Peoples Daily Newspaper, Wednesday 30, January, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 23

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

SSS, police parade suspects for kidnapping actress

. . . putting the people first

France tells nationals to leave Nigeria

>> PAGE 5

>> PAGE 3

Rabiul Awwal 18, 1434 AH

N150

AFCON: Eagles wobble into quarterfinals, face CIV >> PAGE 41

Recent Nigerian Army postings No.

Name

Posting

1.

Major-Gen. Emeka

Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy GOC 81Division Commander, Armoured Corps Commandant, DICON, Kaduna Director of Operations, Army Headquarters

2.

3.

4.

5.

Major-Gen. Major-Gen. Major-Gen. Major-Gen.

Umahi Nwuago Chioba Odunukwe

Ethnic Group Igbo Igbo Igbo Igbo

No.

Name

Posting

6.

Major-Gen. Nwuagbo

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Major-Gen. Orji Brig-Gen. Azinta Brig-Gen.l Egwuagu Brig-Gen. Okorie Affra Colonel Anene

Chief of Training Operations, Army Headquarters Commander, Corps of Signals Brigade Commander, Calabar Director Army Recruitment Commandant, NYSC Commander, AHQ S&T

Ethnic Group Igbo Igbo Igbo Igbo Igbo Igbo

Jonathan appeases governors with $1bn Igbo

 Says Mali mission costs $45m

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the distribution of $1billion from the Excess Crude Account among the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enable them execute crucial projects in their respective domains.

The Chairman Governor's Forum Rotimi Amaechi, told State House correspondents at the end of the 45th National Economic

PD INDEX

28th Jan., 2013

CBN RATES $ £ EURO CFA RIYAL

BUYING 154.72 24576 205.99 0.2953 41.25

SELLING 155.73 24735 207.32 0.3153 41.52

PARALLEL RATES EURO £ RIYAL $

BUYING 208 254.50 42 157

SELLING 210 257.50 43 158

Council (NEC) meeting yesterday that the approval was announced by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, had said it will seek a final constitutional interpretation of all matters relating to the Excess Crude Account controversy between the federal and state governments.

The forum’s Chairman and Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, said on Tuesday in Abuja that the body would seek “a final resolution from the Supreme Court” on all matters relating to the controversy.

Mr. Amaechi said this was because the NGF had been dissatisfied with the “present attitude of the Federal Government on the Excess Crude Account’’.

Ngama also briefed the Council on the State of the Excess Crude Account which he said has a total balance of $9.242b, after $1billion was spent on subsidy payments.

In the same vein, Council has Contd on Page 2

Mustapha Umar (middle), suspected bomber of the offices of ThisDay, The Moment and The Sun newspapers in Kaduna state, was arraigned before a Federal High Court, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

CONTENTS News

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

Property

24-27

Motoring

28

Arts

29-30

BUK student arrested planting bomb From Edwin Olofu, Kano

T

he Kano state Police Command says its men have arrested one Mohammed Kabir, a final year student of Bayero University (BUK) Kano, for allegedly being in possession of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer

(PPRO) ASP Magaji Musa Majia, described Kabir as an indigene of Auchi in Edo state.

He explained that the suspect was apprehended recently when he concealed in a bag of flour mixed with guinea corn peels, a remote controlled bomb and dropped it in a junction close to a popular GSM market at Farm center in the city.

The statement said that a

passer-by who alerted the police noticed when Kabir, riding on a tricycle, dropped the lethal weapon.

According to the statement, “the police and the bomb disposal unit stormed the area and cordoned off the scene and discovered an IED concealed in a bag.

“The bomb was detonated without any injury to anybody

or damage to property around.”

“Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of one Mohammed Kabir, a level 400 student of Business Administration at BUK and lives adjacent to the scene.”

The statement noted that investigation into the matter continues even as the suspect has confirmed ownership of the bag.

Police pension scam: EFCC re-arraigns convicted director today over N289m theft espite has not yet come the way of the former director of the Police Pensions Board, Mr. John Yakubu Yusufu who was convicted Monday by an Abuja High Court for stealing N23.3 billion belonging to the fund, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arrested him same day and will arraign him afresh today before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The anti-graft agency which was miffed with the two year jail term or an option of N750,000 fine handed over to the convict, after

pleading guilty to the charges preferred against him, yesterday slammed a fresh four count charge against Yusufu. The charge borders on the theft of N289 million belonging to the Police Pension Fund.

In the fresh charge No: FHC/ ABJ/CR/14/2013, Yusufu was accused of failing to make full disclosure of his assets and liability in the SY-A Global Services Limited, a company owned solely by him and immediate members of his family, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 27(3) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act,

CAP E1 2004.

Attached with the charge sheet are list of prosecution witnesses and list of exhibits which comprised of statements of both the accused persons and that of the witnesses and other relevant documents, which include proof of evidence.

It would be recalled that Justice Mohammed Talba had Monday sentenced Yusufu to two years imprisonment or a fine of N750, 000 for the embezzlement of N23.3 billion pension fund. Apart from the jail term, the former director is to forfeit 32 properties. He also forfeits N325,187,867.18 cash.

EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde

Contd from Page 1 prevailed on states to buy-into the activities of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).

The Abia State Governor, Theodore Orji said, the Council considered a report presented by the National Planning Minister and Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Dr.Shamsuddeen Usman, on the States Buy-in to the activities of NAPTIP in which recommendations were made towards combating human trafficking.

The recommendations include the development and effective implementation of State level Trafficking in Persons Plans of Action, the development and strengthening of the States Social Welfare System’s for Child Protection and the provision of basic needs, including medical care, educational, vocational and recreational facilities for victims of trafficking.

Also, the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Usman who briefed Council on the status of the ongoing implementation of the States GDP Computation programme embarked upon by the Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Governors’ Forum and the States, said following the successful completion of the Flag-off of the State GDP computation in the six pilot states, the NBS is now working closely with the states’ statistical bureaux/agencies to conduct the survey and publication of data on the GDP

computation for the six states, namely: Niger, Rivers, Gombe, Anambra, Kano and Lagos.

He noted that the states’ GDP computation programme is being implemented in two phases with the first phase which covers the six pilot states in each of the geopolitical zones due to be completed in April.

The second phase of the programme is to cover the remaining states, from April – December, 2013.Usman said the Council reiterated the endorsement it had given to the Roadmap, when the matter was first presented to NEC in July 2010.

Council got briefing from a team from the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) led by its President, Chief Kola Jamodu on Multiple Taxation across the country at various levels and its effects on the manufacturing sector’s productivity.

Jamodu told newsmen that in it's presentation, MAN had many prayers including reduction in stamp duty, VAT, exemption on some raw materials, harmonization of taxes and levies within the three tiers of government, outlawing of unorthodox means of collecting taxes as well as full automation of the entire tax administration system.

After extensive discussions on the issues raised by MAN, the Council set up a committee to look further into the issues and report back to the Council by March.

The Committee is chaired by

the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwabo. Other members are Governors of Zamfara, Kogi, Abia, Rivers, Imo, ogun and Lagos. Others are Honourable Minister of National Planning, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Economic Adviser to the President, CBN Governor, Economic Adviser to the Vice President, Secretary to the National Planning Commission and MAN President.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s commitment towards the ongoing restoration of peace in wartorn Mali has so far gulped more than $45 million, President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday at a fund-raising forum for the Malian crisis.

The African Union (AU) in collaboration with ECOWAS, the European Union and the United Nations organized the forum at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

At the end of the programme however, the organizers realized a whopping sum of $455.53 million, according to the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ramtane Lamamre.

Jonathan who donated $5 million on behalf of Nigeria noted that the country’s expenditure on Mali does not include the cost deploying 900 combat soldiers and 300 Air Force personnel to Mali.

According to him, an ultimate resolution of the Malian crisis rests with the implementation of the ECOWAS peace plan which provides for restoration of

constitutional order and promotion democratic rule in that country.

Jonathan urged the conference organizers to use part of the fund for the provision of humanitarian support in Mali.

As Jonathan put it, “from the onset of the Malian crisis, Nigeria has taken a number of steps to express our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Mali and also in response to the actions taken by our sub-regional body, ECOWAS. “Specifically, Nigeria has commenced the deployment of 900 combat soldiers and 300 Air Force personnel to Mali as part of the AFRISMA. “Nigeria has so far provided about $32 million for the immediate deployment and logistic support for the troops and prior to this, Nigeria dispatched relief and humanitarian supplies amounting to $2 million.

“Nigeria has undertaken the re-construction and refurbishment of a number of clinics in the military barracks of some of the Malian Defence and Security Forces as part of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) intervention, to the tune of $5.5 million.”

He pledged that Nigeria will spare no efforts in pursuing the realization of the ECOWAS twopronged strategy of dialogue and military action which had since been endorsed by the AU and the United Nations through its resolution 2085, adopted by the Security Council on the 20th December, 2012.

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

R

Jonathan appeases governors with $1bn AEPB: Chasing the shadow instead of the substance, Page 4

Int’l

31-34

Newsxtra

35

Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-46

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 3

Dana saga: Senate orders revocation of license Directs CBN to recover N35.5bn from Jimoh Ibrahim

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T L-R: Ndidi Nwokoma Cletus (a.k.a. Stanley Asonna), Aminu Musa (a.k.a Boski), Mohammed Abubakar, Obinna Okwuolisa and Samson Onwuka, suspected kidnappers of Senior Special Assistant to Imo state Governor, Nkeiruka Sylvanus, paraded by State Security Service, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Twin son axes mother to death

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

O

ne Kehinde Ibiwoye in Isanlu-Isin, in Isin local government area of Kwara state in his late 30s had told the police in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital that he decided to kill his mother because his mother was behind his misfortunes in life.

The accused person was

reportedly on Friday to have allegedly clubbed his mother to death with an axe.

The deceased, who was identified as Mrs. Sarah Ibiwoye in her late 60s, died instantly from the attack which shattered her skull.

The tragedy threw the community into mourning.

Some sources who do not want their identities disclosed informed

journalists that the accused was mentally derailed and had been receiving treatment from a traditional herbalist for some time now.

He was also said to have told the police that he decided to take the life of his mother because, while his twin brother was living comfortably, he was rotting away in abject poverty because of his

mother's alleged devilish action.

The Police Public Relation Officer(PPRO) of Kwara state command, DSP Olufemi Fabode while confirming the incident in an interview with journalists, said the suspect has been arrested and the police has sent him to University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital(UITH) for medical check up to ascertain his mental state.

France tells nationals to leave northern Nigeria

F

rance has asked its citizens to leave northern Nigeria and areas around the capital Abuja after threats due to its military intervention in Mali, a diplomatic source said on Monday.

Islamist militants have vowed to target French interests following its two-week-old military offensive in Mali against militants allied to al Qaeda.

The diplomatic source said the threat of kidnappings coupled with Nigeria's support for France's action in Mali had raised the risks for French nationals.

France has about 2,000 citizens living in Nigeria, of which 335 live in or around Abuja.

French oil major Total has moved its staff from Abuja following the kidnapping of a French national

in a remote northern town close to the Niger border last month, Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie said on Friday.

It was the first time in recent history that a company has said it had evacuated foreigners from Nigeria's capital due to security concerns. The diplomatic source said Total had asked 40 employees to leave Abuja.

Five die in Kwara communal clash From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

F

ive people reportedly lost their lives in a fresh communal crisis between Offa and Erin-Ile communities of Kwara state over border disputes.

Our reporter gathered that the two ancient towns took to another fresh war as a result of an auto accident that involved an Offa man and Erin-Ile motorist who was in Offa to buy tiles for his building at about 4 pm on Monday.

The accident, according to sources, occurred in front of Federal Polytechnic

Offa and after serious argument, the supporters of each town mobilised and the issue escalated to a communal battle.

It was learnt that five people who were farmers were killed at farm settlements around Offa areas while guns were fired on both sides across the border lines and farm settlements.

It could be recalled that the age long communal crisis between Offa and Erin-Ile communities in Offa and oyun local government areas started more than 40 years ago.

Nigerian Islamist group Ansaru said it kidnapped the French national and threatened to continue to target the French because of the country's military action in Mali and its ban on the Islamic veil. Ansaru also claimed responsibility for an attack on a military convoy taking troops from Nigeria to Mali last week in Kogi state. (Reuters)

he Senate yesterday directed the Minister of Aviation to revoke the Airlines Operators Certificate of Dana Air, saying the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority compromised standards as stipulated in NCAA 2009 Civil Aviation Regulations.

Moreover, it directed the Central Bank of Nigeria to urgently recover the Federal Government’s N35.5 billion Aviation Intervention Fund which was alleged to have been diverted into real estate by the Managing Director of Air Nigeria, Jimoh Ibrahim.

These resolutions were arrived at following the consideration of the report and recommendation of the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Aviation, which was read by the chairman, Hope Uzodimma, PDP Imo West.

The Senate also directed that a total overhaul of the staff of the NCAA should be carried out, since it has been discovered that a lot of them are inexperienced in the technical duties assigned to them.

It was equally agreed by the lawmakers that the appointment of Director General of NCAA, Harold Demuren, whose tenure expired three months before the crash, be terminated for negligence and incompetence, including Suleiman Akwuh, who did pre arrival inspection on the ill-fated Dana Aircraft without having the requisite qualification.

$67bn squander: You’re a shameless liar, Jonathan tells Ezekwesili

By Lawrence Olaoye

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday referred to the Vice President of the World Bank, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, as a shameless liar insisting that she misled the nation when she alleged that late President Umaru Yar’Adua and Jonathan’s governments squandered $67 billion foreign reserve bequeathed to them by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja yesterday, Jonathan’s Senior Special Adviser on Public

Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who challenged Ezekwesili to disclose the source of her information also accused her of publishing false figures to mislead the people.

He challenged Ezekwesili to substantiate her claims just as he insisted that that the former President did not leave up to $67 billion in government coffers when he left the government in 2007. According to him, the balance in the government’s external reserve as at May 2007 when Obasanjo left government was $43,130,301,995.21 as against $67 billion the World Bank boss alleged.

15 suspects, 1005.301kg of cannabis seized in Jan, says NDLEA From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

T

he National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Kogi command says it has seized 1005.301kg of cannabis sativa and apprehended 15 suspects in connection with the seizures in January, this year.

Alhaji Idris Bello, State Commander of the agency in Kogi,

disclosed this yesterday while parading the suspects and the seizures at the command headquarters in Lokoja.

He said that a patrol team of the command on January 24, intercepted 93.4kg of cannabis sativa concealed in the boot of a Toyota Camry marked Kano: AE 575 KKU on Lokoja-Abuja highway.

Bello added that the patrol team only two days later, intercepted 735.2kg of the substance concealed in a fabricated false roof of a cream-coloured Mercedes Benz truck with registration number Abuja: GWA 270 XA on Lokoja-Abuja road.

Okene area command, he further revealed, had earlier on January 13 intercepted 130 kg

of the weed concealed in a navy blue Toyota Camry marked Lagos: LSD 283 AL abandoned by the driver who fled into the bush on sighting the NDLEA officials.

On Monday, the NDLEA commander said, following a tipoff, the agency's operatives in joint operation with mobile policemen, raided some Indian hemp

smoking joints in Koton-Karfe and seized about 700 grammes of hemp.

He said the major seizures with pockets of smaller grammes seized from commercial vehicle commuters made up the 1005.391kg adding that they were all en-route Abuja, Kano and other northern parts of the country as revealed by the suspects.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30,, 2013

AEPB: Chasing the shadow instead of the substance

F

ounded in 1989, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board claims on its website that its main objective "is to make the city safe, clean and beautiful".

What it is however silent on, but which would seem to be its raison d'ĂŞtre, as far the many people trying to make ends meet in the federal capital are concerned, is that Abuja will be a hell of sorts, courtesy of the AEPB's so-called Task Force.

The 'military' arm of the AEPB's, the task force is supposed to enforce environmental laws to ensure that Abuja "is safe, clean and beautiful". But these days the preoccupation of the task force would seem, at best, to be making life unbearable for the ordinary Abuja residents, and at worst extorting, brutalising, intimidating and harassing them. The tale of woes from the street hawker, the shoe shiner, the nail cutter (local manicurist) and their like speaks volume about what the task force is dedicated to.

In November last year, over 250 street hawkers staged a 15-kilometre walk to the National Human Rights Commission headquarters at Maitama to protest the incessant harassment by the officials of the AEPB task force.

The protesters, among them women, some pregnant and others nursing mothers, were accompanied by Ahmad Isah, a human rights activist, to register their protest and demand respect, fairness and equity from the Abuja Environmental Protection Board Task Force.

One of the women in the protest, Grace Benjamin, who sells banana at Amigo Supermarket in Wuse , alleged that, "Task Force arrest my 15 year old son because he's selling banana. They collect N1,800 from him but they still lock him for one week two days,". They go say make I go Bwari, Area 11, Area 3, Area 10, Wuse Police station, Minister's office, today here, tomorrow there. Because of this issue the money that I waste almost N10, 000 before they release my son."

Another woman, Ugu Chizoba, had this to say about the officials of the task force that, "Them dey beat us as them dey pursue us. One carry hammer hit me for leg".

And only penultimate week, men of Abuja Environmental Protection Board Task Force raided the national headquarters of the

The logo of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) is "For a Clean Abuja". But for most residents of Abuja, Nigeria's administrative capital, the logo may well be "For a HATED Abuja", writes Abdu Labaran Malumfashi.

Sen. Bala Mohammed FCT Minister

Olajumoke Akinjide, Minister of State, FCT

Nasrul Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) in Abuja and arrested three officials, Bimbo Abdullahi, Lateefat Momoh and Sa'id Abidolu.

According to Lateefat Momoh , "We did nothing.

They just came into the mosque premises when we were about praying. They wanted to arrest one girl hawking outside, then she came into the premises. They followed her inside and one of my colleagues, Sa'id told them that this is a mosque, so they can't arrest anybody within the premises. One girl among them replied 'is this thing a mosque?

"I told the lady not to call our mosque a 'thing,' then an argument ensued. She slapped me in the process and I slapped her back. All of them gathered and started beating me. They then arrested us and took us to their office here in Area 3. In fact, even when we got here, they were beating me. They tore all our clothes. One of them injured our admin officer".

Two days ago, this reporter witnessed some officials of the

residents, the AEPB task force would seem to be chasing shadow instead of the substance, what with the proliferation of 'motor parks', car wash spots and second hand vehicle dealerships all over Abuja, especially in Utako and Wuse Districts.

In Utako, practically every major road is taken over by one

AEPB task force at their very worst, when three of them chased a local nail cutter and almost tore the clothes off his body when they caught up with him. When the man eventually returned some hours later, he alleged that the officials "collected" N250 from him.

And for the not so ordinary

“

Two days ago, this reporter witnessed some officials of the AEPB task force at their very worst, when three of them chased a local nail cutter and almost tore the clothes off his body when they caught up with him. When the man eventually returned some hours later, he alleged that the officials "collected" N250 from him.

or all of these fast growing businesses.

Augustine Aikhomu Way, O.P.Fingesi Street, Okonjo Iweala Way, A.Majekodunmi Crescent, among others, have been overtaken by operators of these businesses.

An undeveloped land off A.Majekodunmi Crescent has recently become a mechanics "village" in the day, and a criminals' den in the night, with all sorts of characters congregating to buy, sale and use drugs. As a result, the neighbourhood has now become targeted by thieves, with one of the houses broken in three times in under two weeks towards the end of last year.

One of the victims of the break-ins, who would rather not be named, was nostalgic of the era of Nasir el-Rufa'I when he held sway as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to him, then it was that Abuja was "safe, clean and beautiful". As far as he is concerned, everybody is on their own in Abuja with nobody seeming to care.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 5

ThisDay bomber to take plea February 5

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

T

he alleged ThisDay bomber, Mustapha Umar was yesterday docked before a Federal High Court in Abuja, but could not take his plea to the onecount charge slammed against him by the Federal Government.

The 34-year old suspect from Yobe state, told the court that the police which had detained him since April last year denied him access to anybody, including members of his family, saying, that has prevented him from making arrangement for a legal representation to defend him.

The court sitting before Justice Adeniyi Ademola, told the prosecutor, represented by Labaran Simon, that the suspect is entitled to a lawyer, considering the nature of the case and adjourned till February 5, 2013 for arraignment of the suspect.

The Judge ordered that the accused person be remanded in Kuje Prisons so that he can have access to members of his immediate family, to facilitate arrangement for a legal representation at the next adjourned date.

NAPTIP to offer accommodation to NHRC for victims

By Etuka Sunday

T

he National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in persons and other related matters (NAPTIP), has announced its plan to assist the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with accommodation to take care of the victims of rights violation.

The executive secretary of NAPTIP, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy Agba who made the disclosure yesterday said she has enough shelter to accommodate victims of human rights violation and that NHRC could enjoy the facility whenever there was need for it.

Responding in the statement signed by Fatimah Agwai Mohammad of the Public Affairs and Communication Department, NHRC, its executive secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe said the commission would not act as a rival agency to NAPTIP but would work as a sister organisation to give human beings the status of humanity.

President Goodluck Jonathan (left), with Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Masaji Matsuyama (right), at a donor conference on Mali during the 20th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of AU, yesterday in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mixed reactions trail Boko Haram’s ceasefire declaration From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

M

ixed reactions have trailed Monday’s unilateral ceasefire declared by the Boko Haram, with residents of the troubled city of Maiduguri hoping the move will become reality.

Our correspondent who went

round Maiduguri metropolis yesterday, observed that while residents welcomed the development as a long overdue, some have expressed uncertainty over the legitimacy of the declaration, citing noninvolvement of the spiritual leader of the group, Imam Abubakar Shekau.

Further checks revealed that

the issue dominated public discussions as people were seen in groups chatting over the ceasefire move, with anxiety written boldly on their faces.

While throwing his weight behind the dialogue, a petty trader, Malam Bulama Wakil, urged the two parties involved to expedite action in ensuring that they all meet the

stipulated conditions for the peace pact.

Another person, Goni Tijjani, called on the Boko Haram sect to make its declaration materialise, as according to him, the state witnessed countless killings and destruction property which led to the total decline of socioeconomic activities.

in Abuja at the 3rd annual Alumni Association of National Defence College (AANDEC) seminar on national security held at National Defence College (NDC).

He said if there can be a long period without any form of attack on anybody then there can be dialogue between both parties.

"Let's assume we can have a long period of about one month

where no bomb explodes, nobody is shot, nobody is beheaded, no church is bombed, no mosque is threatened, just one month guarantee, then we can begin to talk", the CDS said.

He also noted that whatever has led the group to take this decision will enhance the country's security situation noting that they have come to the

recognition that their earlier approach to solving whatever they consider to be their problem was a futile one.

In his welcome address, the President of AANDEC, Rear Admiral AG Adedeji, said the scourge of terrorism, insecurity and corruption has eaten deep into the nation's budget thereby dragging the nation backwards.

…Armed forces excited over decision

By Joy Baba

T

he Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim, has said the armed forces are excited about the recent declaration of ceasefire by Boko Haram adding however, that they are taking the decision with caution.

The CDS stated this yesterday

SSS, police parade nine suspects for kidnapping actress

By Lambert Tyem

T

he State Security Service (SSS) and the police yesterday in Abuja, jointly paraded a dismissed mobile policeman, Ndidi Cletus, 30, as kingpin and eight other suspects for kidnapping Nkiruka Sylvanus, a Nollywood actress and aide to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo

state, in December 2012.

The suspects namely Cletus, Stanley Asonna; Aminu Musa (aka Boski); Mohammed Abubakar; Obinna Okwuolisa; Samson Onwuka (aka VIP) were paraded at the SSS headquarters in Abuja while three others, Okoro Bassey, Chijoke Chima and Festus Ologeme were said to be in police custody.

Reps to probe allocation of OML 30

By Umar Muhammad Puma

T

he House of Representatives yesterday mandated its Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream) to carry out a comprehensive investigation on the sale of Oil Mining Licence, OML 30 to an alleged questionable oil exploring company.

A motion read by Rep. Yusuf Tajudeen (PDP Kogi), under the matters of urgent public importance, said sometime in November 2012, OML 30 located in the western Niger Delta area was sold to Heritage Oil Company managed by a British national.

He noted that the sale of OML 30 did not factor in the right of

Nigerians to know how their commonwealth is managed.

According to him, "the involvement with a company owned by an individual whose shadowy business ethics is recognised all over the world will raise doubts about the country's quest for growth and development".

Deputy Director, Public Relations and Media of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar who paraded the suspects at a joint news conference with the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, explained that Cletus who hailed from Umuokedinma Awara in Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo state, confessed that he enlisted in the police as a constable in 2004 under the name, Mathew Ofurum.

According to her, Cletus claimed that he was dismissed from the force in 2007 because he was absent from duty for more than 21 days without permit due to ill-health.

"The suspect confessed that he is the leader of a notorious nineman armed gang that kidnapped Sylvanus and the duo of Uche Okoli and Kenneth Okoli and

several others including one Okoro Okechukwu (aka Sonnic), an electrical materials dealer on October 15, 2012 who was subsequently released after payment of N1.025 million ransom. The sum of N3.4 million was found on Cletus at the time of his arrest," Ogar stated.

She also explained that Cletus admitted to kidnapping a civil servant, Pauline Okwosha who was held between October 14 and 23, 2012 and released after paying N3 million ransom.

Ogar said Asonna, 27, doubles as the gang's driver and a guard for kidnap victims at their Avu junction hideout while Musa who was initiated into the gang by the ringleader, Cletus, confessed to participating in the abduction of Okechukwu and Sylvanus.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

NMA endorses Chukwu, Pate

Wife-killer cop still in detention

By A'isha Biola Raji

From Umar Dankano, Yola

gainst the backdrop of recent calls for the sack of health minister, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has expressed confidence in the leadership of the ministry.

This was the fallout of the 1st National Health Summit organised by the NMA in Asaba Delta state.

A communiquĂŠ issued yesterday in Abuja by NMA president, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said both Prof.

OnyebuchiChukwu and Minister of State (Health), Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate should be commended for their efforts in transforming the sector.

The summit however advised the duo to maintain their standard, irrespective of"unhealthy political distractions."

The summit also resolved that associate groups or state/FCT branches of the NMA should on no account, embark on strike without authorisation from the overall leadership.

This according to the summit will provide room for dialogue and uphold medical code of ethics.

olice Inspector Benjamin Jonathan who shot dead his only wife and his landlady after closing from the day's duty as a guard detailed to the private residence of Governor Murtala Nyako in Mayo Belwa town, Adamawa state is still cooling his heels in detention.

Investigation by our correspondent in Yola revealed that Benjamin who is being held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) cell of the state police command

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headquarters, has confessed to the crime.

Confirming the development, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ibrahim Mohammed, told our reporter that the suspect when interrogated told his investigators that he has committed an offence of murder and is aware of its consequences.

Mohammed said since the officer had confessed to the ungodly act, the police authority will certainly dismiss him from the force and hand him over to the court for

prosecution as provided by law.

Checks at Mayo-Belwa town indicate that a day to the murder incident, the murderer had a serious misunderstanding with his late wife and beat her up before he left for work.

A neighbour and an eyewitness, who simply called himself Abdulrahman Mayo-Belwa, told our reporter that Benjamin is a drunk, who is always intoxicated and fights anybody who cares to pay attention to his utterances.

"As a matter of fact that man

L-R: French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jaeques Champagne; Minister of Culture and Tourism, Chief Edem Duke; and.

Director General, National Commission for Museum and Monument, Malam Yusuf Abdullahi Usman, during the of handing over of Nok terracotta figures sized by French Customs Service to the minister, yesterday in Abuja.

N18, 000 minimum wage: Kebbi teachers rue verification From Ahmed Idris, Birnin Kebbi

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ollowing the controversy trailing the implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage to teachers in Kebbi state, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state has vowed not succumb to any intimidation by local government councils across the state who are calling for another round of verification of teachers saying the ideas is to further disparage teachers' reputation as professionals.

A communiquĂŠ read to newsmen by the state chairman of NUT, Comrade Danlami Ribah at the end of its one-day emergency meeting held at the union's secretariat yesterday in Birnin Kebbi, the accused local government chairmen of conniving with the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to carry out another verification exercise in the state, describing it as diversionary and unacceptable to the union.

He then warned that teachers would embarked on indefinite strike should the verification exercise be continued. He therefore assured member of the union to remain resolute as the union is there to defend their rights to better welfare package from government.

Photo: Justin ImoOwo

NEMA donates 3000 dignity kits to Adamawa State From Umar Dankano, Yola

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lood victims in Adamawa state received the donation of 3000 dignity kits yesterday from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with call on the state government to ensure judicious distribution of the materials to the affected communities in 11 local government areas.

NEMA's Director-General, represented by Assistant Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, Mr. Sa'idu Ahmad, said the kits were meant for pregnant women, nursing mothers and adolescent girls affected by last year's floods.

