosed that the host communities would be willing to donate their lands for such project. The lawmaker said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had earlier promised to invest millions of Naira to improve on the institution's infrastructure. He warned that if the institution was relocated as proposed by the governor, the entire host communities would

suffer untold hardship. Gov. Rochas Okorocha had earlier announced his plan to relocate the School of Health Science Amigbo to Orlu and merge it with the existing school of nursing in Orlu. Simeon Iwunze, PDP Isiala/ Mbano, said that the proposed plan to relocate the institution was unnecessary, adding that such it would only lead to unreasonable expenses. He said that since there was an existing School of Nursing in Orlu, the government should improve on the two institutions and allow their existence in their various locations. Ikenna Emeh, PDP Isu, supported the motion, pointing out that if Gov. Rochas Okorocha was allowed to relocate the institution, the state would stand the chance of losing CBN

aids. Samuel Anyawu, PDP Ikeduru, said that such relocation plans could cause political unrest in the state, adding that the governor should be discouraged from such plans. Victor Mere, APGA Owerri Municipal, opposed the motion, saying that the governor's initiative to relocate the institution was in the right direction. He said that the institution needed to be relocated in Orlu where it would be merged with the existing school of nursing in the areas. Mere argued that such merger would enhance academic excellence. The Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Benjamine Uwajimogu, adopted the motion based on majority votes. (NAN)

he Census Tribunal on Wednesday in Abuja upheld the 2006 enumeration figures for three local government areas in Kano State as released by the National Population Commission (NPC). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the councils had complained separately that the population figures declared for them by NPC were inaccurate. They said that some of their households were not enumerated during the exercise. In a judgment, the Tribunal `A', led by Mr Abraham Yisa, upheld the census figures of Takai, Warawa and Gaya local government areas. Yisa said that the complainants failed to prove their cases on preponderance of evidence. He explained that they were unable to give evidence of those areas and the persons they alleged were not counted. According to him, the identities of those people they alleged were not counted during the enumeration are not known at the tribunal. Yisa added that those that featured as witnesses before the tribunal claimed they were all enumerated. ``The tribunal judgment was based on the inability of the complainants to produce evidence of the people and the villages they alleged were not counted. ``NPC produced evidence to show that they based the census on enumeration areas not villages as contested by the councils and that those villages were captured on the enumeration areas. ``The findings of the tribunal are that the complainants did not prove that they were not counted and the tribunal upheld the result as released by NPC,'' Yisa said. NPC had declared the population of Takai as 202,639; Warawa, 131,858 and Gaya 207,479 (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Eaglets aim to pound Mali in Bamako

olden Eaglets’ coach, Manu Garba has said his charges will outscore the Junior Eagles of Mali in Bamako. Both sides will clash this weekend in Bamako for the decisive qualifying fixture of the 2013 African Under17 Championship billed for Morocco next year. The Nigerians earned a 2-0 win in the first fixture decided at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar. Garba said despite the West African foes apparent physical advantage his wards have the magic wand to outdo them and clinch the Morocco 2013 ticket. “We never met the Malians before the encounter and despite the fact that they looked twice the age of my wards we were able to defeat them 20. I can assure you we know how to handle them in Bamako. “We created many unconverted chances in the first leg if not the goal margin would have been wide, the mistakes have been corrected and you will see a far improved side when we meet at the weekend. “We’ve vowed to clinch the 2013 Morocco ticket for Nigerians and not even the Malians will stop us from realising the target. “Of course, the contest will be tough, I assure you we’re equal to the task and my wards have been toughened to face any challenge over there in Bamako,” the former Gombe United manager said to supersport.com. The Eaglets are expected to depart Abuja for Bamako on Wednesday. The winners of the encounter will automatically cement a place to the cadet championship billed for Morocco next year. CAF will be holding the draws for the biennial football showpiece on December 9.

PAGE 41

Green, Adepoju sacked as technical, disciplinary c’ttee chairmen By Albert Akota

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dissolved it technical committee headed by Barrister Chris Green and disciplinary committee led by Barrister Leye Adepoju for all its football activities. Making this known yesterday in Abuja after its executive board meeting yesterday, president of the football federation, Alhija

Aminu Maigari, said that the dissolution of the committees was in line with rules governing the formation of such committees, which stipulates that they must not exceeded two years of it inauguration. The affected committees have in the past been in the news for wrongs reasons even as the public has agitated for the leadership of the technical sub-committee to be dispensed with. Peoples Daily Sports recalled that

disciplinary committee had been unable to resolve the match- fixing allegation involving Lobi Stars and Sunshine Stars, while Green’s technical has midwifed several failures and had sacked three coaches but remained untouched. Also, Maigari said the committee has approved the re-constitution of all the standing committees which have existed for two years since their inauguration.

NFF sets up Fund Raising C’ttee for Eagles 2013 Nations Cup By Patrick Andrew

n apparent anticipation of likely shortfall of Federal Government budgetary provisions for the prosecution of the Super Eagles' 2013 Nations Cup preparations and participation proper when the fiesta rolls off the ground in South Africa, next January, the executive committee of the NFF has constituted a Fund Raising Committee head by Mike Umeh to raise funds from alternative sources. Peoples Daily Sports recalls that the football federation had budgeted about N2.1 billion for the execution of the Nations Cup campaign, but the federation may have been told a fortnight ago when it defended its budget at the National Assembly that the amount would not be feasible. Speaking yesterday after the emergency meeting, Aminu Maigari, President of the board, said whatever would be realised by the

fund raising committee would merely complement the expected federal government provision. He did not though state when and where the dinner would be held. Also the nature and complexion was equally not stated. Peoples Daily Sports recalls a similar committee headed by Governor Amaechi had canvassed for funds for the Eagles' 2010 World Cup campaign. Though the presidential committee did raised some funds, but it generated conflict and may have provided governor insight into the activities of the NFF. Part of the funds raised was used to pay the allowances of the players as well as other salient matters in the estimation of the committee. Also, the national headquarters of the NFF under construction at package B of the National Stadium Abuja is being executed with funding from that presidential committee.

