Peoples Daily Newspaper, Monday, April 30, 2012

Vol. 8 No. 26

Monday, April 30, 2012

Jimadal Akhir 9, 1433 AH

N150

N9.7bn fraud: Bukola Saraki surrenders to police

By Lambert Tyem

F

ormer Governor of Kwara state, Bukola Saraki, who was declared wanted on Saturday by the Special Fraud

Unit of the Nigerian Police, has agreed to turn himself in today, by 9a.m.

The senator said in a statement issued yesterday that he has opened talks with

the investigators and would personally appear before them.

Senator Saraki had in the past weeks refused to submit himself to police investigations of an alleged N9. 7 billion loan

scam.

Consequently, the police declared him wanted on Saturday, threatening to use maximum force to arrest him having secured an order from

a Lagos High Court.

Saraki had claimed he had obtained a court order last Tuesday restraining the police from investigating and Contd on Page 2

Siege on BUK:

2 professors, 14 others killed

Students threaten to shut down universities >> PAGE 4

From Edwin Olofu & Bala Nasir, Kano

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wo professors in Bayero University, Kano (BUK) – Jerome Ayodele of Chemistry department and Andrew Leo of Library Science department – were among at least 16 persons killed when gunmen launched gun and bomb attacks on worshipers in the university’s Old Campus yesterday.

A witness told our reporter that the attackers had taken up positions at strategic locations within the campus before hurling explosives and laying siege on worshippers, mostly students, who use the theatre as a worship centre.

Another eyewitness who declined identification claimed that the gunmen numbering six stormed the worship centre at about 7.30am on motorcycles and with a car.

The gunmen hurled explosive devices at the worshipers, forcing them to run out of the lecture theatre used as Contd on Page 2

L-R: Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Tha’anda Jason, during the foundation laying of a water project, at the weekend in Kwami, Gombe state.

SSS uncovers bomb in Abuja suburb >> Page 2

Jonathan failing in anticorruption war – ACF >> Page 3

Convoy attack ploy to kill Azazi, PDP have brought Oshiomhole, says Odion shame on Nigeria – ACN >> Page 3

>> Page 5

www.peoplesdaily-online.com

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

CONTENTS SSS uncovers bomb in Abuja suburb ThisDay attack: We News

2-11

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-17

Business

19-22

S/Exchange

23

S/Report

24

Newsxtra

26

Education

27

Health

30

as scare grips NICON Luxury

By Lambert Tyem

A

frightening ambience gripped visitors and workers of the NICON Luxury Hotel in Abuja, and the suburb of Ado in Karu local government of Nasarawa state late yesterday as residents of the communities fled their homes over fear of bomb explosions.

Agents of the State Security Service (SSS) were alerted when residents discovered two

gas cylinders wired in a suspicious manner.

Also, an SSS source said the service was alerted when a vehicle at Nicon Luxury Hotel was suspected to have been loaded with explosives.

The SSS said they dispatched operatives to the scene before they got an alert ofthe bomb uncovered in Ado. Confirming the development yesterday, spokesperson of the Service, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, said

the Service had dispatched operatives to the troubled spots.

Deputy Director Operations (FCT), Mr. Halidu Abdulahi said operatives of the service were dispatched to Karu and have discovered it was a bomb device wired in a two cylinder gas and the service was working hard to detonate it without harm.

However details were yet to emerge on the scare at the hotel, at press time.

Mark decries BUK bombing, condoles Oshiomole, AIT, ITV over journalists’ death

By Richard Ihediwa

S

enate President David Mark yesterday decried the inhabited wave of terrorism claiming scores of lives in the country, saying “this is uncalled for and clearly avoidable”.

Reacting to the latest bomb attack at the church in Bayero University, Kano, Senator Mark stated that no matter the anger or grievances in a man’s mind, taking the life of another cannot provide a solution.

“This is ungodly. It is inhuman and does not enjoy the support of any right thinking member of the society,” he lamented.

Besides, Senator Mark called on religious leaders across the divide to unite against these forces of evil saying “we must collectively rise against the perpetrators of violence taking the lives of our people and property at will because no one knows the next victim”.

Meanwhile, Senator Mark has sent a message of condolence to the governor of Edo state, Comrade

Adams Oshiomole over the fatal accident at Auchi which claimed the lives of three journalists and several others injured.

In the condolence message, Senator Mark prayed for the soul of the deceased and quick recovery of the injured.

He added that the deceased died in their line of duty and tasked the governor, the managements of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Independent Television (ITV) to ensure that the victims did not die in vain.

will not surrender, says Obaigbena

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ublisher of the ThisDay Newspapers, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena said Thursday’s bomb attack on the company’s building in Abuja will never affect the editorial judgement of the newspaper.

Obaigbena stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Abuja on Saturday.

“It is an attack on the country, it is an attack on free speech, it is an attack on media, but be rest assured that, we will never surrender.’’

He confirmed the death of four people in the attack, while nine others sustained injuries, adding that three of the injured persons had been discharged from hospital.

Obaigbena pledged that the company would shoulder the medical bills of those receiving medical treatments in the hospitals.

He said that the first casualty of the incident was the security man who tried to stop the bomber from gaining entrance into the company’s premises..

“The other casualties were in the building’s surrounding here,” he said. (NAN)

Siege on BUK: 2 professors, 14 others killed Maitama Sule decries calls for Nigeria’s breakup, Page 40

International 31-34 Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 2 a chapel before they were shot at sporadically by the assailants.

“I actually took cover when I saw them shooting at the worshipers who made efforts to run away from the building. I heard heavy sounds of an explosion four times from my hideout and shootings that lasted for over fifteen minutes. I can’t stand the sight of what I am seeing today,” he said as tears rolled down his cheeks.

The eyewitness said it was after about 30 minutes that the members of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) arrived and cordoned off the entire area after the assailants had escaped, barring access to rescue workers as well as pressmen.

The spokesperson of the JTF, Lieutenant Ikedichi Iweha, confirmed the incident but said he was not certain on the number of casualties.

“I can confirm that there was an attack on a church in BUK and our men are there now, but we don’t have the number of casualties for now”, he said However, Bayero University Public Relations Officer, Malam Mustapha Zaharadeen, confirmed that seven people were killed, including the two professors and scores of others who were injured.

“Seven people were killed including two professors and many injured some are currently receiving treatment in our clinic while some have been taken to Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital”, he said.

Contrary to the JTF account unverified accounts claims the casualty toll to be upwards of 15.

Meanwhile, Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has described the attack on Christian worshipers as an unfortunate and sad incident that has

breached the peace in the commercial city.

The governor, who cut short an official trip to Abuja to visit the scene of the incident, lamented that such a painful thing was happening at a time peace was gradually returning to the state capital following sporadic attacks by suspected militia.

Governor Kwankwaso assured that the state and Federal Governments will continue to work hard to ensure that peace and harmony prevailed among residents of the state.

He stated that the state government has made arrangements with public and private hospitals in the state to ensure that victims of such incidents are treated satisfactorily, while the government will foot the medical bills.

Governor Kwankwaso who

lamented the loss of lives and property as a result of the attacks on the Christian faithful, commiserated with the university authorities and its community over the happening, hoping that it will not recur.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Yahuza Bello, who conducted the governor round explained that some of the worshippers were attacked in an indoor sports hall at the old campus of the university, which they use temporarily as a place of worship.

Prof. Yahuza added that the second group of worshippers was attacked while conducting the Sunday service in an open space outside the Dandatti Abdulkadir Theatre, which they hitherto used, but which is currently undergoing renovation. He said several wounded victims were receiving treatment in hospitals in Kano city.

N9.7bn fraud: Bukola Saraki surrenders to police Contd from Page 2 arresting him. Through his counsels, he had filed a suit seeking to restrain the police from arresting him but Justice Gladys Olotu ruled against him, while agreeing that the police have the power to arrest, investigate, and prosecute him upon reasonable suspicion that he has committed a criminal offence.

The police alleged that while Saraki was governor of Kwara state, he had obtained a

loan from the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc through a proxy company, Joy Petroleum, owned by his late aide, Matthew Obahor.

But Saraki had repeatedly claimed he had no hand in the said scam and that he had no relationship with the company, Joy Petroleum, arguing that he has been over-investigated in the case.

Saraki's associates also alleged witch-hunt of their protégé for allegedly spearheading the

probe of the controversial petroleum subsidy regime.

Last Friday, Saraki was sighted at the Emir of Ilorin's palace along with the immediate past acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.

He was also seen at the Ilorin Central Mosque where he prayed along with some associates.

At the palace, Saraki who is usually cheerful wore a long face. He could not speak at length as he is used to even as some

members of the palace tried to psyche him up.

The embattled Senator was also sighted on Saturday along Maraba traffic in Ilorin, in a black jeep with security men guarding him. Some of his associates are mourning what they describe as their boss' 'embarrassment by the national media'. They are not happy with his current travails and worry about his future in Nigerian politics.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Jonathan’s anti-corruption war failing, says ACF From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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he Board of Trustees and National Executive Council of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), ended a joint meeting in Kaduna weekend warning that Federal Government’s campaign against corruption may be in danger of losing steam.

A communiqué after the meeting explained that the group reviewed with deep concern, recent revelations of

monumental corruption in the country, particularly in the police pension office, the fuel subsidy scheme as well as the conviction of former Governor James Ibori, by a British court and other bribery convictions relating to Halliburton, Daimler and Siemens, in the USA and Germany.

The communiqué signed by the ACF national Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, noted further that, “some of the cases suggest that the nation’s judiciary and investigation

and prosecution agencies have been compromised and may be a part of the problem.

“While commending the House of Representatives for conducting this major investigation in the horrendous scandal, the meeting called on the Federal Government to step up the war on corruption and live up to its pledge of not sparing the perpetrators of this crime.

“The meeting also called on the nation’s judiciary to do more to restore public

confidence in the integrity of its judgments.

“In order to revitalise the fight against corruption, it is the considered opinion of the forum that any contemplation of scrapping the two anti-graft agencies, the EFCC and the ICPC, should be shelved. The two institutions can of course be merged.

“The meeting discussed the laudable efforts Mr. President is making to help provide Almajiri schools that would teach both Western and Islamic

education.

“This is a healthy development considering the huge number of children who are not enrolled in schools in the northern states. The meeting therefore called on northern states governments to follow up on the foundation Mr. President is building to achieve a more rapid improvement in the quality and volume of primary and secondary education in the north”, the communiqué stated.

Alleged N25m fraud: Court slates May 14 to hear suit against Unity Bank

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

A

L-R: Lawyers of former Kwara state Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, Mr. Saka Abimbola (SAN) with Mr. Lawal Rabana (SAN), during a press briefing on fraud allegation against Senator Saraki by the Nigeria Police, at the weekend, in Abuja. Photo: Mahmud Isa

Convoy attack was ploy to assassinate Oshiomhole – Odion

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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do state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Louis Odion, has accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of masterminding a plot to assassinate Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

The allegation came just as Mr. Odion’s private residence in Benin was reportedly attacked by a team of gunmen in the early hours of yesterday.

The governor’s convoy was at the weekend involved in a ghastly crash along the Warrake–Auchi road that killed three journalists, leaving many others including security details injured.

The governor was returning from a rally in Afuze, headquarters of Owan East local government area, when a lorry suddenly veered off its track, facing the governor’s staff car and missing it by the whiskers.

It later rammed into the vehicle

conveying the security details and the bus conveying Government House press crew.

The sequence of events leading to the crash and its aftermath points to foul play, Odion said, calling for a thorough investigation of the incident by the security agencies.

While the driver of the offending truck was said to have been nabbed while trying to escape after initially hiding in the bush, his partner was reportedly arrested on the spot by security agents attached to the governor.

Said Mr. Odion: “Under interrogation much later, the driver’s partner could not offer a coherent explanation on their destination and mission while on the road. He said he was asked by the driver to join him in the vehicle to go somewhere shortly before the accident and that the purpose and destination was not explained to him.

“As if that was not puzzling

enough, we also observed that even while the Governor and other Good Samaritan were still busy trying to retrieve the wounded from the two accidented vehicles and comforting the traumatised, a statement signed by PDP had already landed in television and radio stations in Benin expressing sympathy and condolence to Oshiomhole and the victims”.

“When we take these together and the litany of open threats earlier made by our political opponents to deal ruthlessly with top officials of the Oshiomhole administration, we are persuaded to strongly believe that there is more to the Saturday incident than readily meets the eye”.

“That is why we are calling on the Commissioner of Police and the State Security Service to carry out a thorough investigation”.

“Again, as if that is not enough, at about 3a.m Sunday,

my private residence in Benin City came under attack by a gang of four gunmen. It happened that the Governor and a few Commissioners including myself had a meeting which lasted till 1.30a.m on Sunday”.

Meanwhile, Governor Oshiomhole has paid condolence visits to the bereaved families.