He noted that the kits donated by the United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA) through NEMA were given to the state to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, and every girl and woman is treated with

dignity and respect.

"The selection of Adamawa state along with Kogi and Benue is as a result of a joint rapid assessment of states critically affected by flood disasters carried out by NEMA, United Nations'

agencies and consequent upon that assessment, Adamawa state was identified as one of the worst hit in the country", he said.

Ahmad disclosed that NEMA was pleased to work with the state government owing to its

responsiveness and commitment to health issues, adding that the agency was prepared to provide support and necessary assistance needed within its scope for the state to achieve its target toward developing the health sector.

Godiya Akwashiki (PDP, Nasarawa Eggon West), Al-makura apologised to the legislators, saying that the executive had no intention of putting the House in a faith accompli position, explaining that it is the convention to give press statements after every council meeting.

The letter added that following Resolution 52 of the House, which failed to recognise the newly created chiefdoms for breach of legislative procedure, the governor

earlier on sought to convene a meeting to personally apologise to the House on the 15th of December, 2012 but it could not hold.

Al-makura stated that his administration understood the constitutional role of the legislature but regretted that by making the announcement public before first approaching the assembly, there has been a breach of procedure.

He said he had no intention to undermine or embarrass the House, promising to sustain good working relationship with the legislature, and praying that members will accept his apology in good faith and in the mutual interest of the people.

Peoples Daily recalls that last year, the state government announced the creation of nine new chiefdoms, in order to rectify perceived imbalances in previous exercises, as well as give the benefiting communities a sense of belonging.

Al-makura apologises to Nasarawa legislature over new chiefdoms

From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

G

overnor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state has apologised to members of the state Assembly for first making public the creation of nine new chiefdoms before the formal presentation of a bill before the Assembly seeking to create such chiefdoms.

In a letter presented on the floor of the Assembly yesterday by Majority Leader of the House,

Health: UNICEF pledges continuous support for Nigeria

By A'isha Biola Raji

T

he acting UNICEF Country Representative to Nigeria has pledged the organisation's undying assistance to Nigeria as it concerns public health.

The acting representative, Ibrahima D. Fall made this

(inspector) is a disgrace to his family and police force because whenever he drinks alcohol then no more peace with anybody at sight", he lamented.

Some of his colleagues interviewed who declined identification, separately described Benjamin as an "emotional and impatient officer who drinks heavily".

The family of the late landlady also attested that Benjamin is a controversial man and are waiting for the police to finish their administrative measures before suing the suspect to court.

pledge during a courtesy visit to the health minister, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu.

According to him, the organisation will continue to be helpful as it concerns the Save 1million Lives Initiative and the technical aspect of work facing the ministry.

Backing Ibrahima's pledge,

the Chief Health Officer, UNICEF, Dr. Vincent Orinda, said the major problem facing health sector in Nigeria is in immunisation and maternal child health programmes.

He said 74 percent of children die of malaria and diarrhoea. "There should be zero tolerance to these child killers",

he said.

He called for house-hold/ community interventions and encouragement of volunteerism.

In his reply, Chukwu said more success in health sector will be recorded in 2013 as there will be implementation of National Strategic Plan (NSP).

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

L-R: Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, Rivers state Governor, Mr Chibuzor Amaechi, Abia state Governor, Chief Theordore Orji, and Kogi state Deputy Governor, Chief Yomi Awoniyi, jointly briefing journalists after their meeting with Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

1 L-R: Special Guest of Honour, Air Vice-Marshal Mohammed Umar (rtd), Commandant of National Defence College, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson, and Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim, during the seminar on national security, yesterday in Abuja.

L-R: Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, Country Representative of UNICEF, Dr. Ibrahima D. Fall, and Chief Health, UNICEF, Dr. Vincent Orindu, during the UNICEF delegation visit to the minister on Monday, in Abuja.

L-R: General-Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Musa Asake, VicePresident of CAN, Most Reverend Daniel Okoh ,and Head ECWA Fellowship, Most Reverend People living with HIV/AIDS, during distribution of tri-cycles to them by the Emmanuel Dziggau, during CAN media briefing on the recent withdrawal of Catholics from CAN, wife of Bauchi state governor, Hajiya Mariya Yuguda, yesterday in Bauchi.

Photos: Joe Oroye, Mahmud Isa, Justin Imo-Owo and NAN yesterday in Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 9

Committee advises FG to cut allowances of perm secs, directors

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he Presidential Committee on the reform processes in the Nigeria Public Service has urged the Federal Government to cut the allowances of permanent secretaries and directors in the federal civil service.

It also advocated the abrogation of the tenure policy in the public service.

Constituted in March 2011, the committee was set up to review the tenure of top civil servants, a vital mandate which caused a bad blood among some of its members.

Submitting its report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Anyim Pius Anyim yesterday in Abuja, the Adamu Fika- led committee argued that the tenure policy which was introduced in 2009

was done without carrying out any impact assessment study even as it stated that the tenure policy for Permanent Secretaries and Directors was a violation of their rights.

The committee added that the policy has largely infringed on the terms of engagement of the officers concerned, while the Civil Service has lost some of its most competent and experienced hands as a result.

NGO graduates 25 rehabilitated drug addicts From Nasiru Mu’azu Isa, Kaduna

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Kaduna state-based NonG o v e r n m e n t Organisation called Nigas Rehabilitation and Skill Acquisition Training Centre popularly known as “Malam Niga”, has graduated 25 drug addicts.

The youths were trained in various skills ranging from tailoring, shoe making,

carpentry, tie and dye, welding, computer, knitting and weaving and barbing.

Speaking to media men shortly after the graduation, founder of the NGO, Malam Muhammad Lawal Yusuf said he created the NGO in 2006, in order to make his contribution towards eradicating drug addiction among the youth in the area.

According to him, ”I am a

father and I am so worried at the that I see our youth in the area are into drug addiction, and I then decided to come up with this NGO so that at least to contribute my quota in reducing the drug addiction among these youth”.

Malam Muhammad appealed to the state government and philanthropists in the society to come to his aid in getting a permanent site.

Fika said although the tenure policy had succeeded in freeing positions and a good number of officers who would otherwise be stagnated have been promoted, removing top officers merely gave room for junior and less experienced officers who may not be interested in the service.

He added that every organization should cherish and treasure competence and take all necessary steps to retain all its experienced officers.

The committee also recommended a review of allowances of public office holders that was fixed by the Revenue

Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMAFC) which took effect in 2007 that allowed salaries and allowances to rise astronomically.

It described as worrisome, the trend where allowances are over ten times greater than salaries, calling for an urgent need to halt the situation.

“It said that, in appointment, promotion and discipline as well as in the day to day functions of the public service, political considerations now seem to be the dominant factors , “ and the only thing they seem to care about is lining their own pockets.

Flood committee predicts substantial rainfall in 2013

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

he technical committee constituted by the Federal Government, early September, 2012 to assess the level of impact of the flood disaster that engulfed parts of the country has predicted that there would be substantial rainfall in the months ahead.

The committee headed by Minister of Environment, Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa could however not give accurate prediction of the possibility of another flood disaster in the country, even as the rains set in.

Mailafa gave this observation in Abuja yesterday when she led other members of the committee to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to submit its report.

But as precautionary measure, the committee said government is working at

expanding the irrigation facilities in the country to create better use for the dams.

Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, who is also a member of the committee said engineers have already been drafted to various sites to monitor construction works at the dams and ensure early release of water downstream so as to create room for as much rainfall that would come up.

According to the committee’s report, over 2million people were displaced, with 363 lives lost as a result of the flooding and over 5000 persons sustaining various form of injuries.

Mailafa said 24 states were visited in the course of the exercise, while the Federal Government released over N17.6billion to the affected states as buffer packages to ameliorate the suffering of the victims of the disaster.

Build your career, soldiers told From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

J L-R: Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsudden Usman, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, during the National Economic Council meeting (NEC) , yesterday at the state house, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Mrs. Jang lauds female appeal court boss

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ife of Plateau State governor Ngo Talatu Jang has described the ascension of Justice Julie Kyentu, first female President of Customary Court of Appeal (CCA), Jos as an inspiration to women in the state and urged her to bring her wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her duties.

Mrs. Jang, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Olivia Dasiem, gave the charge at a lecture organised by the National Association of Women Judges in

Nigeria in honour of Justice Kyentu held in Jos. Guest Lecturer at the occasion, Professor Cletus Tanimu Gotan, described women as a powerhouse of creativity, development and peace, stressing that they should “be respected and not neglected.”

Gotan added that women possess the requisite leadership potentials “that can catapult our nation to new height, where they are given the chance.”

He lamented that “to many uninformed people, a woman’s place is still in her marital home,

which in Nigeria is culturally even referred to not as her home but her husband’s home, and her role is to be a child bearer and to be in the kitchen.”

He therefore urged women leaders, especially those in legal disciplines, to refer to fundamental right of the constitution and uphold the values of equality especially in the areas of forced marriages, child marriage, issues of inheritance, domestic violence, and other discriminatory practice and tendencies against women.

unior officers in the Nigerian Army have been warned to stop chasing money at the expense of their career in order to be successful in their chosen profession.

The Commandant 4-Brigade Major-General Obi Abel Umahi gave the charge during a chat with newsmen at the weekend in Benin City on his recent elevation from Brigadier General to Major-General in Benin City, Edo State Capital.

The Army boss who is in charge of Edo and Delta States said, the command under his leadership has helped to boost the nation’s economy and reduce criminal activities in the region. ‘’My admonition to the young officers is that every one of them should be regimented, discipline and career conscious , no chasing of money when you are suppose to be chasing career and if you decide to chase money, you won’t get money

and you won’t get career. So, my advice to them is to forget about money, chase career and let the job be born in them so that they will be seen as career officers”, he said.

Umahi, who until his elevation, earlier headed 81 Division, Nigeria Army said, ‘’National revenue has increased because of our performances in ensuring economic activities are free and remain undisturbed’’ in the Niger Delta.

According to him, ‘’my exciting moment is every time you take an exam in the army and you pass it is an exciting moment, every time you are due for promotion and you are promoted it is an exciting moment so exciting moment in the army is spread throughout the career, there is no rank you don’t have many hurdles to cross’’.

The Ebonyi State born Born Army boss joined the Nigeria Army in 1984 and was assigned into the force Infantry Corps after NDA cadet training.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Install Attah Igala now, or…, group warns From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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Kogi state-based sociocultural group, Igala Youths Solidarity Front, has given the state government a seven-day ultimatum to announce the newly elected Attah of Igala or risk violent demonstration.

The youth group gave the ultimatum in a statement signed by its chairman, Danjuma

Echude and secretary, Amana Zekeri and made available to Peoples Daily, citing information from Achadu Attah' s palace at Idah who incidentally told our correspondent on phone that "the problem is not with the kingmakers and traditional institution but ask the commissioner for local government".

The group called for the installation of the “Attahdesignate”, Chief Idakwo Ameh-

Oboni who, according to it, was unanimously elected by the nine traditional kingmakers in Igala Kingdom and endorsed by the Igala Area Traditional Council.

It noted that nothing, in the history of Igala Kingdom had so united the people, with all of them speaking with one voice over the choice of Idakwo Ameh-Oboni as the next Attah Igala.

The youth group called on the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy

Affairs, Alhaji Ndamodu Ali not to delay the process of coronation which should take place within seven days or " the youths will block all access roads to Igalaland until the Attah is coronated".

It would be recalled that the Body of Kingmakers, in November last year, submitted the name of Idakwo, son of former Attah, Ameh Oboni to the Igala Area Traditional Council for ratification after his election and in December, last

NASS moves to reduce house rent in FCT

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

L-R: Member, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Summit Planning Committee, Dr. Henry Ewunonu, President of NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabule, and Chairman, NMA Summit Steering and Planning Committee, Dr. Kenneth Lugba, during media briefing on NMA communiqué on recent conference, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

NGO takes over scholarship of 50 less privileged kids

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any less privileged kids were Monday integrated back into five different primary schools as relief materials, including uniforms, bags, school sandals, pencils were handed to them under the StayInSchoolng initiative, aimed at creating a pathway out of poverty for disadvantaged kids through education.

The pupils, drawn from schools at Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, were also handed a cheque of N300, 000 in

the care of their head teachers for a meal each till the end of the session.

At the enrolment ceremony held in the Ejigbo Schools Complex, Co-ordinator of the StayInSchoolng Initiative, Miss Tricia Ikponmwonba, said the project was borne out of the need to ensure that the less privileged have equal opportunity to basic primary education.

Ikponmwonba said this was the first phase of the project which would also be holding in a displaced

village in Abuja called Kuruduma, where the initiative would reach another 20 pupils.

She advised the parents to allow the kids come to school daily as all the basics items have been provided including their feeding in school.

The five schools where the children were enrolled are: Ejigbo Model Pry School, Imakiyo Primary School, Ayo Adegboyega Primary School, Fadu Memorial Primary School and Ageke Primary School all in Lagos state.

Rights group alerts FG on modified food

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

nvironmental Rights Action (ERA) has tasked President Goodluck Jonathan to prohibit all kinds of genetically modified food substances been smuggled into the country illegally considering the negative impact on the humans .

Executive Director of ERA, Nimo Bassey who disclosed this while delivering a lecture title, ‘’Genetically modified organisms

(GMOs), the myths, concerns, propaganda and drivers of GMOs into Nigeria” at one day sensitization workshop yesterday in Benin City; urged the federal government to stop the signing the Biosafety Bill 2010 into law.

Programme Facilitator, Mariam Bassey who dwelled on Biosafety legislation in Nigeria, current status and the need to act, appealed to concern authorities to stop this ‘’unholy romance with overly ambitious multinational

Companies’’.

She wondered why Nigerians should be prevented from making informed choices on whether to consume organic or imported inorganic food without appropriate label.

She noted that the Nigeria Biosafety Bill awaiting the President’s assent was orchestrated by the promoters to make profit at the detriment of human health. It urged the President not to sign it into law.

year endorsed the choice of the designate and forwarded his name to the state government for announcement and coronation.

The commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Ndamodu Ali declined comment on the issue but sources in his office who preferred anonymity said efforts were being made to resolve the issue.

he Joint Senate and House Committees on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Senate Committee on Finance, Monday held a public hearing on two bills, one of which is seeking to impose taxes on proper FCT as a measure to ensure that landlords lease out or rent houses to tenants at affordable rates.

The other bill is seeking to establish the FCT Board of Internal Revenue Services, which will have the mandate of collecting revenue generally for FCTA. Speaking during the public hearing, the Chairman Senate Committee on FCT, Smart Adeyemi, regretted that thousands of houses are laying fallow without tenants because no charges are imposed on such property.

He pointed out that residents of FCT are facing challenges in getting affordable accommodation within the city, despite many empty houses due to refusal of landlords to reduce the attendant high rent placed on the properties.

Adeyemi also expressed hope that imposition of such taxes would help to augment the deficit in the revenue capacity of the FCT. He said that it would take N30 billion to develop a district in the nation's capital, adding that with the total FCT annual allocation of less than N50 billion and irregular releases of funds, it would take FCTA over 10 years to complete development of infrastructure in a district.

He said this was why after 36 years, it is still crawling in the provision of infrastructure to meet the demands of the populace.

He expressed that fears that if this was not checked, it could impede the dream of making Abuja one of the first class cities in the world.

While arguing that the creation of the IGR Board for FCT was in line with Section 299 of the 1999 constitution, which accords the city the status of a state, he said that if enough fund was generated in FCT, more jobs would be created for the people.

Presenting his memorandum, the Minister of FCT, Bala Mohammed, argued that in

developed countries, revenue generation is decentralised, and same should be applied in FCT. He recalled that when Lagos was the capital of the country, the administration of all taxes and levies was vested in the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue rather than the Federal Inland Revenue Services, saying that the system should not be ignored in FCT. While expressing hope that the bill, when passed into law, would enable FCT assess levy and collect property tax from owners and occupiers of developed real property in the city, Mohammed hinted that the scope of the bill would cover residential, commercial, educational, recreational, filling stations among others.

NOA to partner Poland on transformation

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

I

n a bid to share mutual benefit between Nigeria and Poland, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) will partner with the Polish Embassy on communicating the Transformation Agenda of the present government.

This position was made known by the Director-General of the Agency, Mike Omeri, when he received the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to Nigeria, Mr. Przemyslaw Niesiolowski, in Abuja Monday.

A statement issued Monday by the Chief Press Secretary of the Agency, Paul Odenyi, said that all Embassies in Nigeria should extend the frontiers of collaborations not only in areas of economy and trade,but institutions as well.

According to the DirectorGeneral, Poland’s achievements were a lessons for Nigeria that the strength of a country lies in its values and orientation.

Speaking earlier, the Polish Ambassador, Mr. Przemyslaw Niesiolowski said that after the revolution that led to the fall of communist regime, there was a creation of new democracy in Poland.

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PEOPLES DAILY,WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30,, 2013

What to expect from end-of-life care D

eath is not a subject that many of us like to think about. But the fact of the matter is that we all must plan for that eventuality, including spending time thinking about how we want our final days to play out.

According to Amanda Bennet, author of the book "The Cost of Hope", from the 1970s to the 1990s, one study suggests, the cost of adding a single year of life for an individual over age 65 more than tripled, to $145,000 from $46,800 - and health-care costs

have been rising ever since. In 2008, researchers from Stanford and Wharton business schools studied dialysis patients and concluded that the average cost of one "quality" extra year of life was about $129,000."

These huge costs are often

incurred in attempting to prolong a life when death is imminent, inevitable, and in some cases, even desired.

After all, the terminally ill is often still suffering from the emotional and physical pain that comes with the underlying

disease.

And as modern medicine becomes better at controlling the spread of viruses within the human body to sustain someone who is terminally ill, it may be in some ways just prolonging the inevitable unnecessarily.

event in your life.

Save for a retirement: Another important reason to save money is your retirement.

The sooner you start saving for retirement, the less you will have to save in the future. You can put your money to work for you. As you continue to contribute overtime you will be earning more interest on the money you have, then you put in each month. You should at least be contributing up to your employer's match and eventually you will want to contribute ten to fifteen percent of your gross income.

Save for a down payment for a house: Third reason to save money is for a down payment on a house.

Your negotiating power goes a lot farther when you have a significant down payment towards your home. You will receive better interest rates, and be able to afford a bigger home.

You can determine how much you save towards this each month depending on your circumstances.

Save for vacation and for other luxury items:

You can save up for your tour of Europe or that Caribbean cruise. Additionally you can be saving for fun large ticket items such as a Play station 3 or a new boat. Your negotiating power is stronger if you have cash in hand on bigger purchases. Plus you do not want to be paying off your trip abroad in five years. Even if you save up for your vacation, you should try to save for your vacation expenses.

Save for a new car: You will be amazed at how much money you can free up in your budget if you do not always have a car payment. You can also negotiate the price of the car much lower if you are willing to pay cash at the dealership.

Sinking fund: Sinking fund is another reason one should consider, sinking fund is money you set aside for future repairs or improvements on your car, home or other possessions.

This planning can help you to stop dipping into your emergency fund every time you need to fix your car.

Finally, your future education is also important, more people return to school to earn their masters or doctorate degrees. You may also consider saving for your child's education when the time comes.

Many reasons to save Y

ou may be asking yourself why there is so much pressure to save money. If you have enough to pay for everything you need, why should you worry about putting some aside each month? There is variety of reasons. Different people save for different reasons.

People should save money for their future. Depending on your age, different people will come across different expenses. For instance: My friend hates saving money.

He thinks there's nothing wrong with spending it all and 'enjoying life'. Well, one day he had car problems and the bill was over half a million naira for a new transmission and guess what, he had no money. So above all it's basically a safety net in-case something should unexpectedly happen. Not to mention what if there is something you want to save up for: house or a car maybe, or a vacation? Here are some reasons Miriam Caldwell of "Money in Your 20's" listed that you may consider to make savings.

Save for emergency fund: It is important to have an

emergency fund set aside to cover unexpected expenses. This could cover an unexpected car repair, your emergency appendectomy or a sudden job loss. Ideally your emergency fund should be about three to six months of your

expenses. If you are just starting out, you should put aside at least for this. In addition to your emergency fund you need to make sure you have a plan and good insurance in place to help you survive the unexpected financial

Attempts to 'cut corners' compounds your tax problems

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ersonal financial planning still the key No doubt, taxation is one way in which government can directly influence the way we undertake personal financial planning. For instance, most rich people spend lots of money on consultancy in order to avoid paying too much taxation by way of government mandates. By so doing, the personal financial planning will be linked to taxation.

Analysts at Ascot Finance, who engage in financial and investment advisory, said you need to make sure the income declared is accurate. If you fail to declare income, then government can come after you in the name of trying to catch the tax evaders. It is noteworthy that people have ended up in prison because they failed to declare income.

"It is imperative that you declare as much income as

Quote Quote: The NBA is never just a business. It's always business.

It's always personal. All good businesses are personal. The best businesses are very personal - Mark Cuban

necessary so that you can avoid the tax burden of paying the backlog or punitive measures. It is tempting to cut corners on taxes but you might end up paying a much higher price than the original taxation," the experts said.

Also, you need to make sure that you pay the taxes on time to avoid punitive measures. There are schedules for paying the taxes and government is very strict on people that are unable to fulfil these schedules.

S

top what you are doing and read the following statement three times.

Don't trust anyone who is giving you advice on a decision that he/ she wouldn't make.

It's so obvious isn't it, but many of us fall into this trap on a regular basis. At the store, we let the salesperson convince us that buying is the right decision.

Routinely, we let our financial planner tell us which investments to make, and every day, we allow advertising to strengthen our desire to spend.

Next time the opportunity presents itself, ask the simple question - Would she have made the same choices given the situation?

"Normally, the person will either have to pay a fine or forfeit some tax benefits. It is imperative that you keep an eye on the schedules so that when the time comes you just pay your bill. It makes things easier in the end because you do not have the tax office chasing you for money," the experts further stated.

There is also the need for you to review the taxation regime by keeping your eyes on taxation information because things change quickly. Trends have shown that

government sometimes has a rather unpleasant habit of shifting the goalposts to suit its agenda.

Taxation is not different in this case.

You might find that the rates of your taxation have been changed in the latest budget or the budget itself requiring you to pay more taxes. Therefore, in order to carry out effective personal financial planning, one has to check the latest taxation information.

More so, you must check properly to see whether your residential status affects your

taxes. Some countries give great tax breaks for foreign investors, while others will not tax the people that have non-domicile status. If you think that you fall in any of these categories, you will need to discuss the matters with your tax adviser.

Do not change the configuration of your residential status until you know, certainly, that you will be able to.

Just like the Nigerian taxes are easier than some European countries.

Asking a simple question It's actually very powerful.

Here are two examples of how it will help. * A Better Restaurant: Some restaurants are so dirty and messed up in the kitchen that you would never eat there if only you knew. Whenever I see employees eating there, that's a great sign that the food is safe. Many people also ask the waitress what's good.

Is she supposed to imply that some foods aren't as good there? Why not ask her - What would you have in this restaurant? At least it's much closer to an honest opinion.

o*Financial Advisors: They might not purposely lead you to bad investments, but their job is to recommend investments to you and make more money for their firm and for themselves. When they make more money, there's less for you (their compensation has to come from somewhere right?). Next time you are given a recommendation, ask specifically whether he or she will invest into the fund and why. *The House: I spoke to a realtor once who tried to convince me that the school district the house belonged in was good and

that she lived in the neighbourhood. The argument totally fell apart when I asked her where her children went to school and she told me that she takes them to a private school. If she doesn't trust the public schools in the area to give her children a good education, how can she say that the schools are good?

There's already so much unknown about any decision. If the person trying to convince you couldn't personally endorse it by putting something on the line, maybe it's time to move on.

S o u r c e : www.monyning.com

How to trust someone

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

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EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

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Jobs-for-sale scam

ecently, the nation was jolted by reports of smelly deals masterminded and executed by job syndicates deeply embedded in the federal public service. Though the issue of scarce public sector jobs being sold to the highest bidders is not entirely new, in recent times it has become a booming business. This we came to know from some senators who went public with narratives of their constituents being forced to pay between N400,000 and N500,000 a head for employment in government ministries and agencies. Often after payments are made, the job seekers don't get what they have been promised.

The aggrieved senators did not mention which government ministries and agencies are involved in the scam, but everyone knows these are the socalled money spinners including the paramilitary agencies of the government.

However, we commend the senators for not only going public with the scam but also for commencing an investigation into the matter. Of course, this is not to say we have not seen the self-interest element of their action. The inquiry, we expect, should answer the following questions: Are there syndicates involved or just some fraudulent individuals? Do they work with insiders in the government ministries and agencies - officials who are high up and influential? How prevalent is the scam and for how has it been ongoing? How much money are we talking about?

Of course, there are several variants of the scam. Apart from the cash-forjob fraud, there are cases of brazen favouritism or nepotism in the public

service. Here persons who "know" big ogas in the ministries and agencies are preferred to those who know nobody but are by far better qualified for the job.

That was the case in a recent recruitment exercise carried out by the Nigerian Immigration Service. It was much criticized for its lopsidedness. As it turned out, the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, had to cancel the exercise and the woman (Comptroller-General) who oversaw the badly flawed job placements was forced into premature retirement.

“

We can say that the scam is a result of what economists describe as a supply-demand disequilibrium Nigerians should grieve for their country because of what is happening. It shows that far from going away, corruption, which has been described as the nation's only "thriving industry", is a true cankerworm - a hydra: cut off one head and another sprouts up almost immediately. Or it is like slicing off a snake's tail, believing you have killed it.

No, you haven't. It will survive and invariably grow a new tail. This, unfortunately, has been the attitude of our government to corruption.

Back to the cash-for-job fraud. This is a disaster waiting to happen from our failure to implement existing legislation.

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”

We are aware that there is an extant documented federal government order that says certain top positions in its ministries or agencies must be advertized in the news media before they are filled. This has hardly been followed through. Indeed, compliance has been in the reverse: positions are filled before they are advertized. And no official is penalized, neither are beneficiaries of the fraud removed from their new positions.

Looked at from another perspective, we can say that the scam is a result of what economists describe as a supplydemand disequilibrium. The government says the national economy is growing but the situation on the ground belies that claim. In truth, the manufacturing sector which holds the key to job creation is still comatose; the once resilient informal sector is static.

The public sector is booting out people, and not employing new hands.

Meanwhile, our universities and polytechnics every year turn out thousands of educated young men and women who are desperate for jobs. A situation like this will expectedly breed the cash-for-job scammers we see today.

In our view, there are short- and long-term solutions to this problem.

Short-term: the government must find the will to enforce its own rule; it must insist on all vacancies being advertized and all applicants guaranteed a level ground. A long-term answer lies in getting the economy up and going again. When the industries are back firing on all cylinders, several jobs will be created to eliminate or, at least, reduce the supply-demand disequilibrium that has created today's cash-for-job scam.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 13

The waffling ‘bulb lighting’ President

By M.B.O Owolowo

T

he nation was agog about the President's interview for obviously different reasons, both supporters and critics alike were waiting to hear their President discuss cogent national issues with Christiane Amanpour of CNN on Wednesday, January 23 2013. Initially I had mixed feelings before the interview, deciding whether to prepare for a laughter fest or watching-wallpaint-dry boredom. Though I must confess the Clinton- U.S Embassy in Libya Inquiry coming up at the slated time of the interview almost took off some of the steam. There were already jokes of the interview being so petrifying it was invariably postponed to discourage viewership. After waiting an additional 2 hours, the interview got on the way. As usual President Goodluck Jonathan didn't disappoint his teaming "fans" with another coxcombical showing.

Below are excerpts from the interview with Christiane Amanpour, among the key issues discussed are security, power and corruption.

Amanpour: When I interviewed you 3 years ago now, in your first interview as you assumed power, you said that the main issues for the people of Nigeria are corruption and even electricity, power you talked about. Today those are still the same issues. Some 60% of the people of Nigeria don't have regular power or electricity, 3 years later what do have to say about that?

Jonathan: I would have loved

By Lamara Garba Affa

I

t was some few minutes after Five O'clock in the peaceful evening of Friday, January 20th 2012, when my phone rang, on picking, I heard the voice, saying, "uncle, I heard that the zone One office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police is under attack by some assailants; the building is on fire and several people have been killed". I asked when, the voice replied it is happening just now, however, I noticed the shivering in her voice as she speaks, possibly picturing how devastating the scene could be as well as sympathizing with the families of the martyrs I quickly consoled her by saying she should put herself together as there is no cause for alarm and instead just embark on prayer for Allah to thwart the evil intention of the attackers against the city and its residents.