... Confirms Port Harcourt for AGM December 13

fter grandstanding for weeks about rescinding the hosting rights of its 2012 Annual General Meeting from Rivers state following Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s sweeping condenmation of the NFF as the most corrupt government agency in the country, the football federation’s executive committee yesterday confirmed Port Harcourt as the venue. The football federation had

initially withdrew the hosting rights even as the zonal coordinators vowed to boycott the annual general assembly should the venue r e m a i n e d unchanged. Chairman of Chairmen, Chief Effiong Johnson, who had severally spoken on behalf of state FAs chairmen, had declared that they would not accept Port Harcourt as venue of the AGM because as stakeholders in Nigerian football, they felt slighted and

Aminu Maigari, President NFF

insalted by the Governor’s sweeping comments. Penultimate day, the NFF had disagreed with the zonal coordinators and the FAs chairman by insisting that it and not the any other organ or body has the right to fix the venue, time and agenda of the AGM. That was enforced yesterday when against the pressure from the agitators, the executive committee opted to eat the humble pie by

Victor Baribote , Chairman, NPL

accepting Port Harcourt as its venue for the annual gathering. It also confirms that the NFF may have been unable to secure any other sponsors for the AGM, and thus decided to kowtow before Governor Amaechi for the sponsorship. Delegates for the congress comprising of states FA chairmnen and secretaries and members of the board of NFF are expected to arrived a day before the congress.

Victor Moses

... Meets NPL board today

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has scheduled meeting today with the leadership of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) aimed at resolving issues that had warranted the indefinite suspension placed of the congress of the league body. It would be recalled that the NFF perhaps acting in compliance with the directive of the National Sports Commission (NSC) had imposed a suspension order on the congress the NPL had scheduled where matters of promotion and relegation of teams from the last season as well as new date for the kick-off of the new were to be determined. Announcing this yesterday, president of the NFF board, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said the meeting would offer the league body opportunity to present their books, programmes for the new season as well as discussion on matters of sponsorship. He said the meeting is mandatory for all members of the league stressing issues that have been depending would be thrashed for good. ”I want all the members to meet here at a neutral ground to enable all them attend to discuss problems of the NPL freely so that we can forge ahead,” he said.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Ihezuo, Modise battle for CAF women’s best player

lamingoes’ Chinwendu Ihezuo six-goal heroine has been nominated along with Banyana Banyana midfielder Portia Modise and Genoveva Anoman of Equitorial Guinea for the CAF African Women’s Footballer of the Year category. Chinwendu was a scoring sensation at the FIFA U-17 Championship earlier in the year as was Equatorial Guinea playmaker, who also scored six goals to help her country clinch the 2012 CAF African Women Championship title The award winners will be announced in Accra on December 20 and Modise is one of three nominees in her category. Modise, who has scored 73 goals in her 102 appearances for Banyana, played a key role during the national team’s campaign to the final of the African Women Championships. The nomination was included

in a CAF release that of other categories of awards which were not part of the five-man list for the male footballer of the year category. The Women’s National Team of the Year award will be decided between Equatorial Guinea (2012 CAF African Women Championship winners) and the Ghana Under-17 side (bronze medalists at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup bronze medalists knocking out tournament favourites Japan en route to the semi-finals). The Coach of the Year finalists are Zambian mentor Herve Renard (who led Zambia to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations title), Al-Ahly coach Hossam El-Badry (who plotted his team’s path to a record 7th CAF Champions League title), Esperance boss Nabil Maaloul (who took his club to the CAF Champions League final) and AC Leopards’ Tunisia coach Nasreddine Nabi (who led

NDDC donates squash courts to boost sport in Rivers

he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has donated two squash courts to the Port Harcourt Club —1928 in an effort to boost the game in the state. A statement released on Thursday in Port Harcourt by the commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Iditoye Abosede, noted that the facilities has pavilions, insulated floors to protect knees and hips from injuries. It also has armoured glass-back. The statement quotes the commission’s Managing Director, Dr Christian Oboh, during the inauguration as saying that the facilities were among the best in the world. It said that the present board was determined to transform the face of sports through infrastructure development, stressing that the commission would partner with the club to enhance sports development and social networking in the region. The statement, then commended the leadership of the Port Harcourt Club, saying the it would use the game to empower youths in the Niger Delta region. Chinwendu Ihezuo his charges to the first CAF Confederation Cup trophy). The club of the Year category is also expected to be closely contested with Egyptian giants Al Ahly, Esperance (Turkey), AC Leopards (Congo) and Mali’s Djoliba (CAF Confederation Cup finalists) nominated.

Zimbabwe appoints Pagels ahead of 2014

imbabwe has appointed German coach Klaus Dieter Pagels on an interim basis to help prepare the side for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) announced yesterday. He will replace Rahman Gumbo, who resigned from the position last week after failing to lead Zimbabwe to next January’s Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) tournament in neighbouring South Africa. Gumbo, a former national team player, was only appointed coach in March following the suspension of Norman Mapeza for his involvement in a match-fixing scam involving the national team playing unsanctioned games in eastern Asia. Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the CAN after losing 0-2 to Angola in the qualifying stage. The

team won 3-1 in the first leg in Harare but lost on aggregate because of the away goals rule. “The Zimbabwe Football Association settled for the German Coach, given the existing government-to-government cooperation which would see the Association engaging a highly qualified coach in the shortest possible timeframe,” the ZIFA board said in a statement. “The Association will however continue on a hunt for a highly qualified coach who should take charge of the Senior National Men’s future Campaigns in the long term.” Pagels, ZIFA’s technical adviser before his appointment was “seconded to the Zimbabwe Football Association in 2011 by the Germany Olympic Committee”, ZIFA said.