Accompanied by some senior government officials, Oshiomhole was in the home of Mr. George Okosun, Mr Olatunji Jacobs, both of the Independent Television (ITV) and Mr Fidelis Okhani of the African Independent Television (AIT).

Consoling the wives, Mrs. Isokhen Okosun, Mrs. Blessing Olatunji and Mrs. Rita Okhani and relatives at their respective homes in Benin City, Oshiomhole said, “we have come to condole with you on the untimely death of our brother and comrade. It is hard to find the appropriate words to console you at this trying moment”.

n Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone II will, on May 14, 2012, hear a suit against Unity Bank Plc and four other members of staff of the bank for allegedly defrauding a businessman, Alhaji Abubakar Kalidu of N25 million.

The suspects who are charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust by the police have been granted bail after pleading not guilty to the alleged crime.

The suspects, Asia Uchechukwu; Nancy Yusuf Dogo; Latifa Oyizu Lawal and Dayyabu Sanusi have been admitted to bail in the sum N200, 000 each and a surety who must be a civil servant on grade level 14 and must be a resident of Abuja.

The suspects were also told by the court to deposit their traveling documents with the court just as they were barred from traveling out of Abuja without police permission.

Police prosecution counsel David Aboh, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with Mike Yange had told the court that the alleged offence was contrary to sections 97(1);322;323 and 312 of the Penal Code.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) which was read to the suspects, “on 14th March 2012, one Alh. Abubakar Kalidu complained to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that on the 9th March 2012, Latifa Lawal approached him to purchase $157,282, (About N25, 000, 000. 00).

“Latifa Lawal requested that the exchange be made at the Hafsat Plaza branch of Unity Bank at CBD where Latifa Lawal worked. On getting there, Asia Uchechukwu purportedly paid in N25, 000,000 into the business account of Alh. Abubakar Kalidu, who upon confirmation handed over the $157,282 to Latifa Lawal and Asia Uchechukwu.

Chief Magistrate Oyeyipo Ademuyiwa Olakunle, in his ruling granted bail to the suspect on the grounds that the offence was bailable in nature.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 4

Unity Bank invests N10bn in agriculture From Agaju Madugba, Kaduna

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nity Bank Nigeria Plc, the official bank at the 33rd edition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair, says it has invested over N10 billion as intervention fund in the nation’s agriculture sector.

Parading a range of its products at the fair which opened at the weekend, the bank’s North-West Regional Manager, Babangida Umar, told newsmen that the agriculture policy has already begun to yield results as various small and medium scale industries have befitted from the programme.

According to him one of the beneficiary companies has since embarked on the production of soybeans oil for local consumption and export, apart from direct and indirect employment opportunities

associated with the various projects.

He said that the bank was set to use the fair as a platform to introduce some of its services arguing that that the cultivation of life-long saving culture had become imperative, along with the need to embrace the notion of cash-less transactions.

He listed other products available at the fair to include, Savings Accounts (general), Double Edge, Target Savings, Unity Kids, BETA Account and Holy Trip Accounts, for prospective Christian and Muslim pilgrims.

He explained that grand finale of the 2012 edition of save and win promo would be held on October 13, while there would be two zonal draws and two national draws in May, June, July, August and September respectively.

BUK attack: Students threaten to boycott universities

By Maryam Garba Hassan

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he National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), yesterday said that the increased attacks on Nigerian university students on campuses has made it mandatory for the association to call on the Federal Government to immediately take a concrete step in addressing the increasing wave of terrorism in the country.

Reacting to yesterday’s early morning attack on Christian students at the Bayero University Kano (BUK) during Sunday service, the body in a statement signed by its

leadership, described the attack as callous adding that it is time to act now as it cannot continue to look at the future of Nigeria’s leaders being wasted.

“We have once again received the news of the callous attack which occurred this morning at the Bayero University Kano BUK. It is saddening to imagine that a group under whatever pretense could unleash terror on the campus of one of the nation’s foremost universities to maim innocent peaceful worshipers.

This act is not only condemnable as it has also increased our demand that the

Federal Government should immediately take a concrete step in addressing the increasing waves of terrorism in Nigeria, the statement said”.

It further stated that without mincing words, the NANS in the next few days shall not hesitate to order a total boycott on all Nigerian campuses until the issue of the security of lives and properties is guaranteed on our campuses”.

It would be recalled that the Kano attack is coming few days ago of a similar attack on the Gombe State University which left many injured and properties destroyed.

Jos MTN workers protest planned mass sack From Nankpah Bwakan, Jos

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ollowing the purported moves by the management of MTN Jos Call Centre to sack staff of the centre and their union leaders placed under house arrest, the workers last week staged a peaceful protest for the release of the union leaders and to prevent plans to sack some of the workers.

However, the protesting workers besieged the MTN office along Rayfield, Government House road to register their grievance over the arrest of their union leaders and plans by the NCSSL management to sack some of them.

Some of the protesters told our correspondent that they will not accept intimidation from the

management and urged their colleagues to adhere strictly to the memorandum they entered with labour to stop exploiting them.

They further stressed that in line with the memorandum of understanding signed by the NLC and the management of NCSSL, the company managing the centre for MTN, permitted the staff to join unions of their choices and an interim executive was formed immediately to pilot the affairs of the centre.

It would be recalled that the MTN staff who were been exploited and prevented from protesting poor condition of service, were allowed to form unions after the centre was picketed on March 14, 2012 by NLC.

Cassava action plan to generate 1.3m jobs- Jonathan

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that the Federal Government Cassava Transformation Action Plan, which aims to expand market for cassava farmers and turn Nigeria into the largest processor of cassava in the world, is capable of generating 1.3 million jobs for Nigerians within the next four years.

Speaking at the commercial launch of cassava bread on Saturday in the State House, President Jonathan said the action plan aimed to move into food manufacturing and the industrial uses of cassava and also reducing the dependence on food import.

He continued: “Government is also already facilitating the manufacture and importation

of 18 large scale cassava processing plants. These will be located in areas of high cassava production. It is not going to be based on politics. The mills, when completed, within the next 24 months will process 1.3million metric tones of high quality cassava flour that will make Nigeria the largest cassava processor in the whole world.

In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adewunmi Adesina, said the ministry is working with the bakery industry to enable them expand their operations and assured that the goal of the cassava bread initiative was to make it a “national bread, produced and sold across this nation.”

He said Nigeria will save N250 billion foreign exchange from reduced import of wheat and wheat flour.

Medical officials remove the body of one of the victims of bomb blast and gun attack on Bayero University Kano from the back of a bus, in front of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, yesterday in Kano.

Group berates police over slain youth leader From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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arely seven days after the Youth Chairman of Ugbor Community, Sunny Blacky, was allegedly shot dead by yet to be identified policeman, the Community Development Association at the weekend threatened showdown by resisting any attempt by the police authority to ambush justice in the cause of their investigations.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Mr. Godwin Iguma, said the youth leader would have been saved if the policemen did not threaten the community.

“We want the general public to know what actually happened on the 21 of March 2012, at Ugbor Community in

Benin. There was an issue between two tenants, one married and the other a bachelor. The man’s wife was cooking soup and moved by the aroma of the soup, the bachelor complimented the woman’s food, a comment that angered the woman’s husband and resulted into a fight between the two during which dangerous weapons like daggers and pestle were used by supporters of either party in the bloody fight”.

According to him, after settling the matter, the late youth leader gave the bachelor 20 strokes of cane as punishment, and the young man reported the case to the police who saw the punishment as a case of assault and followed the complainant to the Ugbor

secretariat to arrest the youth leader but did not meet him and waited for him to return.

He added that on his return, the youth leader promised to bring the bachelor and the woman’s husband to the police station the next morning, a situation that did not go down well with one of the Inspector among them who threatened to shoot him while shooting sporadically and in the process some bullets hit one of the policemen on the leg while the youth leader was also wounded on his thighs.

Meanwhile, according to the Edo state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, it was the late youth leader, who shot at the policemen on duty first before the police shot back and he died at the hospital from the gunshot injuries he sustained.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Unpaid house rent: Judge overrules Osun commissioner From Francis Iwuchukwu, Lagos

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Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, presided over by Justice Ojikutu Oshode, has dismissed a motion brought by the Osun State Commissioner for Youth Development, Stephen KolaBalogun, seeking to set aside proceedings in a suit instituted against him and his wife, Taiwo over alleged refusal to pay for the rent and arrears of a rented apartment.

The apartment in question is situated at No. 51C, Oduduwa Crescent in the Government Reserved Area (GRA) of Ikeja in Lagos.

Justice Oshode, in a ruling on Friday, held that the motion filed by the commissioner was frivolous.

The owner of the property, Justice Adeniyi Francis Adetokunbo Ademola, had sued the Commissioner and his wife after their alleged refusal to vacate the property despite the issuance of quit notice on them.

According to the statement of claim, the claimant averred that the commissioner and his wife have been living in the said apartment since August 1, 1997, and that the annual rental value of the property was N2 million.

Out of the N2 million rent for 2007, the claimant stressed that the commissioner only paid N1.3 million, and failed to pay the remaining N700,000.

Besides that,the claimant stated, the commissioner had never paid the house rent as at when due since the first payment resulting in substantial rent arrears over the years.

The claimant is therefore seeking an order mandating the commissioner to vacate the property as well as payment of arrears before leaving.

Gunmen kill 3 cops in Katsina From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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nknown gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, weekend killed three policemen at Mararabar Maigora in Sabuwa local government area of Katsina state.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the Katsina Police Command spokesman, ASP Shehu Koko Muhammad, noted that the attackers suspected to be armed robbers ambushed the van in which the three policemen were patrolling in area.

He noted that after killing the three policemen that include an inspector and two other junior policemen, the assailants set their patrol vehicle ablaze but said they were able to recover their dead bodies.

According to him, no arrest jas so far been made but a team of policemen were dispatched to the area to fish out the killers and assist in maintaining peace and security in the area.

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Reps disagree with Senate over sacking of pension task force

By Lawrence Olaoye

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espite the Senate’s recommendation that the Pension Reform Task Force Team be sacked, the House of Representatives has written to President Goodluck Jonathan that the team be rather commended and retained for doing a good job.

The House, through a letter signed by Chairman of the House Committee on Pension chaired by Rep Bawa Kamba and addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan through the Head of Service has commended the task force for

saving the nation several billions of naira through its activities.

It would be recalled that Senate had through its resolution sacked the Pension Reform Task Force due to the revelations coming out of its public hearing but the House committee on pension rose in defence of the team insisting that the Upper Chamber cannot sack the task force instrumental to the revelation of fraud at the hearing.

The letter stated, “the committee commended Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief's pension reform directives through the Hon Minister of Finance,

described the pension reform task team as the credible vehicle for the pension reform agenda, and its milestone achievements so far in recovering misappropriated pension funds and enrolling over 46,000 pensioners who had never received pension since retirement some as far back as 42years".

“This is the resultant effect of the follow-up to the just concluded on-the-spot assessment of the pension reform task team both at home and in the diaspora, which took the House committee delegation to Nigeria Consulate at New York on 5th April, 2012, to

verify the diaspora biometrics data capturing efforts to the Task Team and for confirmation of records”, the letter stated.

It added that the House Committee on Pensions has commenced zonal 'Pension Roundtable' in conjunction with Pension Reform Task Team across the federation with the NorthWest zone held at Sokoto between Monday 16th to Wednesday 18th April, 2012, towards understanding the immediate needs of such pensioners and affecting policies to solve those needs.

L-R: Chairman, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS) Alumni Association, Abuja chapter, Alhaji Lukman Muhammad, National President, UDUS Alumni Association, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, during the association’s award night at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Azazi, PDP have brought shame on Nigeria - ACN From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described as a national embarrassment the public face-off between the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the real cause of the Boko Haram crisis.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the shame brought on Nigeria by this public spat is not so much in the contents of their statements, disingenuous as they may seem, but in the fact that a ruling party and a top political appointee of the central government it controls could be so naive and uncouth over a serious national security issue.

“We have said it several times that the PDP and the government

it controls at the centre are clueless, confused and totally incapable of piloting the affairs of this nation. Is there any better evidence of this cluelessness than what Nigerians are witnessing now?

“It does not matter how much the President tries to engage in damage control over the statement credited to his NSA, or the ever-so knee-jerk and poorly-

thought-out reaction of the sinking behemoth called the PDP, the reality is that the NSA's shocking comments reflect the thinking in the highest echelon of the Jonathan administration, that the crooked politics of the PDP is behind the Boko Haram crisis, and that it has escalated because a son of the South-South is sitting in Aso Rock.

“The only area the PDP and the government see face-to-face is in the sharing of the spoils of office and looting of the commonwealth.

After gorging itself, the party with the tattered umbrella as a symbol then engages in chest-beating as the only truly democratic party in the world.” the statement further said.