Friday, January 20th 2012, will forever remain in the black book of Kano history. Indeed, the day was bleak and nasty just as it can never be forgotten easily it was the day when the residents of the ancient city, were terrorized, terrified and completely maimed by the undesirable elements, men of ghost and evil intention, the blood thirsty and above all the merchant of death. In that fateful day, no fewer than 300 people were sent to the great beyond with no just cause as a result of a

that you asked an ordinary Nigerian in the streets of Lagos and Abuja or another other city this question about power. That is one area that Nigerians are quite pleased with government, that our commitment to improve power is working. So if you are saying something different, am really surprised. That is one area that even civil society members agree that government has kept faith with its promise.

Amanpour: What should I tell the people who keep contacting us and saying they hope they have electricity just to be able to watch this interview on their televisions, clearly it is still a big problem. Is it still a problem despite the progress you say you made?

Jonathan: We have not got to where we should be, the power infrastructure is one investment that must complete the chain before the bulb can light. I promise you (promising Amanpour and not Nigerians) that before the end of the year, power would be reasonably stable.

Amanpour: ...corruption which you say you are trying to tackle. When people look at Nigeria and see all your wealth, they say oh my goodness this is a country that is stealing and bleeding itself dry. Even your own Minister of Finance talked about 400,000 barrels of oil a day simply being stolen, simply disappearing without any account.

One of your ministers has said the level of theft from the government amounts to about $7 billion (U.S Dollars) a year, that's still a problem isn't it?

Jonathan: This stolen crude is being bought by refineries abroad

and they know the oil was stolen.

The world must condemn what is wrong. The stolen crude is refined abroad; it's not refined in Nigeria.

The words "stealing" and "bleeding" struck a chord with me.

A nation stealing and bleeding itself dry. As I often posit and as many who can discern know, the President isn't serious about tackling corruption. So his kinsmen and their business cronies can continue to steal the nation's crude oil and siphon the treasury unabated. It would actually have been consolatory somewhat, if most of the loot and proceeds from crude theft had transformed, if not the entire country but the Niger Delta to another Dubai or a close semblance.

Some have also accused the government of using the nation's insecurity as another means of siphoning public funds. Despite the huge sums budgeted to security yearly, the Boko Haram menace isn't exactly subsiding. If anything the security forces are exacerbating the situation. I wonder how the Nigerian armed forces would assist in combating the Mali insurgents, considering the atrocities meted out on innocent civilians in northern Nigeria combating Boko Haram.

It is also interesting to note the President stated poverty isn't the cause of the problem. In contrast, during a visit to Nigeria, Clinton blamed poverty for the violence in the north. One of the vital areas for economic growth is power generation. Those who were fortunate enough to have had electricity during the interview or

those who had fuel to power their generator sets would definitely have been appalled by the supposed achievements being claimed by the President in the power sector. Surely the President didn't think he could fool the entire audience. All we ever hear or read about are the inaugurations of committees and their power generation targets, on paper and in their deluded minds they seem to be performing but in reality there's no evidence of such. One begins to question, how long it really takes to generate power by a sincere and purposeful leadership.

Ironically, Nigeria supplies Niger Republic with most of its electricity, while Nigeria struggles to have stable electricity within.

According to the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC) website: "Electricity is the basis of the development of modern economies.

Availability of electricity in a country is an important factor for economic progress In this regard, the Agreement which has had a vital influence on Niger's economy in the past thirty (30) years and, consequently, on the day-to-day life of the Niger people has been and still remains the Agreement on supply of electric power from the Kainji dam (Nigeria) signed in January I 972 under the auspices of the Convention establishing the Joint Commission and renewed in 1992 between Societe Nigerienne d'Electricite (NIGELEC) of the Republic of Niger and National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The energy cooperation between the two countries has been consolidated and developed to the point where 90% of energy consumed presently in Niger comes from Nigeria."

Evidently charity (power) does not begin at home in this regard.

During the interview, I noticed Christiane Amanpour was trying not to laugh at the responses she was getting from The President.

The interview was unsurprisingly bland, so one wouldn't blame viewers for resorting to the comedic side to mask the depression of watching the President of Africa's most populous nation babble on CNN. Jonathan successfully waffled through the interview, evading critical questions begging for answers, but one of the highlights for me was his fallacious pokerfaced responses to questions relating to the power sector. One of the piteous responses from the President was; "The power infrastructure is one investment that must complete the chain before the bulb can light." This bulb lighting analogy typifies the leadership vacuum and general state of affairs in contemporary Nigeria. May be the President needs to be reminded Edison, Tesla and others inventors lit the bulb in the 19th century. By reducing the mechanisms of power generation to simply lighting a bulb in an age where vacations are being planned to other planets just about sums it up for me.

M.B. O Owolowo can be reached on www.naijatalk 247.com

Remembering Kano's martyrs of 20/1 coordinated attack which took place in about five different police and security personnel formations, including the Zone one office of the AIG, the Yar Akwa Police Division, the Farm Centre Police Division, State Security Service Head office and the Bompai Police Command respectively.

The chilly and dry wind in the city of Kano on that fateful evening, which characterized the harmattan weather, was suddenly turned to a gruesome

height even as the bright climatic condition turned hazy with bleakly cumulonimbus kind of smoke took over the sky. The ever, burst ling and hustling streets of the ancient city became deserted, the atmospheric condition of Kano have within a twinkle of an eye changed to that of a ghost city, not even birds at that moment fly the sky. What a terrible experience, which we all pray never to witness it again Although it was not certain as to what exactly their mission

“

As a panacea to this ugly development, therefore, it becomes extremely necessary for the people of Kano and, by extension, all other towns and cities facing one form of security threat or another to device a means of removing fear in them by confronting the attackers any time they strike. The earlier people adopt this strategy the better for us in weeding away the enemies within

was, by attacking, maiming and killing most innocent citizens in one of the proud cities of Muslims not only in Nigeria, but at least in the continent of Africa, the attackers have made Kano which is the hub for the true practice of the religion of God insecure. Populated since time immemorial with pious and glorified men of God, Kano is a city with the highest population of genuine lovers of the noble Prophet, Muhammad (SAW) and a city with unique feature of being most religiously civilized, most tolerant and most accommodative and friendly.

It is more worrisome that before the Kano incidence, there have been several other attacks and systematic assassinations in states such as Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Adamawa respectively in which hundreds of innocent lives were lost, but the question is, for how long should we remain under such bondage? What should we do to return the glorious past in our society?

Perhaps it is disheartening that as a result of the activities of this group whose mission certainly contravenes the teaching of the religion of Allah, (Al-Islam). The economic viability of the affected cities has been eroded; in fact, almost every aspect of human endeavor

has been adversely affected by this thereby crippling their prosperity. By their action it is evidently clear that the perpetrators of this heinous activity aimed at just destroying and crippling some selected states and by extension the entire Northern region?

Otherwise, one wonders why, in the guise of religion, a person will throw in bombs and shoot at innocent and defenseless persons in their places of worship, places of work and or in their homes?

As a panacea to this ugly development, therefore, it becomes extremely necessary for the people of Kano and, by extension, all other towns and cities facing one form of security threat or another to device a means of removing fear in them by confronting the attackers any time they strike. The earlier people adopt this strategy the better for us in weeding away the enemies within. As for the martyrs we pray the Almighty Allah will reward them with the best of paradise, and may He bring peace and tranquility in our homes, towns and the nation as a whole, may Kano and indeed any town or city in Nigeria never witness such a calamity in future, Amin.

Lamara Garba Affa is resident in Abuja

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 14

Demons, witches and power outage

By Leo Igwe

I

t was shocking to read that a former university vice chancellor, Prof Nebo attributed the cause of power outage in Nigeria to 'witches and demons'. Witches and demons?

Nebo made the declaration at a screening session on the floor of the Senate. According to him, '"Some highly placed Nigerians believe that when there is outage, it is caused by witches and demons.' I mean this is incredible. Nebo did not specify who these so called 'highly placed Nigerians' were.

"If the President deploys me in the power sector', he declared at the screening session, 'I believe

witches and that given my demons is performance at u t t e r l y the University meaningless. It of Nigeria, Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text is a clear Nsukka, where messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written indication that I drove out the contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 he had no idea witches and words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and of the problems demons, God a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed at stake and will also give to: what the me the power to solutions would drive out the The Editor, be. demons in the T h e Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, power sector." screening 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja.

It was a session was g r e a t Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com really an disappointment SMS: 07037756364 opportunity for to read this him to ' a m a t e u r sermon' as Nebo's diagnosis of the his achievement as a University demonstrate his knowledge of the cause of power outage in the Vice Chancellor. Attributing the issues, articulate these challenges country and how he testified to challenges in the power sector to in very clear terms, and then tell

the Senate Committee how he would address them. But he blew away the opportunity. Nebo did not give any clue at all of how he would tackle these problems in the power sector. I mean what does driving out the demons from the power sector mean? Is he a faith healer? Was he being nominated to be a minister or an exorcist?

Definitely, this is not a kind of statement one expects from an intellectual and scholar on how to go about addressing the critical challenges in the power sector. Nebo does not give one any hope that he has some meaningful contribution to make in this important sector of the Nigerian economy.

Leo Igwe lives in Lagos.

between the FCTA and mini-bus operators or their agents. To buttress the point, I wish to quote extensively from the Peoples Daily story of June 26, 2012.

"As part of measures towards tackling the perennial problem of traffic congestion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the FCT administration has announced the commencement of feeder service operation by mini buses in Abuja from August 1, 2012.

"This was disclosed by the secretary, FCT transportation secretariat, Engineer Jonathan Achara Ivoke yesterday, at an interactive session with stakeholders to mark the beginning of the sensitization for the implementation of the feeder service operations" (emphasis mine).

I hate to accuse my colleague and friend, Garba Shehu of mischief. It beats one hollow that he could raise the poser: "where does it happen that a government issues a drastic policy directive such as this one without talking to anyone, and it is only when trouble starts that a meeting will be called with stakeholders?" Haba! Garba.

Could the People's Daily be lying when it claimed that there was an interactive session? If it was saying the truth, why would anyone, including Shehu so conveniently sweep the abundant evidence of consultations under the carpet if not to justify the spurious claim that the minister has been arbitrary and snobbish?

From the above, it is obvious that the problem was not caused

Shehu was misled into believing that the Bala Mohammed FCT Administration failed to provide alternative transportation facilities. The true position is that under President Jonathan's palliative measures, the Federal Government had released 300 high capacity buses to boost the mass transit arrangement in the federal capital territory. Out of these, 100 units were released to the FCT chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in recognition of its status as a major stakeholder in the city's transportation plans. Garba Shehu will be surprised to learn, as was reported by his paper, the Peoples Daily under the headline: "FCTA foils attempt to smuggle 40 buses to Lagos" on July 18, 2012, that some characters in Abuja had attempted to smuggle 40 out of the 100 units to Lagos State. If the story is correct, then it will be safe to infer that either the FCT buses are in excess to requirement or that some of the operators were out to subvert the system. Beyond the mass transit system, I doubt that the bold and effective steps taken

by Senator Bala Mohammed to see to the completion of the Abuja Light Rail can be regarded as the action of a man who wants to consign the masses to the backwaters of Abuja as Mallam Garba Shehu would want us to believe.

Bala Mohammed has demonstrated humility and commonsense by suspending the policy and setting up a panel to allow for further fine-tuning of its operations. This is consistent with the practice in every democracy.

There is no gainsaying that, like every program or policy the new transportation policy will have its own fair share of hitches. It helps in no way to exaggerate the problems out of context by demonizing the minister, 2015 or not! With the matter thrown wide open, it is now for aggrieved operators or any other stakeholders to explore the window to address their grievances and fears and ensure that nothing detracts from the objective of an efficient public transport system for the FCT. On its part, the FCT administration should take advantage of this public forum, to rectify any shortcomings and rescue the policy from the politics of 2015.

WRITE TO US

Your columnist was wrong on Bala Mohammed

By Emma Agu

R

eactions to the now suspended transportation policy of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, further expose the risks associated with public service in a society like ours characterized by a penchant to personalize every public policy and make political capital out of every situation. Garba Shehu's 'Abuja: When the masses get in the way' which appeared in his column, 'Musings,' in the Peoples Daily of January 23, 2013 is a typical example of this unfortunate tendency.

Shehu's points of departure can be summarized thus: first that commuters were thrown into needless suffering, which is correct; second, that no alternative means of transportation was created and no consultation was made before implementing the policy, which is incorrect and third, that FCT minister, Senator Bala Mohammed is unfeeling and needlessly arrogant, which is wrong and pointedly mischievous!

But let me start by sympathizing with the thousands of commuters who became innocent victims of the stand-off between the FCTA and mini bus operators over the need to impose order on the chaotic and debilitating transport situation in the FCT. Of late, the ever-increasing security threat has added a new impetus to the desirability of streamlining the capital city's transportation arrangement.

In his article on the delineation of routes for mini and high capacity buses, Shehu spared no effort in painting Bala Mohammed as an arrogant and unfeeling aristocrat who cared no hoot about the plight of the less privileged insofar as the interests of the elite had been satisfied. It should be admitted that this is not the first time a minister of the FCT is being dubbed as anti-people. Nasir elRufai was similarly labeled as unconscionable and arrogant because he insisted on adhering to the Abuja master plan. Those of us at the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) were almost sucked into the same line of thought because by barring vendors from street hawking, we thought that he had sounded the death knell for newspapers. That

was before we met with him!

Today, it is Bala Mohammed's turn.

Nothing in the foregoing should be interpreted as suggesting that the minister or any public officer should be insulated from public scrutiny with respect to the person's actions and inactions. But it is a totally different ball game when the critic is simply playing to the gallery to score cheap political points by feasting on the misfortune of the people. I would hesitate to impute such a motive to Garba's article if his sweeping conclusions had not been drawn from inexplicable inaccuracies and half-truths.

Take, for instance, the argument that the minister simply rammed the policy down the throat of everybody without consulting with stakeholders. That is not true. If you doubt me, consider these headlines in some Nigerian newspapers: 'Commercial bus drivers reject FCTA's route policy' (Peoples Daily, Wednesday, July 18, 2012); FCTA extends commencement of minibus feeder routes operation, Peoples Daily, Friday, July 27, 2012); Mini bus routes: FCTA threatens to close motor parks (The Road, July 27, 2012) and Traffic congestion: FCTA designates routes for mini, high capacity buses (Peoples Daily, June 26, 2012).

None of the stories quoted above conveys the impression that the FCT simply dropped the policy on transporters. On the contrary, they all emanated from meetings

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The true position is that under President Jonathan's palliative measures, the Federal Government had released 300 high capacity buses to boost the mass transit arrangement in the federal capital territory.

Out of these, 100 units were released to the FCT chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in recognition of its status as a major stakeholder in the city's transportation plans

by lack of consultation with stakeholders, if, by stakeholders, we mean the transporters or mini bus operators. On the other hand, it will appear that the FCT did not consult with or sufficiently sensitize the most vulnerable stakeholder group-the commuters-before rolling out the plan.

Unfortunately, the preoccupation with the privileged class has been the bane of most policies in Nigeria, irrespective of the administration in power. Garba Shehu who was special assistant to former vice president Atiku Abubakar and who remains his media adviser will have no difficulty agreeing with this position.

That is why I find highly perplexing his personalization of the problem, a fact that probably explains his failure to read the mountain of evidence by his own newspaper. I am not advocating that Bala Mohammed should be spared the scrutiny his action deserves. But when Garba queries: "Why would the minister shut out commercial buses from the city without an alternative means of transportation? Did he build those roads with money from his personal business?" that reeks of soapbox rhetoric, of one writing from a prepared script. It gets a little uncomfortable when he talks about 2015 in a manner that tends to remind the administration that it is in its second term, a matter that is before the courts for determination.

Honestly speaking, the danger we face is that when, because of politics, we choose to throw the baby away with the bath water, we risk the greater danger of foisting irreparable long term damage on the people. To say that Abuja's transportation system needs to be sanitized is stating the obvious. To unravel the traffic gridlock that leaves much of Abuja prostrate during closing hours remains a daunting challenge. For the average commuter, the most important thing is availability of the buses which, the FCT is already addressing contrary to Garba Shehu's sweeping claim that no alternative means of transportation was provided as if he didn't read that the mini bus operators chased the high capacity buses away from the roads.

Quite frankly, it seems quite obvious that my good friend Garba

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

By Haruna Abdul-Rahman

P

overty spreads. Peace disappeared. The good times are gone. The people now face hard times. The government watches and makes new promises. But, however hard Governor Umaru Al-makura tries to lead, the ethnic conflicts in the southern part of Nasarawa state do not appear to go away.

Recently, the governor, Umaru Al-Makura, during a security meeting, vowed to restore normality in the troubled areas and promised to convene a security conference in the state.

But, considering the level of the crises which started from Assakio and spread to Giza, Agyaragu, Burumburum, Barkin Abdullahi and Agbashi, causing the death of many people and severe injuries to several others and destroying multi-million Naira worth of property, more promises may soon be made by the governor.

Expectedly, the people of the state and the government have condemned the crises and expressed their love for peace to return. Unfortunately, the love for peace does not guarantee its presence, and the condemnation of violence does not, in any way, prevent it from reoccurring. What is needed to ensure harmony and peaceful co-existence are good economic policies tailored to contain poverty and youth restiveness, nipping crisis in the bud and meting punishment for offenders.

It is also advisable, on such occasions, for the governor to think rationally and learn from history how other leaders who have found themselves in problems similar to the ones he now faces have solved theirs. History, it is said, is the best

By Ayobami Oyalowo

D

r. Reuben Abati, the erstwhile chairman of the editorial board of the Guardian newspapers was a powerful columnist. A man behind the reason many purchased The Guardian, just to have a peek into his powerful mind. A panelist on Patito's gang, a television program that had many idealistic youths glued to their TV sets( where they got informed and were able to form different perspectives on government, governance and public service), Abati was almost too good to be true.

Labaran Maku, a once powerful student union activist, who once led thousands of students on a demonstration to protest against what he termed "a mindless" increase in fuel (PMS)price by the ruling military junta in Nigeria in the middle 80s, also comes to mind. He was a nononsense, straight talker; shooting from the hip, student union leader back in the University of Jos. What do these two men have in common? Many refer to them as turncoats, sellouts, betrayers etc. I didn't mention Reno and Okupe, because both of them have no antecedents. They are therefore inconsequential men seeking for daily bread at any cost, even at the risk of being called attack lions, dogs or whatever they deem fit.

The focus is on the two gentlemen earlier introduced above, who at one time or the other rattled

PAGE 15

Why peace eludes Nasarawa state friend and teacher to the leader.

Happily for governor AlMakura, he need not go far in history to learn as his predecessors in office, Abdullahi Adamu and Aliyu Akwe Doma, were all forced to deal with similar crisis situations as he is now facing. During the time of Adamu, there was the Obi crisis which was nasty. How was it resolved? Quickly and decisively; with the offenders arrested, detained and taken to court. The Toto crisis, how was it settled by Adamu? Through the same means. The Egbira and Bassa warlords and their sponsors were dealt serious legal blows, culminating in their jailing.

On his own part, Doma handled the Tiv and Fulani clash that occurred along the Benue and Nasarawa states border through the dialogue/carrot approach. He invited leaders of the warring parties to a roundtable meeting and highlighted to them the need to bring back, and maintain, peace in their areas.

Interestingly, the two former leaders, it should be noted, showed great commitment and determination to resolve the crises that confronted them. Above all, they refused to encourage, or take sides with, any of the warring parties and, in the process, demonstrated that as leaders, peace was vital to the achievement of their own successes and the development of the state that they governed.

Essentially, the relative peace enjoyed in the state during their times were earned and deserved by the governors and the people of the state.

But, now, the situation is different and we are reaping from what our government has sown in the fertile land of crisis.

Significantly, the government has failed to tackle poverty and nip crisis in the bud. Its response to crisis situations can be described as inadequate and it implements bad economic policies.

In fact, according to a lawmaker in the state, Anthony Obande, in a press interview, the government and the security agencies should be blamed for the crisis in Agbashi. He pointed out that the administration, against all grain of reasoning, on January 13, withdrew the soldiers it deployed to Agbashi to forestall the outbreak of crisis and by the early hours of the next day, violence erupted.

Curiously, after months of violent clashes in the state, the

government has yet to take one suspected arsonist or murderer to the court of law for prosecution.

On the socio-economic fronts, the state is in shambles. The welfare of the people is neglected and poverty became deepened and widespread. Agreed, roads are being constructed, but, at what cost (per kilometer) and how does that readily improve the living conditions of the common people?

The same goes for the ongoing airport project which, in all fairness, is not needed in the state which is listed among the lowest in the latest poverty ranking.

And, if one could ask, why is agriculture which is the main preoccupation of the people, engaging more than 80% of the state's indigenes, yet to get any attention from the government?

No doubt, bad security system coupled with bad economic policies

“

I recall, last year, some associates of the governor including the commissioner of finance Prof. Mainoma, Musa Ilu, Dr Mohammed Ahmed among others, openly voiced their support for, and urged those attending a political gathering to support the chairmanship aspiration of Aminu Mu'azu on the ground that it is now the turn of the Hausa/Fulani to rule the Kanuri in Lafia. The event took place at Ibrahim Abacha Youth Centre, Lafia.

Are we all for sale?

various governments, opposed policies that they considered antipeople or anti-masses and had been seen as defenders of the common man or "activists".

Why am I focusing on Reuben Abati and Labaran Maku? It is simple: I have seen various characters mushrooming as activists, many are either jobless or underemployed and therefore find in activism a pastime. I have also seen others who take what they themselves term a "moderate" position and daily attack their fellow "activists". And as the race towards 2015 heats up, many will surface as we go along. My concern in this write up is to try to argue for activists who have either turned "turncoats" or will later become turncoats.

What makes a man suddenly turn around to embrace a life he once derided? How can a man who once wrote or spoke in a manner that sent jitters down the Government's spine, turn around to suddenly become a sissy? How can a man who criticized the government and called the president names suddenly turn around to not only work for the same president, but lie, fight dirty, lose every sense of decorum and engage in mudslinging just to curry favour and remain relevant in the kitchen cabinet of the same

man he once derided as "inadequate" and incapable of leading the country?

Successive rulers had done nothing but pauperize the Nigerian masses. Most Nigerians (70% of them according to the national bureau of statistics) live below the poverty line. There is a saying that a hungry man is an angry man. No matter your ethos, principles or personal ethics, most (not all) people will sacrifice belly for principle. No man can think well on an empty tummy. Our despotic rulers know this. No wonder, Ibrahim "Maradona" Babangida set about his task of impoverishing the vast majority of Nigerians during his inglorious 8 year rule. He did a wonderful job of wiping out the middle class in Nigeria. He laid the foundation for "cash and carry" activism, soiled many and destroyed a lot too. He ensured, during his time that "man must live by bread and bread alone" Let us reason together here. A professor who is supposedly on the highest social strata, lives in a ramshackle government building, with a wife and maybe 4 children, who earns about N400,000 monthly, depending on the discipline or school, will gladly throw away the chalk and grab any political appointment to earn

extra pay. Consider a journalist or some other professional who earns even less. These people are expected to feed a family, clothe them, pay school fees and other living expenses, yet they must live like respectable members of the society.

I am aware that most journalists don't earn up to N100,000 monthly, while a barely literate ward councillor and the Local Government Chairman are busy building houses like birds, riding exotic cars and living large.

No wonder principled and seemingly intelligent journalists are happy to ditch their professions and become press secretaries , special assistants on media and the likes to riff raffs in government just to have a taste of the good life. Same way retired old men whom we assumed to be men of integrity will abandon retirement to run mundane and useless "SURE" errands for a shady and unfocused government so that they can "leave something" for their children and great grand children.

No wonder Ayourb said, in "every battle of survival versus principle, survival mostly wins." Man's instinct is to always survive and keep his head above the water.

The great Dwight Eisenhower warned against valuing privilege over principles, as there is a clear danger of losing both. It is clear that

could conspire to discourage people from participating in agriculture and other small scale businesses and, in the end, deny the economy of the state the opportunity to grow and also deny the vast majority of the people the opportunity to become self-employed at a time when the government, which is the largest employer of labour, is increasingly finding it difficult to employ our growing number of the unemployed.

On the political front, our government is also not faring well.

Every now and then, ethnic sentiment gets whipped up by some top government officials who are considered very close to the governor, to the detriment of our peace and development.

I recall, last year, some associates of the governor including the commissioner of finance Prof.

Mainoma, Musa Ilu, Dr Mohammed Ahmed among others, openly voiced their support for, and urged those attending a political gathering to support the chairmanship aspiration of Aminu Mu'azu on the ground that it is now the turn of the Hausa/ Fulani to rule the Kanuri in Lafia.

The event took place at Ibrahim Abacha Youth Centre, Lafia.

It is this type of politicking combining with bad economic policies which gives rise to poverty and sows the seed of ethnic discord.

But, if we all behave patriotically and rationally, there won't be any crisis or the need for the proposed money guzzling security conference.

Haruna Abul-Rahman in wrote in from Kilema, Lafia, Nasarawa state. we have lost our sense of value as a people. Most times you are judged by the type of car you drive, the clothes you wear or the kind of place your house is located. I have witnessed several situations, first hand, where I was allowed into some places because I drove a "big car", whereas I had been denied same privilege in the past, when I came on foot. Our sense of value is warped.

Also as a people, our warped sense of value leads us to berate any of "our sons", or daughters, "stupid" enough to leave a government appointment without amassing enough wealth for the "future". We deride such people who either by virtue of principle or religious zealotry, refused to dip their hands into the cookie jar; calling them names.

It is a lot easier to stand afar and throw stones at Reuben Abati and his co travelers in the present malady we erroneously refer to as a government, but the truth be told, what was Abati's financial worth before supposed hunger pushed him to seek crumbs from his master's table? What were his economic and financial woes? Same goes for Maku, Reno and the shameless attack dog turned lion, Okupe. In a society where privileges are valued above principles, where men are judged by the quality of their earnings above the depth of their mind, we will keep losing our best to the dark side.

Ayobami Oyalowo is @Ayourb on twitter

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Teenager handed 30 days ultimatum to refund N.57m dowry to husband

A

n Abuja Area Court sitting in Lugbe, Abuja has ordered a 16-yearold girl, Maryam Suleiman and her parents to refund N570,000 to her husband, Mukailu Naibi, over a fraudulent marriage.

Delivering judgment in the case, the Judge, Haruna Masanawa, ruled that Suleiman and her parents must refund the money to Naibi within 30 days.

Masanawa also ordered that Naibi’s estranged wife, who had filed for divorce, must remain married to him pending the full refund of the amount.

“Based on the evidence before me, the court is convinced that the plaintiff’s parents are dubious people that no child should be proud of.

“They collected money from different suitors, all with the fraudulent intention of marrying their daughter out to them; all of which turned out to be fake promises.

“This honourable court hereby orders the plaintiff to pay the defendant the sum of N570,000 before divorce is granted to her,’’ Masanawa said.

Naibi of Keke village, Kaduna, whose wife allegedly starved him of sex for two years of their marriage, had demanded N1. 2 million as compensation from the wife’s parents before he would agree to his wife’s request for divorce.

Naibi, 37, while testifying in the case, said the amount covered the bride price he paid before marrying Suleiman.

He told the court that the amount also covered the cost of

damage done to his house after Suleiman set it on fire before filing for divorce.

Naibi tendered written documents with records of all expenses made on his estranged wife and her parents, in addition to presenting a witness who testified in his favour.

He told the court that his wife had refused to make love to him since they got married

two years ago.

“Your worship, since we got married two years ago, my wife never allowed me to make love to her for once and all my attempts to do it always led to fighting.

“I married her out of love and I still love her, but with this development, I have no choice, but to ask the court to grant her divorce wish for the

Young men off-loading cables from a pick-up van in Garki, Abuja.

sake of peace,” Naibi said.

In her testimony, Suleiman said her husband had made love to her once but she was not impressed and so wanted divorce.

“I don’t love him; I don’t love anybody who bears his name and I hate anybody who loves him,” she told the court.

Naibi’s in-laws denied most of his claims. (NAN)

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Man drugs fellow, carts away Keke NAPaEP

O

ne Aminu Iliyasu of Gwarimpa village was yesterday sentenced by an Abuja Magistrates Court to two months imprisonment for stealing a tricycle, popularly known as Keke-NAPEP. The Prosecutor, Mr Philip Appolos, told the court that the accused, on January 19, 2013 drugged the tricycle operator,

Nura Dahiru, of Gwarimpa village, and stole his tricycle.

He said that the accused boarded Dahiru’s tricycle at Gwarimpa village, but on getting to the Works and Housing Estate, also in Gwarimpa, he drugged him.

He explained that the accused offered Dahiru a bottle of water who then slept off after drinking

the water.

Appolos told the court that Dahiru reported the case to the Gwarimpa police station, Abuja, on January 21.