Guinean referees for Eaglets, Mali clash as NFF tasks CAF on fair officiating

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has asked the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to monitor Sunday’s 2013 African Under-17 Championship decisive second leg-final round qualifier between Nigeria and Mali in Bamako. Already, CAF has named Guinean officials for the game with Ahmed Sekou Toure as the

Aminu Maigari

centre referee while the trio of Sidibe Sidiki, Toure Moustapha and Keita Yakhouba would respectively serve as the first assistant, second assistant and fourth official respectively, while Ivorian Doumbia Berna is the match commissioner. However, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s complaint against the seemingly overaged Malian players during the first leg played in Calabar, Chairman of the NFF’s Referees’ Subcommittee, Alhaji Muazu Suleiman, has called on CAF to properly monitor officiating of the game. Suleiman believes CAF should have been circumspect in its choice of Guinean officials since Nigeria defeated the West African country in the second round of the qualifier last month. The Golden Eaglets which has scored 19 goals in their last five qualifying match; have conceded a goal through a spurious penalty in their 4-1

away win against Niger in September. “The NFF has already raised concern about officials for this match to CAF and we want CAF to monitor this game properly,”said the highly respected retired referee “Maybe it was an oversight by CAF because picking a Guinean referee for this match is not totally tidy since Nigeria defeated Guinea recently.” Suleiman, who was the leader of delegation to Niamey and Conakry, faulted the choice of Guineans officials for the Sunday crucial game, but remained confident the Eaglets would scale the Malian hurdle. “By the grace of Almighty Allah, we shall qualify for the Under-17 tournament in Morocco. What we are praying for is fair officiating because referees are human beings and CAF should not have even picked any official that may have sympathy whatsoever for any team,” he said.

Pavlik to challenge unbeaten Ward

ndre Ward will defend his WBC and WBA super-middleweight titles against Kelly Pavlik on January 26. Pavlik, a former middleweight champion, will challenge Ward in downtown Los Angeles, promoter Dan Goossen announced on Tuesday. Both boxers are Americans. Ward is undefeated after 26 fights. He has won 14 of his bouts by knockout and is rated among the best fighters in the world, pound for pound. He has enjoyed a perfect professional career since winning a gold medal at the Athens Olympics. The fight against Pavlik will be his sixth title defence. The fifth was in September when he stopped lightheavyweight champion Chad Dawson. Pavlik, who has a record of 40-2, with 34 knockouts, has revitalised his career with four consecutive victories since losing his two middleweight titles to Sergio Martinez in April 2010. He has endured long ring layoffs in recent years while struggling with substance abuse and upheaval in his camp.

‘The Ghost’ beats Berto on points

obert Guerrero settled for points victory over Andre Berto over the weekend to retain his WBC interim welterweight title. “The Ghost” won by 116-110 in each of the three cards of the bout in Ontario, California. Berto was knocked down in the first and second rounds but fought back to take the fight into a memorable twelfth round in which the spectators made so much noise that the referee was unable to hear the final bell. Guerrero, a former four-division world champion, and Berto, a former WBC and IBF champion, produced a highly entertaining fight. Berto’s right eye began swelling early in the first, after Guerrero hit him with a straight left. In the later rounds, Berto caught Guerrero with some punishing uppercuts, but Guerrero seemed unfazed. Taking his record to 31-1-1, including 18 knockouts, Guerrero took some damaging blows on his way to victory. He must have thought Berto (now 28-2; 22) would

Andre Berto

go down again in the final round, but his opponent kept fighting back. Guerrero may soon be declared the WBC’s “full” welterweight champion. The title belongs to Floyd Mayweather, who won it in September last year but has not defended it. Keith Thurman stopped Carlos Quintana, a former WBO champion, in the fourth round of a welterweight bout, taking his record to 19-0, including 18 knockouts. Quintana, who dropped to 29-4; 23, was down in the opening round and the bout was over 2 minutes 19 seconds into the fourth. Jermell Charlo beat Dashon Johnson on points – 98-91, 99-90 and 100-89 – in a junior middleweight bout. Charlo’s record now stands at 19-0, with 9 knockouts. Johnson dropped to 13-9-3; 4. In a featherweight preliminary, Randy Caballero beat Rigoberto Casillas, who was unable to come out for the fourth round. Caballero improved to 17-0; 9 and Casillas dropped to 8-9-1; 6.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Man Utd watching Ogbonna

orino chiefs are aware English Premiership side Man Utd have their radar on their prize star Angelo Ogbonna. But they are expected to keep hold of Ogbonna for the remainder of the season. Tuttosport says Toro directors know Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on the young centre-half, having had him watched in games against AS Roma and Fiorentina this month. Ferguson is prepared to go to £14 million for the Italy international, who he sees as a natural replacement for Rio Ferdinand. Toro are resigned to eventually losing Ogbonna, but hope to delay his departure until June.

PAGE 43

Southal says ‘Ronaldo, Bale combination would be amazing for Real Madrid’

Chelsea may dangle £40M for Bayern Munich’s Gomez

helsea are considering a move for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez. The Daily Express says the Germany international is high on the club’s wish-list, and would be a marquee signing if a deal were agreed. Chelsea have become increasingly concerned by the form of wayward striker Fernando Torres and have identified Gomez as the calibre of player that could provide them with more attacking options. It is believed that Chelsea are willing to pay north of £40m to prise Gomez away from the German giants.

Mario Gomez

Adebayor won’t rule out leaving Spurs

ottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor is prepared to leave White Hart Lane in January. Adebayor has been linked with a move to Harry Redknapp’s QPR and he seems quite prepared to make the switch. The Togo skipper, who recently threatened to withdraw from the Hawks over some differences ahead of the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa, was until last

summer a Man City player. “I work hard to sign for the club so I cannot see myself moving now, but if the club want me out, I don’t have a choice,” said the striker. “I’m here, I have just signed a new four-year deal. I’m happy, my family’s happy in London, I’m happy playing for Tottenham.”

Dolphins sign Egyptian gaffer Magd

igeria Premier League (NPL) club, Dolphins have completed the signing of Egyptian goalkeeper, Awgad Magd . Magd joins the three-time NPL kings from Syrian club, Hathing FC for an

undisclosed fee. The goalkeeper is currently with the Dolphins team in Nnewi as the squad undergoes their final round of preparations for the 2012/13 season. Investigations by supersport.com shows that

Magd has been impressive in the team’s training sessions where he has been giving first and second choice keepers, Sunday Rotimi and Austin Brown intense competition as the battle for first team positions hot up. “Yes it is true that Magd

has been joined us. He has been with the club for about a month,” an official of the club told a wire service yesterday. Dolphins finished the 2011/12 season in 11th place with 50 points from 36 matches.