…Sack him, says Falana

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uman Rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has added to the call for the removal of the National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Azazi, if he fails to defend his claim that Boko Haram’s deadly attacks were politically motivated by identifying and prosecuting the sect’s backers.

The NSA’s remark, made on Thursday at the South-South

Economic summit in Asaba, Delta state, as the nation witnessed another suicide bomb attack on ThisDay newspaper house in Abuja, has drawn scorching criticisms.

“The reckless statement credited to general azazi should not go unchallenged,” Mr. Falana said.

“Since he knows those who are using Boko Haram sect to cause

mayhem, he should name them and ensure that they are prosecuted. Otherwise he should resign or be sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Mr. Falana called on the President to replace Azazi if the general failed to identify and prosecute those he knew as the sponsors of Boko Haram, or refused to step down.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Jonathan urges varsities to be innovative

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has urged universities to be innovative to complement government's effort to transform the education

sector.

Jonathan made the call on Saturday during the 28th Convocation of the University of Port Harcourt. .

Jonathan said if tertiary institutions in Nigeria judiciously utilised funds

provided by government, the standard of education would have improved.

He said government would no longer tolerate such behaviour from federal universities in the country.

"Managements of Nigerian

universities must be innovative to complement government's efforts in its drive to transform the education sector.

"Government expects judicious use of public funds by university authorities because

it will no longer be business as usual in federal universities," he said.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof Ruquyyatu Rufai urged the graduates to seek ways of being self-reliant.

Shake up in FRSC

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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L-R: Kaduna state Chairman of Jamaa'tul Shuaraul Islam, Malam Abubakar Madihi, National President of the organisation, Malam Rabiu Usman Baba, representative of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, Sheikh Umar Suleiman, and Chief Imam of Tudun Wada mosque, Sheikh Abdulkareem Hashim when the Islamic Poets organisation honoural Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, at the weekend in Kaduna.

Islamic body honours Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi

By Abdul-Rauf Musa

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he Special Adviser on Pilgrims and Islamic Matters to Kaduna state governor, Malam Halliru Maraya, has enjoined Muslims to imbibe the true teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), on the need for peaceful coexistence with non-Muslims.

He made the call at weekend in Kaduna when the Jamaa'tul Shuaraul Islam, a nongovernmental Islamic poet organisation honoured Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi for his efforts in propagating peaceful co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslims in Nigeria, and Africa in general.

The special adviser said one of the reasons why President

Goodluck Jonathan bestowed the national honour of Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) on Sheikh Bauchi was because of his efforts in championing peaceful co-existence.

“Sheikh Bauchi’s efforts is being noted by even nonMuslims, because, when conferring CFR award on him, President Jonathan said he received a security reports on Sheikh, like all the awardees, but his was that, he is one of the prominent Islamic scholars who always propagate the need for both Muslims and non-Muslims to live in harmony,” as according him, “It is Almighty Allah's will, that He created humanity in different creed, colour and languages.”

On his parts, National

President of the organisation, Malam Rabiu Usman Baba, a prominent Islamic poet based in Kano, thanked the Kaduna state government for giving his organisation all the necessary support and encouragement.

The award was received by Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi's Kaduna state representative, Sheikh Umar Suleiman. Prominent scholars who graced the occasion included Sheikh Fatahu Pandogari, Shiekh Abdulkareem Hashim, Ustaz Musa Naibi Abdullahi Mai Aufaq, permanent secretary, Kaduna state Bureau for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Abdullahi Abubakar, District Head of Barnawa, Alhaji Kabiru Madaucin Zazzau among others.

he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), at the weekend effected a shakeup, which saw to the redeployment of two Zonal Commanding Officers, 13 Sector Commanders and 84 Unit Commanders.

A statement issued by the Deputy Corps Public Education Officer (DCPEO), Bisi Kazeem, indicated that out of the 13 sector commanders, eight were newly appointed and five redeployed, adding that six of the eight sector commanders, were appointed directly from the Commission's management.

It said that Jonas Agwu, a Corps Commander in charge of Lagos Sector Command, has been appointed as the new Corps Public Education Officer at the National Headquarters, Abuja. Agwu is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a member of the

... establishes 6 new unit commands

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he Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), has established 6 additional Unit Commands within the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Anambra state sector commands, saying it has already reduced number of persons killed in road crashes to 21 percent.

A statement issued by the deputy Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Bisi Kazeem, indicated that the new Commands which are located at Ihiala, Igbo Ukwu, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Zuba, Lokogoma (FCT) and Okene, form part of the Corps' 4 year strategic plan of achieving 50 metres radius patrol presence and coverage of the nation's highways in order

North can thrive on sold minerals, agriculture, says Yakowa From Agaju Madugba

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aduna state Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, says the abundant solid minerals resources in the north and agriculture are capable of transforming the fortunes of the area.

Yakowa who spoke at the weekend during the opening ceremony of the 33rd edition of the Kaduna international Trade Fair, noted that the security agencies had taken

adequate measures to protect lives and property of participants and visitors during and after the fair.

According to him, "we have potentials in solid minerals and agriculture and if northerners can concentrate on these, we will have enough to transform the northern states."

"Today I am happy to announce to you that a reputable American company (Massey Ferguson ) has agreed to come and set up a tractor manufacturing company in

Kaduna state.

"We are also developing our solid minerals sector, our infrastructure and power sector, in addition to others, to a globally competitive status where we wish to have foreign direct investment on them and we are asking the Kaduna chambers of Commerce, Industry, mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), to fully collaborate with the state government because they stand to benefit a lot when foreign investors start trooping

International Institute of Public Relations.

Kazeem, revealed that the former Corps Commander who held fort as Corps Public Education Officer, Nseobong Akpabio, has taken over from Agwu as Lagos Sector Commander.

"The former Corps Transport Standardisation Officer, Kayode Olagunju, a Corps Commander, has been posted to Rivers state as Sector Commander, while his predecessor, Mary Wakawa, a Corps Commander, is now new Sector Commander of Ondo state.

"Dennis Terrang, an Assistant Corps Marshal, who was Zonal Commanding Officer in Bauchi, is now in charge of Special Duties at the National Headquarters, Abuja. Similarly, Chike Nwaka, an Assistant Corps Marshal of the Port Harcourt Zonal Command Headquarters, has been re-appointed Enugu Zonal Commanding Officer", Kazeem said.

into the state.

"We are doing these in our belief that the world has now become a global village which has been made possible through advancement in Information and Communication Technology.

"Being in the global village, one has no alternative but to rise and be relevant, positively, in global affairs or else one would be thrown into oblivion while the rest of the world moves on, the gvoernor said.

to ensure safer road use nationwide.

It quoted the FRSC Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Osita Chidoka, as saying that the additional Unit Commands were established to ensure the Corps' optimum performance through intensive patrols, rescue services, public enlightenment and enforcement of traffic rules and regulations.

"The new Commands bring the number of FRSC Unit Commands across the country, to 187 with plans for more formations to be established along strategic routes of the highways" he said.

Akpabio, also pointed out that the Okene Unit Command will comprise Okene- Kebba road among its routes of coverage, in addition to Okene-Lokoja, OkeneAjaokuta, Okene-Auchi, OkeneOgorimagongo, Okene and Adavi township.

"Igbo Ukwu has under its jurisdiction, Igbo UkwuEkwulobia Igbo Ukwu-Orlu, IgboUkwu-Oko, Igbo UkwuUmunze, Igbo Ukwu- Awka, Igbo Ukwu- Nnewi and Igbo UkwuUgaroutes.

"Ihiala Unit Command patrol, rescue and public enlightenment activities will also cover Ihiala-Owerri, Ihiala-Orlu, Ihiala-Onitsha, Ihiala-Orlu and Ihiala-Okija highways." Akpabio said.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 7

…procures 500 Ogun introduces free cancer screening exercise transformers for towns, cities

From Dimeji KayodeAdedeji, Abeokuta

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gun state government at the w e e k e n d announced free cancer screening exercise for women designed to cover all the 20 local government areas of the state with focus on breast and cervix.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka made this known at the flag-off ceremony of the Cancer Awareness

Camp held at Obas complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta with hundreds of women in attendance.

"Cancer is one of the leading causes of death particularly in the developing countries like Nigeria. Over 70 percent of deaths from cancer worldwide occur in the developing countries like Nigeria", Soyinka noted.

He explained that it is towards preventing cancer menace that the government decided to put in place the free screening

exercise, adding that prevention is known to be better than cure, in view of the fact that the ailment is terminal.

The Commissioner advised every woman to do self-breast examination monthly, especially after mensuration and should equally do cervical screening once in three years, stressing that if any early sign of cancer is detected it should be quickly addressed and treatment should be accessed.

get the product at a high cost in the open market.

Mohammed who promised not to run away from the people of the area, disclosed that the problem of marketing of their product would soon be over as the Federal Government has approved N300 million for the construction of Mushi Bridge in Kaiama which will link other communities.

While responding on

behalf of the beneficiaries, the leader of the farmers in the area, Alhaji Audu Bawa, commended the House member for his gesture noting that last year's distribution helped to increase harvests.

He also appealed to the lawmaker to assist them in obtaining loans, tractors as other farmers in Kwara South and Central senatorial districts have been enjoying, stressing that such things would improve output.

Rep distributes fertilisers to Kwara farmers From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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he chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed has distributed over 1, 000 bags of fertilisers to farmers in 10 wards across Kaima/Baruteen federal constituency.

Mohammed said he was doing the project to relieve farmers in the area the pains of struggling to

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gun state government has procured a total of 500 transformers to aid the supply of electricity to different towns and cities in the state.

The state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun who stated this in his address during his official visit to Imeko Afon and Yewa North local government areas, stressed that about 2,000 transformers would be needed to address the problem of power supply in all the 20 local government areas of the state.

Describing electricity supply as a veritable tool for sustainable economic development, Senator Amosun assured that the 500 transformers would be installed very soon in commemoration of the first anniversary of his administration.

The governor noted that Imeko Afon and Yewa North were peculiar; being gateways to neighbouring states and sharing international boundaries.

He therefore pledged that no stone would be left unturned to open them up for businesses.

UBE cannot succeed without community, religious leaders –UBEC boss From Salisu Zakari Maradun, Gusau

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or the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme to succeed in the country, there is the need for the total support and cooperation from community, religious and traditional leaders, the executive secretary of the commission, Alhaji Ahmad Modibbo has said.

Alhaji Modibbo made the assertion in Gusua, the capital of Zamfara state at the occasion of a one-day stakeholders interactive session and presentation of report of Zamfara state primary education assessment committee held at the J.B Yakubu Secretariat.

According to him, it is a well known fact that education is the pivot and bedrock of development

all over the world, socially, economically, politically and general transformation of societies.

He explained that it is based on this and other things that the Federal Government places greater emphasis on the sector not only for individual improvement, but for all.

Modibbo further stated that it is in line with this that the government sought to establish foundation, framework, interventions and strategies that would ensure the nation complies with notable international treaties and protocols that are related to the improvement of life and social harmony through the instrumentality of education.

Jigawa AG defends judiciary over Ibori’s trial From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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he Jigawa state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, has exonerated the Nigerian judicial system for acquitting former Delta state governor, Mr. James Ibori who has been tried and jailed in the United Kingdom.

The commissioner who stated this while speaking to some journalists in Dutse over the weekend, noted that the case is straight and simple because every fact is determined before a judge based on the evidence before him.

"This is straight and simple because every fact is determined before a judge based on the evidence before him. If Ibori was tried in Nigeria and was discharged and was not convicted on the particular offense that depended on the evidence before the trial judge".

The commissioner further maintained that, "if the UK court was able to obtain enough evidence to prove the allegations against Ibori beyond all reasonable doubt, that is another issue because if you look at the subsistence to obtain evidence in Nigeria and in the UK, they are not the same", he said.

3 journalists, 12 injured as Oshiomhole ‘cheats death’ From Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

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hree journalists were among the dead bodies recovered from a road mishap involving Governor Adams Oshiomhole's convoy at Ikharo hill, along Warrake Road, few kilometres from Auchi area of Etsako West of Edo state on Saturday.

The deceased were identified as Olatunji Jacob and George Okosun, both of whom were staff of Independent Television, Benin and Africa Independent Television cameraman, Fidelis, Mr. Sam also known as 'gentleman'.

12 others including the Chief Detail to Governor Oshiomhole, an SSS official, Emmanuel Olofin, Rosemary Obayuwana of Bronze FM, Benin, David Acha, a photo journalist with the Observer newspaper, are in critical conditions in hospitals around the area.

Mr. Eubaldus Enahoro of the Observer, Mike Aghioma, PRO, government House, Mr. Aviomoh and a DBN Television cameraman, Paul Ezenwa, were brought to the Central Hospital, Benin City, Accident an Emergency Ward at about 6pm on Saturday for immediate attention.