The convict, he said, was charged with theft, punishable under Section 288 of the Penal Code.

Iliyasu pleaded guilty to the offence and pleaded for leniency.

The presiding Magistrate, Mrs Asma’u Akabi, sentenced Iliyasu to two months imprisonment with an option of N2,000 fine.

She warned him never to indulge in such acts.

Illyasu, who was unable to pay the fine, was therefore taken to the Kuje prison to serve his jail term. (NAN)

Police arraign six for allegedly stealing NITEL cables

T

he Police on Monday arraigned six men for alleged criminal conspiracy, trespass, mischief and theft, before a Gudu Upper Area Court.

They are Falalu Abdullahi, Tanimu Yakubu, Ibrahim Muazu, Sani Abubakar, Ibrahim Hassan and Shekwolo Thomas, who are residents of Maitama Village, Abuja.

Police prosecutor Patrick Obetta told the court the matter

was reported on January 25, 2013 at the Maitama Division Police Station by Sgt Ishaku Gule, who is attached to the station.

He said the accused conspired and trespassed into a NITEL property to steal communications cables.

Obetta said that a team of policemen led by Insp. Oche Gule arrested the accused, after they had vandalised and stolen NITEL cable wires.

“We recovered two saw blades, a machine used for towing vehicles, one Mazda car with Reg. No. KZ745EKY, one Gulf car with Reg. No.AS30BDG, containing 121 cable wires cut to size were recovered from them,’’ the prosecutor said.

He said the offences contravene the provisions of Sections 97, 343, 334 and 287 of the Penal Code , but the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Presiding Judge Adamu Wakili ordered that the accused to be remanded in prison custody, while their application for bail should be filed in writing by their counsel, Mr Ndubuisi Kalu.

“The counsel should file an applications for their bail in writing and it will be determined on its merit,’’ Wakili said.

He adjourned the case to March 5, 2013 for further hearing. (NAN)

INSIDE FCT COURTS Police arraign bizman for allegedly issuing dud cheque

T

he Police on Monday arraigned an Abuja b u s i n e s s m a n , Emmanuel Okolie, 41, at a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates Court for allegedly issuing a dud cheque.

Police Prosecutor, Abdullahi Adamu told the court that on August 9, 2012, one Osayi Olisa of 21, Niamey St, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, had reported the accused at the Wuse Zone 3 Police Station.

According to Adamu, the complainant reported the accused, who lives at 6, Arab Road, Kubwa and one Emeka Osayi, who is at large.

Adamu told the court that the two conspired and dishonestly stole three sets of sofas, valued at N3.3 million from Olisa’s shop at Othan Plaza, Wuse, Zone 1, Abuja.

He said Okolie had issued a Zenith Bank cheque for N2.9 million with serial number 42777987 to Olisa but the cheque bounced.

The prosecutor said that when Olisa approached Okolie to tell him what had happened and to demand for his money, he threatened to kill him.

Adamu said the offences of joint act, theft, criminal intimidation and criminal breach of trust were contrary to sections 79, 287, 397(B), 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

He also said that the offence of issuance of dud cheque was also in contravention of Section 1 of the Dishonoured Cheque Act, CAP 312, laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Okolie pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Counsel to the accused, Ikechukwu Obidike, prayed the court to admit his client of bail.

Obidike told the court that if granted bail, Okolie would not interfere with police investigation or commit other crimes.

Senior Magistrate Simisola Adeniyi granted Okolie bail in the sum of N250,000 and two reasonable sureties in like sum.

She said that one of the sureties must be a public servant in the Federal Civil Service and they must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

Adeniyi adjourned the case to February 20, 2013 for hearing. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 17

Open defecation worries Garki residents A cross section of residents living in Area 1, Garki District of Abuja have decried the practice of open defecation in the area.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the area reports that the environment was littered with human faeces.

Mr Ade Akintola, a resident of the area expressed dismay over the foul odour that pervaded the area.

“I am surprised that this is

done here; what can one say about the outskirts where perhaps, you will say some people do not have toilet facilities and therefore, practice open defecation.

“Those who have sanitation as their work should try and take drastic measures to correct this indiscipline; it is really disheartening,’’ he said.

Similarly, another resident, Mrs Amaka Nwaobi, said:’’It is really disgusting that one will sit in her house and never have

fresh air due to pollution from open defecation and urination.’’

She also expressed shock that people took their bath in the open when it was dark and in the morning, the area would be littered with faeces.

Also reacting to the situation, Mr Paschal Ede, a legal practitioner, said:’’I can’t believe that one can see ugly sights like this in the city centre, which should be a model of good sanitation. ‘’Drastic measures should

be put in place to eradicate the practice, proper regulations should also be put in place to monitor defaulters.

“Lastly, government should put in place toilet facilities in open places for public use,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Uche Agbanusi, the Deputy Director and Head, Environmental Health and Safety, Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), has condemned the practice.

Agbanusi noted that the major causes of mortalities and morbidity were traceable to factors arising from poor environmental sanitation.

According to him, poor disposal of human faeces is one of them.

He stressed that maintenance of a clean environment was everyone’s responsibility and warned that anyone caught defecating in the open would be punished.

(NAN)

FCTA collaborates with Canadian govt to dev. Abuja rail transport

By Etuka Sunday

T

What about the other road users?

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Security agencies meet over influx of foreign immigrants in FCT

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

S

ecurities agencies yesterday convened an emergency meeting to appraise the increased influx of foreign immigrants into the Federal Capital Territory.

The meeting was attended by all the heads of military formation in FCT, FCT Police Commissioner, Director, Department of State Security, FCT Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps,

representatives of Customs, Immigration and Prisons.

Others in attendance were the FCT Permanent Secretary, Chairmen of the six Area Councils in FCT, as well as other top officials of the FCT Administration.

Speaking, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, who summoned the emergency security meeting at the Banquet Hall of his official residence in Gwarimpa I District, Abuja remarked that it is only normal for this administration to take proactive measures to reduce any

possibility of security breach in the Territory.

He emphasized that the government does not want to be taken unawares as the security of lives and property were very paramount.

He therefore, called for continued collaboration, sharing of information with a view to ensuring synergy amongst all the security outfits in the territory.

While reminding them of the constant need to share intelligence so as to nip on the bud

any elements of crime or criminality, the minister promised to support the security agencies by procuring new security equipment to ease their operation.

Senator Mohammed further urged the security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory to be on a red alert to effectively take precautionary measures against any unforeseen circumstance.

This was as he also advised the residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the security agents.

Council assures of protection, sustainability of clinic project

By Adeola Tukuru

K

wali Area Council has assured of protection and sustainability of a clinic project donated by a corpse member, Dr Okeke Kanayo, last week to Fuka Community of the council.

The council chairman, Mr

Joseph Shazin, who stated this in Fuka near Kwali had also offered immediate employment to Kanayo on completion of his National Youth Service Corpse (NYSC).

Shazin, represented by Mr Danjuma Dauda, Supervisory Councillor for Works and Housing had also recommended the corpse

member for NYSC National Award.

He said plans were concluded to ensure that health officers as well facilities needed in the clinic were mobilized to prompt take off of the clinic.

“I am aware that this same corpse member has been involved in several medical outreaches

particularly in the deworming of school children and distribution of mosquito treated nets in various communities since the commencement of his service in the council.

“I promise him, the entire people of Fuka and its environs that the clinic will be put into good use,” he said.

he Federal Capital T e r r i t o r y Administration (FCTA) and the Canadian Government have expressed their readiness to partner in the area of rail transport to reduce the hardship been experienced by residents especially workers on Abuja roads.

This was disclosed by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed after a BiNational Commission meeting with the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Edwin Fast at the Canadian High Commission Abuja.

Senator Mohammed said he was pleased with the high level delegation by the Canadian Government to Nigeria particularly Abuja, stating that the visit shows that the Nigerian diplomatic relation has come to position in terms of collaboration.

According to him, Canada has achieved so much within a very short time and if Nigeria must leapfrog as a nation then it must follow the Canadian example.

“To do that, we need to build capacities, both human and technical capacities, so that we can serve our teeming population,” he said.

He said Nigeria and Canada have a lot of similarities and would want Canadian government to support FCTA in the area of Mass Transit especially light rail since Canada has developed its light rail to full capacities.

Also speaking, the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Edwin Fast said Canada has been involved in the Educational success recorded so far in Nigeria, adding that most of the leaders in Nigeria today were trained by the Canadian teachers.

He said that the visit to Nigeria was to strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries, saying that Canada and Nigeria have a lot of things in common especially in the areas of Oil and Gas and Mining.

According to him, Canada is already known for an advanced rail transport system and would want to help Nigeria proffer solutions to its transport problems.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Coordinator of TB, leprosy programme advocates equal treatment

T

Truck pusher out for business to earn a living.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Council distribute poverty alleviation vehicles, tools to residents

By Adeola Tukuru

R

esidents of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) yesterday applauded the chairman of the council, Hon Danladi Estu Zhin for distributing five Tricycles,10 Car washing machines , 15 Sewing machines and 2 14 sitter Hiace bus to aid transportation and alleviate poverty in the council Some of the residents who spoke to Peoples Daily during the flagging off of the program lauded the council chairman for keeping them at heart, adding that this would go a long way in putting

•••As residents laud initiative food on their table .

One of the beneficiaries, Mohammed Isa said that before now, he has been struggling to make ends meet with a motorcycle he borrowed from one his friends and now he is a proud owner of a Keke NAPEP given to him by the chairman.

Another beneficiary of a sewing machine, Mrs. Ana Adaize said the machine would be used to sustain her family, since her husband lost his job 2years ago.

At the event, the chairman of the council, explained that the

items which was part of the SureP initiative was aimed at touching over 300 lives of the people of Kuje in a very unique way.

“We are doing these so that our conscience will be cleared and that we have settled part of the promised we made to God,” he said.

He said that the people of the grass root remain very paramount to him because they stood by him and voted him into power during his electioneering campaign up to the present

administration.

“Like it has rightly been said that these funds is everybody sweat and we are ensuring that this funds is given back to the people from the grass root,” he stressed.

Zhin further urged them to make judicious use of the items given to them.

Also the Assistant National Youth leader under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Alonge Niyi charged the residents to utilize the opportunity given to them by making good use of the items given to them through dedication and compassion.

85 private schools get accreditation to operate in Abuja

By Josephine Ella Ejeh

E

ighty five private schools in various parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), were yesterday accredited by the FCT Administration to operate in the territory.

Among the schools which received their certificates were Imam Malik Academy, Phase 3, Gwagwalada, Asa’s Staff School, Bwari, Omosiogo Nursery and Primary School, Kwali, Olumawo College, Wuse, Satelite Nursery and Primary School, Karshi.

While presenting the certificates to the accredited schools during a town hall meeting with proprietors of private school, the FCT Minster Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed that he has directed the Department of Policy and Implementation to intensify its accreditation.

He however, warned that proprietor of illegal private schools to desist from their illegal business as those caught would not be spared.

“We will not hesitate to bring all erring proprietors to book.

I, therefore, use this platform to send a strong warning to the proprietors of schools that were closed down but which are still operating illegally under different names and at different locations to stop forth with or face stiff penalties because their action is not only grossly irresponsible but criminal to say the least,” the minister said.

He told the school proprietors that educational excellence which is a priority of the administration was collective responsibility that required hardwork.

“As school proprietors, you have a sacred responsibility of ensuring that the best possible school standards are maintained in your schools,” he

said.

He emphasised that “there clearly prescribed rules, regulations and approved curricula which must be strictly adhered to achieve education excellence in the FCT”.

In a remark earlier, the Secretary, FCT Education Secretary, Alhaji Kabir Usman said the secretariat was being confronted with the challenge of refusal of some schools in the FCT to subject themselves to the process of accreditation.

“This is basically because most of the schools are yet to come to terms with the benefits of accreditation. May I quickly remind their proprietors that the purpose of accreditation is to confer legitimacy in the operation of the educational institutions”, he added.

The secretary disclosed the secretariat would soon embark on another round of inspections and

defaulting schools would be shut down and proprietors prosecuted.

On his part, the President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools(NAPPS), Dr. Bukola Dosunmu complained about the high levies being imposed on private school proprietors by the FCT administration.

“Education is the most financially burdened sector of the economy and when effectively funded produces immediate visible, positive multiplier effect on the end consumers. i.e pupils which is why this scarce resources need to be preserved for this purpose and not on avoidable taxes, levies, dues.

“This burdens are pushed to parents and it ultimately reflect on the fees charged and this fees are now being taxed.

Additional taxes will ultimately be transferred to parents already groaning under supposedly high fees,” he explained.

he Coordinator of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, Dr Saddiq Abdurrahman, has advocated equal treatment for people suffering from leprosy.

Abdurrahman told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja at the Saturday that people affected by leprosy had the same rights as other patients and should be accorded equal treatment.

He said that leprosy globally had reached its elimination target, while the cases in Nigeria had declined significantly, with few recorded cases in some states.

According to him, Leprosy is one of the neglected tropical diseases and this gives wrong impression that the disease is no longer of public health importance.

“Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a germ known as mycobacterium Leprae, transmitted via nasal droplets.

Early sign is lighter skin patch with loss of sensation,’’ he said.

He, however, said that it was curable as treatment was available using Multi Drug Therapy (MDT), provided free in all health facilities in the FCT. Abdurrahman explained that preventive measures include health education, awareness creation, training and retraining of health care givers and conducting outreach activities.

“FCT Administration, in its quest to ensure all persons affected by leprosy are well looked after, provided about six hectares of land at Yangoji Alheri Village in Kwali Area Council.

“Basic infrastructure such as houses for each family, clinics staffed with doctors and nurses, schools, motorised borehole, market stalls and power supply with a step down are provided,’’ he said.

The doctor said some socioeconomic rehabilitation activities such as provision of farm lands, establishment of microfinance corporations registered with microfinance banks had also been put in place.

He said the FCTA also provided physical rehabilitation activities for the leprosy patients to take care of their limb ulcers by themselves.

According to him, the World Leprosy Day, which is usually held on every last Sunday of January, has its theme as “Equal Rights and Justice for Persons Affected by Leprosy and Their Family Members’’.

The coordinator explained that the purpose of the day was to create awareness within the community and the general public on the causes, early sign, mode of transmission and prevention of leprosy.

The World Leprosy Day is set aside by WHO to commemorate awareness creation on the leprosy disease. (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 19

INSIDE

NAHCO modernises Kano warehouse FG approves training of 500 engineers for NIPP

Mob: 08033644990

Canadian High Commissioner emphasizing the importance of the partnership between Canada on and the FCT in the area of improved infrastructure in the Territory to the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed at the Canadian embassy during the round table discussion on improving on the trade relationship between Nigeria and Canada.

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

T

Canada-Nigeria Business Association to double trade at N640bn by 2015

By Etuka Sunday

P

lans are on the way by the Canada-Nigeria Business Association to double the volume of trade by 2015 to $6 billion (N640 billion) through renewed efforts to expand the two countries’ economic ties by ensuring that each country’s private sector is involved with the opportunities in the other country.

This was contained in the joint communiqué signed by the Honourable Ministers of Trade and Investment Dr. Olusegun Aganga of Nigeria and that of Canadian International Trade, Edward Fast, under the Nigeria-Canada BiNational Commission in Abuja on

- Pg 20

Monday.

The Ministers expressed confidence that the negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) would “provide investors with stable, transparent and predictable environment needed to invest with greater confidence and further enhance bilateral trade and investment climate.”

They noted that developments in the vital sectors in Nigeria are still low especially in Mining, Electricity, Rail, Road, Aviation, Agriculture and looked forward to the early passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill which according to them would build investors confidence in the sector.

Acknowledging Canada’s expertise in skills training for employment (vocational training) the Ministers pledged to support the efforts to develop a model vocational training project in Nigeria by the Canadian Association of Canadian Community Colleges and also the need to encourage investment in the Information and Communications Technology sector where Canada is already well established.

Speaking to newsmen after the event, the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi said there was need to deemphasize the use of

certificate as the only yardstick for securing a job in Nigeria, stating that the coming together of Nigeria and Canada would promote vocational training and self employment in Nigeria.

Governor Obi said that in the last three months four Canadian Ministers have visited Nigeria, which shows their readiness to invest in the country therefore there are a lot of ways in which Nigeria could benefit from them.

He said that for Anambra in particular, it has the highest concentration of entrepreneurial people and in terms of manufacturing Anambra is the driver therefore there was need for partnership.

he Board of Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), operators of the National Integrated Power Project, (NIPP) has approved the training of 500 engineers in order to effectively manage the transmission of electricity in the country.

The Board Chaired by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, noted the appreciable improvement made in terms of power generation.

Speaking at the 25th meeting of the oard yesterday, Sambo noted that appreciable power generation in excess of 4,500MW had already been achieved.

Sambo urged governors who are members of the Board to send observers to monitor the work by the companies to ensure the June 2013 deadline for Distribution companies and December 2013 for Transmission Companies are realised.

The Board also approved the sum of N5.3 billion budget (mainly for salaries and overheads) presented by the NDPHC as well as settlement of way leave.

Presenting the status report, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Mr. James Olotu, said security and community issues still persist in some zones as well as the problems of way leave by the host communities.

He stated that work had been completed in many other stations.

On Alaoji station, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia state reported that 10 hectares of land had been acquired for staff quarters.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state assured the year 2013 will be the year of electricity harvest as all the 10 power generating companies will come on stream then.

NSE bond market capitalisation hits N5.82 trillion From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyeama has said that the nation’s capital market bond capitalisation has grown to N5.82 trillion in 2012, thus representing an increase of 55.6 per cent or $37.44 billion when compared with N3.7 trillion or $24.63 billion surge recorded by the end of 2011 financial year.

Onyeama, who disclosed this yesterday at the NSE Retail Bonds Trading and Fixed Income Market Making (FIMM) workshop held in Lagos, stated that the bond capitalization is likely to grow further due to nation’s need to grow its infrastructural facilities.

According to him, the

motive behind introduction of FIMM is to avail access to bond market to both the retail and institutional investors.

He noted that until now the market was mainly accessible to only the institutional, corporate and High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) through

the Over The Counter (OTC) market, but with introduction of the FIMM program, he said, all investors will have easy access to the market through their broker/dealers via the NSE Automated Trading System.

The FIMM platform

according Onyema, allows debt market participants to trade on the NSE listed instrument issued by the Federal and State Governments or Corporations and equally provide liquidity and transparency through an order book with firm orders.

Management Tip of the Day

The right way to give your boss bad news

N

o one likes a difficult conversation with the boss, but it can be a valuable tool for building a trusting relationship. Try these four steps the next time you need to share upsetting news:· Describe the problem. Provide a general overview and show the specific impact it has on your work

and the company’s goals.· Identify your solution. Explain how you’ve already tried to solve the problem and what you’ve learned from those attempts.

Recommend a specific approach, along with alternatives to give your manager options.· Discuss the benefits. Focus on concrete examples of how your

idea will succeed. If you have tested your approach on a small scale with good results, share that information.· A c c e p t responsibility. Demonstrate your commitment to ensuring success.

Work with your manager to develop a final action plan.

Source: Harvard Business Review

He further assured that through efficiency the market is creating and provision of liquidity through the FIMM, retail participation will be attracted to the market adding that any investor, both local or foreign who meet the anticipated need of the market are free to trade.

Responding on the question on what the NSE is doing to ensure that market is not highjack by foreign investors, Onyema assured that Nigerian market is a free, good and well-structured one, which allows free entry and exit, such market, he said need to be operated in a transparent manner. ‘’It will be unfair to stop some foreign investors from accessing the market while of them are already in it’’, he said.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS National Association of Microfinance Banks

T

he National Association of Microfinance Banks (NAMB), South-West Zone has warned the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN on the imminent danger of the revised microfinance policy framework.

Chairman of the Zone, Mr. Olufemi Babajide raised the alarm in a statement entitled dialogue on capitalisation and categorisation of MFBs in Lagos.

Babajide said, “The deadline of December 31st, 2012 is not feasible. We want the deadline to be extended till December 31st, 2014. If implemented, it will erode the gains we are already recording in the sub-sector, especially the stability we are experiencing.

International Energy Agency

T

he International Energy Agency in its December oil market report noted that five of the world’s top 10 oil consumers are nonOrganisaECD countries. China and India follow the US and then Russia, Saudi Arabia and Brazil. The non-OECD has caught up.

The 2012 BP Statistical Review showed 2011 nonOECD consumption at 48.5 per cent of the world total, with growth of more than 5 per cent for the year. Oil remained the leading global fuel, at 33 per cent of total energy consumed.

Rising US oil production and falling imports is good news for the US but the overarching global trend stresses growing competition for oil imports and reserves as non-OECD demand overtakes that of the OECD.

Embraer to make its Lineage 1000 jet public in Abuja and Lagos From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he management of Embraer’s, owners of the Lineage 1000 executive jet have said its jet will spread its wings for the second time in

six months in Abuja and Lagos.

SkyJet Aviation Services Director of Sales for West Africa, Mr. Bruce Fullerton told reporters, “It will land in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja on the 4th-5th and 6th-

7th in Lagos, all in February.

The demonstration in Abuja will be at the newly commissioned General Aviation Terminal in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, while that of Lagos will be at

FAAN, concessionaire battle over hectares of land at MMIA

T

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

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the land is located at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.

It took the quick intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Airport’s Command, Mr. Olatunde Caulcrick, to bring the situation under control.

NAN reports that a similar

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

Speaking on the development, Mr. Gbenga Akinyemi, the personal assistant to the owner of Hilton, Mr. Harry Akande explained that the company was on the land by virtue of a lease agreement it entered into with FAAN since February 1998.

He said that there was a subsisting court order, which stopped FAAN from coming into

the land to harass its personnel.

Mr. Yakubu Dati, the general manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, described the action of the concessionaire as an attempt to breach security at the airport.

Dati insisted that the land in question belonged to the Federal Government and would be wrong for any individual to lay claim on it. He said that the agency would continue to respect the rule of law and would not be forced to result to violence in spite of attempts by the concessionaire to lure it into crisis. (NAN)

NAHCO modernises Kano warehouse

T

he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, (Nahco Aviance) said it has begun the moderniSation and expansion of its Kano warehouse to meet international standard and enhance service delivery to its numerous clients.

The company, a leading aviation handling service provider, currently owns and operates the largest cargo warehouse in sub Sahara Africa Cooperates Communications head of the company, Sanya

Onayoade Told reporters the Kano project is in line with the ongoing Federal Government’s airports modernization and expansion programs.

He said Nahco aviance will continue to partner all relevant government agencies towards a better aviation industry.

“In the light of the current realities, the Kano warehouse which was commissioned in the 80’s and occupies about 4000 square metres requires an upliftment to meet the expected

challenge.

Therefore, the current programme will contribute significantly to a better and efficient cargo business in the northern part of the country.”

According to him, the resultant effect will be an increase in cargo capacity and a boost in trade; especially considering the geographical location of Mallam Aminu International Airport, Kano as a possible cargo hub in Northern Nigeria.

Lower Anambra Irrigation Project

T

he Federal Government is to complete the rehabilitation of the deteriorated Lower Anambra Irrigation project, which was established in 1981.

Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, who stated this at the weekend when he led the National Good Governance Team on a visit to the project site in Omor, Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state, said it had become necessary for government to revamp the project and hand it over to the private sector.

Maku observed that the Federal Government had created synergy with the private sector to achieve self sufficiency in rice production by 2015, which gave rise to the renewed momentum to harness the full potential of the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project.

NAICOM reassures DANA plane crash victims of entitlements

T

he Director, Corporate Affairs, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Lucky Fiakpa, on Monday reassured families of victims of the last Dana plane crash in Lagos of their entitlements.

Fiakpa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that it was not true that only a victim was being compensated.

“There is no truth

whatsoever in that allegation.

If indeed it is true, let such person come to us and we will assure that every victim is being paid,” he said.

Fiakpa said that the affected beneficiaries needed to be documented and urged them to be patient.

According to him, the documents have to be verified to ensure that they are genuine claimants and this will take some time.

He said the insurance firm would pay once the documentations were satisfied to be genuine.

Fiakpa said that those who felt that they were not being properly attended to should contact NAICOM Complaint Bureau.

He said that the Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria was also interested that all genuine claims were paid.

(NAN)

Evergreen Apple Hangar at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos.

Kaduna based SkyJet Aviation Services is the Authorized Sales Representative for Embraer’s entire product line of Executive Jets in West Africa, SkyJet offers new and pre-owned aircraft sales, after sales product support, executive jet charter, and aircraft management.

GE adds two 737400s to Aero Contractors fleet

G

E Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS), the commercial aircraft leasing and financing arm of GE, has delivered two leased Boeing 737400s to new customer Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited.

Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company trades as Aero Nigeria and operates a fleet of approximately 20 helicopters and 15 fixed-wing aircraft ranging from 50-seat turboprops to Boeing 737-400s.

The airline provides scheduled and charter service to destinations in Nigeria and West Africa.

...as Arik Air introduces Book-onHold alternatives for customers

A

rik Air said it has introduced a new payment option that allows its customers to book a ticket online at the airline’s website and pay later using a number of different payment platforms.

The new Book-on-Hold service the airline said is part of a raft of changes, which are being rolled out to enhance Arik’s online offering and customer experience.

It said the special booking process has been developed for customers buying tickets in the Nigerian market for flights originating in Nigeria. It allows flight tickets to be booked on the website and held in the system, whilst giving travellers the convenience and flexibility of paying for the ticket later.

Arik said once a ticket is booked online using the Book-on-Hold option, a special Ticketing Time Limit will be advised, allowing the customer time to choose a preferred payment option.

Payment can then be made via Internet Banking website or by visiting any Nigerian Bank Branch as well by making payment on Quick Teller enabled ATMs and Arik Air Ticketing Office.

Arik Air’s Managing Director/ Executive Vice President, Mr. Chris Ndulue said of the new process:”We believe this Book-onHold option offers greater flexibility and control, especially for guests on the move. This is part of Arik Air’s strategy of providing more convenient services to our esteem guests.”

Ndule said the product is available only for guests paying in the Nigerian market.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Nigeria ready for Madrid’s FITUR

By Miriam Humbe

P

reparation is in top gear for a befitting outing for Nigeria at this year’s annual tourism, hospitality and travel fair, known as FITUR, holding in Madrid Spain between the end of January and early February.

In a press statement issued in Abuja at the weekend, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said the Corporation was putting final touches and perfecting its plans for the outing which is expected to create a magnetic attraction to the Nigerian pavilion.

The fair, which is reported to be among the three leading tourism fairs in the world will attract thousands of participants, buyers and sellers from at least 156 countries from around the world.

This year, Nigeria will retain the space of 70 square metres but with a new design of its stand, which is expected to reflect the Nigerian architecture.

According to Otunba Runsewe, the pavilion would be adorned with stunning pictures of the nation’s tourist sites and clusters while artefacts, sculptures and artistic drawings depicting the Nigerian cultures and images would add colour to the entire edifice.

Tourism village in Abuja

Lagos goes tough on erring hoteliers From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

T

Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola

he Lagos state government has commenced prosecution of defaulters of the provisions of the state’s Hotel Licensing Law (LSHLL).

The establishments that have been charged to court includes Biscordint Travel Agency; Radisson Blu Achorage Hotel Ltd, Chesney Hotel Ltd, Hotel Bon voyage Ltd, Chilloville Hotel Ltd, Four Points By Sheraton Ltd, Protea Hotel Westwood Ltd and Moorhouse Sofitel Hotel Ltd, who were all arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate court, Lagos Island( on two counts charge on Tuesday January 15,2013.

The first count is “carrying on or keeping Hotel in the Lagos Magisterial District without a license granted by the appropriate Authority contrary to section 4(1) of the Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State, 2010 Cap H6 and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 21 of the law”.

The second count is “knowingly omitted to comply with the provision of the Hotel Licensing Law of Lagos State, Cap H6 in carrying out hotel business in the Lagos Magisterial District and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 122 of the Criminal Law of Lagos

State, 2011”.

Also, at the Ikeja Magistrate Court, Excellence Hotel Ltd; Bec Hotels Ltd; A.Y Hotels Ltd; Topflight Travels and Tours Ltd; Gradeshire Travels and Tours Ltd; Atlantic Hotel Ltd; Sheratt Hotel Ltd and De Renaissance Hotel Ltd were all charged to court and were arraigned on Monday January 21, 2013.

Other hotels and hospitality establishments have been charged before Mushin, Bagagry, Yaba, Agege and Surulere Magistrate Courts.

At the hearing in Igbosere Magestrate Court, the SolicitorGeneral of( Lagos state Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), prosecuting on behalf of the state government informed the court that Protea Hotel Westwood Ltd, Radission Blu Achorage Hotel Ltd and Hotel Bon Votage Ltd have complied with the provisions of the law and requested for the withdrawal of the charges and the Presiding Magistrate Mrs. F.O Aigbokhaevbo obliged and struck out the charges against them.