Reina tops Arsenal wish list for January transfer

rsenal have placed Pepe Reina at the top of their wish list as they step up plans to sign a new goalkeeper in January. Arsene Wenger wants to sign a proven Premier League stopper to challenge established No.1 Wojciech Szczesny. Swansea City’s Michel Vorm and Stoke City’s Thomas Sorensen are the other two names on the three-man shortlist compiled by Arsenal’s scouting team. Goal.com understands that Wenger and his staff have identified the goalkeeper, attacking

Pepe Reina

midfield and centre-forward positions as the key areas to strengthen in the forthcoming window. The Arsenal boss is ready to bid for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha while his top striker target is Adrian Lopez of Atletico Madrid, as revealed by Goal.com last month. Wenger is also weighing up the possibility of bringing Thierry Henry back to the club for a third spell in January, on loan from New York Red Bulls. Arsenal’s search for a keeper will centre closer to home as they hunt for a shot-

Wojciech Szczesny

stopper who can replace - or compete with - Szczesny. The Arsenal boss is a longtime admirer of Liverpool keeper Reina, who he tried to sign from Anfield in the summer of 2010. Although the Spaniard, 30, is contracted to Liverpool until 2016, he has made a series of costly errors this season and temporarily lost his starting place after a spell out injured. And Arsenal believe Reina has the distribution skills that Szczesny lacks, and is the type of strong character who could be a positive influence in the

Michel Vorm

dressing room. Swansea’s Vorm, who has been out injured since the end of October, is also a major contender in Arsenal’s search for a new keeper. The Dutchman, 29, has been a consistently impressive performer since making the move to the Premier League at the start of last season. The third keeper on Arsenal’s shortlist is Stoke’s 36-year-old stopper Sorensen, who is the understudy to Asmir Begovic at the Britannia Stadium. Unlike the other two

Thomas Sorensen

Eguavoen grabs Abutu for Sharks As part of the ongoing rebuilding processes in Sharks, the Blue Angels new coach Augustine Eguavoen has persuaded Jonah Abutu to join the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club. The midfielder, who

completed the signing formalities with the Port Harcourt club from another NPL outfit, Lobi Stars for an undisclosed fee, is making a return to the club having dorned their colours between 2006 and 2008 said he was

convinced to join Sharks by new coach, Augustine Eguavoen. “I came (to Sharks) because coach Eguavoen told me he was coming to Sharks football club because the team has been looking for a major trophy

contenders, Sorensen would be likely to provide experienced back-up to Szczesny rather than replace him in the team. Szczesny’s current understudy Lukasz Fabianksi is out injured until the new year and is out of contract at the end of the season, when he is likely to leave the Emirates. Vito Mannone has played the most games in the Arsenal goal this season but made a string of blunders and has failed to convince the club that he is the answer to their goalkeeping quandary.

in the local scene and he wants me to come contribute my own quota for sharks to get a trophy,”. Abutu told supersport.com. The midfielder began his football education at lower league side, Bussdor said his previous stint at the club

will put him in a strong position to help the club achieve set objectives. “Don’t forget that I was once here and it will be a thing of joy to be part of history in Sharks,” he said. Abutu also expressed confidence in the quality of players signed by the club ahead of the 2012/13 season. “With the calibre of

ormer Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall has stated his belief that Tottenham winger Gareth Bale would be a perfect fit for Real Madrid, should he decide to move there in the future. Bale is ready to test himself abroad and tell Tottenham he wants to move to Madrid and Southall believes he would slot in well at the club alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. “Well if you had Cristiano Ronaldo on the right wing and Bale on the left wing that would be some team for Real Madrid, wouldn’t it?” Southall exclusively told Goal.com. “Hopefully though he’ll just stay in Britain, and Welsh players tend to stay at home a lot, at your Manchester United’s and Man City’s, that would probably be better [for him].” On the topic of whether Bale will be able to secure a move to La Liga in the near future, Southall argued that he needs to remain patient for the time being, even if he agreed that eventually a time will come when he will need to seek a move to a bigger club. “He might actually prefer to stay in Britain, whether that be Manchester United or Manchester City, which is obviously closer to Cardiff than Barcelona and Real Madrid, and we know that he’s a home boy.” After an indifferent start to the new campaign for Andre Villas-Boas’ side, though, many have questioned whether Bale is good enough to make the step up of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, but the 52-year-old has no doubt that he is capable of making the grade at either Real Madrid or Barcelona. players on ground, the old and new i believe we can make it with determination and hard work and with experience and blend of young talented players the sky will be the limit for sharks FC,” he stated. Sharks finished the 2011/12 season in 7th place with 52 points from 36 matches.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

2013 Nations Cup finals

FIFA clears Arsenal’s Frimpong for Ghana

mmanuel Frimpong of Arsenal can join Ghana’s bid to qualify for the 2014 World Cup after Fifa switched his national eligibility from England. Fifa says its players’ status committee approved the change on Tuesday for Frimpong to represent the 2010 World Cup

Renard demands more as Zambia secures Saudi warm up date

erve Renard says he is eager to see more from Italy-based goalkeeper Luciano Pasquini during Zambia’s current two-week camp. Renard has hinted that the Zambia goalkeeper debutant might make the travelling party to face Saudi Arabia away in Dammam in two friendly games next week. “I have to see more of him more,” Renard said about the giant 18-year-old goalkeeper. He has a good size but I think he needs to do a lot of work. “You know the advantage of this camp is we are able to see some players. Some of them came only once and some of them came a lot of times. It is also helpful to the player to take that chance when we give them the chance.” Pasquini, who has Zambian family roots, joined the team on Monday afternoon. The teenage goalkeeper is on the books of an academy in Perugia. Meanwhile, Zambia have confirmed two AFCON warmup games in Saudi Arabia early next month. Coach Herve Renard said at the end of Tuesday morning training session in Lusaka that both test matches will be played on December 1 and 4th in

Dammam. “It is the 1st and 4th December and the two matches will be in Dammam,” Renard said and will fly out with a 20man squad of mostly homebased players. Three foreignbased players will be part of the travelling party. They are Chisamba Lungu of Russian club FC Ural, defender Aaron Katebe from Zimbabwean club Hwange and Kampamba Chintu, who is currently without a club after he was released by ABSA Premiership side Amazulu. “It (the trip) is a process to include two or three players I know it is not a lot but it was the same last year when went to India,” Renard said. “Chisamba Lungu and Nathan Sinkala started in India they followed the process they played in India and they confirmed thereafter. With what I saw I gave them their chance and they took their chance and finished African champion. This is how football is meant to be sometimes.” The defending champions have already lined up warmup matches against Tanzania, Morocco and Norway. They are drawn in Group C along with Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia with their opening game against Ethiopia on January 21.