Reports suggest the governor may have been the target of an assassination attempt. The accident occurred about 12.45pm, shortly after the convoy which was coming from an Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) rally in Afuze, passed Warrake, located in Owan East local government area of the state.

The incident reportedly happened when a lorry lost control, veering off its track and heading straight for the governor's car missing it by the whiskers.

It later hit the Toyota Land Cruiser conveying security details which immediately somersaulted.

The lorry also hit the bus conveying the Government House Press Crew.

It was learnt that the deceased AIT and ITV cameramen who were said to have made it to Irrua Specialist Hospital, in the central part of the state, later died.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

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President Goodluck Jonathan (right) and Thisday Publisher, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, during the President’s visit to the scene of the Thisday bomb blast, at the weekend in Abuja. Photo: Joe Oroye Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke (right), being presented with Centennial Professional Excellence Award on Governmental Affairs and Corporate Management by former Dean, Howard University, Harry G. Robinson (middle), during the celebration of centennial of Engineering and Architecture of Howard University, at the weekend in Maryland, United States of America. With them is the Dean, James W. Mitchell (left).

Borno state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima (right), test driving a new ambulance after the commissioning of the renovated Kwaya Kusar General Hospital, at the weekend in Kwaya Kusar local government area in Borno. With him is the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Kolo Anas (left). Photo: NAN

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Vehicles plying on plank due to bad road, in Agunfoye road in Ikorodu area of Lagos state at the weekend. Photo: NAN

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Civil Defence battle ready for vandals, terrorists, says boss

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

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L-R: Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr. Sam Saba, National Coordinator of Servicom and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Service Delivery, Mr. Sylbriks Obriki, and Chief Servicom Officer, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli, during their visit to the Bureau, at the weekend, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Islamic aid council inaugurates new exco

By Muhammad Sada

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he Joint Council of Islamic Aid Group (JIFAO), yesterday inaugurated its newly elected officials who will serve the organisation for the next four years and awarded certificates of merit to some notable members.

At a ceremony held at the conference hall of the National Mosque Abuja, the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected officials was carried out under the chairmanship of General Abdullahi Mamman Bagudu (rtd) represented by Justice Mahmud Talba amidst other dignitaries and stakeholders.

The newly elected chairman, Alhaji Safiyanu A. Usman, took over from Alhaji Abdullah Abdulmalik Diggi .

The newly elected excos were drawn from three different Islamic aid groups namely: the fityanul Islam, the Jamaatul Izalatil Bid’a Wa Ikamatussunah and Jama’atul Nasril Islam so as to enhance cooperation and efficiency of the group.

In his address, the new chairman urged the Muslim Ummah to be dedicated to the teachings of Islam and vowed to work with total commitment and transparency with prayers to the Allah to support him in carrying out the difficult and challenging task of leadership.

The outgoing chairman who was represented by Malam Ahmed, prayed for guidance to the new excos and also thanked the members for giving him their best of contributions during his tenure.

Oil subsidy probe: C’ttee member urges Jonathan to implement report From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

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member of the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Subsidy Management and chairman, House Committee on Justice, Dr. Ali Ahmad and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, John Baiyeshea have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to implement the report of the committee by sanctioning those linked with oil subsidy fraud.

Ahmad who spoke with journalists in Ilorin at the weekend, said the oil industry operates like a secrete society and the committee has opened it up for people to see while Baiyeshea believed that President Jonathan has no

courage to deal decisively with corruption in Nigeria.

Ahmad said “Contrary to that, the comments we heard from the executive before the report was made is that, they are enthusiastic to implement it. I do not know now but nothing should have changed. Up till this moment, the enthusiasm is there. What happened in January would have consumed this nation.

“Some people are saying it is a process. We should address that finally on the issue of oil subsidy.

It is up to government. But whatever action anybody takes should have repercussion. If government implements it, we will all see. If government fails to implement it, there should be

a repercussion. And people should decide.

“Impunity in Nigeria must stop. You can see the report gives credence to that… this thing would not have happened if there were no collusion”.

On his part, Baiyeashea said, “Let’s see whether President Jonathan will have the courage to recover our money from the subsidy thieves”. ”The Federal Government merely unleashed terror on Nigerians. This probe has shown that government is subsidising corruption and not people’s welfare. We are getting to the stage that those who steal our common wealth should face death penalty otherwise the impunity will not stop”.

Appeal Court says Orji Kalu has case to answer

By Sunday Ejike Benjamin

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buja Division of the Court of Appeal, weekend, struck out the appeal brought before it by the former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu and his company Slok Nigeria seeking the setting aside of the ruling of a Federal High Court which held that the former governor had a case to answer in the charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The three-member panel of justices of the appelate court led by led by Justice Ejembi Eko held that Kalu has a case to answer as the proof of evidence links him with the alleged offences.

Kalu, through his counsel, Awa Kalu, wants the appeal court to hold that the appellants were arraigned on non-existent

law and that the proof of evidence did not disclose a prima facie case against them.

Orji further stated that since the Abia State High Court had issued an ex-parte motion on the matter, the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case.

He also sought the leave of the appellate court to enforce his fundamental human rights by declaring his arrest, detention, and arraignment a nullity.

Orji’s company, Slok Nigeria Ltd sought similar leave.

They want the appeal court to determine whether the EFCC and the federal government were competent to prosecute a case involving the revenue of a state.

In a unanimous ruling read

by Justice Eko on behalf of Justices Kayode Bada and Regina Nwodo, the appellate court

resolved all the grounds of appeal in favour of the respondent and dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.

EFCC had on July 27, 2007 arraigned former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu before an Abuja High court on a 107 count charge of money laundering, official corruption and criminal diversion of public funds totaling over N5 billion.

On August 5,2007 Kalu wrote a letter to then President Umaru Yar’Adua, urging him to order the EFCC to discontinue the trial, complaining that the Commission failed to obey a May 31, 2007 Abia State High Court order for stay of proceedings pending the determination of a motion before it.

President Yar’Adua, replying through Aondoaaka, promised Kalu that the Abia High Court ruling would be respected.

he Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ade Abolurin, has said that his men are combat ready to fight vandalism, insurgency and terrorism in the country.

Abolurin, stated this over the weekend, at the headquarters of the corps in Abuja while addressing the Anti-vandal Squad of the NSCDC, who returned from training in Kachia local government of Kaduna state.

Displaying the tactical skills obtained after months of drilling, Abolurin said the corps is ready to stretch out and destroy targets, adding that they obtained one of the best training which qualifies them to operate in any part of the world.

He cautioned them to be responsible in handling their weapons, saying that the corps will not tolerate any accidental discharge.

“There is a clear distinction between a criminal and a presumed criminal, and the rule of engagement must be obeyed.

We are trained to protect law abiding citizens and to go after the unscrupulous elements in the society with the aim of bringing sanity in to the country and create a favorable atmosphere for citizens and foreigners alike”, he said.

Iraq wants Nigeria to reopen embassy in Baghdad

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raq has called on Nigeria to re-open its embassy in Baghdad to further strengthen relations between both countries, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Nigeria and Iraq closed their respective embassies in 2003, but Iraq re-opened its own in 2007 after the war in that country.

NAN gathered that a delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs travelled to Baghdad last month following plans to reopen the embassy.

The Iraqi Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. Ali Al-Mery, yesterday in Abuja stressed the need for closer cooperation, saying that both nations could tap from each other’s wealth of experience as they had a similar political history.

“Iraq and Nigeria have a similar independence history; we are also members of OPEC, OIC and UN; we need closer cooperation to support each other’s aspiration in global institutions,’’ he said.

Al-Mery said though both countries had bilateral relations in cultural and education matters, trade between them was low.(NAN)

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Bauchi govt implores police not to delay processes in court From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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auchi state Commissioner for Justice, Barr. AlMustapha Suleiman Hassan, has called upon the state police command to always forward without delay court processes served on it that require the representation of the judiciary.

Barr. Hassan told the newly posted commissioner of police to the state that in forwarding such court processes there is the need for attaching duplicate case diary especially on motions such as bail and fundamental rights, among others.

Hassan said the Ministry of Justice in the state is appreciative

of the desired co-operation it has been receiving from the state police command, reiterating the need for continued co-operation especially in the prosecution of criminal cases.

“It is on record that your men are doing their best but we feel they should do more by ensuring that all witnesses that are required by a particular case appear before court especially police witnesses”, he further told the police commissioner.

The new police commissioner to Bauchi state, Malam Mohammed Ladan, had in response assured the judiciary of his command’s cooperation at all times to accelerate the wheels of justice in the state.

Farmers urged to buy seeds from registered companies President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Malam Mohammed Garba (right), with other union leaders during their visit to SOJ Plaza, scene of last Thursday’s bomb explosion in Kaduna. ThisDay, Sun and The Moment newspapers have their offices located within the building, at the weekend in Kaduna. Photo: Agaju Madugba

Lagos to demolish FMC, police station over flood From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Federal Medical Centre and police station both at about 80 percent completion stage situated along Yewa Road in Igbogbo Bayeku local government area, Ikorodu and identified to be obstructing the free flow of storm water have been slated for demolition by the Lagos state government.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, told newsmen after monitoring the

May edition of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday in Lagos, that the two structures were built on what he called flood plain.

The commissioner explained that the problem of flooding which usually sacks residents of the area could not be solved without pulling down the medical centre and police station both at about 80 percent completion stage situated in Ikorodu area of the state.

Bello who declared the road a

FG to construct secretariats in 11 states From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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he Federal Government has disclosed plans to construct federal secretariats in all the remaining 11 states in the country that do not presently have the facility before the expiration of its tenure.

Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo gave this indication in Gombe while laying the foundation for the construction of a federal secretariat in the state.

Sambo said the administration’s decision to site a secretariat in every state in the country where such do not exist was a deliberate policy to develop a hard working and result oriented work force that would improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

He explained that the provision of such facility would assist in

easing the accommodation problem faced by federal civil servants in states.

Considering the crucial roleplayed by civil servants in the implementation of government policies and programmes, according to the Vice-President, it is necessary to provide them with a conducive working environment for effective performance.

Sambo pointed out that the project would on completion in the next 100 weeks, assist in promoting harmony among the various federal government ministries, agencies and departments.

While emphasising the need for close supervision to ensure quality and strict compliances to approved building plan, he assured that government would guarantee adequate funding to ensure timely completion.

flood disaster zone, immediately slammed a caveat on further development of any structures in the zone, warning the residents to desist from dumping refuse on the deep gully along the road.

The commissioner said more buildings would be pulled down in the state, stressing that the government was determined to re-establish the various drainage channels in order to permanently tackle the problem of flooding.

According to him, “the state government is not relenting in its efforts to solve the problem of flooding in the state to avert any disaster that may come with it.

There are areas that will be lined and others dredged.

“We will ensure that properties on drain channels are removed and that is what we are doing. We need to re-establish and align the canals because it is from then that we can construct the channels”.

From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

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he North-east Regional Head of National Agricultural Seeds Council, Alhaji Hamisu Yusuf, has advised farmers to buy seeds only from recognised and registered seeds companies to ensure quality yields.

The regional head gave the advice while speaking with newsmen in Gombe at the weekend, adding that the importance of sowing quality seeds could not be overemphasised.

Alhaji Yusuf said seed is an important factor in agriculture: “Once your seed is good, all things

being equal, if other factors of production are provided at the right time, then definitely you will get proper harvest. But where your seed is not good, no matter the other factors that you put in, it will be less”.

He further explained that “agriculture starts from seeds, so my appeal to farmers is that they make sure that they buy high quality seeds from reputable seed companies instead of going to the open markets”.

Yusuf said the council’s mandate was to coordinate and regulate seed production to ensure that quality seeds were produced for farmers for optimum production.

Taraba LG bosses shun awareness campaign. campaign Only chairmen of Ussa, Karim From Yusha’u Alhassan, Jalingo

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ajority of local government chairmen in Taraba state shunned the recently concluded enlightenment campaign by the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) towards a violent free local government election.

Peoples Daily correspondent who went round the 16 local government areas with TSIEC officials for the exercise, reports that only three local government chairmen attended the awareness

Lamido, and Yorro were physically present when the TSIEC enlightenment campaign train visited their councils.

In Kurmi, Gashaka, Jalingo, and Gassol local government areas, TSIEC officials were received by the vice chairmen while in the rest of the councils the officials were either received by the head of local government administration, chief of staff, directors of personnel management or even councilors.

The absence of the council bosses brought about the poor turnout of people recorded during the awareness campaign.

Embrace peace, dialogue, labour leader urges Oyo workers From Seyi Ojelade, Ibadan

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he national chairman of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Kiri Mohammed, has charged civil servants in Oyo state to embrace peace and give room for dialogue with the state government over the minimum wage issue.

Mohammed gave the charge

while briefing newsmen on the outcome of a meeting with Governor Abiola Ajimobi in Ibadan.