Four Point By Sheraton Ltd, who was represented by counsel, sought for an out-of-court settlement and with the consent of the prosecutor, the( court granted the application for adjournment for out-of-court settlement of the matter.

The SolicitorGeneral

confirmed that Chilloville Hotel Ltd was served with the summons but refused to appear in court; he therefore applied under section 94 of the Administration of criminal Justice Law, 2011 for warrant of arrest to be issued for the Managing Director of the defendant to be brought to court on the next adjourned date, February 7, 2013.

Reacting to the charges, Pedro highlighted that it is an offence under the Lagos State Hotel Licensing Law 2003 [as amended in 2010] for an operator of a hotel or hospitality establishment to carry on any business in Lagos state without a license duly issued by the Lagos State Hotel Licensing Authority (LSHLA), adding that penalties for non-registration include fines and terms of imprisonment.

He therefore urged all operators of hotels and hospitality establishments located in the state who are yet to fully comply with the provisions of the Hotel Licensing Law 2003 (as amended in 2010) to do so.

It should be recalled that the State Government blacklisted some Hotels, event centers and restaurants’ for failing to comply with the provision of Lagos State Hotel Licensing Law [LSHLL].

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 22

NEXIM’s performancedriven policy promotes trade in non- oil export - MD

By Stanley Onyekwere

T

he Nigerian ExportImport (NEXIM) bank’s performance driven policy as a guideline in granting export credit to its customers plays a critical role in achieving its mandate of diversifying the Nigerian economy away from oil dependency.

The bank’s Managing Director, Robert U. Orya, who made the assertion with Peoples Daily, yesterday said the bank’s performance-driven policy is playing this critical role through promoting trades in the non-oil export sector of the Nigeria’s economy,.

According to him, the bank realizing there are huge opportunities in the Nigerian economy, developed strategy direction that enables it identify Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in the non-oil export sector, but without the well withal to compete favourably with their foreign counterparts, with a view of providing financial backing to them.

The MD said that the bank remains vibrant in the sector because the management sees the bank like any other enterprise and not purely as a government agency, so as to deepen the non-oil export sector of the Nigeria’s economy.

“At NEXIM, it is not just about giving out money in form of loans interested SMES or investors; the bank has come up with a strategic approach through which it ensures that it follows the customer to the market, in order to know what is happening to the loan; this is because the management sees the bank like any other enterprise and not purely as a government agency”, he explained.

L-R: Ogun state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Niger state Deputy Governor, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, Nasarawa state Governor, Alhaji Umar Tanko al-Makura, and Lagos state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Youth protest against alleged extortion by PHCN in Omu-Aran H

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

undreds of youth in Omu-Aran, the headquarter of Irepodun local government area of Kwara took to the streets, protesting an alleged extortion by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

It was gathered that the youths who carried placards with various inscriptions were protesting against alleged illegal billings and extortion by PHCN officials .

The protesters, who had gathered in front of the community’s post office as early as 7.00 am later took to the streets, chanting war song and holding placards with different inscriptions.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read; “We are tired of crazy bills, Stop this Extortion

Savannah Sugar coy re-iterates commitment to workers healthcare From Umar Dankano, Yola

D

angote Group subsidiary, Savannah Sugar Company, has re-iterated its commitment to workers healthcare for maximum production.

Managing Director of the company, Mr T.A Todi, gave the assurance on Thursday in Yola at the presentation of a malaria research work on the workers in the company titled “ Malaria and workers productivity at Numan sugar cane plantation”.

Todi said the research which showed that workers productivity would be affected by 10 per cent by malaria was something serious that management would look into with a view to address it.

Todi lauded the NGO,

Common Heritage Foundation and other stakeholders like the World Bank, Modibbo Adama University, Michigan State University, and University of East Anglia involved in the research work for a good job and assured them of continuous support and cooperation of the company on such issues bordering on the welfare of workers.

In his remarks on behalf of the team of researchers, Prof Oladele Akogun, said the research on how malaria infection influence labour productivity was carried out among sugar cane cutters at savannah plantation in Numan, Adamawa state and that malaria effect could affect workers productivity by 10 per cent.

now, Omu-Aran no go Gree”, among others.

It was learnt that some policemen were deployed to the area and trailed them from behind to forestall the break down of law and order.

The policemen according eye witnesses stated that some officers of the National Security and Civil Defense Corps(NSCDC) had to form a barricade to prevent the youths from entering the building PHCN hall.

The leader of the youth, Mr Wasiu Awoniyi, said that they were forced to embark on the warning protest after several

meetings to resolve the issue with PHCN proved abortive.

“We have look up to the elders and elites in the community for a peaceful resolution of this ugly phenomenon without any breakthrough.

“That is why we took it upon ourselves to embark on this awareness and warning protest.

“Our resolve is that no monthly PHCN bill should go beyond N1, 500 for an apartment and N2, 000 for artisans and other skill persons.

“And we are given PHCN management up till February to make necessary adjustment and

correct the situation in the interest of peace”.

The Secretary, Omu-Aran Development Association (ODA) Mr Bidemi Olawuyi, in his reaction to the protest said that the union had waded into the matter and had already scheduled a meeting for Wednesday to resolve the impasse.

The PHCN Business Manager in the district, Mr Mose Oyewole, while reacting to the development explained that the organisation was already meeting with the traditional ruler of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye in resolving the issue amicably.

AfDB supports export-oriented SMEs to boost local job creation in Nigeria

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he African Development Bank (AfDB) yesterday signed an agreement to provide two sovereignguaranteed multi-tranche lines of credit (LoCs) of respectively USD 500 million to Bank of Industry (BOI) and of USD 200 million to Nigerian ExportImport Bank (NEXIM) in order to support export-oriented small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) modernization and expansion.

The LoCs will allow local SMEs to be more competitive, scale up their operations and ultimately create more jobs in Nigeria. The LoCs will include a technical assistance package to strengthen institutional capacity at both BOI and NEXIM as well as at their SME clients.

Through this integrated financing package, the AfDB is supporting Nigeria’s efforts towards a more diversified economy away from oil and gas.

The LoCs will supply multisector financing to address the challenge that SMEs face in accessing finance in the country.

Therefore, export-oriented SMEs will be able to become more competitive, ensure sustainable growth of their operations and generate employment in the Nigerian productive sectors.

Bank of Industry (BOI) is the leading catalyst for industrial development resources in Nigeria and one of the oldest development finance institutions in Africa. It was established in 1964 and reorganized in 2001. In line with its mandate to finance industrial development projects, BOI provides term finance and advisory services primarily to indigenous SMEs, to which it devotes at least 85% of its resources Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) is the national export credit agency of Nigeria.

It was established by Act 38 of 1991 with a mandate to provide

export credit, export guarantee and export credit insurance as well as export advisory services to export oriented companies, particularly SMEs in the nonoil sector.

Mr. Robert ORYA, NEXIM Managing Director added: “ Thanks to AfDB’s support through this program, NEXIM seeks important economic development achievements, including approximately 55,000 new jobs for its SME clients, USD 1.6 billion in foreign exchange and an overall contribution of almost 7% to non-oil exports, including a 10% share in Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) exports This facility will provide a great opportunity for NEXIM to make available concessional longterm funding in pursuance of its strategic objectives of enhancing value-added exports and bolstering the capacity of SMEs for job creation and foreign exchange earnings”.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

07055652553 udennaorji@yahoo.com

Nigerians wasting foreign exchange on aluminium importation – Vidson boss

Furniture Maker, Regalo Range, begins sales on Infrastructure installmental payments

critical for mass housing – Ojo

Pg 26

Pg 27

Pg 27

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 25

Roofing Steel coated roof tiles edge out other roofing materials

T

he roof is the crown of a building, says a local proverb. That clearly shows the importance, elegance and dignity attached to a roof.

Most people spend fortunes just to ensure their buildings get roof designs and quality materials that will depict their high social status. Recently, roofing has become a status symbol.

This has led to constant research on how to manufacture

leading, long-lasting. high quality roofing materials. New roofing products and designs are churned out regularly, rendering their predecessors obsolete. But new steel roofing technologies are now dominating the market, sending other roofing materials into the antique bin.

Two companies stand out in the new steel roofing technologies. DuraRoof and

Metrotiles. Interestingly, both will be on display at the forthcoming Archibuilt exhibition holding in Abuja next week. DuraRoof combines the building industry's strongest materials, steel and stone, expertly bound together into a panel that replicates heavy traditional concrete tiles but without the weight and costs. In DuraRoof, heavy-duty galvanized steel or aluzinc coated

metal sheets are profiled into various stylish designs and coated with a layer of acrylic base coat. Natural stone chips are then embedded to the surface and a layer of protective acrylic top coat is applied to preserve and seal the tile. Then a protective acrylic coat is applied to the bottom. The stone-bonded coating gives buildings a durable finish and an immaculate appearance that is unique and textured. At a

sixth of the weight of heavy and expensive concrete tiles, it is the easiest to handle and install.

DuraRoof Tiles offer superb structural integrity and are popular in several countries.

Awards have continued to flood the way of Metrotile Nigeria Limited, in recognition of the company's state-of-the-art roofing products, Metrotiles.

Overcoming strong winds, heat from the tropical sun, humidity, fire and other environmental hazards has always constituted a difficult challenge for roofing experts. The ability to overcome these problems and at the same time come up with strikingly beautiful and inviting roofs has always been the hallmark of successful roofing. One roofing system that has been technologically designed to withstand these adverse climate conditions including hazards like fire and at the same time bring beauty and splendour to a building is the metrotile lightweight roofing system.

Metro tiles are stone-coated roofing tiles made of aluzinc (aluminum and zinc). The products are fire proof, extremely insulated against heat and sound, have higher aesthetic value and come with a 50 year guarantee.

Metrotiles come in four varieties; metro bond, metro shake, metro roman and metro shingle. Used in over 80 countries, the products have steadily become the choice of discerning developers and Metrotiles Nigeria received Nigeria's Best Roofing Company Award in 2007 and 2008.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Nigerians wasting foreign exchange on aluminium importation – Vidson boss Y ou have been calling on the federal government to develop the aluminium industry. What are the potentials of the industry in the economic development of Nigeria?

The aluminium industry is a vast industry because people make massive use of aluminium worldwide. Much of what we see in automobiles and aircraft is aluminium.

This is because the components are durable. Although it is used in large quantities abroad, in Nigeria, it is scantily used.

Even in the building industry, we are yet to use up to 10% of the potential of aluminium.

Aluminium Expert and General Manager of Vidson Ventures, Northern Region, Pastor Wale Popoola who has been calling on the Federal Government to harness the abundant potentials of the aluminum industry in order to lay a solid foundation for the industrial and economic development of Nigeria, here tells Udenna Orji about the industry, and why his company’s aluminium products are among the most sought after in Nigeria. innovating, on product quality and designs.

How will you rate Nigeria’s efforts at aluminium development?

We have about 4 notable aluminium extrusion plants in Nigeria and this is grossly inadequate. Billets are the primary products you work upon to get aluminium products. They are extruded to get aluminium. Nothing less than 65% of the aluminium used in Nigeria is imported from Europe. Nigeria can accommodate 60 – 70 aluminium extrusion plants.

They say aluminium plants are capital intensive but Nigerians are wasting foreign exchange importing aluminium. This nation should invest in extrusion plants.

However, the erratic electric power supply in Nigeria will be a problem because aluminium is power-based. If you run the extrusion plant with a generator, you may go under.

Government should fix the power sector.

Aluminium profiles

How, specifically will Nigeria benefit from aluminium development?

All we are doing in Nigeria is trade in imported aluminium. But we should produce it here.

Many industries need it. It is important in our industrial development and in

employment creation. It will conserve foreign exchange.

Government should do the right thing. They should back up policies with concrete action.

There are always good policies but poor implementation.

When we talk about the Asian tigers, it is because these people discovered the needs of their nations. In the 80’s in Nigeria,

people worked in shifts in factories but those industries are moribund today. We should focus on manufacturing to jump-start the economy and aluminium development will help industrialize Nigeria because diverse manufactured products are made with aluminium. A fraction of the money we realize from oil if judiciously spent can industrialize Nigeria.

Nigerians are industrious people.

If an enabling environment is created, this country will be greater than the big European countries” Your company, Vidson, is one of the most popular manufacturers of aluminium products. What are your product lines and services.

Aluminium packaging

Vidson is a leader in aluminium products and services. From factory to project site, Vidson over the years has won an increasing trust from architects, embassies, corporate bodies and project developers with her

innovative solutions to the ever evolving creative demands of the building and construction industry. Vidson is focused on the manufacturing and supply of aluminum products like doors, windows curtain wall, standard office partitions, steel doors, balustrades, among others. We bring innovations to windows, curtainwall, cladding, partitioning and interiors.

The building industry is dynamic. Vidson is committed to the need of the people. We focus on developing what drives the market and the economy. We serve the potentials we see in the industry with the latest products in vogue. At Vidson, we don’t rest on our oars or on our track record of quality products. We keep innovating, searching for new ways to break new grounds in quality and designs.

There is still so much to explore in terms of meeting the physical needs of the environment. We ensure our products are innovative and of international standard. We continue to improve on our products, researching,

There is a lot of competition between fake and genuine aluminium products in the market.

How has it been, fighting to be ahead in the midst of cheap imports from abroad?

The Nigerian market is compartmentalized. There are many cheap aluminium products but we stick to high end top quality products with designs exclusive to us and client preferences. That has been the secret of our success.

Low quality windows and doors bend under little pressure.

Some are like paper weight.

From their weight, you can assess their quality. We focus on people who demand the best quality, people who need rugged aluminium and exclusive product designs. Our products stand out in quality and design even in comparison with genuine products from the developed countries. We are acknowledged leaders in high quality aluminium products and designs. We are recognized globally for producing through global best practices. Our products can compete with or beat the best from any part of the world. Our clients know us.

The components of our products, for example, door handles, window latches and all components of our windows and doors are manufactured with durability in mind. People who go for shoes of N2,000 are not the same people who go for shoes of N50,000. You can buy a plate of food for N200 and you can also find a plate of food selling for N5000. The difference is in the quality. However, while we are totally committed to producing only the best quality, we also ensure we sell at affordable prices. We produce the best quality products and sell at affordable prices to our customers. All who buy our products not only come back for more but recommend us to their friends and relations. Word of mouth or recommendations of our products given to members of the public by our satisfied customers have been selling warehouses of goods for us. We have created this solid reputation nationally for high quality aluminium products and outstanding designs. We cannot afford to compromise on quality because the reputation we enjoy today is built on our relentless pursuit of perfection in product quality and designs.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 27

SteelMaster building systems offer options in building construction

By Udenna Orji

N

igeria’s housing industry is about to rise a notch higher with the entry into the country of the revolutionary SteelMaster Building Systems.

Considering Nigeria’s housing deficits now put at 20 million units, and the worrisome scarcity and high cost of building materials especially cement, individuals, corporate organizations and government institutions will no doubt find the beauty, strength, longevity and diverse applications of SteelMaster building systems highly functional, irresistible and cost- effective.

Represented in Nigeria and all of West Africa by housing

technology giant, Steel-Tech Projects Ltd (SPL), SteelMaster building systems are manufactured by SteelMaster, an American company supplying the highest quality prefabricated steel buildings across the globe for over 28 years.

These unique aesthetically inviting steel buildings are located in every state in the Unted States and on 6 continents and in over 40 countries. The company is the most reliable and largest global producer for steel arch buildings and roofing materials. The construction of SteelMaster building systems is fast, simple and very efficient.

SteelMaster steelbuildings, metal buildings and prefabricated buildings are

designed for a broad range of residential and commercial uses including garages, carport, workshops, agricultural storage, airplane hangers, government buildings, military buildings, commercial buildings, roofing systems, batting domes, retail stores, architectural, athletic facilities, specialty buildings, Industrial storage buildings, housing, custom buildings, green buildings, commercial warehousing etc.

According to the managing director of SPL, Mr. Agodi Kanu, “the beauty of it all is that its maintenance-free. You don’t

have to treat it, paint it or maintain it. With a steelmaster, you just enjoy it. The Galvalume-Plus coating provides years of maintenancefree use. The sizes are customizable to your specific needs”.

Kanu who is a respected name in the housing technology market noted that SteelMaster Metal Workshops are globally sought-after by all types of professionals including woodworkers, metalshop owners, classic car professionals, healthcare experts, oil and gas industry operators as well as numerous types of businesses

around the globe.

“SteelMaster workshops, pre-fabricated workshops and metal shops are the perfect place to organize, store and protect your valuable tools and machinery as well as provide comfort, security and durability against fire, hurricane winds, snow and other destructive weather elements. With 100% usable space, you have the flexibility to truly customize the inside of your shop. You can easily hang lighting, run conduit, build shelving, add a loft, insulate and/or heat/cool your building”, Mr. Kanu said.

U D Bond extends sales discount on properties

P

roperty company, U D Bond Shelter Services Limited has extended its Christmas and New Year Sales Discount on properties. The company has announced that it is extending the discount sales to enable more Nigerians become homeowners.

The General Manager of the company, Mrs. Nkechi Ugochukwu called on intending homeowners to seize the opportunity of the ongoing sales discount on properties to own their own homes, adding that U

D Bond is committed to ensuring that majority of Nigerians become homeowners.

U D Bond has on offer various house types including flats, bungalows, terrace houses, duplexes and others in different districts of Abuja. There are various payment options including mortgage assistance from reputable mortgage institutions. Also available for sale by the company are undeveloped and serviced plots of land for homes, plazas, factories and hotels.

Infrastructure critical for mass housing – Ojo

M

ass Housing Developer and Managing Director of El-Salem Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Ben Gbade Ojo has called on the Federal Government to develop infrastructure in all areas designated for mass housing as a way of achieving government’s target of reducing the nation’s deficit of 16 million housing units.

Mr. Ojo who made the call in a chat with Peoples Daily in Abuja on Friday stated that “without prejudice to the findings and recommendations of the various committees set up by the Housing Minister to identify problems and solutions to Nigeria’s housing sector, including efforts of professional associations and other stakeholders on the way forward for the sector, I wish to call on the Jonathan administration to please tackle Nigeria’s housing problems through concerted development of infrastructure like roads, electric power and pipeborne water in sites designated for mass housing. Our experience in developing mass housing has shown that the absence of urban infrastructure and escalating cost of building materials have been the bane of estate developers and have effectively stunted efforts at housing development especially on mortgages. While the country waits for the

development of the bond market to finance urban infrastructure, we urge the government to create a temporary and targeted intervention fund that will provide infrastructure for serious private sector estate developers and come up with some other measures that will bring down the cost of building materials in the country”.

He said “as the nation gets poised to provide adequate housing for her citizens, it has become necessary to carry out a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s mortgage sector and mortgage institutions in Nigeria” Mr. Ojo appealed to the Honourable Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple “to pursue with her legendary commitment, the issues of reviewing the Land Use Act to make land more accessible and to tackle the delays and difficulties associated with acquisition and transfer of property rights” adding that “ElSalem is committed to providing high quality and affordable housing for the generality of Nigerians. We are currently researching on how we can make houses available at N1 million or N2 million. We want to come to a point where with N1 million or N2 million, people can buy houses from El-Salem”.

Furniture Maker, Regalo Range, begins sales on installmental payments •Newly married couples, newly transferred residents, newly employed workers, others, to enjoy spaced-out payment terms while using the furniture in their homes

By Udenna Orji

T

opflight Abuja-based furniture maker, Regalo Range has commenced sales of its various state-of- theart furniture products on installmental payment terms.

The top furniture brand has been making a steady inroad into the Nigerian market with its sturdy products which include different classy designs of dinning sets, wardrobes, sofas, kitchen cabinets, office furniture and many others.

With the installmental payment bonanza, you can decorate or re-decorate your home now with Regalo Range furniture and pay installmentally.

Regalio Range has continued to penetrate the market with its masterpieces now highly sought after by upscale hotels, property developers, ministries, government agencies, interior decorators and other organizations and private individuals who have come to rely on the famous Nigerian

brand for its exquisite designs, beauty, sturdiness and durability.

General Manager of Regalio Range, Mr. Mike Iwerima attributes the company’s success to “our state-of-the-art-furniture equipment and painstakingly selected furniture craftsmen from different parts of the country, coupled with the fact that we do not compromise on quality of materials used. We can also design exclusively to your taste and needs. Our strategy is high quality at a low price”.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque capable small luxury crossovers J

ust like luxury sedans, the wide range of luxury compact crossovers follow a fairly safe and predictable script, particularly when it comes to exterior styling. But Land Rover's 2013 Range Rover Evoque definitely is the extrovert in a playground of mostly reserved playmates. The Evoque dares to go well beyond the luxury market's typical big-grille look to differentiate itself, but it's up to you to decide if you can live with the compromises its dramatic shape demands.

First, though, know that this smallest of Rover's models isn't totally about its looks. It immediately shouldered an "urban" SUV tag (with the not entirely desirable connotations that go with the definition) in Europe because it is offered in a front-wheel-drive variant that sort of thumbs its nose at Range Rover's heritage. In U.S. showrooms you'll find the Evoque fitted only with all-wheel drive and the fairly serious Terrain Response System that allows you to fine-tune the traction characteristics. Add in a responsive turbocharged fourcylinder engine and you're buying one of the more efficient yet capable small luxury crossovers around.

But back to style. The Evoque is the only model in the segment to offer a two-door hatchback body style in addition to the utility segment's standard four-door

hatchback configuration. The twodoor Coupe looks sharky and serious, though you might rightly question the ultimate utility of a "utility" vehicle with just a single door on each side. With the 2013 Land Rover Evoque, you a l s o won't

find t h e traditional hierarchy of trim levels -- Land Rover instead sells more or less one basic Evoque with "design themes" -- four for the four-door and three design themes for the two-door Coupe.

The Evoque's assertive styling means there's less interior space than in its boxier rivals. The 2013 Audi Q5, 2013 BMW X1 and X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLKClass all are good choices in their own right and typically offer

broader utility, particularly over the Evoque Coupe. But for the way most people use a luxury crossover, the Evoque holds its own in terms of features, functionality and all-weather capability.

The 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is a small luxury crossover SUV available in fourdoor and two-door (Coupe) body styles. The four-door starts with

a new basic but comprehensive trim level called "Pure." On top of that one can add the Pure Plus, Pure Premium, Dynamic and Prestige packages. The 2013 Evoque Coupe comes in Pure Plus, Pure Premium and Dynamic themes.

The four-door Evoque Pure comes standard with 19-inch wheels, front and rear fog lights, automatic wipers, a rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, a power lift gate, driverselectable drive modes, dual-zone automatic climate control, a tiltand-telescoping steering wheel, power front seats (six-way driver, four-way passenger), partial leather upholstery, an autodimming rear view mirror, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a touch screen electronics interface and an 11speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and two USB audio jacks. Pure Plus adds a panoramic sunroof and full leather upholstery.

The Pure Premium package adds adaptive xenon headlamps with automatic high beams, a blind-spot warning system, a 360degree parking camera system,

k e y l e s s ignition/ entry, a navigation system with voice controls and a 17s p e a k e r surroundsound audio system with a 1 0 - C D changer.

T h e Dynamic p a c k a g e includes all P u r e Premium equipment but features a sportier ambience with unique 19-inch wheels, different trim inside and out, a rear skid plate, different color choices and perforated leather. The Adaptive Dynamics package adds an adaptive suspension to the Dynamic package.

The Prestige (four-door only) is similar in concept to the Dynamic but features more luxurious design items. It also gets richer, more supple leather as well as additional front seat adjustments.

A Climate Comfort package consists of heating for the front seats, steering wheel, windshield washer jets and windshield. Other Evoque options include 20-inch wheels, satellite and HD radio, a rear-seat entertainment system and parallel parking assist.

Every 2013 Range Rover Evoque comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 240 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. It drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. EPA fuel economy estimates are respectable at 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway/22 mpg combined.

In Edmunds performance testing, an Evoque went from zero to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds: a time that trails several rivals with more powerful engines.

Standard safety features on all 2013 Range Rover Evoques include antilock brakes, stability and traction control, trailer sway control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Also standard are parking sensors and a rear view camera.

In Edmunds brake testing, an Evoque Pure with 20-inch wheels and summer-rated tires came to a stop from 60 mph in 118 feet.

The 2013 Range Rover Evoque's emphasis on design extends to its interior, where rich, multitone combinations of leather, plastics and metal combine in the various design themes, resulting in a cabin that certainly has more flair than the standard designs found in most other luxury crossover interiors.

Source: Edmunds.com

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 29

Book on China-Africa relationship presents tomorrow

A

book "China - Africa issues, challenges and possibilities" is due for public presentation tomorrow in Abuja.

The presentation according to a statement by the organizers is to be chaired by former vice president, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, Turaki Adamawa and will also have the ambassador of the peoples Republic of China to Nigeria, Dr Deng Boqin as the key

speaker.

Billed to be attended by among others diplomats, senior government officials, including the minister of foreign Affairs Olugbenga Ashiru, federal capial minister, Alhaji Bala Muhammed, party leaders, captain of industries etc.

According to a statement by the organizing committee

chairman

Mallam

FR OM THE FROM LIVE ST AGE STA

Abdullahi, the book is written by a journalist, Mr Charles Onunaiju with the support and grant by the Chinese government through the secretariat of the forum on China-

Africa

operation(FOCAC)

cobased

in

Beijing China.

More tourists expected at Ojude Oba, Osun Osogbo festivals-NTDC

Ojude Oba festival, in Ijebu Ode

T

he Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) said that more tourists should be expected at the Ojude Oba, Osun Osogbo and Mare festivals in 2013.

Mr Nasir Kaka, the SouthWest Zonal Coordinator, NTDC, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that Ojude Oba holds in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun; Mare festival holds in Idanre, Ondo State; while Osun Osogbo holds in Osogbo, Osun.

Mare festival is a sports

tourism initiative that has to do with climbing the Idanre hills.

Kaka said that tourists expected at the festivals would be from Spain, Italy, Switzerland, France and Kenya.

The NTDC zonal coordinator said that over 250 foreign tourists attended the 2012 edition of the Osun Osogbo festival, saying that the number showed an improvement compared to the turnout of such tourists at the festival in 2011. ``If you compare the Osun Osogbo festival of 2012 to that of 2011, more tourists attended that

of last year. ``Over 250 tourists came for the Osun Osogbo festival last year and if you look at the Mare festival in Idanre, more tourists came in from Switzerland, Spain and Kenya,'' he said.

Kaka said that most Nigerians living abroad, who came home to witness the festivals, came with their foreign friends. ``If you look at the Ojude Oba festival last year, a lot of Nigerians staying abroad came and they all came with their foreign friends.

(NAN)

Don't demolish historical buildings, artefacts, Maku cautions states

A

s the Good Governance Media Team moves to Enugu, the Information Minister, Mr Labaran Maku has cautioned state governments against the demolition of historical buildings and artefacts.

Maku made the call in Enugu while inspecting the ongoing reconstruction of the multi billion naira state secretariat embarked upon by the stae government.

According to him, public buildings can feature as attractions for tourism. The idea is to preserve those old monuments as much as possible in its original form.

``Modernisation is not mainly the issue, but restoration; because if every building is demolished, many cities will lose their history. ``We see this everyday. People demolish structures because they are old. These structures give a history to the people,'' Maku said.

The minister, however, commended the state government for embarking on the project as well as other housing projects for the people of the state.

Conducting the team round the projects, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Goddy Madueke, said the state government embarked on the secretariat project to re-energise

with Patrick-Jude Oteh 0803 700 0496, 0805 953 5215 (SMS only)

Abdulaziz

the workers and increase productivity.

Madueke said that the government had spent a lot of money rehabilitating the old structures which gave rise to the construction of a new complex.

According to him, the complex worth N13 billion comprised 13 buildings of four wings.

He said that the project was being implemented by both foriegn and indigenous contractors.

The team also visited the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Polo Park Shopping Mall and the Coal City Garden Estate. (NAN)

WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE?

T

here are some beautiful lyrics in one of the sound tracks in the c artoon film, The Lion King.

When you listen to either Lebo M's version or the version of Sir Elton John of the track Circle of Life, there is a particular line that says something to the effect that in life you must be willing to give more than you take!

This is our challenge this week - what are you willing to give?

My experiences in organizing the annual Jos Festival of Theatre has thrown up a lot of life experiences that will hopefully make for a book one day in the nearest future.

Already the history of the festival up to the 5th edition will be published this year in a collection of essays. There we detail the path we have taken and most likely too, the path we have not taken!

We find that there are a lot of beautiful people in this vast country of ours. In my estimation, the beautiful people far outnumber those that have derailed and are due for psychiatric evaluation. The beautiful ones far outnumber and outweigh those that have brought us to this sorry pass.