Chipolopolo’s Christopher Katongo

quarterfinalist. Frimpong, who is on loan to second-tier club Charlton, was born in Ghana. He soon moved to England and represented his adopted country at under-16 and under-17 level. The 20-year-old midfielder committed to Ghana last year but could not play for the Black

Stars until officials sent necessary documents to Fifa. Ghana resumes qualifying in March at home to Sudan, and trails group leader Zambia by three points after two matches. Zambia’s victory by default over Sudan is still under appeal by the Sudanese, who fielded an ineligible player.

Emmanuel Frimpong, likely to get call up from Black Stars

South Africa 2013 will be war, Emenike predicts Super Eagles and Spartak Moscow forward, Emmanuel Emenike, has predicted shocks at the 2013 AFCON just as he is delighted Nigeria are not among the favourites. The forward, one of the many strikers on the radar of Coach Stephen Keshi for a place in the final squad for the January continental duel, believes the smaller teams would want to emulate Zambia’s 2012 Nations Cup exploit in South Africa. The striker spoke with MTNFootball.com, on sundry issues particularly the chances of the Eagles in South Africa and his own expectations.

hat has the experience been playing under Stephen Keshi? It’s been wonderful, like every other coach I have played for. He’s great leader and it’s great to play for him. What has Keshi told you about your game? He has always passed on tips to me. He has told me to keep the focus, that I am very useful for his team with my physique and ruggedness. He has advised me to be determined and keep working hard. His encouragement has been great. I also remember when I was injured and he called me to know how I was doing. I have every reason to be committed to his team. Do you hope to start scoring goals for the Eagles in South Africa if you make the squad? Of course as a striker I will do my best to hit the target for Nigeria at the AFCON, but I am not so desperate for self glory. I am a team player, I prefer making assists for my team and win the game than scoring goals and lose. I am still confident that my goals will flow for the Eagles. I won’t be under pressure not even in South Africa because we must play as a team. All I wish if I am part of the team is to contribute towards the team glory. Sometimes it is not the goal that is important, but the victory and for coaches to have you in their team consistently, that means you are making impact which is the most important thing. For me, I don’t like to be selfish, though as a striker you need to be selfish but not at the detriment of the team. I am not promising goals but I will aim to win with Nigeria if I am there. What are your expectations at the Nations Cup? Every country and players at the Nations Cup want to win. My expectation is to help Nigeria become the champions if I am selected, and if I’m not, I will still pray for the team to do well and bring back home the trophy. The most important thing is to give support to the team but it is absolutely going to be tough for every team. With the quality of players in the team, how would you rate Nigeria’s chances at the tournament? We don’t have a chance, yes we don’t. Why I said that is because we don’t need to hype ourselves before the tournament. As it is now, nobody is talking about our chances, but we could shock the continent by winning it. I am a Nigerian and we need to be patriotic. Eagles can be African champions whether I am part of the team or not, no matter what we must all support the team. People don’t see us as the

favourites, that is the truth, and we need to correct that impression, not in the media, but in South Africa on the pitches. All we need is to play as a team, the midfielders should do their primary assignment by making the necessary passes not to try and outshine the front man. We just need to put our house in order. We need to know the importance of the tournament. I am saying this so that we could fly higher in South Africa. Nigeria will be playing against Burkina Faso, Zambia and Ethiopia. Which of these teams do you fear most in this group? I fear all of them because I don’t know them. I only know Zambia as the defending champions but I don’t know much more about them and that is why we must play every team as if we are playing against Brazil or Barcelona. This Nations Cup is going to produce a lot of shocks. The Zambian President has tipped Chipolopolo to keep their crown. Do you see them doing so? That is his wish and you can’t dispute that as no one considered them in 2012 and they won. He may have his own reasons. We don’t need to listen to what is in the newspapers. We need to prepare ourselves for the war in South Africa. South Africa 2013 is going to be war, the smaller teams are dreaming to upset the bigger team and that is why we should stay focus and play as a team. Apart from Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, Nigeria have some big stars going to South Africa. Do you see the Eagles beating Ghana or the Ivorians? Beating Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire would put us where we belong in African football. We have suffered a lot of knocks for some years now, but beating these teams would restore our pride. We should not see ourselves as a favourite, rather we should come out and compete against any team, playing for each other. You provided assists during the qualifier against Liberia, so how relieved were you after Eagles qualified for the Nations Cup? It was a big relief for me. I was determined to help the team and I thank God for achieving my aim. I had some sleepless nights, I was worried because it was a must-win game for us.

Emmanuel Emenike

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

1] FIFA looks at the background to Al Ahly's seventh CAF Champions League success, as the Egyptian club triumphed despite unimaginable adversity following the Port Said tragedy last February. 2] Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to become the new Brazil manager, according to widespread reports. Brazil have been seeking a new boss after they parted company with Mano Menezes last Friday. 3] A Sunderland fan has been arrested for alleged racist abuse of West Brom's Romelu Lukaku during the Baggie's 4-2 win at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. 4] John Brewin feels the end is nigh for stalwarts Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at Man United. 5] Anthony Joshua banishes all thoughts of turning pro until he has added an amateur world title to his Olympic super-heavyweight gold. 6] A shortlist of 12 contenders has been announced for the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

PAGE 45

PICTORIAL

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

Eko 2012 Eko 2012

LOC enters into corporate alliance of expediency with food vendors

he Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the National Sports Festival (NSF), has facilitated ‘a marriage of expediency’ between corporate partners and food vendors to provide services at the Games’ venues. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on Wednesday observed that only branded products allowed to be sold within the arena. Only products like drinks from the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) and United African Company (UAC) dominated allotted stalls at the stadium.