The labour leader, who was in Ibadan to mediate on the minimum wage table which has been a subject of controversy between civil servants and government, said each state has the choice of adopting any payment table that was most affordable to it.

He assured that the crisis between the workers and the state government on the implementation of an acceptable minimum wage table would soon be amicably resolved.

According to him, labour and state government have agreed to resume negotiations in the interest of industrial peace and harmony, stressing that both parties would be guided by the principle of give and take to enhance a hitch-free negotiation.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Kebbi ASUSS implores members to seek self improvement From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi

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eachers in Kebbi state have been admonished to improve their skills in order to promote the education sector and to improve students’ performance.

A press release signed by Shehu Bagudu, the public relations officer of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), stated that the appeal was made at the commissioning ceremony ASUSS Yauri zonal office, adding that teachers are the bedrock of education.

“It is what the teachers do that the students will copy, so I appeal to my colleagues to go back to school and improve their skills”, he said.

PAGE 11

Shagari urges wealthy Nigerians to develop rural communities F ormer President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, has urged wealthy Nigerians to execute projects that would improve the living conditions of rural dwellers.

Shagari made the call on Saturday when he laid the foundation of a multi-purpose

complex at Bunza in Kebbi, being constructed by CITAR, an NGO, in honour of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore.

The former president said government alone could not provide all the basic needs of the people, as such it was imperative for philanthropists and

organisations to undertake projects that would raise the status of rural communities.

He said such gesture would not only fast track development but also reduce rural-urban drift and social and economic dislocation.

The National Coordinator of CITAR, Muhammad Lawal, said

L-R: Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, with wife of Chief of Defence Staff and President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Appolonia Petinrin, during a visit by DEPOWA members to the First Lady, at the State House, at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

MTN opens partnership centre in Bauchi From Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

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TN Nigeria in collaboration with HAMAZ Communication, has opened a partnership shop initiative in Bauchi that would serve the entire North-east region.

The chief executive officer, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Brett Goschen while declaring the shop open, stated that their partners are an integral part of the success story through their steadfast and tireless efforts despite increasing competition.

Represented by the north east regional manager, Dr. Yakubu Telta the CEO said partnership that continues to focus on sale of airtime and SIM cards at wholesale level will not survive the emerging trends in line with the company’s vision to transit from being the leading telecommunications provider to becoming leading ICT company in Nigeria.

Goschen stated that: “We believe that there is a pressing need to position our trade partner’s accordingly. The MTN partner shop will enhance our partner’s ability to remain competitive in a changing market and it will establish them as a one-stop shop for all MTN products and services”.

He assures MTN trade partners that this will not only position them as demonstrators of their commitment but it will bring MTN data services and data support closer to its numerous customers.

the complex would consist of a nursery and primary school, clinic, conference hall, a hall of fame, playground, library and restaurant.

About N31 million was realised at the ceremony as donations from some state governments, individuals and organisations. (NAN)

FG to develop 350mw coal power plant in Gombe From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

I

n a bid to improved power supply in the country, the Federal Government has entered into an agreement with a Germen Company for the development of a 350 megawatts coal power plant in Gombe state.

Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo announced this in Kwami local government area while flagging off the Kwami-

Bojude Gombe water expansion, rehabilitation and reticulation project.

Sambo who said the project would be undertaken under a public private partnership agreement, announced the approval for the setting up it 123 sub-station to improve power supply.

According to him arrangement has reached advanced stage for the actualisation of the hydro electricity

component of the Dadin-Kowa Dam project.

The Vice-President further explained that N4billion had been approved for the upgrading of the Dadin-Kowa irrigation scheme under the special intervention Fund for Agricultural Development with Ministry of Water Resources.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Nigeria National

Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) were making arrangements for the exploration of hydro carbons in Gombe and Bauchi state soon.

Also speaking, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo said the Gombe-Kwami and Bojude water expansion, rehabilitation and reticulation scheme was awarded at cost of N4.5billion toward addressing the acute water supply problem faced by the people.

Gwandu Emir crowns Belgore Garkuwan Bunza From Ahmed Idris, Brinin Kebbi

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he Emir of Gwandu and chairman, Kebbi State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashir, has conferred on the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salihu

Modibbo Alfa Belgore the chieftaincy title of Garkuwan Bunza in the Emirate.

Announcing the conferment on behalf of the Emir at the foundation laying ceremony of a multipurpose Town Hall complex in honour of Justice Belgore organised by the

CITAR, an NGO in Bunza at the weekend, the District Head of Bunza local government area, Dr. Muhammed Mustapha said Belgore is a son of the soil and has contributed to the development of the community, state and Nigeria at large. “Belgore did not forget the

people of Kebbi state, he portrays goodwill by assisting them in terms of development”, he said.

Speaking early, the chairman of the occasion and the former president Alhaji Shehu Shagari, commended the organisers for promoting unity and peace in the society.

Ajimobi tasks commercial banks on developmental ideas for states From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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overnor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state at the weekend, charged commercial banks in the country to fashion out developmental ideas peculiar to each state of the federation.

Senator Ajimobi gave this charge while receiving the

management of Ecobank led by its Managing Director, Mr. Jubril Aku who paid a courtesy visit to the governor’s office.

The governor said commercial banks are doing enviable things in the country and urged all financial institutions to develop a blueprint of workable projects for each state as part of their

responsibility.

He added that commercial banks should lead in propelling development for the country; disclosing that many states are ready to key into buying ideas from financial institution knowing that implementation would not be difficult.

Earlier, in his remarks, the

Managing Director of Ecobank, Mr. Jubril Aku promised to partner with the state in the area of agriculture and health.

He pledged financial support for transformation agenda and other developmental programmes of present administration in the state.

Aku hinted that, there are

incentives to promote agriculture from the Central Bank through commercial banks for farmers in the country.

He added that the bank would play a major role in developing infrastructure and facilities such as schools, roads and other areas of intervention to make the state grow.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

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Netanyahu’s reckless Armageddon statement

ver the past couple of months, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Ehud Barak have really lived up to their image of unapologetic hawks ratcheting war mongering statements regarding Iran's nuclear programme, which the Islamic Republic insists is for peaceful purposes, but which the Zionist state and its guardian angels, notably US, UK and France argue that it is for the purpose of producing (nuclear) weapons.

On March 9, 2012, the Israeli leader ominously raised the spectre of war by saying unilateral strikes on Iranian nuclear sites are possible in the foreseeable future.

The Israeli daily, Haaretz reported the Prime Minister as saying, "I hope there won't be a war at all, and that the pressure on Iran will succeed", adding that the eleventh hour was soon approaching for Iran to "halt its nuclear program or suffer the consequences."

Pointedly, Netanyahu stated further, "It's not a matter of days or weeks, but also not of years. The result must be the removal of the threat of nuclear weapons in Iran's hands."

During his latest US visit, the Israeli Prime Minister remained ambiguous in interviews with some television networks on whether Israel might opt to attack Iran if world pressure failed to curb Tehran's nuclear program.

In separate appearances on the ABC, CNN and Fox networks, he replied that "I'm not going to deal in hypotheticals," when asked about the possibility of an Israeli strike against Iran.

Reaffirming his support for US President Barack Obama's position that all options were on the table in dealing with Iran, he ironically said that Israel, like any other country, reserved the right of self-defence.

A dye in the wool hawk like his boss, the Israeli Defence Minister has also consistently believed that attacking Iran remains an option for ending Iran's nuclear programme.

Last Tuesday in Tel Aviv, Barak said he would not rule out a strike against the Islamic Republic, even as world powers continue a new round of talks with Iran to find a peaceful solution to the impasse, with the next meeting expected in Baghdad on May 23.

While condemning these reckless statements by the Israeli political leadership, we are even more appalled at the double standard of the Zionist nation's Western sponsors who see nothing wrong with

“

In a poem against Israeli titled "What Must Be Said", Günter Wilhelm Grass, Germany's most famous living novelist, poet, playwright, illustrator, graphic artist, sculptor and recipient of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Literature, took exception to Israel's unreasonableness and the West's double standards visà-vis the impasse over Iran's nuclear programme whatever dastardly act Israel does against its neighbours but are quick to condemn any action which Israel is not comfortable with.

Israel's possession of nuclear weapon is an open secret, and it was aided and abetted by the trio of France, Britain and the US, the same nations threatening to go to war with Iran over its peaceful nuclear programme; an action that may well plunge the world into a third world war.

We are however encouraged that there are saner minds and cooler heads within and outside Israel.

We commend the courage of Israeli

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Deputy Prime Minister, Dan Meridor, who disagrees with Netanyahou and Barak on the force to curb Iran's atomic programme.

He was reported by the Huffington Post on April 17 as saying that, "I don't think Israel should use the military option. I don't agree with some of my colleagues who support a military strike. An attack on Iran wouldn't add anything to our security".

Also, former Israeli spy chief said the country's leaders were unfit to tackle the Iranian nuclear program because of what he called the "messianic feelings" behind their threats to launch a pre-emptive war on Iran.

Yuval Diskin, who, until a year ago, was the head of the Shin Bet, Israel's equivalent of our SSS, said in a speech broadcast by Israel Radio two days ago that he had no faith in the prime minister, nor in the defence minister, adding that "I really don't have faith in a leadership that makes decisions out of messianic feelings."

In a poem against Israeli titled "What Must Be Said", Günter Wilhelm Grass, Germany's most famous living novelist, poet, playwright, illustrator, graphic artist, sculptor and recipient of the 1999 Nobel Prize in Literature, took exception to Israel's unreasonableness and the West's double standards vis-à-vis the impasse over Iran's nuclear programme.

Even more importantly, leaders of BRICKS countries' declaration after their meeting in New Delhi on 29 March, 2012 recognised Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy and support resolution of issues through dialogue.

The declaration states that "situation concerning Iran cannot be allowed to escalate into conflict, the disastrous consequences of which will be in no one's interest. We recognize Iran's right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy consistent with its international obligations, and support resolution of the issues involved through political and diplomatic means and dialogue between the parties concerned".

We at Peoples Daily say a very loud amen, to this homily.

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PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

By Salihu Moh. Lukman Narrow Political Outlook Background igerian politics has been stagnant with practically the same features since 1999. It has remained about individual aspirations, vote buying, use of thugs for political campaigns, ballot box snatching and rigging during elections. Our politicians, with very little exception, are the promoters of these vices and our political parties the precursors and reservoirs.

Issues and ideas are blatantly ignored. Therefore ideology and values are non-existent in our democratic practice. The result is that the only contest is that of personalities.

What the personalities represent is often influenced, determined and controlled by ethnic, regional and religious considerations.

The consequence of this reality is the absence of nationalism or patriotic commitments. Thus, we are a nation without nationalists or patriots, only religious, ethnic and at best regional leaders. These ethnic, religious and regional leaders employ primordial sentiments as rallying point for mobilization in a self-serving manner. In the end, the problems of low living conditions have remained unattended to, and in some cases worsened. Take the case of the unemployment situation which the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimated at 23.9% for 2011. This means that 24 out of every one hundred Nigerians who are actively seeking for jobs but cannot find any. The import is that one out of every four

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2015 manifesto of Nigerian opposition politics (I) Nigerians is unemployed. This is a problem that affects every family, irrespective of religious, ethnic and regional background.

Partly on account of the absence of income earning opportunities, low incomes and combinations of poor living conditions as reflected in expensive and inaccessible healthcare, educational and welfare facilities, poverty incidence in the country has remained unacceptably high. The NBS reported that national poverty estimate was 69% in 2010 and projected that it would have increased to 71.5% in 2011. This means that 7 out of every 10 Nigerians are poor, irrespective of religious, ethnic or regional background. But our politicians have religious, ethnic and regional interpretations and solutions.

Unfortunately our worsening reality as represented by high unemployment and poverty rates has manifested against a backdrop of exponential increases in government spending as is evident in the Federal Government annual budget, which has increased from N598 Billion in 2000 to more than N4.7 trillion in 2012 – an increase of more than 800%. This also reflects vast increases in government revenue, and of recent, massive borrowing. The only logical explanation to our socioeconomic problems is poor

management of the nation’s resources. The managers of these resources – politicians – cut across all the divides and there is equity in their contributions to the mismanagement and pillage of the nation’s resources across all the divides.

With respect to the coloration of our political parties regarding assessment of these problems, they follow the same religious, ethnic and regional contours. Opposition politics today is predominantly expressed with references to differences in religion, ethnicity and region. Our political parties have no countervailing strategy or approach - just as no attempt is made to discourage religious, ethnic and regional politics. If anything, our parties, in many ways, rationalize religious, ethnic and regional politics.