We are indeed in a sorry pass.

I have been watching the proceedings of the World Economic Forum in Davos with a very keen interest. We see a lot of muscle play from the South Africans. Where are we? As long as we keep playing on the fringes of this circle of life, we will continue to take more that we are willing to give.

In almost all the states of this b e a u t i f u l c o u n t r y, w e a r e seeing those who have hijacked power for the sake of power not for the redeeming f e a t u r e s o f p o w e r. N o t f o r service. At various levels they are all engaged in primitive accumulation. Accumulation of wealth that cannot re-generate in any form. Investments in human capital? What does that mean? Investments in human grace and beauty?

What are you talking about?

And yet here we are playing God in His infinite mercy scheming and stabbing each other for events that will happen in 2015! This is simply put - pathetic! It was President Kennedy that traced a beautiful path in one of his fiery speeches where he made a

connection between culture and civilization and between enlightenment and the science of being. These connections are inevitable.

They simply stare us in the face.

There is a man I know who has spent the last three years of his life praying, fasting and writing applications to be employed by institutions outside Nigeria. Last week we met, and he just got back from an interview session in the Gambia! We will witness a lot of this in the next coming few years as a lot of decent people are simply fed up with this sorry pass. We have simply refused to learn. We are developing absolutely no solutions for the long haul.

I have continued and will continue to maintain that the arts can help and will help us get out of this sorry pass. It is true that we are dealing with real and extreme poverty but part of the raging war going on now is the battle of minds. The people need to see themselves better than they are presently. And since the government cannot and will not dissolve the people and find another set of people, the government must find a way of resettling the mind sets of her people. This is the only way into the future and I keep maintaining that it is not selfserving solutions to the issue of the arts. There must be an enabling environment to enable the arts to thrive and not the present half baked efforts that merely throw crumbs on the table of the arts.

The one opportunity that could have resolved this was the ill fated $200m that was once promised which in a volte face the government came out to say that it was for building enough structures to enable the arts to thrive but which the BOI has come out to say that it is for lending to the arts community - specifically to those who can come up with collaterals and meet other criteria for accessing the fund.

The fund is still lying there. We hear a few people have been able to access it. We cannot confirm this.

The bottom line is and will still continue to be - what are we willing to give? We can no longer continue to take more than we give.

PAGE 30

BOOK REVIEW

By Uzor Maxim Uzcoatu

T

he short story craft is quite enthralling when it works well. Unlike the novel which takes time to unravel the short story hits you in the face as it were, rendering its magic like the Jamaican marvel of sprint named Usain Bolt. Deji Rahman, author of Circus of the Absurd, stakes his claim as a coansiderable voice of the form that has given limelight to such Nigerian winners of the coveted Caine Prize for African Writing as Helon Habila, Segun Afolabi, EC Osondu and Rotimi Babatunde. For Rahman, the Nigerian scene offers events and escapades that would put good old magical realism in the shade.

Everything is zany in this country that was once voted-for as peopling the happiest people in the whole wide world.

In this engaging collection of 11 short stories, Deji Rahman has his finger on the pulse of the nightmarish dimensions of Nigerian life. He renders appreciation to writers such as Helon Habila, Bisi Ojediran, Madeleine Thien, Tsitsi Dangarembga etc., and it's obvious that his craft has gained cubits through the Fidelity Banksponsored writing workshop that produced a 2011 anthology in which one of his short stories appeared.

A holder of a Master's degree in Economics, he has worked as a business journalist, stockbroker and banker, fields that have inspired his fiction.

From the first story "Candidate Number One" to the last "Arabian Groom", Rahman offers a potpourri of the odd and the odious rendered in well-measured language. Easily recognisable Nigerian characters and types

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Circus of the Absurd adorn his pages and give life to the roundedness of the stories.

In "Candidate Number One" a touring President Oluwole, a character not unlike President Obasanjo, meets the upwardly mobile America-based Jide Martins in the Presidential Suite

in the Washington Hilton and encourages him to come home to render service to the country. The character mode of the president is rendered thus: "President Oluwole's temperament was a familiar story in the media. He had a legendary reputation for moods. He did not disappoint Jide.

He was as funny as he was acidic.

Several times, he wondered if Jide would ask the 'US President or the British Prime Minister that kind of insulting question'."

Jide who had intended to go into politics in America with "an

eye for the US Congress in 2014, to represent 12th Congressional District of Georgia" eventually "resigned as Senior Associate Editor at Time International magazine and relocated to Nigeria. With the support of President Oluwole he throws his

hat in the political ring to represent Lagos Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. By the designation of the Electoral Committee he was given the tag of "Candidate Number One" but when the result is announced it is another candidate number one that is declared winner in the shape and size of Chief Mrs Sekinat Omolara Amusa. Jide could not but mutter in disgust: "Crazy people, crazy democracy."

The twist in the tale made famous by the masterful

American short story writer O Henry is a major fulcrum of the style of Deji Rahman. The second story, "The Grateful Refugee" starts with the eruption of the normal noise in Mushin by "homeless youths" only for the protagonist to see at the very end of the story the shocking appearance of his impregnated daughter Tolu, a 25-year-old "who was supposed to be busy with her Master's degree in London."

Themes such as Pentecostalism, fetishism, corruption, sham radicalism etc dot the pages in the manner that the Nigerian landscape has been despoiled. It is a nightmare world in which a puny monarch thinks nothing of sacrificing his only progeny in the quest for old power.

Political appointment turns a daredevil activist into a whimpering government appendage. Religion can be changed in the manner people change pants. A daughter settles scores with a father she considers unfair by luring her sister into tragedy. The last story of the collection, "Arabian Groom" upends Timothy "Tim" Ojukwu who converts from Christianity to Islam and takes the name Ibrahim in his bid to marry the daughter of Tunisian strongman, Bin Umar.

Circus of the Absurd by Deji Rahman is a stark dig at the absurdity of Nigerian life. The circus show is not indulged; the author displays tutored control over his subjects. On the minus side are some editing errors as in page 166, to wit: "If you want to prove me wrong, goggle (sic) Ojukwu and Nigeria." This notwithstanding, Circus of the Absurd is a clear pointer that in Deji Rahman Nigeria has a very promising craftsman in the slippery field of the short story.

Source: Africanwriter.com

China - Africa partnership mutually beneficial -author

By Miriam Humbe

T

he relationship between Africa and Nigeria in particular and China, the fastest growing economy on the global stage today no doubt is mutually beneficial.

In his new book, China/Africa, the issues, the challenges, Mr. Charles Onunaiju, a renowned Journalist with 20 years experience, part of which he spent as an international correspondent, x-rays the issues facing the challenges of modern Nigeria, modern Africa and the contemporary world and how the African nations can benefit from China's developmental experience.

Mr. Onunaiju who is also a freelance writer, commentator on public affairs and author has also written some few academic journals. For his latest book, China/Africa, the issues, the challenges, the research for the book was actually provided by the secretariat for Forum on China Africa and Cooperation, a secretariat of Chinese cooperation

with Africa. In 2009, Chinese Premier, Mr. Waljen Bright read out an eight point Chinese agenda for improving relations with Africa. Among the eight point agenda was the need to undertake to sponsor a research project that will effect an understanding of relations between China and Africa.

Mr. Charles Onanuiju is a beneficiary of that research grant which has culminated in the publication of his book. While speaking with our reporter on the book launch which is coming up tomorrow, he said, "To be very candid, China is involving itself in the most critical area of African contemporary challenge. In the area of building infrastructure, China's involvement in Africa has been a great thing. Before the incoming of China, we had terrible fluctuation of the prices of our primary products in the international market. And were almost manipulated by the monopoly from the west but today, because of China, we have the stable prices of our primary commodities. The Chinese took a

very urgent step to redress the imbalance in the international trade.

"And may I inform you that China is Africa's foremost trading partner. China is providing Africa a partnership that is based on mutual respect and I am still insisting that Africa should maintain trade relations with all nations around the world but the stand of China/Africa relations is touching on very useful areas that are critical to our development particularly

infrastructural development".

Mr. Onanuiju added.

The book launch which is expected to be hosted at 11am on tommorrow at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja will have in attendance, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, top government officials, politicians and members of the Diplomatic Corps. It will be chaired by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

PEOPLES POEM OF THE WEEK Title: The wounded

pilgrim

By Abigail George

W

hen I was a child I was afraid To speak to strangers; even then I felt estranged from the human Race, sought solace, a rare comfort In books and in between the neutral Spaces of the black letters of the Alphabet that spread itself across The pages I sought transition from Childhood to puberty; a word I am Still not very fond of; it meant growing Up behind closed doors, shutting out Dark voices; sensing there were no Clouds with silver linings only Cries of thunderstorms and lightning Streaking across the sky in the night air I was a good girl done badly by Not as bad as some yet still locked Inside a box with doll parts and the Garden of a blank canvas perfumed With the bright, still air of reality Children can only be fragile warriors But the canvas was uplifting and the words Could all fit, musings, brick by brick?

The sun on its belly ripening even more Poetry with keys, something absurdly Supernatural in effect like the holier ark Trailing behind the titan machine of my Consciousness; sometimes the story Begins at the end with no middle or Beginning; sometimes not at all but it has Educated me on so many things that blood Is thicker than water and that families Are not pulled out of the air for nothing They exist to terrorise you, to bully you, To grow you up into a worthy citizen or not For the reasons that you think.

QUO TE UOTE

Mr. Charles Onunaiju

When Wealth walks in the door, the Press Agent comes in through the window.

George Ade

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

ANALYSIS

By Marwan Bishara

I

f the United States drew back from military intervention because of... congressional secondguessing and Soviet bluster, the Turks... refused to demobilise the 50,000 troops they amassed along their Syrian frontier."

These words read as though they're from the morning's paper. But this scenario played out in 1957 in Syria.

Washington had finally backtracked on instigating another coup d'état after its covert plans were exposed. It would have been the fifth attempted coup, successful or otherwise, since Syrian independence a decade earlier.

"At a time when most Americans couldn't locate Syria on a map, the country had become an important geopolitical concern for the US and the site of America's earliest covert action in the Middle East," according to US historian Douglas Little.

Unfortunately, America rarely remembers how much Washington has mucked around in other countries even though there are valuable lessons to be learned from past experiences.

Lesson one: Decades of meddling have hardened Syrian distrust of foreign powers.

The first American-Syrian encounter occurred soon after the CIA was established in 1947 - merely a year after Syria gained its independence.

US government documents - kept secret for decades but declassified in 1991 - testify to a policy that was meant to keep the Syrian nationalists down, Soviets out, and Americans in.

To that end, the CIA assisted Colonel Husni AzZaim's coup d'état to establish a "banana republic"-style dictatorship in 1949. And in the process, America opened the floodgates of military meddling in Syrian politics for decades to come.

Three years later, after another Syrian coup, Washington tried to court the new leader, Adib AlShishakly. When that failed, the CIA attempted further military coups in 1956 and 1957 - dubbed Operations Straggle and Wappen - unseat the nationalist President Shukri Al-Quwatly.

America's covert operations backfired, pushing Syria into a union with Egypt and, eventually, Damascus into Soviet arms.

Lesson two: Don't look at Syria through the prism of the Cold War. In his 2009 Cairo speech to the Muslim world, President Obama recognised the injustice visited upon the likes

PAGE 31

The US and Syria: Six lessons from the past

Syria has dealt with multiple coups since its inception due to meddling from Washington of Syria during "a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations".

Yet six decades later, Washington and Moscow are applying the same polarised strategies of the 1950s, when

national salvation and reconciliation, paving the way to free elections.

Lesson three: Dictators or "transitional authoritarian leaders", as Washington dubbed its clients in the 1950s, don't transition to democracy.

“

This will prove counterproductive.

Previous administrations have tried and failed to dictate to the Syrians how to manage their national affairs. the stakes are higher and the prospects for the region are ever more daunting.

Despite its stonewalling, Russia is not the Soviet Union.

It's a pragmatic power similarly apprehensive about extremist Salafis and chemical weapons falling into the wrong hands.

But President Obama and Putin need to meet face to face.

A compromise on Syria between the US and Russia is still possible and could safeguard the state's institutions, establishing a unity government for

Nor will Assad ever give up his power voluntarily.

For four decades, the Assad clan has played on nationalist sentiments, exploited geopolitical enmities and killed tens of thousands of Syrians to safeguard their dictatorship.

After more than a decade of false promises and two years of bloodshed, Bashar al-Assad has no place in Syria's future.

Lesson four: Sectarianism is not an opportunity for the US to isolate Iran; it's a regional disaster in the making.

The Assad regime's unrestrained violence is pushing the country towards a full-blown civil war, emboldening radical Sunni Salafi groups and inflaming sectarian divisions.

A spill-over into neighbouring Iraq and Lebanon, which themselves suffer from mounting ethnic and religious tensions, is already underway and threatens to contaminate the whole Middle East and Gulf region with incalculable consequences for US foreign policy.

Lesson five: Better to remain detached but clear, than to raise false expectations.

Burnt by the Iraq War, Obama's administration has wisely rejected the principle of putting boots on the ground in Syria. Instead, it pinned its hopes on the Syrian opposition, notably the National Coalition, which it deems the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

But Washington's reluctance to empower the anti-Assad camp for fear of strengthening the armed Salafi Al-Nusra faction which it designated a terrorist organisation has boomeranged. Instead, it has emboldened the Assad regime, expanded the Salafis' reservoir

of fresh recruits, and deepened suspicion among Syrians about Washington's seriousness.

Moreover, by only drawing a red line at the use of chemical weapons, President Obama has, in effect, granted the Assad regime a green light to carry out terrible atrocities against its people through any other means.

When the American President asserts that Assad must step down, he is expressing more than a mere personal sentiment; he is putting US strategic stature on the line.

Lesson six: Don't preach democracy while simultaneously distrusting the Syrian people.

A number of Syrian opposition leaders told me Washington had made any grant of meaningful support to them contingent upon their embrace of America's agenda for Syria and regarding its future relations with Iran and Israel.

This will prove counterproductive. Previous administrations have tried and failed to dictate to the Syrians how to manage their national affairs.

It's high time to allow Syrians the political freedom and peace they deserve, but have been denied since independence.

Source: Al Jazeera

PAGE 32

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Mali donor meeting raises $455m

I

nternational donors meeting in Ethiopia have pledged $455.53m (ÂŁ289m) for an international campaign tackling Islamist militants in Mali.

The pledges for aid projects and the African-led Afisma force that is expected to take over from French troops in the country is about half the figure African leaders had requested.

French and Malian troops are securing Timbuktu after seizing it on Monday.

Meanwhile, a Tuareg group says it has control of the northern town of Kidal.

Home to the head of Ansar Dine, the main militant group in northern Mali, it had been the last remaining Islamist stronghold.

The international donor conference was held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

At the opening of the meeting, Ivory Coast President AlassaneOuattara said the budget for the multinational force's operation would be $950m - more than double the African Union's initial estimate.

Some 60 to 70 donors had been invited to the conference to bolster the funding.

According to a list of donations carried on the AU's Twitter account on Tuesday, Japan pledged $120m, the US $96m and Germany $20m.

India and China pledged $1m each, the AU said, the same as Sierra Leone, which will also contribute 650 troops to the African-led International Support Mission to

Egypt's army chief warns of 'state collapse' amid crisis

E Cross section of donors at the meeting.

Mali (Afisma).

The national pledges cover Afisma, humanitarian assistance, logistics, improving security and the future development of Mali.

The chairwoman of the African Union Commission, NkosazanaDlamini-Zuma, told delegates that they had gathered "to express solidarity with the Republic of Mali and its people".

"We all know the gravity of the crisis. It is a situation that requires a swift and effective international

response, for it threatens Mali, the region, the continent and even beyond," she said.

France's Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, said impressive progress had been made but that this did not mean the danger was over.

Mr Fabius also said credible elections in Mali would be vital to achieving sustainable peace in the country.

Ethiopian Prime Minister HailemariamDesalegn said money would also be needed to fund post-

conflict projects.

The BBC's James Copnall, who is in the Ethiopian capital, says there is a general recognition that Mali will not become peaceful again without a democratic transformation, but that for the moment the focus is firmly on finding the money needed by the military force.

On Tuesday, another conference in Brussels is due to decide on which countries will contribute troops for an EU military training mission for Mali.

‌Niger gives green light to U.S. drone deployment

N

iger has given permission for U.S. surveillance drones to be stationed on its territory to improve intelligence on al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters in northern Mali and the wider Sahara, a senior government source said.

The U.S. ambassador to Niger, Bisa Williams, made the request at a meeting on Monday with President MahamadouIssoufou, who immediately accepted it, the source said.

"Niger has given the green light to accepting American

surveillance drones on its soil to improve the collection of intelligence on Islamist movements," said the source, who asked not to be identified.

The drones could be stationed in Niger's northern desert region of Agadez, which borders Mali, Algeria and Libya, the source said.

A spokesperson for the United States' African Command (AFRICOM) declined to comment.

The United States already has drones and surveillance aircraft stationed at several

points around Africa. Its only permanent military base is in the small country of Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, more than 3,000 miles from Mali.

After her talks with Issoufou, Williams told reporters they had discussed economic and military cooperation and development issues. She also expressed Washington's appreciation for the French-led military mission to expel an alliance of al Qaeda-linked fighters from northern Mali.

French and Malian troops retook control of the ancient

trading town of Timbuktu on Monday, as they drove deep into the heart of the desert region the size of Texas seized by Islamist fighters last year.

Washington has provided military transport planes to airlift men and equipment into Mali but said it will not send combat troops.

The head of the U.S. Africa Command, General Carter Ham, visited Niger last month.

The poor, landlocked West Africa state has said it wants to have closer security cooperation with Washington.

Phone video of South Africa mine massacre pressures police

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cell phone video broadcast this week of the police shooting of 34 miners in South Africa last year has piled

more pressure on the security forces, showing officers bragging about the killings and undermining claims that they

Demonstrators wave placards during a site inspection by the judicial commission of inquiry into the shootings at Lonmin'sMarikana mine.

fired in self-defense.

Reuters television footage of some of the killings at Lonmin'sMarikana platinum mine showed a dozen striking miners being cut down in a hail of police bullets.

The images of the bloodiest security incident since apartheid shocked the world, and dented the reputation of Nelson Mandela's "Rainbow Nation" and the ruling African National Congress (ANC), which faces an election next year.

Since then the pay strikes have abated, but turmoil in the sector has continued, with the world's biggest platinum producer, Anglo American Platinum Ltd, infuriating miners and the ANC alike with plans to mothball mines accounting for 3 pct of South

Africa's workforce.

Most of the Marikana victims died in and around a small cluster of rocks - a 'koppie' in Afrikaans - about 400 meters (yards) away from the main confrontation, out of sight of reporters and television cameras.

It is here that multiple witness reports have spoken of police officers gunning down miners as they surrendered, or shooting them in the back as they fled.

The cell phone footage from the koppie, aired on Britain's Channel 4 television, shows a police officer lying on the ground behind a rock with his pistol drawn.

The images were shot by a colleague, also lying in the grass, with the barrel of his sidearm regularly moving into the frame.

gypt's army chief has warned that the current political crisis "could lead to a collapse of the state".

General Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, in comments posted on his Facebook page, said such a collapse could "threaten future generations".

He made his statement following a large military deployment in three cities along the Suez Canal where a state of emergency has been declared.

More than 50 people have died in days of protests and violence.

Overnight, thousands of people in Port Said, Ismailia and Suez where some of the worst violence has been - ignored the curfew and temporary state of emergency to take to the streets.

Gen Sissi's lengthy statement appears to be a veiled threat to protesters and opposition forces as well as an appeal for calm and an attempt to reassure Egyptians about the role of the military, the BBC's Yolande Knell in Cairo says.

"The continuing conflict between political forces and their differences concerning the management of the country could lead to a collapse of the state and threaten future generations," Mr Sissi said.

The general, who is also Egypt's defence minister, made the comments in a speech to army cadets.

He said the economic, political and social challenges facing Egypt represented "a real threat to the security of Egypt and the cohesiveness of the Egyptian state".

He described the army as "the solid and cohesive block" on which the state rests.

Mr Sissi was appointed by President Morsi after the army handed over power to him following his election in June.

He replaced Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi who had been former President Hosni Mubarak's long-time defence minister and was in charge of the army following his fall from power in February 2011.

General Abdel Fattah al-Sissi

PEOPLES DAILY, WENDESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Asia and Middle East

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t least 65 people, apparently shot in the head, were found dead with their hands bound in a district of the northern Syrian city of Aleppo on Tuesday, activists said.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which says it provides objective information about casualties on both sides of Syria's war from a network of monitors, said the death toll could rise as high as 80. It was not clear who had carried out the killings.

Opposition activists posted a video of a man filming at least 51 muddied male bodies alongside what they said was the Queiq River in the rebel-held Bustan al-Qasrneighborhood of Aleppo.

The bodies had gunshot wounds to their heads, and their hands were bound. Blood was seeping from their heads and some of them appeared to be young, possibly teenagers, and dressed in jeans, shirts and sneakers.

The Queiq River rises in Turkey and travels through governmentheld districts of Aleppo before it reaches Bustan al-Qasr.

"They were killed only because they are Muslims," said a bearded man in another video said to have been filmed in central Bustan al-Qasr after the bodies were removed from the river. A pickup truck with a pile of corpses was parked behind him.

It is hard for Reuters to verify such reports from inside Syria because of

PAGE 33

Sixty-five found executed in Syria's Aleppo restrictions on independent media.

Government forces and rebels in Syria have both been accused by human rights groups of carrying out summary executions in the 22-

month-old conflict, which has claimed more than 60,000 lives.

Rebels pushed into Aleppo, Syria's most populous city, over the summer, but are stuck in a stalemate with

fled, the United Nations says.

In the eastern city of Deir al-Zor, insurgents including al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters captured a security agency after days of heavy fighting, according to an activist video issued on Tuesday.

The fighters freed prisoners from the building, it added.

India and Pakistan row over actor

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Bodies rot in a water channel along the Queiq River.

Israel boycotts UN rights council in unprecedented move

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epresentatives of Israel have boycotted its regular review by the UN Human Rights Council, the first time a country has ever taken such action.

The move was expected as Israel has long been angered by what it claims is unfair criticism from the body.

A decision last year to investigate Jewish settlements in the West Bank prompted Israel to announce it would no longer cooperate with the council.

Tuesday's meeting was suspended and a course of action will be decided.

"After a series of votes and statements and incidents we have decided to suspend our working relations with that body," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman YigalPalmor told the Financial Times on Tuesday.

"I can confirm that there is no change in that policy."

Council spokesman Rolando Gomez told the Associated Press that Israel's unprecedented absence had put the council in "new territory" because attendance of the Universal Periodic Review was mandatory.

Haitian representatives failed to appear before the council in 2010, but on the basis that their country had suffered a devastating earthquake.

government forces. The city is divided roughly in half between the two sides.

The revolt started as a peaceful protest movement against more than four decades of rule by President Bashar al-Assad and his family, but turned into an armed rebellion after a government crackdown.

More than 700,000 people have

Israeli foreign ministry spokesman YigalPalmor

Shah Rukh Khan

row has broken out between India and Pakistan after Islamabad's suggestion that Delhi provide security to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Home Secretary RK Singh said India was "quite capable" of taking care of the security of its people.

On Monday, Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik requested India to provide security to the actor.

This came after Khan wrote a firstperson account of how it felt to be a Muslim in India.

"I sometimes become the inadvertent object of political leaders who choose to make me a symbol of all that they think is wrong and unpatriotic about Muslims in India," the actor wrote in Outlook Turning Points, published by India's Outlook magazine in association with the New York Times.

"There have been occasions when I have been accused of bearing allegiance to our neighbouring nation than my own country - this even though I am an Indian whose father fought for the freedom of India.

"Rallies have been held where leaders have exhorted me to leave my home and return to what they refer to as my original homeland," he wrote.

On Monday, Rehman Malik said the actor was "born Indian and he would like to remain Indian, but I will request the government of India (to) please provide him security. I would like to request all Indian brothers and sisters and all those who are talking in a negative way about Shah Rukh, they should know he is a movie star".

Google unveils detailed North Korea map

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oogle's Maps service has unveiled a highly detailed map of North Korea, an area that went largely undocumented on the service previously.

Monday's development comes just weeks after Eric Schmidt, chairman of the California-basedbased internet company, embarked on a secret trip to the country.

"For a long time, one of the largest places with limited map data has been North Korea. But today we are changing that," Jayanth Mysore, a senior product manager at Google Map Maker, said in blog posting on Monday.

Map Maker creates maps from data that is provided by the public and fact-checked in a similar process to that used by Wikipedia.

Mysore said the North Korea section had been completed with the help of a "community of citizen cartographers" working over a period of several years.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 34

Europe and Americas President Obama joins immigration reform push

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S President Barack Obama will try to build support later for an immigration overhaul, a day after a bipartisan group of senators said the time was right for reform.

Mr Obama will present his plan at a high school in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It is expected to mirror the senators' framework, though possibly with a faster path to citizenship for many of the 11 million undocumented immigrants.

The move reflects the growing influence of Hispanic voters.

Speaking at 11:15 local time (19:15 GMT) on Tuesday, Mr Obama will make his case for an immigration revamp, which is expected to largely reflect a blueprint he rolled out in 2011.

Mr Obama is not expected to unveil legislation, but to rally support for the proposals promoted on Monday by a group of four Democratic and four Republican senators.

Like the bipartisan plan, Mr Obama is also expected to push for an overhaul of the existing legal immigration system and securing US borders.

But the senators' proposals allow undocumented immigrants to start the process of becoming citizens only after US borders are deemed secure, a link not expected in the president's plan.

At their news conference on Monday, the so-called gang of eight promoted their blueprint, which they hope could pass the Senate by summer.

While passage of such a bill is not assured in the Senate, it faces a tougher route in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Many conservative lawmakers there denounce a path to legalisation as an "amnesty" for lawbreakers.

Obama

France's parliament to debate gay marriage bill T

he French National Assembly is due to begin a marathon debate on legalising same-sex marriage after months of public protests and counter-protests.

The bill, promised by President Francois Hollande during his election

campaign last year, allows for samesex marriage and adoption by gay parents.

Mr Hollande's Socialists and their allies command enough parliamentary support to see it through.

However, opponents have outnumbered supporters at recent demonstrations.

Between 340,000 and 800,000 people surged into Paris on 13 January for a rally against gay marriage, compared to between

Banner on Parisian bridge: "We want jobs, not gay marriage"

125,000 and 400,000 who turned out on Sunday to support the bill.

The size of popular opposition and slickness of the "anti" campaign have surprised many, correspondents say.

Nonetheless, opinion polls suggest that around 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, though only about 50% approve of gay adoption.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said he expected the debate to harden on the right and accepted that some Socialist deputies might abstain from voting.

Bridge banners Ahead of the debate, protesters hung banners from dozens of Parisian bridges with slogans such as "A father and a mother, it's simple" and "All born of a mother and father".

"Ours is a movement for freedom of expression, for the freedom of conscience," the movement's figurehead, FrigideBarjot, told France's AFP news agency, calling for a free vote on the bill.

It is expected that the legislation will reach the statue books by the middle of the year, AFP reports.

The Socialists enjoy an outright majority in parliament and the bill is also supported by the Greens, Communists and some centrists.

Greek finance minister eyes 2014 recovery for economy

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reece's finance minister believes that the worst is over for his country.

"There is definitely a glimmer of hope; light at the end of the tunnel," YannisStournaras said.

As reforms were rushed through and a massive austerity package passed late last year, Greece secured a huge slice of bailout money from its international creditors.

"The probability of Greece leaving the euro - Grexit - is now very small", he said. "We have managed to turn the economy around. From the markets, there's much more optimism.

Deposits are coming back to banks, the government is paying its arrears to the private sector and there is a change in how

Europe sees us. So all the leading indicators are positive. We are two-thirds of the way towards our target. So people can have hope."

But few here do.

Unemployment is now Europe's highest at 26.8%. Homelessness and poverty have soared. And the recession, the worst of any country in modern history, is in its sixth straight year.

However, the finance minister said that he thinks the bad times are coming to an end.

"Towards the last quarter of 2013, we are going to have recovery," he said.

He is adamant that growth will come next year, even if the economy contracts in 2013 by an estimated 4.5%.

"I feel sure, 100% certain that

this will be the last year of Greece's recession."

Greece has the unenviable task of reducing its debt down to a sustainable level.

It currently stands at around 180% of GDP this year, the target is 124% of GDP by 2020, but the IMF has recently said Athens won't achieve it without another helping hand. So is Mr Stournaras, I asked, pushing for debt forgiveness from EU countries?