It was gathered initially unregistered food vendors occupied all the places and selling various products, but when the vendors were moved out, their places were acquired by official sponsors. However, three of them that were retained on the condition that they would only sell products of these sponsors, who were current partners of the LOC. The companies then branded the stalls in the colours. The three, retained in the branded stalls include, Eunice Ibidayo, Dorcas Okunola and Beatrice Eze, who were full of

Rivers cycling team targeting 15 gold medals, says Head Coach

ead Coach of the Rivers Cycling team Emmanuel Onasanya says the state is targeting 15 of the 17 gold medals on offer in the event at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF). Team Rivers won a gold and silver medal from the men and women 200 metres sprint events at the opening day of the Games on November 27. Onasanya said in Lagos yesterday that the state won 14 Gold medals at the Garden City Games in 2011. He said though the state missed the gold in the female 200m narrowly, they would make up in other events to meet the 15 gold medals target. “We estimated 15 to 14 gold medals out of the 17 that are available in the sports, but, the one we lost yesterday was not among the one we expected to lose; so, maybe we

praises to the LOC for brokering a fair deal. Eze noted that driving her away from the stadium could have been suicidal, as she could not have known how she could have survived. Okunola, a university graduate and mother of two told NAN that her daily earnings had increased since last Nov. 23 that she started vending snacks at the stadium. She expressed happiness at the ‘life line’ offered to her by UAC and NBC as now make more sales from selling branded products. Abiola Aregbesola, LOC Sub-Committee Secretary on Marketing and Sponsorship said the cooperation they needed to protect corporate sponsors that financially supported the Games. “It could have been anti sports development not to have protected the sponsors. Brokering the deal is a way out that we had to explore to assist both parties to solve a potential crisis situation,’’ he said. NAN reports that Coca cola soft drinks and Mr Biggs snacks dominated the official stalls at the event’s venues.

Rivers state records first win as basketball games begins

Nigerian cyclists during a competition are going to reconcile that, maybe with another event. “I am encouraging them (cyclists) now to make sure that those areas they feel they cannot win, they should put in their best there; the impossible can happen there because they have trained

already, and they do not know what will happen to other people.” Onasanya said Rivers would dominate cycling at the festival because the cyclists were wellequipped and worked hard for the Games. “We camped at Epe for 10 days

before the festival began. We completed our training there and perfected our strategies. “We hope to accomplish our target of 15 gold medals. We urge our people at home to keep cheering us and we will keep pressing the pedals here. We will get there.’’

he basketball competition at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF), commenced at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex on Tuesday in Lagos, with Rivers defeating Bayelsa 71-63 and Kwara beating Imo, 65-50. Kaduna humbled Zamfara 64- 44 and Plateau edged Enugu 49-34. Following this development Lawali Milo the Head Coach of Team Zamfara, attributed his team’s defeat to lack of exposure, unlike the Kaduna team. “My team lost due to our little exposure, but hope is not lost yet. It is our first game we will surely bounce back, we have the qualities in our team that can ensure this,’’ Milo said. Meanwhile, Sani Turi, the coach of the victorious Kaduna team, said that the victory was just the beginning of many more to come. “We will continue to play hard and better as the game progresses; we are here for the gold and nothing else,’’ Turi said. In the female category the Team Abuja defeated Team Ondo 43- 34.

Kaduna on course as volleyball hostilities commence Team Kano optimistic of good

aduna State on Tuesday in Lagos defeated Team Niger 25-20; 25-20; 17-25 in the women’s volleyball event at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF). The encounter, which took place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, saw Team Kaduna battling to overwhelm hard fighting Team Niger. The game lasted over an hour. Reacting to the development, Leo Christopher the Head Coach of Team Kaduna described the match as “intense’’ stressing that the opposing team were no push over, and described the officiating as fair. “It was a tough match that we played, they came all out to win which meant that the match could have gone either way; as for officiating it was fair enough,”he said. Meanwhile Abubakar Taofeek the Head Coach of Team completely disagreed with the submissions of Christopher.

“Poor officiating marred the game am a referee myself so I understand the nitty gritty of the game, at least my girls played very well that is the consolation,”he said. In the Male category, Team Rivers trounced Team Ogun by 3-0; in a match that lasted for one hour and 13 minutes. Team Ogun’s Head Coach, Abinde Segun said he was highly disappointed at the results because his players performed below expectations. “It felt bad they played below expectation am looking forward to next our next match we should be able to put our acts together,”he said. Tamuno Omiete, the Secretary of Team Rivers was not surprised at how his team played. “Before I came to Lagos, I knew how good our team can be. And I am confident that when we meet Ondo we won’t fall short of our previous performance,’’he said.

Registration, pairing of boxers delay matches

he boxing event scheduled to commence yesterday at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos did not, instead it was rescheduled for today. Adams Tee Jay, Chairman/Technical Director of the event confirmed that the boxers had yet to conclude their registration, necessitating the shift by one day. The boxing bouts had been scheduled to hold at the National Institute for Sports (NISports) gymnasium inside the National Stadium in Surulere. Tee Jay said many of the boxers had yet to conclude their weigh-in, medical

check-up, as well as the draws and byes, meant to determine their pairings. “We have yet to conclude a whole lot of processes such as the registration, medical check-up, weigh-in and draws and byes, which will determine who meets who. “However, we are very optimistic that all these processes will be concluded before the end of Wednesday and by Thursday, we will be ready to start,” he said. Tee Jay said that all the boxers and state officials were aware of the need to conclude the registration and medicals, adding that it was to guard against future controversies.