The consequences are today’s reality where sadly, only the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is visible across all our six geo-political zones, the 36 states and perhaps all the 774 Local Governments. Divisive approach to politics in the present dispensation was catalyzed in the first four years of the return to civil rule (1999 – 2003) when some state governments under the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) introduced Sharia legal system. This ignited religious

tension between Muslims and Christians in the country, resulting in violent uprising in Kaduna, first in February 2000 and the second time in April 2001. The polity is yet to recover from the destabilizing effect of the introduction of the Sharia legal system.

With very high increases in resources managed by our governments at all levels, and given the fact that our politicians convert these resources into their personal holdings to the detriment of the vast majority of our people, our politics is soiled with our politicians becoming desperate to remain ever-present in government. Their objective is selfserving and basically a struggle to retain access to public resources.

Every four year cycle, Nigerians are reduced to spectators in a game where they are supposed to be the determinants. At best, they only end up endorsing the continuation of the old order which revolves around individual aspirations, triggering the vices of vote buying, use of thugs for political campaigns, ballot box snatching and rigging during elections while the frustrations of Nigerians continues to grow.

Today, our nation has been fragmented beyond mention. We are in a state of undeclared war with no objective and predictable targets. The main army is the large

pool of unemployed poor Nigerians.

On account of the difficult, largely self-created security situation, the Federal Government security budget for 2012 is officially estimated at N971 billion. In fact, independent assessment argued that it is over N1 trillion.

In the midst of all these, the only political discussions taking place in the land is about how a section of the country, on account of the ‘Boko Haram war’ – the North – is undermining President Goodluck Jonathan; why power must return to the North in 2015; why it must be the turn of the South East to produce the President in 2015, etc. In terms of governance issues, the most pronounced debate so far is the discussion around the review of revenue allocation formula and the unending probes of activities of Federal agencies by the two legislative chambers – Senate and House of Representatives. With the results we have seen on the fuel subsidy probe, pension funds probe and the ongoing capital market probe with all its drama and twists, the question is what next? Ultimately, therefore, whether with reference to participation or distribution of benefits, our politics has retained a narrow outlook.

Salihu Moh. Lukman can be reached through slukman45@gmail.com

On “Bauchi’s hopeless budget” and phobia of the guilty

By Musa Azare

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aturally, human beings areallergic to truth especially when it directly (or even indirectly) touches their persons, families, ideologies and all other things they hold dear or sacred. A popular quote on truth credited to Harry S. Truman, the 33rd American President reads, “I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell’’. Such is the way of the truth, the most hated creature of the Almighty!

It is believed that the first reaction to truth is hatred. This was exactly the unfortunate situation in which Bauchi state government under Mallam Isa Yuguda found itself in recent weeks, after Mallam Nasir elRufa’i’s explosive article titled, ‘’Bauchi’s Hopeless Budget’’ featured in his column in Thisday of April 13, 2012 and Peoples Daily newspaper of the same date. elRufa’i did a wonderful job by showing emphaty to the sufferings of the ordinary Bauchi people, not minding the fact that the state has a pool of intellectual writers, political and social commentators capable of keeping any government on its toes, but choose to be silent on the state of affairs in Bauchi, for reasons best known to them.

El-Rufa’i, in his exceptionally intelligent way of analysing budgets, especially those budgets that threw fiscal responsibility to

the dogs, explored the 2012 budget of Bauchi state with a view to exposing the excesses therein and possibly cause a correction to the document.

But alas! His sincere intentions were not only greeted with deliberate misinterpretations but also, callous use of foul language to humiliate his person. One Ahmed Mo Joe, a Kano based hireling was recruited to author a rejoinder caption, ‘’Nasir elRufa’i’s Hopeless Claims on Bauchi’’, in the Daily Trust of Wednesday, April 25, 2012. The rejoinder was full of hatred and name-calling rather than dispute the startling revelations of elRufa’i. Blatantly lacking in decorum and cunnigly deviating from the issue at hand, that is, the hopeless 2012 budget of Bauchi state.

One of the key issues raised in the budget by el-Rufa’i was the earmarking of a whooping N17.6 billion for security under the Bauchi SSGs office, to which Mo Joe replied with a silly question thus: “Is there any amount that can be considered too much when it comes to securing lives and property’’? Indeed, there is!

Because in Bauchi state today, the only security situation is the Tafawa Balewa crisis, which has since been taken over by a Joint Task Force, JTF, under the Federal Government, and the transfer of the disputed local government headquarters from Tafawa Balewa town to Bununu town, which has

since extinguished the hitherto blazing fire in Tafawa Balewa local government area. So, what is this stupendous amount for?

Indeed, securing Bauchi state, where 19 out of the 20 LGAs in the state are living in absolute peace shouldn’t be this expensive.

In the area of education, where according to el-Rufa’i’s analysis, N19.4 billion was earmarked in the budget and, with which to “produce about 1,900 students qualified to be admitted into university......’’, Mo Joe only dabbled back and forth making references to ghost achievements and so called merit awards to Yuguda, and other sundry lies that cannot hold water. For instance, he claimed that, “...before the advent of the Yuguda administration in 2007, all the five tertiary institutions in the state had witnessed the withdrawal of their accreditation and their certificates had become worthless, not only here in Nigeria but also overseas i.e. School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Administration, Azare College of Business and Administrative Studies (CABS), Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, Adult and Non-formal Education Institute, College of Health Technology, Ningi’’. Mo Joe added that, “Happily, the story is different today as all aforementioned institutions have seen their accreditations restored in all their offered subjects, and are reputed to be among the best in the

country today’’. Mo Joe continued and stressed a “...point of fact, CABS, Azare is today a degreeawarding institution courtesy of the revolution ignited by the Yuguda administration’’.

First, CABS, Azare had never been a degree-awarding institution in the past, and is not one at present. Rather, it’s a school formerly affiliated to Kaduna Polytechnic and now, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi, which doubles as the Bauchi state Polytechnic. Today, apart from the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, the only degree-awarding institution in the state is the College of Education, COE, Azare which is affiliated to the University of Maiduguri. And it took the courage of the College’s lecturers to surmount the obstacles and sabotage of Bauchi state government to achieve that feat.

Second, there was no time in the history of Bauchi’s tertiary institutions at which all their accreditations were withdrawn or their certificates became worthless, as more than 70% of the nurses and midwives working in Bauchi’s hospitals and clinics are graduates of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the College of Health Technology.

Now let us examine the editorial of ThisDay of Friday, August 12, 2011, titled, ‘’Yuguda’s Excessive Foreign Travels’’ and see the paper’s findings on Yuguda’s contribution

to Bauchi’s education sector.

“Bauchi state....’’, the editorial reads, “...continues to lag behind in practically every aspect of human endeavour but particularly in the area of education. A recent survey showed that primary school pupils still study under very harsh conditions as many receive lessons sitting under trees, using stones and tree trunks as chairs and their laps as writing desks. Bauchi (with 52%) also remains one of the states of the North where girls and boys aged between 6 and 16 have never been to school at all’’. To further showcase Yuguda’s insensitivity to the acute deprivations and sufferings of the Bauchi people, the paper added, “Although Yuguda is not alone in the league of governors who frequently abandon their duty posts and jet out to Europe and America for the elusive ‘foreign investors’, we have chosen to highlight his case because he has shamelessly turned his foreign travels into an obscene pastime.

Since he is yet to point out to the people of Bauchi what value these frequent trips have added to their lives’’. Now over to you, Mr. Ahmed Mo Joe!!!

In the area of Bauchi’s ever rising debt, since Yuguda came on board, which el-Rufa’i puts, as at 2011 to be “about N91 billion’’, and, by the year end 2012, “Bauchi would be in debt to the tune of some N150 billion’’, Mo Joe, Continued on page 14

PAGE 14

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

On “Bauchi’s hopeless budget” and phobia of the guilty Continued from page 13

apparently confused made an even more startling revelation, failing woefully, to live up to the expectation of his sponsor. Hear him: “It is now common and verifiable knowledge that the former Governor Adamu Mu’azu left a colossal debt of a little over N22 billion which the Yuguda administration has already paid creditors N17 billion’’. Gosh!!!

What an exposé from the horse’s own mouth? So Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu actually left a ‘colossal debt’ of N22 billion at the end of his eight-year tenure? Let us please do a small arithmetic here; as at 2011, that is end of Yuguda’s first tenure, the debt profile of Bauchi state was N91 billion, according to el-Rufa’i, out of which ‘a colossal N22 billion’ was inherited from Mu’azu, according

By Daniel Richard

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hat transpired at the PDP’s National Convention a couple of weeks ago has vividly shown that ours is a country that is still very far from El-Dorado as far as good governance and democratic best practices are concerned. This is singularly worrisome because of the unchallenged beacon status that PDP occupies as the major political party in our 13-year new democratic experiment. To be frank, if we do not plug some holes in our national political superstructure right now, we risk being swept down the drain of political oblivion at best, or going self-destruct at worst.

To start with, mention must be made of the fact that it is because of the subsisting dysfunction in the electoral process that we recently witnessed disgraceful exchange of words between well-meaning political commentators, longstanding statesmen and some beneficiaries of the Disneyworld exercise that transpired at the party at the helms during its National Coronation. Critics vociferously disparaged the consensus arrangement as an undemocratic process, insisting that in a true democracy, all interested people are allowed to contest for elective positions without hindrance, such that losers would know they lost fairly. I am convinced that if there was an overriding party politics legislation which delineates that there must be a contest in an intraparty election of which the candidates have already purchased, filled and submitted intent and nomination forms, the shoddy consensus arrangement would not see a friendly atmosphere to survive.

But in the absence of such, we witnessed the new agenda set by the ruling party: that of imposition in disguise. This has shown the conclusion of the 2015 elections long before it arrives. The reality is that Nigeria is today faced with the consensus of the few against the popular will of the members, and this – sadly but really – means the gradual evolution of political parties which are willing to submit to everything except elections to test the popularity of its leaders, which goes against the fundamental spirit of democracy. During the last general elections, the political scene

to Ahmed Mo Joe. If we take away responsible governor between the thereby “spending the state’s N22 billion from N91 billion, we two? resources on a very small circle of political jobbers will be left with N69 billion, while the which is the total g e n e r a l populace gets debt incurred by Yuguda in his poorer, more Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text first tenure hopeless, messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written t h e r e b y (2007-2011), contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 and, according constituting words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and to the budget greater threats a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed to the society’’. analysis of elto: Rufa’i, Yuguda To this, Mo intends to Joe’s staunch The Editor, defence reads, finance his 2012 Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, “hopeless “He (Yuguda) budget’’ with yet employed the 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. most competent another loan of Email: let ters@peoplesdaily-online.com N59 billion, aides to assist SMS: 07037756364 effectively him with his own version of putting Bauchi’s total debt at the end of 2012 fiscal Last, but by no means the least, the Transformation Agenda...” year at N150 billion. Now who is el-Rufa’i condemned Yuguda’s While competence can be defined the most prudent and fiscally appointment of over 900 aides, loosely by an incompetent writer,

WRITE TO US

it is worthy of note, that today, those considered the super commissioners and aides in the Yuguda administration are the mediocres that were dropped out

by Mu’azu on the account of their ineptitude such that they cannot even write memos to the then governor of Bauchi state Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu. They became aggrieved and joined Yuguda in 2007.

My sincere advice to His Excellency, Malam Isa Yuguda is to focus on good governance, excellent reforms and accept sincere advice from people who offer it without consultancy fees, as leadership is a multi-tasking job and therefore, beyond individual capability, no matter how sound one’s brain is.

Musa Azare wrote from Azare, Bauchi state.

Addressing our weak political superstructure was awash with the sudden emergence of the sky blue flag with the black pen of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a new baby with great promises in a nation desperately in need of change. But not a few people were disappointed when the new party suddenly became enmeshed in intrigues of shady intra-party usurpations and illegal impositions of candidates in defiance of the expressed choices of the members.

No wonder, the party saw so much speed but gathered little mileage at the end of the day.

In retrospect, as we all watched with wonder as the many PDP decampers to the CPC moved back to their mother party, one does not need to look too deep to see the visible hand of the PDP in the intra-party crisis that rocked the hope of all oppositions in Nigeria – CPC. The danger with the consensus as we witness perennially in the PDP is that it provides a cover for many anti-democratic practices which are undertaken with which to guarantee nomination or the elimination of opposition; and this tends to become a culture when it gathers momentum and ossifies through the time. This is exactly why I maintain that from the onset of this current democratic dispensation, the Nigerian people have not had their own elected President. Consensus played out during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s era, followed by Umaru Musa Yaradua; and now President Goodluck Jonathan has come to write the consensus textbook for keeps. Remarkably, in these cases the judiciary has played a more significant role in installing our leaders than the electorates, so this has given democracy a new meaning.

As it is today, the hope that the electoral process will be improved by the manner political parties improve their own internal democracy will further be diminished by the last PDP coronation ‘party’ as the political terrain is now replete with evidence that much unsavory practices will be replicated with impunity as the infrastructure driving our democratic process is fundamentally compromised. And to be candid this is not good for us, to

say the least. The future of our democratic system is bleak. With the nation agog with debates about conferences and restructuring and is desperately grappling with monumental security challenges, any concerned citizen cannot afford not to ruminate on our collective destiny as a nation state.