"I would welcome a reduction of the level of debt - but there are many ways to achieve that", he said, diplomatically, "but it should happen in a way that minimises the loss to other parties."

But while Greece is tired of

austerity, northern Europe is tired of bailing out Greece.

German taxpayers feel they have shouldered the burden and so any further debt restructuring may be delayed by domestic European politics, at least until the Bundestag elections in September. But Mr Stournaras was confident that it will come.

And what of more crippling spending cuts?

"If we implement this year's reform programme, there will be no more austerity packages", the Finance Minister told me, "No more cuts to wages, benefits and pensions."

It's a promise Greeks have heard before, and many here don't believe it'll be kept.

Gay German minister raps Russia on homosexual rights

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ermany's openly gay foreign minister has told Moscow's envoy to Berlin a Russian draft law banning "homosexual propaganda" contravenes human rights and could harm the country's ties with Europe, Spiegel online said on Tuesday.

The German foreign ministry confirmed the meeting on Monday evening between Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and Russia's ambassador in Berlin, Vladimir Grinin, but declined to comment on what they discussed.

Westerwelle had made clear that in Germany's view the law violated the European human rights convention, the report said.

"Such a law will hamper European-Russian relations and will harm Russia's image in Europe," it cited an unidentified official as

saying, setting out Westerwelle's position.

Westerwelle told Grinin he spoke as a "friend of Russia" who wanted Moscow to better defend human rights and democracy, Spiegel said.

Scuffles broke out on Friday between gay activists and Russian Orthodox Christians in Moscow when the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, backed the draft law.

Critics see the law as an attempt to shore up support for President Vladimir Putin after months of protests that have sapped his popularity in the still largely conservative country.

Homosexuality, punished with jail terms in the Soviet Union, was decriminalized in Russia in 1993, but much of the gay community remains

underground and prejudice runs deep.

The United States, which is at odds with Putin over a range of human rights issues, has voiced concern about the measure.

Germany has also criticized Putin's clampdown on dissent and its treatment of the Pussy Riot punk band, but trade ties between the two countries are booming. Putin put bilateral trade in 2011 at $72 billion.

Germany's Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 35

Aide defends Yero's appointments From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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n Islamic scholar and Special Adviser on religious Affairs (Islamic Matters), Sheikh Halliru Maraya, has defended the recent appointments by Governor Muktar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna state arguing that the governor emulated his predecessor, the late Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa.

Speaking in an interview with Peoples Daily yesterday, Maraya urged the people to ignore ethnic and religious considerations and work with Yero in order to move

the state forward.

According to him, "people should pray that Allah helps the new governor to succeed because if he succeeds, it is to the credit of the entire people of Kaduna state.

"Everybody knows that Yakowa treated all and sundry with utmost justice, equity and fairplay and I want to reaffirm that Yero does not harbour religious sentiments just like his predecessor.

"Whenever a new person becomes governor, it is traditions for him to look at some critical

offices and appoint people he thinks are the best to help him, according to his perception.

"Patrick Yakowa appointed a Muslim as his Special Adviser (Political) which clearly signifies that he had no religious sentiments and in the same vein, when Yero became governor, he appointed a Christian to that position in the person of Hon. Madani Garba Madani.

"In making the recent appointments, Yero considered merit and he emulated his predecessor. When Yakowa

became governor of the state, he appointed Chief Abokie Galadima as his Chief of Staff. He was appointed based on merit, without consideration for religion.

He (Yakowa) appointed Hon Yohanna Allah Magani as his Principal Private Secretary and he appointed Reuben Buhari as his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity.

"In the same vein, when Allah transferred power to Ramalan Yero as the Governor,he appointed Alhaji Yahaya Aminu as his Chief of Staff and according to the

China hands over N1.9 bn hospital to Nigeria

'Development thrives under peace' From Sam Egwu, Lokoja

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French policy on illegal import of cultural goods.

"These statuettes have been seized in France by the French Customs and Excise; they were seized near Paris in August 2010.

"By the Gennevilliers' office of the General Directorate of customs and excise as part of the French Customs' watch and fight against illegal transportation of cultural goods", he said.

"They were found in the luggage of a traveller returning from Africa", he said.

Jacques said that the artworks were illegally taken away from the Nigerian territory.

He said that the analyses carried out by French experts revealed that the artifacts were stolen from Nigeria, adding that the five statuettes were very old.

"The oldest one dates back between 1400 BC and some 700 BC; this may be more than 3000 years from now and it belongs to the famous Nok civilization", he said. (NAN)

he Liaison officer 1 of Dekina Local Government Area, Mohammed Alih has said that development and progress can only take place in a secured and peaceful environment.

Mohammed who stated this over the weekend in Dekina headquarters of the council area, during the prayer organized by Muslims and Christians for the quick recovery of the state governor, Captain Idris Wada.

He stressed the need for the people of Nigeria and Kogi state in particular to peacefully co-exist to guarantee development and progress.

He noted that Wada was passionate and committed to the progress of the state, and prayed God to quickly heal him, so as to carry on with his transformation agenda for the state.

He noted that the agricultural revolution currently in the state, particularly in rice production, was a clear indication that the government was working towards bringing succour to the people, and urged the people to support the government.

The liaison officer called for prayers for the many challenges facing the nation which tend to hinder its development and progress.

In separate speeches, the chief Imam of Dekina LGA, Alhaji Umar Baba and Pastor Semion Adukwu of St. Barnabas Anglican Church Dekina, prayed for the quick recovery of the governor.

They called on political leaders in the state to be just and rule over the people with the fear of God.

for head of civil service which was sent to the state commissioner of finance, issued the directive.

A copy of the circular made available to newsmen in Bauchi yesterday said " Governor Isa Yuguda graciously approved discontinuance of the 10% workers salaries which commenced from September 2012 up to December 2012 (4months), this means that salaries would return to statuesque with effect from

January 2013".

The letter stated "Due to dwindling states revenues, his Excellency has further approved that all allowances being paid along with salaries for beneficiary cadres of the civil service ‌ and being currently implemented be suspended forthwith until the financial situation of the state improves, however treasury staff will have 50% of the special allowances being paid to them" The letter clarified that

"payment of statutory professional salary structures like those of medical and health tertiary institutions remain sacrosanct and the reversion of leave transport grant from 15% to 10% of basic salary of all categories of workers in the state public service which is applicable rate nationally remain so as approved by his Excellency in September 2012" It added that the decision applies to the employees of the local government service.

By A'isha Biola Raji

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fully equipped 150-bed comprehensive Federal Staff Hospital valued at twelve and half million dollars (N1,937,500,000) has been bequeathed to Nigeria by the Peoples Republic of China.

The hospital, born out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Federal Ministry of Health, was yesterday commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan at Jabi District in Abuja.

Vice President Namadi Sambo represented Jonathan, said the hospital would serve all Nigerians irrespective of class or status in accordance with vision 202020.

According to him, the present administration is set to provide world class hospitals in order to avert medical trips abroad and " has also put in place programs, such as SURE-P aimed at targeting health improvement of rural areas".

Minister of health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu said the gesture of Chinese government which sprang from China-Africa Cooperation Forum, Beijing Summit in 2008 has upgraded the staff hospital which was formerly located in Garki within two years to the 150 bed structures now in Jabi, Abuja.

According to Chukwu, programs like maternal and child health, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS and immunization have been integrated into the hospital to meet MDGS 4 and 5 with over 50 surgeries being done weekly.

In his handover speech, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Deng Boqingsaid the gesture was as a result of the long standing relationship between the two countries.

governor's perception, he is the best person for that position and he appointed Ahmed Mayaki as his Director-General, Media and Publicity and that too was based on merit and he appointed Ismaila Aliyu as his Principal Private Secretary.

"If you say these appointments have religious undertones because he is a Muslim, which means indirectly you are saying that Yakowa too had religious bias because these positions were also occupied by Christians before his death".

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, sealing a private guard company, operating illegally, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

France returns terracotta sculptures stolen from Nigeria

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he French Government yesterday returned to Nigeria five terracotta sculptures of Nok origin stolen in 2008 by a Frenchman.

Mr. Jacques Champagne, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, made the disclosure at the handing over ceremony in Abuja.

He said that the return of the artifacts was in keeping with the international law on intellectual property.

Champagne said that the exercise was in tune with the

Bauchi stops deduction of workers wages From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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he Bauchi State government has directed the stoppage of 10 percent deduction % from workers wages which started four months ago and suspended payment of all allowances paid to civil servants in the state.

A letter number GO/EST/S/ OFF/184/T.3 signed by Hashimu A Dori permanent secretary of establishment and Servicom matters of the bureau

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Why body language could be the key to discovering mood

By Claire Bates

I

t's a situation anyone in a relationship is familiar with - you think you may have upset your other half but you can't be sure.

Now researchers say confused partners would do better to check their other half's body language rather than trying to decipher their expression.

While conventional wisdom says that the face best communicates feeling, a study from Princeton University found facial expressions could often be ambiguous. They said that people struggled to tell just from a headshot whether someone was experiencing an extreme positive or negative reaction.

Body language however turned out to be a far more reliable guide.

In four separate experiments the researchers asked participants to work out from photographs if people were experiencing feelings such as loss, victory or pain from facial expressions or body language alone, or from both.

The images included a number of head and body shots featuring tennis players such as Andy Murray winning or losing a point.

Participants who saw the face only had a 50-50 chance of being correct, whereas those who only

People rely on body language to read emotions far more than they realise, say researchers saw a body or the face and body together were far more accurate.

Study leader Professor Alexander Torodov, said: 'There's much more ambiguity in the face than we assume there is.

'We assume that the face conveys whatever is in the person's mind, that we can recognize their emotions. But that's not necessarily true.'

He said that when emotions reach a certain intensity the

intricacies of facial expressions become lost, much like how increasing the volume on stereo speakers can make it become distorted.

The tests, published in the journal Science, also revealed we rely on body language far more than we think.

One of the experiments paired a facial expression showing one emotion spliced with a body that was expressing another.

The example given was the face of a patient grimacing while

having an injection put on the body of a victorious tennis player.

The participants typically guessed the situation with what they gleaned from the body - it that the person was happy.

Despite this 80 per cent of people said they would rely solely on the face when trying to work out an emotion, while 20 per cent would look at the face and body together. This misconception was labelled the 'illusory facial effect' by researchers.

'The message of this research

is that there is a lot of information in body language people aren't necessarily aware of,' Prof Torodov said.

Jamin Halberstadt, a psychology professor at the University of Otago, who was not involved with the study, said: 'It really questions the primacy of the face in emotion.

'Real emotional expressions are much more ambiguous, subtle and malleable than you would think from the research.

'Any application of emotion theory that relies on or assumes that emotional expressions reside primarily in the face should be under reconsideration from this kind of study.'

Picture answers: TEST ONE: Most people found it easier to read body language compared to facial expressions BODY LANGUAGE: A1 = Winning pose A2 = Losing pose.

FACIAL EXPRESSIONS: B2, B3, B5 = Winning point. B1, B4, B6 = Losing point.

TEST TWO: Most people struggled to categorise the intense emotions expressed correctly.

A1 = Grief A2 = Pleasure A3 = Victory A4 = Defeat A5= Pain Most people thought B1 was in pain, while B2 was showing joy.

Actually both photos had the same 'joyful' head shot. However, it was pasted onto a body in pain in B1 and a body celebrating in B2.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Alcohol-fuelled sleep 'less satisfying' D r Ebrahim, tipple before bedtime may m e d i c a l get you off to sleep faster director at but it can disrupt your the London night's slumber, say researchers Sleep Centre cowho have reviewed the and author of the evidence.

The London Sleep Centre l a t e s t team says studies show alcohol r e v i e w , published in upsets our normal sleep cycles.

While it cuts the time it takes the journal to first nod off and sends us into a Alcoholism: & deep sleep, it also robs us of one of Clinical our most satisfying types of Experimental Alcohol changes our sleep patterns Research, sleep, where dreams occur.

Used too often, it can cause said: "We should be very cautious people could become dependent on insomnia. about drinking on a regular basis. alcohol for sleep.

Many advocate a nightcap "One or two glasses might be And it could make sleep less nursing homes and hospital wards nice in the short term, but if you restful and turn people into have even been known to serve continue to use a tipple before snorers. alcohol - but Dr Irshaad Ebrahim bedtime it can cause significant "With increasing doses, alcohol and his team advise against it. suppresses our breathing. It can problems. turn non-snorers into snorers and "If you do snorers into people with sleep have a apnoea - where the breathing's drink, it's interrupted." best to leave From the hundred or more an hour and studies that Dr Ebrahim's team a half to two looked at, they analysed 20 in hours before detail and found alcohol appeared going to bed to change sleep in three ways. so the Firstly, it accelerates sleep alcohol is onset, meaning we drop off a l r e a d y faster. wearing off."

Non-snorers may become snorers He said Source: BBCNews.com

By Michelle Roberts

A

TEST ONE: Participants were asked if these players had won or lost from their pose or facial expression. Are you able to tell which is which? Answers at the bottom of the article

TEST TWO: The top five images A1-A5 are showing examples of emotions including defeat, grief, pleasure, victory and pain. But which is which? For test B, participants were asked if each photo was showing joy or pain. Answers at the bottom of the article.

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 37

Why Kalu returned to PDP ANALYSIS

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi Since last Wednesday, when Nigeria’s ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued membership card number 9787945 to former Abia state Governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in ward A in his country home in Igbere community of Bende Local government Area of Abia state, questions have been raised in many quarters in the polity.

According to a press statement issued by Media Assistant to Dr. Kalu, Salvator Amadi, the first question was whether it was just a mere offer or that the offer was accepted as there is clearly a difference between the two, especially given the front page report in some national dailies which quoted Kalu as saying that he would communicate his decision to both the PDP delegations from Ward A and B led by their chairmen, Mr. Joseph Chika and Amadi Gideon Kalu respectively and delegations from Igbere Wards A, B and C of progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) led by Mr. IkechukwuAgbaegbu who also visited Kalu that Wednesday to woo him back to the party which he founded and on which platform he contested the 2007 presidential election.

The statement read in part: “Against this background, it is

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu hereby unequivocally confirmed that Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has not only returned to PDP which the world knows he is one of its key founding fathers, but has “urged the National Chairman, Dr. BamangaTukur, to pursue with vigor, his policy of reconciliation aimed at the return of the aggrieved members who abandoned the

party to increase the ranks of opposition.”

Another key question on this development that has practically taken the country by storm, is why Kalu who is the national convener of Njiko-Igbo – a socio-political organization championing Igbo unity and interest in the Nigerian polity – and who has

been harping on a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction come 2015, would return to PDP which some pundits believe has tacitly approved President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, knowing quite well that Jonathan is not Igbo.

“This question prompts the clarification that Kalu’s return to the PDP would rather enhance the attraction of nation recognition of the Igbo race in the Nigerian scheme of affairs as it was Kalu’s insistence on fair treatment of his people and stout opposition to the evil third term ambition that led to a clash between him and former President and Board of Trustees Chairman of PDP, Chief OlusegunObasanjo, who as a result, deregistered Kalu from party.

With Obasanjo now out of the two vital positions of authority, selling Igbo interest and by extension, national interest – since national unity is impossible without equity – as well as anti-dictatorial tenets to the PDP, should be expected to be a smoother sail”, said the statement.

“The question of where this development leaves the future of PPA and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) which Kalu sought their merger for effective cohesion in the five Igbo states in Nigeria’s South East geo-political region given the fact that PPA once controlled Imo and Abia states

while APGA currently controls Imo and Anambra states, has also come to the fore.

“On this issue, it must be appreciated that Kalu’s efforts at PPA/APGA merger was negated by the fact that APGA was not forthcoming on the proposal as it was endlessly bedeviled and pre-occupied by internal problems centering on leadership.

“Also, given the Nigerian political reality of marginalization of states in the opposition, it would be naïve to think that the South East on its own can produce a President even with all the five states under PPA or APGA. Since it is easier to fight a course from within than from a distance, it goes without saying that Dr. Kalu’s decision to pursue the course of justice for all Nigerians from within the ruling party is a pragmatic one as nobody can grab the bully by the horn if he is not close enough.

Finally, it is note-worthy that the excitement that has greeted Kalu’s return to the PDP from the grassroots in his hometown, Igbere, to the highest echelon of the party’s leadership in Abuja has renewed hopes that the party will win back lost confidence among Nigerians who believe in true unity based on equity and prefer to call a spade a spade no matter whose ox is gored.

ANPP urges supporters to take advantage of INEC voters' register display

By Adeola Tukuru

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he All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) FCT Chairman, Alhaji Abdulmalik Usman has called on its supporters to take advantage of the voters register to be displayed by INEC to effect correction on their data.

He stated this in Gwagwalada when the party received decampees from other political parties in the council.

Usman said INEC had concluded plans to commence the training of its officers ahead of voters register display exercise in preparation for March 16 FCT Area Councils election.

He further called on ANPP supporters who had lost their cards and still having their VIN numbers to ensure they take advantage of the exercise to get their cards back.

In his words : "Nobody should sit down at home and say I have lost my card and so, will not exercise his or her civic right.

"I encourage our supporters across FCT to ensure that they take advantage of the voters register to be displayed by INEC to effect corrections on their data.It will be another opportunity for those who lost their cards and still having their VIN number, to be qualified to cast their votes come March 16," he said.

In his remark, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, Personal Assistant to Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman said the decapees were majorly from the

PDP. He said the mass exit of PDP members to ANPP in the council was a clear demonstration of the fact that ANPP was in the right direction in it program and policies.

Abdullahi who called on the decampees to remain steadfast and committed to the party activities had expressed confidence that Gwagwalada would be delivered for ANPP come March 16.

Mr Abubakar Usman, one of the decampess who spoke to

newsmen at the ceremony said his decision to defect to ANPP followed lack of transparency in PDP. He said the programs and policies of ANPP since the emergency of the incumbent chairman of the council; Alhaji Zakari Angulu had impacted positively on every residents of the council.

He attributed the successes recorded by ANPP in the council to its level of transparency and believe in the people rather than said ANPP

had powill that the party to the achievements recorded by the t the event as well as recover their cards back for those who had lost their cards is to take advantage of the his is an opportunity that will qualify you again to cast your vote to get your card your back to ensure that would called on the party supporters who had lost their their cards a ceremony marking and ensure their data were correct ahead of March 16, FCT Area Councils Election.

Full autonomy for LG enlivens grassroot democracy – UPP

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r Chambers Okorie of the United Progressive Party (UPP) said yesterday that full autonomy for local government councils would enliven grassroots democracy.

Okorie was speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday. ``For democracy to thrive and succeed in Nigeria, there

must be total autonomy for the local governments in Nigeria, as it will help to sustain democracy. ``Without autonomy the local government system will not develop well and the council chairmen will forever be subservient to state governors,'' he said.

Okorie said that the overwhelming influence of the governors had stifled

administration of the third tier, as the chairmen had turned to appendages.

He said the major local government statutory duties had not carried out as expected, adding that it included the provision of basic amenities in the rural areas. ``During the last FCT elections less than 3 per cent of the more than 459,966 registered voters in AMAC voted, this is to show the

level of apathy among the people. ``This is because people have lost confidence in the local governments and area councils because they are not reaping the anticipated dividends of democracy," he said.

Okorie said that some local governments were long overdue for elections, but that caretaker committees were still overseeing them beause it pleased the state governors. (NAN)

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

NBA president warns branches against speaking on behalf of national body

Chairman House on Internal Security, Hon Aliyu Gebi (middle), arraigned before FCT High Court for giving dud cheque, yesterday in Abuja.

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Photo: Mahmud Isa

EFCC arraigns Rep over dud cheques

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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he Chairman, House Committee on Internal Security, Hon. Aliyu Gebi was yesterday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly issuing dud cheques of about N120.5 million to his lender.

Gebi who was arraigned on a 13-count charge before an Abuja High Court sitting before Justice Abba Bello Muhammad in Apo, Abuja was accused of issuing 13 dud cheques in favour of the complainant, Musty Petroleum Limited, an offence, EFCC said is

an offence punishable under section l (b) (i) of the Dishonoured Cheque (offences) Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The lawmaker was said to have issued the complainant post-dated cheques from his United Bank For Africa Plc (UBA) personal account and a company account named, Craft Technology Limited with value of dates on 13/01/2012 and 12/ 01/12 respectively. The cheques were issued to cover an interest free loan of N125, 000, 000 repayable within a period of 60 days, which the company

borrowed him.

Upon lodging them into UBA account of Musty Petroleum Limited on 1/02/12, the cheques were returned unpaid due to insufficient funds in the Drawer’s account. Gebi however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Moving the bail application, the defence counsel, Babatunde Oyefeso prayed the court to grant him bail on selfrecognition. He informed the court that the accused had been enjoying the administrative bail granted him by the anti-graft agency.

The prosecution

counsel, Mohammed Bello, did not oppose to the bail application.

Confirming that the accused person had deposited his diplomatic passport with the Commission, he urged the court to note the gravity of the offence by imposing condition that will make the accused attend trial.

In his ruling, Justice Muhammad said, “bail is granted based on previous terms as granted by the Commission.

He is to deposit his deposit his diplomatic passport with the EFCC”.

The matter was adjourned till February 19, 2013 for hearing.

PDP expresses happiness at Imoke’s recovery

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed happiness on the remarkable recovery of Cross River state Governor Liyel Imoke who has been out of the country for medical treatment.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday said the party received the news of the governor’s recovery with great joy

adding that he is expected back to his duties soon.

“We have just received news of the remarkable recovery of the Governor of Cross Rivers state, Governor Liyel Imoke and we are very happy. We expect that he will be back to his office very soon to continue the good works he has been doing in his state,” he said.

Metuh commended the leadership of the party in Cross River, including the Acting Governor, party chairmen,

Speaker of the Houses of Assembly, state caucus members, members of the National Assembly from the state as well as government appointees in the state for holding forth and ensuring smooth running of government affairs in the absence of the governor.

He said the fact that government activities have been going on smoothly in the state shows that that PDP government has direction and focus in line with the manifesto of the party to

ensure the welfare of the people at all times.

The party also thanked the people of Cross Rivers state for their steadfastness in praying for the governor. It said the fact that the governor has recovered is an indication that God answers prayers.

It however urged the people to continue to be united and support the PDP administration in its efforts to ensure the stability, peace and progress of the state.

r Okey Wali, President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), has warned branch chairmen of the association to desist from making comments on national issues on behalf of the national body.

Wali gave the warning yesterday in Abuja at the swearingin ceremony of the Abuja branch of the association.

He urged them to limit their activities to their jurisdiction, adding that only the president had the right to comment on behalf of the national body. ``NBA branches must keep within the limits on what they should do because we have had situations where branch chairmen would want to speak for the NBA . ``NBA has resolved that only the president speaks on behalf of the national body. We must have order in the profession,'' he said.

He further warned that any branch chairman found wanting would be adequately punished.

Wali called on the new executives to abide by the rules of the association in the discharge of their duties.

He pledged to support the branch as it worked towards the development of the country.

The chairman of the Abuja branch of NBA, Mr Desmond Yamah, said that the newlyinaugurated executives were determined to tackle the challenges facing the association.

Yamah promised to work with other executive members in ensuring discipline among members.

He said that the association would embark on training programmes in order to equip its members with skills that would make them outstanding in the discharge of their duties. ``We would focus on the area of discipline of members to preserve the integrity of the NBA and to build public confidence in the profession. ``We would also embark on capacity building for our members to better equip them to face the challenges of our time.''

He called on members to work closely with the new executives towards building a formidable NBA. (NAN)

Chime's absence: Enugu Assembly warns group to stop deceiving citizens

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he Enugu State House of Assembly has accused the 'Save Enugu Group' of allegedly deceiving the people of the state over Gov. Sullivan Chime's continued absence from the state.

Its Speaker, Mr Eugene Odo, said on the floor of the House on Tuesday that it would apply legal means to protect the citizens from the group's activities.

Odo, who made his feelings known while concluding the plenary, noted

that the lawmakers would be constrained to summon those behind the Save Enugu Group to explain under what guise they were operating.

According to him, if the group is known to law, the assembly will accord it the necessary and official status.

He said, however, that if the group was not known to law, it would be improper for the assembly to communicate with such an

association. ``We want to state that it will be improper for the House of Assembly to correspond with association that have no legal backing of the law, association that have no corporate entity, associations that are not legal person and as such that its not a legal personality. ``A little investigation we made indicate that the Save Enugu Group is not an association known to the law, so we wish that those operating under

this guise, should as much as possible remove the cloak of group personality and then bring themselves so that people of Enugu State can know them.

“I say this in the belief that the association wrote me demanding some documents of the house and we think that there is no document of the house that is a private document, they are all public documents that could be accessed to anybody upon proper application for

certify true copy of same.

“But the house will not deal with unknown persons, the house will deal with persons who are known to the law, persons who are legal persons.''

Odo said that efforts made to trace the supposed head office of the group showed that only the South East Zonal Office of the Civil Liberties Organisation and a law firm existed at the No. 27, Edinburgh Road, where it claimed to operate from. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Katsina CPC dissolves LGs, wards Exco From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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atsina state chapter of the Congress for Progressive Change, (CPC) has announced the dissolution of its Executives Councils in 27 local governments of the state and at all wards level.

The caretaker chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Faruq Adamu Aliyu who made the announcement, yesterday in Katsina noted that the dissolution did not affect seven local governments.

He noted that the seven local governments not affected by the dissolution include, Danja, Bakori, Danmusa, Safana, Kurfi, Batsari, Sandamu, adding that the seven local governments spared were those who were already being run by caretaker committees.

Similarly, Aliyu stated that the party has appointed a five member caretaker committee to run the affairs of local chapters while the committee would select ward executives.

Aliyu also disclosed that the party has dismissed some of its members from the party. They include, Amiru Idris Bakori, Aminu Ashiru Mani, Murtala Isa Kankara, Muntari Dandutse, Abba Sada, Tasi’u Doguro, Musa Salisu Kafin Soli, Dr. Umar Katsayal and Umaru Abdu Dankama.

He further reaffirmed the dismissal of Katsina State Commissioner of water resources, Alhaji Jamilu Danmusa and the suspension of the erstwhile chairman of the party, Dr. Yusha’u Armaya’u.

PAGE 39

Niger Delta worse under Jonathan- Ex- Militants From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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ormer Niger Delta warlords have lamented that the quality of lives in the Niger Delta is declining by the day under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Chief Tom Ateke, Ebikabowei Victor Ben (a.k.a Boyloaf), Paul Eris (a.k.a Ogunboss), Chief Kalaiti Jephthah, Chief Dere Biemgbo Ofokome, Sgt. Werinepere Digifa among others lamented that the region still lags far behind its Nigerian counterparts in terms of basic infrastructures such as roads, education, health care services, pipe borne water, electricity.

According to them, the end result is widespread poverty and high rate of frustration throughout the region.

The war lords who came under the auspice of "Izon Ikemi", in a communiqué after its leadership meeting signed by its chairman

….demand Orubebe's removal Tony 'Iprinye Uranta said the EastWest Road traversing the Niger Delta region, and into the southern states of the country as a putative Trunk "A" federal road, has remained in a terrible state in spite of the deadly nature that the road has deteriorated to; and, rather than taking pragmatic steps to check the devastating trend, the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe has been more occupied with face saving media engagements.

The group however demanded Orubebe's immediate removal and the concomitant public call by Mr. President on all government MDAs relevant to the region to become more visibly effectual and accountable to the citizenry.

They lamented that gas flaring and unchallenged oil spills still continue brazenly in the region,

"despite the Federal Government's numerous wrist-slaps to International Oil Companies; and no comprehensive or sustainable environment remediation action has taken place, not even in Ogoniland, despite the UNDP/UNEP Report recommending that urgent action commence."

The group also urged the Federal Government to directly hand over the derivation funds from the Federation Account that are currently going to the state government coffers to the oil and gas producing communities who bear the brunt of exploration activities.

"Izon Ikemi urge the relevant government institutions and the Presidency to commence the process, forthwith, of ensuring that administrative committees come on stream through

appropriate mechanism, to correct the obvious injustice of paying the 13% Derivation Fund through state governors that have not always been transparent nor accountable with said monies!"

They also demanded the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the National Assembly be passed because it remains a critical tool to boosting the nation's revenue-monitoring systems, and positively impacting the lives of all Nigerian citizens, including those in the Niger Delta region. "We strongly advise National Legislators to focus less attention on parochialisms, and be more concerned about the PIB's far reaching objectives of ensuring efficient and transparent management of the petroleum sector, to the benefit of all Nigerians."

Okorocha calls for discipline in governance

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ov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo has called for the restoration of discipline at all levels of government, saying that lack of it has hindered the much-desired development in the country.

Okorocha made the call in Owerri yesterday when the officers of the Command and StaffCollege, Jaji in KadunaState, paid him a courtesy visit.