“The purpose of this exercise is essential because it will serve as a guard against

Nigerian amateur boxers

future controversies.’’ According to the chairman, the boxing event is still not in any way behind schedule.The 14-day fiesta which opened in Lagos on Tuesday, is scheduled to round-off on Dec. 9.

outing at sports festival

he Director of Sports, Kano State, Alhaji Nasiru Suleiman, has expressed the hope that the state’s athletes to the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos would excel. Suleiman made the assertion yesterday in Kano stressed the athletes’ objective at the festival was to participate and win as many laurels as possible. “A contingent of 121 athletes and 43 officials is already in Lagos to represent the state and we are optimistic that we will surpass our performance at the last festival in Port Harcourt,’’ Suleiman said. Team Kano finished 11th at the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt in 2011 with 12 gold, 6 silver and 10 bronze medals.

Nfreke’s hat-trick assist Akwa Ibom dismantle Osun

ope Nfreke was the star of Akwa Ibom’s 4-1 thumping of their Osun counterparts in women’s football at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Nigeria yesterday. The Akwa Ibom striker netted a hat-trick within 72 minutes to inspire her team to their second win in the women’s event of soccer at the games. The first of Nfreke’s three goals came inside three minutes of the game and she doubled her tally 40 minutes later to give Akwa Ibom a two-nil lead at the break. The Osun women, however fought back to halve the tally nine minutes into the restart at the Agege Stadium in Lagos. Mary Abimbola converted a spot kick as Osun tried to claw themselves back into the match. But petite Nfreke was on the prowl again with 18 minutes left as she poked home her third of the morning. Osun made a late surge to salvage the game but it was Akwa Ibom that drilled the nail into their opponents’ coffin with an 86th minute strike from Precious Akpan. The 4-1 triumph is the second win for Akwa Ibom in women’s football after Monday’s 2-1 win over their counterparts from Taraba. On Monday, Osun kicked off their quest for a gold medal in women’s football with a 2-1 win over Benue before their defeat to Akwa Ibom.

PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

PAGE 47

Say what?

SUDOKU Getting Started Each sudoku puzzle is a 9 by 9 grid of horizontal and vertical rows, evenly separated into 9 squares with 9 spaces each. Instead of word clues, each puzzle’s solution is determined by the pattern of the numbers already filled in you. You solve the puzzle by filling in the missing digits so that, when completed, each row and each square will have all the number from 1 to 9; each number will appear in exactly nine spaces within each puzzle.

FACTS * By 60 years of age, 60-percent of men and 40-percent of women will snore.

Quick CrossWord (79)

* Monday is the day of the week when the risk of heart attack is greatest. A ten year study in Scotland found that 20% more people die of heart attacks on Mondays than any other day of the week. Researchers theorize that it's a combination of too much fun over the weekend with the stress of going back to work that causes the increase. * Provided there is water, the average human could survive a month to two months without food depending on their body fat and other factors. * Over 90% of diseases are caused or complicated by stress. * A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it is been decapitated. While it might be gross to think about, the blood in the head may be enough to keep someone alive and conscious for a few seconds after the head has been separated from the body, though reports as to the accuracy of this are widely varying. * Babies are born with 300 bones, but by adulthood the Source: Weird facts number is reduced to 206.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Yesterday’s solution

ACROSS 3 Cut (a lawn) (3) 7 Source of amusement for a select few (2-4) 8 Rejoices (6) 9 Continue steadily (3,5) 10 Parts of the foot (4) 11 Physical illness (6) 12 Bank (on) (6) 15 Prepared food (6) 18 Carry on (6) 20 Father of Thor (4) 22 Creates again (8) 23 1982 Ben Kingsley film (6) 24 We’ll Gather __, Ivor Novello song (6) 25 UK’s hospital organisation (inits) (3) DOWN 1 Country north of Namibia (6) 2 Native American axe (8) 3 The ‘M’ of the computing term ROM (6) 4 Jammed (in) (6) 5 __ Kwouk, Pink Panther actor (4) 6 Dispersed (6) 11 Fleetwood __, 1960s/70s pop group (3) 13 Perhaps (8) 14 Balmoral Castle’s river (3) 16 Tediously familiar (3,3) 17 Author of On the Origin of Species (6) 18 Mutineers (6) 19 Health personnel (6) 21 Protuberance (4)

Yesterday’s answer

Cat on a hot tin roof: A tourist poses beside the female cheetah, which is the world's fastest land animal and a deadly hunter, in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

. . . putting the people first

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

FIFPro meet FIFA over player maltreatment

IFPro are to hold talks with FIFA, UEFA and the European Commission about the behaviour of a growing number of clubs in regards to their treatment of players with contracts nearing expiry. FIFPro - the worldwide trade union for professional footballers - are unhappy with the way clubs often drop players who refuse to sign a new contract when their current deal is coming to an end. Recent examples have seen Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan and Fernando Llorente of Athletic Bilbao both finding their game time limited due to their unwillingness to sign a new deal. FIFPro general secretary Theo van Seggelen says there are plenty of other examples all over Europe and believes something needs to be done to stop this trend. "This type of practice used to be an exception," he told Volkskrant. "Unfortunately, we now see clubs in all countries in Europe using this type of measure. For us, the time has come to sound the bell. "Clubs say that players must respect contracts, but why should that not apply in reverse? It is not as if Sneijder has taken a gun to the head of the board of Inter to force them to submit that contract. The club offered it to him with their full understanding. "The way in which contracts are handled is also a disaster for FIFA and UEFA. Winning a match is something you do with your best players. It seems as if football is increasingly becoming more of a business, football is taking second place and that is unacceptable for us. "I do not understand how it benefits a club not to play a player. As club, you are damaging the career of that player. And then, do you benefit from that as club? If you want to offer a player a lower contract, you must only do that at the end of his current contract."

ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE The Nigerian Army must intensify its current efforts and work closely with the other security agencies to develop new strategies that will address the current security challenges facing the country. – President Goodluck Jonathan

Who killed General Shuwa? This article explores the possibility of another theory and calls for a panel of investigation into his death to be set up by the Federal Government. hen the Nigerian civil war veteran and hero, General Muhammadu Shuwa, was killed at his residence in Maiduguri on 2 November, 2012, the official narrative implicated Boko Haram. Nobody expected a different version. Yet, many doubted the authenticity of the story. The truth, people believed, will unfold in the course of time.The doubt stemmed from a number of facts. First, General Shuwa did not have the credentials of would place him on the Boko Haram hit list. Not at all. He had distinguished himself by leading a quiet life among his people, far away from the Government Reserved Areas of Maiduguri, Kaduna, Lagos or Abuja. He lived in the neighbourhood of the less privileged where his relatives and commoners reside. This has enchanted him to everyone in the city. He does not comment on national issues or indulge in our corrupt and self-seeking politics. He does not go about begging Nigerian heads of state, presidents or governors. Like him or hate him, he was the quintessential elder statesman, a rare gem among his peers, many of whom returned from war to milk the country dry and sink it in the bloody sea of disintegrative politics after their enviable war records as champions of its unity. Even on the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency, Shuwa had not uttered a word in public. When all is considered, General Shuwa was one of the most ineligible victims of Boko Haram. The above could be dismissed as mere speculation by the authorities, but not after his brother shocked the public with graphic details of the scene of his assassination. What invites our minds to abandon the official tale of Boko Haram culpability is the unfortunate role the Nigerian military played - or failed to play - in aiding his assassination: its personnel failed to stop it when they were right there, on its spot. The assassins appeared - only two of them - before the armless old man, unexpectedly, when he was receiving a prayer from a passerby. Shouting Allahu Akbar, they gunned him down and kicked him to confirm that he was dead before walking away, laughing, not shouting Allahu Akbar anymore. His guards – some eight heavily armed soldiers – that were at the scene did not put up any

311 689 606 327 454

7458 1765 3308 1969 0344

GUEST COLUMNIST Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde

Late Gen. Shuwa resistance. They stayed put and watched the murder of the master they were sent to protect. Neither did they give the two assassins any chase. It is this dereliction of duty – a deliberate room for allow murder – that made the official narrative of ‘boko haram’ assassins an unpalatable pie to ingest. It did not take time before Boko Haram denied the charge of killing the General just as the Defence Headquarters was equally quick in denying the complicity of its agents. One question remains unanswered though: why did not the soldiers put any resistance? After following the activities of Boko Haram since it started its insurgency, I have learnt to concede it one thing: accepting its denial whenever it issues a disclaimer on any operation it did not undertake. Unfortunately, the world is reluctant to accord the Nigerian military the same veracity status because it has earned a notorious reputation of denying even the most obvious. Just last week when Reuters released a video of some Nigerian soldiers executing people on the street, the military spokesman instinctively denied the charge even before watching the video. Nigerian soldiers cannot do that, he said – that is all – and he expects the world to believe him. The people of Maiduguri, like those of Zaki Biam and Odi before them and, indeed, other Nigerians as well, will definitely find it difficult to swallow this claim. Horrendous things have been reported from Maiduguri in

the last two years. Unarmed civilians are trapped in their neighbourhoods and killed by people wearing military uniforms. The military authorities denied carrying out the executions, as they denied the rapes that were reported by foreign media at the debut of their intervention in the conflict. Markets were burnt to ashes by armed men in uniforms. Ordinary citizens are subjected to a constant regime of harassment. Again and always, it is one denial after another from the Joint Task Force and the defence headquarters. Even where accounts were given by human right groups such as Human Rights Watch, the denial never ends. What the Nigerian military cannot deny is that these atrocities are happening in areas under its effective control and continuous surveillance. All roads leading to General Shuwa’s house have roadblocks manned by Nigerian soldiers. And so is his house to date. (One wonders what the soldiers are still doing there) Yet his assassins could comfortably scale through the roadblocks and kill the general right before the eyes of his military guards, unrestrained by their presence, unconstrained by their guns and superior demography of eight to two – and walk away laughing with impunity. I think the military authorities and the government should wake up and start exploring other possibilities that could be behind these atrocities, not least the possible involvement of some elements in the military in the death of General Shuwa. This is what many Nigerians are doing. The military can take exceptions to this inquisition only at the peril of totally losing the confidence of the Nigerian public. Given the variegated nature of its cultural composition and its factional history, it is naïve to think that every Nigerian soldier has shed off the garbage of ethnicity and history from his shoulders. They are human, after all. People are therefore asking whether Shuwa was a victim of some kind of vengeance. Does his

civil war record leave an enduring bitterness in someone, for instance? They now ask these questions not only because of their sheer possibility but also because of the indifference that his guards showed during his murder. This strong speculation can only be dismissed after the government has carried out a thorough investigation into his murder, digging out the reasons for the nonchalance of his soldier guards and the identity of the real culprits. Anybody can shout Allahu Akbar as he shoots his victim to confuse his identity with that of Boko Haram, as did the Christian who attempted to burn his church in Calabar last year. Outright denial and pointing an accusing finger at Boko Haram alone will not suffice. It is either a rebuttal – denial backed with convincing evidence – or a revelation of the unalloyed truth. Anything short of that will continue to leave the gates of the rational mind open to all sorts of possibilities, including that of an attack from outside space. If the armed men that burn markets in Maiduguri, rape women, execute youths before the eyes of their parents in the middle of the night and kill war veterans like Shuwa are neither Nigerian soldiers nor Boko Haram, then could they be aliens from a neighbouring country – as Governor Jang often claim in his state – or some creatures from outside space? And who can save us from their wrath other than the Nigerian military? But the same military was at the spot where Shuwa was killed and its boys declined to put up any fight. It is not uncommon to find people expressing the view that Boko Haram or a part of its dimensions is nothing but an orchestration to destroy the North – its people and its economy. The circumstances of Shuwa’s death will definitely add fuel to the fire of this conspiracy theory. Only a full investigation by a body independent of the Nigerian military will discount it. Panel of investigation In view of the above, I would like to raise two points in the concluding part of this article. One, there is the need for the federal government to investigate the death of General Shuwa. A panel should be set up under the chairmanship of a prudent, unbiased personality. Its members should include, among others, officials of the Borno State government, Borno Emirate Council, Borno Council of Elders,

Contd. on page 15

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141