I have therefore discovered that to a significant extent, all the challenges we face at this moment have their roots in bad governance and dysfunctional electoral process, therefore raising the whole goulash to the inevitable functioning of a vicious circle. The malady breeds more dysfunction and the dysfunction shoot out more egregious malady. The only way we can tackle this is at the fundamental level: a legislative thrust towards instilling internal democracy in our democratic institutions and the candid reappraisal of the status of the electoral umpire, which in our case is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Firstly, our political thinkers are all in agreement that the nation’s political institutions should be strengthened, but I posit that there is no institution as fundamental as the political party, the very platform which churns out the executives and lawmakers that go on to shape the entire democratic atmosphere of the country for the next four years.

Therefore, the party should be viewed as all powerful and critically fundamental, and then garbed with the requisite legal framework which must set the agenda for its own personalized constitutions and modus operandi. For example, in Nigeria today there is no punishment for political crime in the party system. A politician who got indicted for forging his certificate goes scot free even after the court of law has established the crime; the only punishment being the nullification of the election. For me, this is not deterrent enough to the platform that raised him. A heavy fine would be enough deterrent to the party for even losing an electoral petition in a court, and not nullification alone. Rigging requires money, and when the party pays heavily, it will be more stringent next time in presenting a candidate to the nation. This will, in turn, also

reduce incidences of political ‘anointed’ candidates.

Secondly, I believe we are ripe for a central database of political players, aspirants and candidates of the various political parties in order to apply a reign on the crosscarpeting syndrome we do lament about in our own peculiar political terrain. Starting from the Ward level, the members of the political parties should be centrally appraised and profiled, so that individual performance is akin to academic institution system whereby transfer is modular. Not only will this help the electoral body in profiling, but it will give the political parties the desired room for member strength maximization and structural streamlining.

Furthermore, regarding INEC, there are three fundamental questions that need to be addressed in the appointment of the chief electoral umpire. The first is who appoints the umpire? A situation where the player employs the referee leaves much to be desired.

The second is what are the conditions of service of the umpire? This is because the first instinct of any human, no matter how uprightly ethereal, is self-preservation. The third is how is the electoral act prepared? It is vital that the manual for the game be written with the utmost transparency. I am a man with a strong faith and hope in my country and the potentials God has bestowed upon us as a people, but I am also a practical Nigerian who knows the tint of colours and recognizes them for what they are. I have seen that Ghana is getting it right at the moment as it applies to electoral institutions and processes, and this is why I dare mention that it would be wise that we review these pertinent questions against the backdrop of the workings of a struggling nation like ours, Ghana.

There, the condition of service of electoral commissioners is same as those of Supreme Court judges and they continue to collect their full salaries even after they have retired. And they can only be removed by a resolution of twothirds of the members of the National Assembly which no party in Ghana controls. Secondly, the Ghanaian electoral commission has a first-line charge in its revenue

allocation and does not deal with the president of Ghana as far as revenue is concerned. When donor agencies and foreign countries make donations to the electoral commission, it is done transparently; the amount donated is subtracted from the budget and the electoral commission collects the balance.

The electoral act is developed by the Electoral Commission of Ghana and presented to political parties that have members in the National Assembly to critique; they deliberate on it and all agree before it is passed on to the National Assembly for ratification. The general public and the political parties are all carried along.

Finally, in addition to instilling due process and full participation in our political institutions as a matter of urgency, I am of the view that we must once and for all address the role of the Judiciary in this whole electoral process. Granted, the Judiciary is the last hope for the people who are faced with a logjam at the polls, but a situation where the Judiciary continuously speaks for the masses leaves much to be desired. It is another loophole in the convoluted loop of our democratic process. I have maintained that from the year 1999 till now, all our Presidents have been returned not by the masses, but by the Judiciary, giving rise to another danger sign in our fast weakening system: that of voters’ apathy. As we stand today, voters’ turnout during election has fallen to almost thirty percent, a situation that strategic riggers utilize, true democrats abhor, and the vicious circle of our lamentable superstructure feeds on. Sadly enough, even the little number that show up to vote are made up mostly of them that come not for their votes to count but that they count the pittance doled out to them by rigging candidates, which they ignorantly perceive as their only chance at taking a bite of the national cake.

This is therefore a task for not only one man nor organization, but for the whole nation to take a corporate look at and give it a concerted spirited shot, for once.

Mr Richard wrote from Area 11, Garki, Abuja richardfordemocracy@yahoo.com, 08177426232

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 15

A

Subsidy: Another marvelous scam

T

Media and conflict reporting

s the Secretary of State to the United State government, General Collins Powell once described Nigeria as a country of ‘’marvelous scammers”. This outburst made the Nigerian government very angry and it almost led to a major diplomatic incidence.

Minders of the first class general must have done a good job convincing him that in diplomacy, unlike in soldiering, you do not shoot straight. He ate humble pie and issued a statement saying that the media quoted him out of context.

But the cat had been let out of the bag.

At independence, Nigeria was a country where people proudly earned their income. Then, the Nigerian economy was basically agrarian, so people had to literary sweat for what they earned. There was corruption in government, yes. But those involved in it never asked for anything beyond ten percent of the contracts they awarded.

Oil revenues have always been a cause of big problems wherever it is found. The situation in Nigeria was made more problematic by a number of factors. According to Professor Professor Assisi Asobie the oil and gas sectors in Nigeria are opaque. This means that it is closed to a majority of Nigerians due to its complex high technicalities. The business is thus shrouded in secrecy and confidentiality shielding it from the popular demands of the Nigerian people for accountability.

In the beginning, Nigeria could not even decide which ministry should handle the industry. It was first assigned to the Ministry of Lagos Affairs, then moved to the Ministry of Mines and Power before moving to the current ministry of he attacks on the premises of Thisday, the Sun and Moments newspapers in Abuja and Kaduna on Thursday, April 26, 2012 have upped the ante in the insecurity that has become the nation’s albatross. It has brought the whole issue of insecurity and a general drift back to the jungle into bold relief. More importantly, it should be an opportunity for sober reflection in the media about its modus operandi. The question needs to be asked : To what extent has the mode of operations of the media enhanced peace, probity and patience among the people?

Can the media in all honesty claim to have performed above board the onerous duty imposed on it both by the constitution to hold government accountable to the people and by the citizenry for it to serve the public good ? Has the media imbibed the doctrines fairness and accuracy in reporting? The posers are endless.

Of course, one needs to first commiserate with relations of the dead, the recuperating victims of the devastating suicide attacks and the managements of the affected media organizations. The irony in all of these is that media people who report violence, apparently to guide the people from being victims of violence, were themselves visited with violence in a horrendous form of intimidation.

The Nigerian situation is getting more and more scary by the day. But the media stays with the action, at grave risk to limbs and lives. The media is the only institution that stays by an inferno to report how hot it is for the people, often needlessly exposing themselves to danger.

I think journalists , especially in societies like ours prone to precipitate and mindless violence, need to

Petroleum.

The most imaginative move to restructure the industry and ensure accountability was the one taken by the military government of Olusegun Obasanjo when he established the NNPC in 1977 with General Muhammadu Buhari as its first Chairman.

It did not take long before the NNPC proved to be hopelessly inept.

Two years after it was set up, there were allegations of massive fraud involving the improper withdrawal of N2.8 billion, (about $4 billion then) from its accounts. The newly elected President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, was forced to set up a judicial tribunal of inquiry into the alleged hefty heist.

The panel found out that the N2.8 billion fraud allegation was baseless but it made startling revelations about NNPC. It discovered that despite its wide ranging powers, the NNPC’s oversight and regulatory functions in the industry were non-existent because of the low capacity of its staff, sheer inaction and simply a proclivity of the corporation to break the law.

To its dismay, the panel discovered that agreements with the IOC’s expired without ratification and the IOC’s themselves acted as if the NNPC never existed. NNPC’s accounting system was in unmitigated shambles as the Corporation never prepared and submitted audited accounts between 1977 and 1980.

The situation was so dismal that that it was not possible to reconcile crude oil production and sales figures!

Finally, the panel

recommended a restructuring of the Shonekan’s brief interim organisation. Before he could government and General Sani complete NNPC’s restructuring, he Abacha’s military dictatorship, the himself was overthrown in a acts of monumental corruption in military coup. The army brought the oil sector continued unabated.

General Buhari, the first chairman Most regrettably, even with the of NNPC, to take return of over his office. democracy in The Buhari 1999 under regime was Olusegun preoccupied with Obasanjo, the fighting corruption story did not and instilling change.In public order and 2 0 0 2 , discipline. It took no Engineer action in H a m m a n restructuring T u k u r , NNPC. The Chairman of Babangida the Revenue Emmanuel Yawe administration Mobilisation 08024565402 that succeeded and Fiscal royawe@yahoo.com Buhari brought Commission unprecedented raised six areas change in restructuring NNPC into of theft at NNPC. He repeatedly five semi-autonomous sectors: Oil questioned the handling of subsidy and Gas, Refineries and and the huge money been siphoned Petrochemicals, Pipelines and from it. He was roundly ignored.

Product Marketing and the In February 2004, President Petroleum Inspectorate. Each of Obasanjo inaugurated the Nigeria these sections was headed by a Extractive Industries Transparency coordinator who reported to the Initiative (NEITI) and mandated it Corporation’s Managing Director. to promote transparency and The Minister of Petroleum for the first accountability in the management time was no longer the Chairman of of Nigeria’s oil, gas and mining NNPC. This was given to a private revenues.

Since then the individual in an effort to minimize organisation has come out with government interference. It was diligent and detailed reports that are President Babangida that opened the critical of the way the industry is upstream sector to private being run. It has not gone beyond indigenous companies, starting with that. Apparently, even NEITI has the first public bidding in October proved incapable of stopping or even 1990. reducing the levels of corruption in The government did a lot to our oil industry.. clarify functions in the oil industry.

The massive fraud in the oil Unfortunately, it could not halt the sector is known to every President massive theft there. of Nigeria.

All through the years of Ernest I was mesmerized with the

The media’s relationship with develop a ‘terror’ survival manual.

To focus this writing, it is special interest groups is of special important to adopt a thematic focus for this Column considering schema. What is the relationship its direct bearing on the matter of between the media and the people ? Boko Haram under discourse. ; the media and government and Special interest groups, aka NonOrganisations the media and special interest Governmental groups also known as pressure (NGOs) , aka pressure groups are past masters in exploiting the groups.

A major problem of the media is publicity potential of the media to that it lacks the trust of the people achieve their goals. They have a and as such g e n e r a l l y perceived as a partisan arm of the oppressive, with fractious power establishment. Its reporting is not seen as people olawunmibisi@yahoo.com oriented. More 0803 364 7571 (SMS only) damaging is the perception that media reports are not factual. The better understanding of journalists’ media, if it wants to be honest with needs by staging events for the itself must admit its failure in the benefit of media coverage. Boko fairness and accuracy test. And Haram is a pressure group, which when the credibility of a news like its predecessors, the Odua medium is called to question, its Peoples Congress (OPC) in the content lacks fidelity and Yoruba southwest and the Niger believability. That, today, is the Delta militants in the Deep South burden of the Nigerian media, and region (I consider South-south a in varying degrees the global media. geographical absurdity) initially The media’s relationship with benefitted from saturation publicity government has been described as from a media that seem to have an uneasy dance, a subtle power developed a penchant for reporting tussle – the media’s power of public conflict, without putting such opinion in contention with reporting in perspective. Many of government’s coercive power. More us in the media suffer news framing often than not, the media get deficit in the reporting of Boko worsted. Even where the media Haram by labeling it a terrorist claimed victory in its battle with organization when OPC was just OPC government as it did with the and the violent ones from the Niger ousting of the military from power Delta were militants and their in 1999, it was only to get another leaders Warlords. So, maybe the set of rulers in power who were not media can begin a new labeling of Boko Haram either as the Northern media friendly.

The Bisibee Bisi Olawunmi

militia group, Islamic militants or Islamic fundamentalists since it is being in self denial to claim ignorance of its demands on the system. There is always a political under current to violent protests against the system, with some of the pressure groups employing anomic, terror tactics to draw state attention to their causes. This puts journalists in a dilemma. On the choice for the media when groups choose to apply terror tactics, Prof. Herbert Gans had noted : “journalists are put in a difficult position when terrorists groups or individuals commit crimes in order to draw attention to themselves or their demands from the larger audience.

Even so, a decision to ignore them is not only selective censorship but could lead to an escalation of terrorist acts, for terrorists might then commit crimes of a magnitude which no journalist could afford to ignore”..