He said that democracy, more than any other system of government, had been known to propel development, but cautioned that for the system to achieve the maximum benefits, those in governance must be disciplined.

According to him, the level and rate of development in the country under democracy has not met the expectations because of indiscipline.

Okorocha said the Federal Government had a role in championing the cause of the restoration.

He suggested the introduction of civic education in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the country as a way of inculcating sanity in the future generations of the people. (NAN)

L-R: Co-chairmen, South-West, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, South-East, Chief Alex Ekwueme, Chairman, South-East Governors Forum, Mr Peter Obi, and Chief Edwin Clark, during Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly, yesterday in Enugu.

Photo: NAN

Stop pulling down the House, Oyo ACN warns groups From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State has warned all splinter groups within it to desist from making spurious allegations against its leadership, saying that their actions were tantamount to pulling down the house, the Samson way.

The party, in a statement issued in Ibadan yesterday by the state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dauda Kolawole, frowned at splinter groupings within its fold, stressing that it was neither a creation of nor recognized by the constitution of the party.

Apparently referring to the press war being waged against one another by some groups within it, particularly the ACN Reformation

Group and the ACN Integrity Parliament, the party said that this was not healthy for its continued survival.

“Our candid stance immediately these statements were published was to allow these groups to ventilate their angers. Being a democracy and a political party which believes in the tenets of free speech as an integral component of good governance, we believe that these dialogues will ultimately enrich the public space and our party will be better for it.

“However, in view of the interests generated by the statements among our members and the public at large and in view of the insinuations, allegations and counter allegations contained in the statements, it is necessary to react to them now and address whatever

issues that are raised by the group,’’ it said.

Just like IP, ACN said that Reformation Group was not a legal organ of the party, adding “it is not a creation of the constitution of the party.

“Indeed, it is alien to our great party, the ACN. Borrowing from the political baton bequeathed to us by our leaders of the progressive fold, splinter groupings in whatever form are alien to the progressive fold and the political philosophy of progressivism.

“The Executive Committee (EXCO) of the ACN in Oyo State recognises that there are many shades of opinion in the party. We also recognise that, in order to strengthen and grow the party, we need to attract other people from all

walks of life.

“This we have been doing as a matter of utmost priority and coupled with the governmental midas-touch of our government in the state, migration to our party has been recording a phenomenal growth. Our primary responsibility as a party and EXCO is to husband all these human resources congregated in the ACN,’’ it said.

The party also dismissed the allegation of the Reformation Group that all plum appointments in the state went to a particular group, contending that at the outset of the Ajimobi administration, all appointments were considered by the party, in conjunction with leaders like Alhaji Lam Adesina, Chief Michael Koleoso and the governor.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

Speedy passage of PIB good for Nigeria

Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo (left), briefing the journalists on the Boko Haram's ceasefire in the country during his official visit to the State House, yesterday in Abuja.

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Photo: Joe Oroye

PDP deputies pass vote of confidence on Tukur

By Lawrence Olaoye

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mbattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, yesterday received succor when the deputy national officers passed a confidence vote on him.

Addressing newsmen after a breakfast meeting with Tukur, the leader of the group, Senator Umar Tsauri said the meeting was at their own instance to felicitate with him on the New Year and at the same time deliberate on issues affecting the party.

Tsauri, who is the PDP

Deputy National Auditor, described as “very fruitful” their deliberations with Tukur and stressed that their discussions was for the benefit of the party.

He emphasized that they were in total support of Tukur’s leadership of the party and they have no problem in passing a vote of confidence on him.

“Today we told the National Chairman of the party of his leadership capabilities and the way he manages crisis and that we have confidence in his style of leadership. Our meeting with him was fruitful and we discussed the development of the party. We pass a vote of

confidence on him.”

Tsauri however declined to comment on the ongoing disagreement between the governors on the platform of the party and its National Chairman but explained that they are national officers of the party while the governors are operating at the state level.

He pointed out that crisis in a large party like the PDP was inevitable adding that the party has the capacity to address whatever challenges that may come its way.

“As a ruling party, the PDP cannot run away from disaffection but we do not have anything to worry about.”

He advised those who are

waiting in the wings to benefit from the possible breakup of PDP to perish the thought as the party will only come out of its challenges stronger.

“No matter the crisis within the party and no matter how much you think the party would break up, you are kidding. PDP would not break up, no matter how you see the crisis, PDP would not break up.”

The PDP Deputy National Auditor also denied allegation that the NWC members have been relegating the deputy executive members to the background, stressing that the party’s constitution is very clear on the role of the deputies.

Dickson inaugurates Bayelsa Construction Coy

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ov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa yesterday inaugurated the board of the newly established Bayelsa State Construction and Dredging Company.

Dickson charged the board members to make the company viable to improve the revenue profile of the state.

He also urged them to acquire the necessary expertise in personnel and equipment to enable the company compete favourably with other construction companies.

Dickson explained that the goal of setting up the company was to enable the State Government to implement its infrastructural development agenda.

He noted that the company, apart from being a parastatal

agency under the state's Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, would also be expected to provide employment for youths while acting as a direct labour agency.

The governor who warned against politicisation of the affairs of the company added: "you are to make profit and at the end of the year declare dividends to the people of Bayelsa State".

Dickson assured the company of government's patronage in award of contracts.

"You will have our support also to undertake construction jobs in multinational companies and other organisations that are doing business in our state."

The Chairman of the board, Chief Solomon Agwanana, who expressed gratitude to Dickson for

their appointment, promised to work effectively with relevant agencies.

The company has Mr Amos Waritimi as Managing Director while Chief Zedekiah Ezu, Mr

Austin Asamowei and Chief Meshack Olomu are to serve as members.

Other members include Mr Alex Angagha and Mr Akiki Apreala. (NAN)

hief Charles Nwodo, former National Chairman of deregistered Progressive Action Congress (PAC), has appealed to the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in the interest of the nation.

Nwodo made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yestersday in Abuja.

He stressed the need for the lawmakers to re-visit the PIB with patriotic zeal, as the oil industry was the backbone of Nigeria's economy.

According to him, the delay in passing the bill will further encourage cabals to thrive without let or hindrance. ``World wide, the oil industry has rules and regulations guiding exploration, exploitation and marketing of products in the industry. ``The NNPC today, is enmeshed in the controversy of mismanagement because a comprehensive oil bill is not in place," he said.

He expressed regret that Nigeria was the only country in the world where crude oil theft is the order of the day and ``culprits go scot free''.

He attributed the situation to the lack of comprehensive laws to regulate the oil industry and other sectors that were critical to the growth of the nation's economy. ``Shying away from passing the PIB can only do more harm than good, given the situation in the country. ``I also subscribe to the fact that the oil minister should not be the only one saddled with all the responsibilities in the oil industry for transparency and accountability," he said.

He expressed the belief that realistic laws would enthrone checks and balances, in addition to transparency and accountability necessary for the survival of the industry.

Nwodo also advocated the enactment of a law to stipulate severe punishments for crude oil thieves and frauds as sanity was needed in the oil industry.

He said further that the bill should deal with environmental factors affecting oil exploration and safety of the host communities.

He also urged the lawmakers to rise above sectional politics in order to pass the bill without further delay.

He underscored the use of egovernance as information and communication technology was imperative for oversight functions, including probes. (NAN)

Kiyawa LG chairman expresses commitment to project execution operation of all and sundry,'' he

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he Chairman, Kiyawa Local Government in Jigawa, Alhaji Dahiru Madaki, says he is determined to execute projects which have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the area.

Dahiru said this when he received representatives of other political parties in the area on a courtesy visit to him in his office

in Kiyawa on Monday.

He however called for tolerance among the political parties to ensure a sustainable democracy.

The LG Chairman assured of his determination be just and fair in the provision of social amenities to the people. ``No meaningful development will take place without the support and co-

said.

Earlier, in an address, the political parties' spokesman, Alhaji Garba Mohammed, expressed the readiness of the parties to support the present administration in the council and the state in general. ``This will help to ensure enhanced dividends of democracy to the people,'' he said.(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 41

Keshi promises different mentality against CIV

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uper Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, has promised to present a squad with a totally different mental approach in Sunday’s quarterfinals clash with the Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire.

Though he admitted

the game won’t be easy because of the strength of opposition and the fact the Elephants are the tournament’s favourites, Keshi said at a post match conference yesterday that the Eagles will be equal to the task.

“That game is a different ball game. It will require a different mentality, resolve and approach. And I can assure you that the Eagles are equally to the task. It’s 50-50 chances for each side. But we shall see,” he said.

Keshi, who was not entirely pleased with the performance of the Eagles against the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia, assured that they will prepare adequately for the game stressing that the Eagles will recharge

their armoury to be able to confront their opponents with depth and fervour.

“We will adopt a different approach in our preparation for the game. We have the players and the attitude they need to contest for

the ticket is there. We intend to even improve on it,” he said even as he lauded Sunday Mba, the second of the domestic league players on the pitch (the other being Godfrey Oboabana, who has been consistent).

Super Eagles wobble into Q/ finals, face CIV on Sunday Stories by Patrick Andrew

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brace from Chelsea wing forward, Victor Moses, saved Nigeria’s brushes as the Super Eagles barely managed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Nations Cup yesterday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

Moses rallied Nigeria to a laboured victory with late penalties in a lacklustre game that again emphasized the absence of drive and zest in the Eagles. They beat the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-0.

Nevertheless, with Burkina Faso being held to goalless draw by the defending champions, the Chipolopolo of Zambia, who exited, the Eagles will confront the Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire in the quarterfinals on Sunday. Burkina Faso will face either Togo or Tunisia, depending on who wins to come second in the group.

Albeit, the Elephants are to play their last group game today against the Desert Warriors of Algeria, but having garnered six points from their two previous matches, they had booked a spot in the knockout stages, irrespective of the outcome.

In yesterday’s match, the Eagles started with two top marksmen in Ikechukwu Uche and Emmanuel Emenike but the offensive push expected from the two-some never really

existed, a development that led to their substitutions with the duo of Ahmed Musa and Brown Ideye. Still the upfront remained blunt and tepid.

Perhaps, the expression on the faces of the coaches at the end of the game captured it all: Stephen Keshi and Dan Amokachi shocked their heads in apparent relieve even as they declined to celebrate the win.

Nonetheless, Nigeria dominated in possession in the first half but it was similar to previous matches in the tournament when Nigeria takes to the field. The players seem lethargic, lacking purpose.

They created few chances but were clayfooted in front of goal even as the Walyas Antelopes gradually came into the game with sporadic surge content to checkmate the Eagles.

In the 35th minute in one of three set-pieces, Victor Moses corner kick found unmarked Elderson Echiejile but his nodded met the ready hands of Ethiopian goalkeeper, Sisay Bancha, for a fine save.

The best chance of the half fell to Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo after a free-kick delivered into the box resulted in a goalmouth scramble seconds before the half time break.

The loose ball fell to Omeruo, but he fired over from close range to take the teams into the break all-square.

The start of the second 45 saw Omeruo with another golden chance to open the scoring seven minutes after the restart.

Omeruo was on the end of another corner at the back post, but his header from close range sailed inches over the woodwork.

In the 66th minute, Nigeria were able to fashion another chance on goal from a cornerkick. This time Oboabona met the ball with a header, but while his attempt beat the keeper he saw his header cleared off the goal line by Abebaw Butaco.

Finally, in the 78th minute the Super Eagles were able to make all their pressure tell when Victor Moses was pulled down inside the box and the referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot.

Moses stepped-up and coolly converted the spot-kick to give his side the lead, 1-0.

With five minutes to go Moses broke on the counter-attack and won the second penalty of the match when keeper, Bancha, pulled him down inside the box. Bancha was consequently shown his second yellow card of the night and had to leave the field.

With Ethiopia having made all three of their substitutes outfield player Addis Hintsu had to take the goalies spot and there was nothing he could do to stop Moses from scoring his second penalty goal and sealing victory for Nigeria, 2-0.

Victor Moses goes down from the brutal tackle of Sisay Bancha to give Nigeria the first of two penalties.

Each Ghana player paid US$ 35,000 qualification bonus

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hana players celebrating a goal at the Africa Cup of N a t i o n s G h a n a players have been paid US$ 35,000 each for advancing to the last eight of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Black Stars booked their berth as Group B leaders after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Niger on Thursday night in Port Elizabeth.

“The bonuses were paid at 10:30 pm last night and you can see that is why the players are happy,” Ghana FA s p o k e s p e r s o n Ibrahim DaaraSannie confirmed at Tuesday’s press conference.

Ghana FA Executive Committee member E m m a n u e l Kyeremeh further explained the mechanism for paying bonuses.

“The budget m a n a g e m e n t submitted to the Ministry was approved and we also agreed the qualifying bonus with the players. We actually didn’t base it on matches,” Kyeremeh said.

“If we had not qualified yesterday, then we were not going to pay any bonus.”

Ghana finished with 7 points, three more than second-placed Mali and set-up a showdown with high-flying Cape Verde.

The Black Stars beat the the Blue Sharks 1-0 in an i n t e r n a t i o n a l friendly in Portugal two months ago.

RESULTS Zambian 0 Burkina Faso 0 Nigeria 2 Ethiopia 0 Today’s matches CIV vs. Algeria Tunisia vs. Togo

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

S/Africa know Mali very well, says Igesund

B

afana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says he knows exactly what to expect from 2013 Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal opponents Mali.

The pair will relive their 2002 quarterfinal meeting when Mali were hosts and came away with a 2-0 victory having been outplayed on the day by South Africa.

Igesund believes his side will be prepared to meet the challenge of the west Africans and expects his side to make the

semifinals.

“Obviously we know at this stage of the tournament it is always going to be very tough.

We know that Mali are a very talented team with some very good players who play differently to a lot of teams here,” Igesund says.

“We know they like to slow it down and knock the ball around and they are very comfortable on the ball. We have started our preparation now and we’ll take each game as it comes.”

The coach says he gave the

players time off on Monday to recharge mentally as much as physically.

“I gave the boys some time off in the day and the evening because they deserved that.

Don’t ask me what they did, but they have all come back in good health so I am happy with that.

“We are two games away from the Final and all the guys know what lies ahead. It is a huge challenge for us and we will just prepare well for Saturday.”

Igesund says Mali coach

struggled in their second group game and were put to the sword by an in-form Ivorian side that thumped Tunisia 3-0.

Now Tunisia are in the predicament of having to win their last group match against Togo as anything less than the three points would see the 2004 champions heading home.

For Togo, they can at least afford to draw the match which would still see them qualify for the knockout stages on a superior goal difference to Tunisia.

The Sparrow Hawks will be the favourtites heading into this final Group D match as they have looked quite impressive in their opening two matches.

Their first 2013 AFCON encounter saw them up against tournament favourites, Cote d’Ivoire, and they were by no means outclassed as it took an

88th minute goal from Gervinho to see the Elephants beat Togo 2-1.

The Sparrow Hawks second match saw them produce a competent performance as they beat Algeria 2-0 which sees them in the driving seat heading into the last match against Tunisia anything but a loss will see them qualify for the quarterfinals.

Statistically, the Togo and Tunisia have met in seven official matches since 1994 of which Tunisia have won six times and one has been drawn.

The Sparrow Hawks have never beaten Tunisia, but will fancy their chances after the Carthage Eagles’ poor showing against Cote d’Ivoire.

The last time the two met was in October 2011 where Tunisia ran out 2-0 winners.

Do or die for Togo, Tunisia

Emmanuel Adebayor

I

t is do or die for both Tunisia and Togo as they lock horns in the final Group D match of the 2013 African Cup of Nations this evening.

The two sides are locked on three points apiece and a win for either side at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit will guarantee them a place in the quarterfinals of the continental showpiece.

The match will get underway at 19h00, at the same time as the other Group D clash between Cote d’Ivoire and Algeria, but the result of that

Youssef Msakni

encounter will have no bearing on the standings in the group.

The Elephants have secured top spot in the group with wins over both Togo and Tunisia, and all that remains is to fight for a second place birth. Both Togo and Tunisia currently sit on three points in Group D with a win and a loss each.

It has been an up and down AFCON for Tunisia who started the tournament in fine fashion with a hard fought 1-0 win over Algeria thanks to a superb 91st minute goal from Youssef Msakni.

But the Carthage Eagles

Patrice Carteron’s suggestion that Bafana were heavy favourites should be taken with a pinch of salt.

“He (the Mali coach) is doing what most coaches do, which is to take the pressure of their own team. Believe me that all the teams at this stage of the competition are feeling the same pressure because we all want to advance to the semifinal.

“I think he is just playing mind games because he has some very, very good players in his squad so believe me, they are also under pressure.

“To be really honest we were under huge pressure. The expectations were so high, we hadn’t performed in our friendly games although when you analyse them they are doing us the world of good now.

“We had Brazil and Poland away from home and then Zambia and Algeria, these were tough friendly games that prepared us well for the tournament.

“So the reverse is there really.

We are so pleased at getting through the Group stage and now we will look forward to the next phase. I think that pressure, of getting out the group, is off us now and I think this makes everybody very proud.

“There is pressure on Mali now, not saying we don’t have pressure, but it is different. We don’t have to do well anymore, we just want to do well. We had to get out the group because of the expectation, but that is gone now.”

CIV may inflict more pains on Algeria T

he Elephants will look to maintain their winning streak when they face AlgeriaIvory Coast will look to make it three wins out of three at the2013 Africa Cup of Nations when they face Algeria at the Royal Bafokeng this evening.

The Elephants started the competition with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Togo before stepping up a gear to register a solid 3-0 win over Tunisia.

Sabri Lamouchi’s side are guaranteed to finish on top of Group D irrespective of the outcome of the match between Togo and Tunisia, who will battle it out for second place at the Mbombela Stadium.

Nonetheless, the Ivorians will look to replicate their form from the 2012 edition where they maintained a perfect record en route to the final, where they eventually lost to Zambia on penalties.

Algeria on the other hand have it all to do as they are still searching for their first goal and first point in the tournament.

The Fennec Foxes have looked good on the ball but have

nothing to show for it after losing their opening game to Tunisia 1-0 before a 2-0 loss to Togo confirmed their early exit.

However, attacking midfielder Adlene Guedioura says his team cannot be faulted for the way they have played so far and will be keen to make a statement before bowing out of the competition.

Algeria will draw inspiration from their last meeting in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations where they scored late to tie the match at 2-

2 before netting in extra time to secure a 3-2 win.

Lamouchi has already fiddled with his squad against Tunisia, leaving players like Kolo Toure and Didier Drogba out of the starting lineup, and is likely to make more changes for this game.

Vahid Halihodzic is also expected to make some changes to his squad in order to give unused players a chance to get valuable experience in preparation for their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Yaya Toure

Adlene Guedioura

PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PAGE 45

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Balotelli to have medical at AC Milan today

F

ormer Inter Milan striker, Mario Balotelli, 22, will have a medical in Milan today before signing his contract with AC Milan.

This was disclosed yesterday by the Italian club’s director Umberto Gandini, who confirmed that Milan had agreed a deal to sign the controversial Manchester City striker on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

An initial fee of 22m euros (£19m) is believed to have been paid, rising to 25m euros (£22m) with addons. Manchester City have declined to comment on the news.

The Italy international had travelled with City to London for the Premier League game against Queens Park Rangers yesterday.

Balotelli’s departure comes weeks after he was

Manchester United table £8 million for Wanyama

M

anchester United is set to make an £8 million bid for Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama before the January transfer window closes.

The Kenyan’s performances have attracted interest from a number of clubs in the last few months and, with several preparing to open talks with the Scottish Premier League champions and the player, it is believed United feel they must act now.

Sir Alex Ferguson took a look at Wanyama during Celtic’s 4-0 win at home to Dundee United last week.

The move for the highly-rated Dutch player is understood to be threatened, however, by United’s unhappiness with his agent and that could mean they are prepared to look elsewhere.

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Barca seek Swansea keeper

T

he Spanish giant Barcelona has recently stunned after long-standing number one Victor Valdes revealed he would not be extending his contract beyond the summer of 2014.

As such, the 2009 and 2011 Champions League winners have been linked with a host of goalkeepers, with Liverpool’s Pepe

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Coutinho completes LOSS OF DOCUMENT Liverpool’s medical

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Reina and Manchester United’s David de Gea thought to be high on their list of possible replacements.

But reports in Spain now suggest the Nou Camp side is interested in Vorm, who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest shot-stoppers since moving to South Wales in 2011.

Victor Wanyaman

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involved in a training ground altercation with Mancini. That was the last in a series of controversies during his time with the Premier League champions.

Shortly after signing he made the headlines for crashing his car and in March 2011 he was said to have thrown a dart at a Manchester City youth-team player.

In July that year he angered Mancini during a preseason friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy when he nonchalantly back-heeled wide when through on goal.

He set off a firework inside his home in October and two months later he was involved in a training ground bust-up with team-mate Micah Richards.

This season Balotelli made 20 appearances for City, 12 of those from the bench, scoring three goals.

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I

nter Milan’s Philippe Coutinho completed his medical yesterday to become the next young, talented attacker to join Liverpool since the start of the Brendan Rodgers era.

The Reds completed an £8.5 million deal to bring the 20-year-old Brazilian to Anfield. The player has been issued work permit even before he completed his medical.

Coutinho has dealt with injuries this season and this, in addition to his youth, has contributed to sparse playing time with Inter. He has started just three Serie A matches

while coming on seven times as a substitute.

He has just one goal this season, but had five goals and an assist in 16 La Liga fixtures while on loan with Espanyol this past season.

During his brief time in top-flight football, Coutinho has proved to be an exciting talent with the ability to attack from the center or either wing.

When his move to Liverpool is completed, he will join Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Fabio Borini in the Reds’ stable of talented young attackers.

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PEOPLES DAILY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

PHOTO OF THE DAY

PAGE 47

Some Interesting Facts •1,525,000,000 miles of telephone wire a strung across the U.S. •101 Dalmatians and Peter Pan (Wendy) are the only two Disney cartoon features with both parents that are present and don't die throughout the movie.

•111,111,111 x 12,345,678,987,654,321

111,111,111

=

•12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.

•123,000,000 cars are being driven down the U.S's highways.

•160 cars can drive side by side on the Monumental Axis in Brazil, the world's widest road.

•166,875,000,000 pieces of mail are delivered each year in the U.S. •27% of U.S. male college students believe life is "A meaningless existential hell."

•315 entries in Webster's Dictionary will be misspelled.

•5% of Canadians don't know the first 7 words of the Canadian anthem, but know the first 9 of the American anthem.

SUDOKU

Baba Mastana - Indian holy man's astonishing headgear is four feet tall and weighs an amazing 12 stone.

Mastana - from the Punjab in northern India - known as The Turbanator - tours the regions preaching Source: Dailymail.co.uk peace.

Say what?

Yesterday’s solution

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

Arsenal freeze ticket prices

A

rsenal has announced the club will not be making any ticket price increases next season.

The Gunners have recently come in for heavy criticism after 912 tickets, priced at £62 each, were returned by Manchester City.

A survey carried out in October confirmed Arsenal have the most expensive adult matchday ticket (£126) and season ticket (£1,955) in the Premier League.

But, after a "a full review by the Arsenal board", the club have decided to freeze their ticket prices for the 2013-14 campaign.

A statement on their official website read: "The move follows a full review by the Arsenal board which included an assessment of the current economic environment and feedback from fans' groups.

"The price freeze means Arsenal will have made only two across the board inflation-linked price increases in the eight years since it has been at Emirates Stadium.

"This season the club introduced new pricing categories which created 90,000 cheaper tickets at £25 as part of its drive to provide more tickets at affordable prices. In addition it continued the policy of offering prices at £10 for adults and £5 for children for home Capital One Cup ties.

"The price freeze applies to all match ticket prices including season tickets in both General Admission and Club Level. Club Level season ticket renewals will begin on February 12."

AC Milan sign Balotelli from Manchester City

A

C Milan has agreed a deal to sign Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli on a four-and-a-half-year contract, the Italian club's director Umberto Gandini has confirmed.

Former Inter Milan striker Balotelli, 22, will have a medical in Milan on today before signing his contract. It is understood the deal for the Italy international is worth 20m euros (£17m) plus bonuses and add-ons.

Manchester City signed Balotelli for £24m in 2010 with the striker scoring 20 Premier League goals for the club.

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0803 0805 0803 0805 0803

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE The multiple Crusades and Jihads are yet to convert the entire human race into one religion. If God wished us all to be of one religion, He would have made us so.

— Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai

The collapse of the last frontier I

am a Kano citizen. I love my locality, the city and the country. I should be forgiven my sentimental involvement in this issue. I see the bomb and gun attack on our beloved Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero, not just as a law and order issue but as a mark of our cultural decline. These institutions are the binding elements of any society. As for Kano, and the North, we are rapidly losing a sense of community. We are in a free fall.

Kano today holds its breath in anticipation of the next terrorist attack. If anyone had done this on the 84 year old Emir in the name of Islam, then he, as the Imams have said, is not a believer. All of us were brutalized.

If on the other hand it was done by over-ambitious princes as postulated by the security agencies, then such competitors for the throne are not worthy successors to the man of peace, Ado Bayero.

The reader may have heard the parable of the Katsina praise singer who was at the Palace of the Emir in fulfillment of tradition and earning his livelihood. He praised the Emir to the high heavens as they say and then resorted to curses and prayers against his perceived enemies. He wished death for the Emir’s enemies. An old man pulled the singer aside and said to him that this was the wrong place to curse the enemies of the emir. “Here, there are many who wish the Emir dead. Would the princes become Emir if their father does not die? No, don’t curse those who wish the Emir dead otherwise you won’t get a penny of their money.”

As the leaders of politics, government and the differing faiths have said, this attack on the Emir of Kano is the limit of mad killings by either fanatics, or lunatic politicians. That attack was despicable and needs to be criticized in the harshest possible words. The Alaafin of Oyo said the final word on the attack. He said “if this could happen to the Emir of Kano, no one is safe anymore”. The problem though, is that we are always heavy in words and very, very light when it comes to action.

But we must stop playing with the safety and security of the nation and come to grips with the fact that we are in a war. It is not important whether a war has officially been declared. The challenges we face call for a response on a scale and intensity of the kind that followed the wave of terrorist actions in the United States and Europe. Our situation is no less revolting and it

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MUSINGS By

Garba Shehu garshehu@yahoo.co.in

Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero calls for the most stringent response. I have waged a campaign for peace and dialogue on this column but it must be clear by now that peace is not a one-way track.

It’s a partnership.

Look at how London and Washington handled terrorism on their soil. In the United States, there has not been a major terrorist attack since the incident of 9/11.

In the aftermath of that attack, the U.S. government formulated homeland security measures that were harsh on the domestic population, and even more so for foreign visitors. This made their country and its leaders much hated across the globe. But those

measures worked. Terrorists are apprehended before they strike.

The U.S. is today safer from terrorism than at any time in the past decade. Obviously, there were hardships on the part of citizens and visitors alike. But if that is what it takes to save human lives, that is a sacrifice worth making.

In Nigeria, terrorists are either being released from detention or they are set free by fellow criminals who routinely attack prisons and police stations.

Another problem is the corruption which is prevalent in the country. In that respect, there is no shortage of accomplices for terrorists in the security forces who are open to bribery. The sad and

unfortunate aspect of it is how small are the amounts that they get in order to sell out their motherland.

There is also a lot of concern that the country’s intelligence is porous, decrepit, shallow and illequipped to deal with these challenges. But the major answer to these kinds of acts is community vigilance as done in the United States and Europe.

In some of those countries, youngsters in primary five are trained by the police to be vigilant of any suspected persons or objects in their locality. Students are often provided with emergency police numbers.

When hardship and excesses come arising from the rigid enforcement of the more stringent measures, the civil society will obviously come out crying that they be stopped. In this respect, I am one with them that the rules of engagement should clearly be written and advertized. But the civil society must also come to terms with the fact that in times of war as we have descended into, there must be restrictions of civil liberties. Excesses must however not be allowed. The U.S. State Department said a week ago that the police in Nigeria killed more people than did Boko Haram. This ought not to be the case. But if hardship will accompany the ban of motor-cycle taxis as vehicles for killings, it is another sacrifice worth making.

Lastly, the country must accompany these measures with jobs creation, improvement of infrastructure and must give education and enlightenment to the citizenry. How can 12 million children be out of school, roaming the Northern streets and to think that there can be peace? This has to be taken care of. When we do that, we can then talk about supplementing the environment with a world-class law and order, intelligence and anti-terror agencies.

“

In Nigeria, terrorists are either being released from detention or they are set free by fellow criminals who routinely attack prisons and police stations. Another problem is the corruption which is prevalent in the country. In that respect, there is no shortage of accomplices for terrorists in the security forces who are open to bribery. The sad and unfortunate aspect of it is how small are the amounts that they get in order to sell out their motherland

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