Boko Haram’s targeting of the media is an unfortunate but predictable progression in an escalating war without borders.

Combatants want media to make a case for their cause and where the media does not oblige or is seen critical, it gets added to the enemy list. It may come as a surprise to many that even governments of countries which claim to be custodians of free press, the U.S. for example, target media houses to silence critical voices. In his book : Practising Global Journalism – exploring reporting issues worldwide, Prof. John Herbert

performance of the Presidents men and women at the town hall debate in Lagos organized by NPAN. There was the theatrical Sanisi Lamido, Governor of Central Bank, churning out frightening figures. Then I saw the matronly Minister of Finance, Ngozie Iweala displaying her unlimited knowledge about world economics. On the team also was Comrade Adams Oshiomole, displaying his oratorical skills; finally the Minister of Petroleum Dezaine Maduekwe who uses every opportunity to remind his listener about her years of service at Shell and how high up she went.

I just pitied Goodluck Jonathan.

Faced with this formidable team, the most informed and sagacious President could easily be misled.

Unfortunately, our President counts more on goodluck than on any other skills to propel his political career. They misled him into taking the decision on fuel subsidy and plunged the country into an avoidable strike that led to a number of deaths.

We should however be grateful to them to the extent that without the strike, there would not have been a probe at the House of Representatives. For the first time since Nigeria got into this oil business, we now know the names of the oil thieves. This is not to say anything will happen to them or the massive theft of our oil wealth will stop. Very soon, the heat about the Farouk report will peter out. Nigerians will just forget about it and to use the current phrase “move forward”.

Still, the good thing is that we now know the massive scammers that have turned this country into a big for nothing giant.

wrote about dangers facing journalism from those who do not want some stories published or feel offended by published reports critical of their actions. He cited the year 1999 during the war in Yugoslavia where 25 journalists and media workers were killed “of which 16 were victims of the NATO bombing of the Radio Television Serbia building in Belgrade in April” with the International Federation of Journalists describing the U.S.led NATO bombing as “misguided and reckless decision to target media”. The attack was because NATO nations considered the station’s broadcasts as critical of its actions.

Boko Haram is symptomatic of a politically and economically troubled polity, where values have been degraded. The dangers to the media in such violently contentious nation becomes grave. However, attacks can be mitigated with media’s strict adherence to professionalism by avoiding rabid partisan, sensationalism and demonstrating journalistic integrity. As pointed out in the report of the U.S. appointed Hutchins Commission on Freedom of the Press as far back as 1947, the media to achieve credibility and limit attacks on it must strive “for the ideals of truthfulness and fair play, identify fact as fact and opinion as opinion”.

These are dangerous times for the media worldwide, but particularly in near lawless countries like Nigeria, where journalists are coming under crossfire from various interest groups pushing their agendas as state policy.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

FCT rehabilitation centre: Repentant prostitutes to get curriculum

By Josephine Ella

T

he National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adults and Non-formal Education (NMEC), has said that it has commenced work on the development of a curriculum to standardise the activities of the Federal Capital Territory Rehabilitation Centre for repentant commercial sex workers in Sabon-Lugbe.

NMEC Director of Network,

Partnership and Mobilisation, Mr. Vincent Nemebioka, who made this known in Abuja, during a facility tour of the centre, said the activities of the centre are non-formal education which must be standardised.

He said the Commission would also help to certify the programmes run at the centre to meet international standard, lamenting that despite their laudable activities, such centres across the country have not been certified.

This development he further observed, has affected the acceptance of its graduates in the labour market.

He said that the commission was on a facility tour to see what the Society Against Prostitution and Child Labour in Nigeria(SAP-CLN), a nongovernmental organization (NGO), collaborating with the FCT administration in the arrest and rehabilitation of commercial sex workers, beggars, street hawkers and traders in the

territory, is doing.

“Our desire is to collaborate with genuine non-governmental organisations that are using nonformal education towards empowering people, creating skills and making them to get skills for job creation. We are sure that this NGO is doing very well.

“We went to the Jabi centre to see the infrastructure there.

We are pleased; over here what we have seen is amazing. For us if every state government is doing this, issues of social vices

and unemployment would be reduced drastically.

“This tour has given us the opportunity to see what they are doing and we have seen they do craft development. They do beads making, hair dressing and they are training them on how to acquire ICT skills. I commend the Social Development Secretariat of the FCTA for a continued interest they are showing in sustaining this programme”, he said.

Continuing, the director added: “Right now we intend to help them develop curriculum to help standardise their training scheme here and at the end of the day we intend to help them to certify their training programmes so that they will meet up international standard”. on his part, the National Coordinator of SAP-CLN, Mrs. Grace Adogo, whose NGO is managing the centre, disclosed that the centre in collaboration with the FCT administration has graduated and empowered over 600 persons in the last one year.

FCTA urges motorists to obey park and pay order

T

A local trader selling traditional herbs (Agbo) at Gudu market on Saturday.

Photo: Joe Oroye

FCTA to foot medical bills of ThisDay bombing victims

By Josephine Ella

T

he Federal Capital T e r r i t o r y Administration (FCTA), has offered to foot the medical bills of victims of the alleged suicide bombing at ThisDay Newspaper bureau in Jabi, Abuja.

This was disclosed by the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed at the weekend, when he visited the victims receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja.

Peoples Daily gathered that about nine victims of the bombing were on admission, receiving treatment at the hospital, following the various degrees of injury they sustained in the attack which claimed five lives, while others had been treated and discharged.

While commiserating with the victims, he wished them quick recovery, encouraging them not to lose hope, as he assured that the Federal Government and Nigerians were

solidly behind them in this period of momentary anguish.

He said the bombings and the security threats constitute a challenge against all Nigerians, urging members of the public to assist the security agencies with information so as to collectively rise to the challenge.

In order ensure quick recovery of the victims under treatment, he directed the medical personnel at the hospital to take adequate medical care of the victims.

The minister also assured that

the FCT Administration would continue to do its best to safeguard lives and property of citizens and non citizens alike in the country, as he pledged more support for the Police and other security agencies to enable them continue to discharge their functions effectively.

He had earlier visited ThisDay office at Jabi, shortly after the bombing on Thursday for an onthe-spot inspection of the level of damage, where he condemned the bombing.

he Federal Capital T e r r i t o r y Administration (FCTA), has advised motorists in Abuja to abide by the new park and pay order in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Managing Director of the Integrated Parking Services Limited (IPS), Alhaji Iliyasu Abdu, gave the advice over the weekend, while briefed newsmen in Abuja.

He said the initiative would beautify the city, guarantee security for well parked cars and also reduce car theft.

Abdu, said the FCTA initiative was aimed at generating and boosting the revenue base of the territory.

“The recent judgment in the case challenging the authority of FCTA on the issue has finally put to rest the legitimacy of the park and pay services.

“With the introduction of park and pay services, motorists in the affected areas are now experiencing free flow of traffic as the usually persistent holdups have disappeared,’’ Abdu said.

He said with the initiative, motorists were required to pay N50 for 30 minutes. (NAN)

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Tel: 09-2349080-98 Fax: 09-2349074

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- 080 33062496 - 08060568342 - 08057467369 - 08037209328

FCT HOTLINE AEPB 09 - 4603600-9

08065560315

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 17

Relocating to an unknown destination after Abuja Environmental Protection Agency (AEPA) demolished their houses at Basa village along Airport in Abuja, recently.

Street cleaner, along Area 11, Abuja

Labourers queuing to enter their bus after a working day, in Abuja, recently.

What can Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) do about the morning/evening Scavengers picking some valuables at a public refuse dump, in Karu, Abuja. trading on the streets of Wuse?

Photo: Mahmud Isa and Joe Oroye

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Operators to pay tax on telecom masts

By Josephine Ella

T

elecommunication companies operating in Abuja, have been directed to henceforth, pay levies to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for installing telecom masts anywhere, within the territory.

The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, made this revelation at the weekend, during the inauguration of the Ministerial Committee on Revenue Generation/ Collection, and the Regulation and Control of Outdoor Advertisement.

She said the influx of people into the city had put much strain on social amenities provided in the FCT, emphasising that the administration would not achieve much without generating more revenue.

“Therefore, we need to increase our IGR dramatically in order to be able to function and provide the amenities, services and infrastructure needed for the territory to function because what we are getting from the Federal Government is not enough, so we have to generate more revenue,” she added.

The minister averred that revenue collection should not be limited to advertising structures only, but telecommunication masts as well.

“If you have telecommunication mast, that means you are making money and you have the ability to pay, we are not targeting the ordinary Nigerian, we are not increasing their tax burden,” Akinjide said.

This was as she urged the committee to partner with the area councils of the FCT and the outdoor advertisers towards ensuring that the telecom operators comply with the resolution by paying a commensurate tax.

Among others, the terms of reference of the committee is to source for means of revenue generation, take steps to increase the revenue in the area councils and as well, work out modalities for private sector participation in revenue generation and collection.

Responding on behalf of the members, the committee chairman, Mr Alhassan Gwagwa harped on the need to control and regulate the activities of outdoor advertisers.

He assured the minister of the committee’s determination to deliver the mandate within the timeline given to them.

Buyers of second hand shoes testing for their size at Gudu market.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Second Islamic book exhibitions to hold in Abuja

By Lawrennce Olaoye

I

n order to promote reading culture in Nigeria, De Minaret International, is organising a four-day International Islamic Book Exhibition in Abuja.

A statement issued in Abuja by the Chief Executive officer of the group Malam Saheed Abdur-Rauf, said that the event will hold in Arewa Suite Hotel, Abuja between Saturday May 5 and May 8, 2012 from 9. am to 6 pm daily.

The four-day book

exhibition which has as its theme: “Islam: The Misunderstood Religion”, would be declared open with a lecture from Dr. Muhammed bn Uthman under the chairmanship of Dr. Aliyu Modibo, former FCT Minister.

The statement stated that Dr. Ibraheem Uthman, would on May 6, discuss “Towards Understanding Islam’’ with a key note Address from Prof.

Nuhu Yakubu, former Vice chancellor, Uniabuja.

The group stated that one other means it employs in promoting reading culture

was through exhibitions and book fair.

The De Minaret International is a nongovernmental literary organisation devoted to the promotion of reading culture among Muslims.

“With literary activities that spanned a decade, it has imported more than 85,000 titles of Islamic books published by worldwide publishers and make such books available to the reading Muslim public at highly subsidised cost’’, it said.

Abdur-Rauf, said the main

objective of the exhibition was to enlighten Muslims on the best way to imbibe a reading culture and remind them to keep reading in line with Islamic practice.

More than 65,000 titles of Islamic Books on Quranic exegesis, hadith collections, Islamic jurisprudence, biography, Economics and socio-political thoughts, children books will be on display from over 15 publishers across the world.

The maiden edition of the Islamic book exhibition took place in Abuja in 2011.

18 passengers injured in bus accident

N

o fewer than 18 people were injured on Saturday afternoon when a commercial bus lost control and crashed into a pole at the Abuja city gate, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The bus, an 18-seater with registration number XH 479 BEN lost control and rammed into a street light before somersaulting into drainage.

A NAN correspondent who

was at the scene of the incident reports that no life was lost.

A victim, Joy Michael, told NAN that the bus which left Wuse enroute Lugbe had 18 passengers including the driver who was on high speed at the time of the incident.

Michael said that the driver refused to reduce his speed in spite of several warnings from the passengers to slow down.

``I thank God nobody died, it was so terrible, we warned him on several occasions but he would not listen; he was trying to avoid another vehicle when he lost control.''

The quick arrival of officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) at the scene of the accident saved the situation as they evacuated the victims to the National Hospital, Abuja.

An official of the FRSC, Mr

Garba Abudullahi, said that the accident was as a result of over-speeding. ``We have always warned drivers to stop over-speeding and over-loading of passengers but they always prefer the money they will make to their lives and that of the passengers. ``Look at these tires. They are all second hand. These drivers are risking peoples’ lives.'' (NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Email: amunuimam@yahoo.co.uk

FAAC allocation for the month of April 2012 S/N BENEFICIARIES SUB-TOTAL (N) 1

FG (52.68%) States (26.72%) L/govt Councils (20.72%) Derivation (13% of Mineral revenue-oil/gas) Value Added Tax (VAT) & Transfers

N13.81tr tax revenue collected in four years - FIRS

By Muhammad Nasir with agency report

T

he Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) collected N13.81 trillion as tax from 2008 to March, the Acting Chairman, Alhaji Kabir Mashi said in Asaba on Thursday.

Mashi, who gave the information at a field operations Group Regional Management meeting, said the agency collected N2.97 trillion revenue as against a target of N2.27 trillion given to it by the Federal Government during the period.

He said that in 2009, while the agency had a target of N1.91 trillion, it realised N2.20 trillion and in 2010, it generated N2.84 trillion, about N33 billion more

than the N2.51 trillion projected for the year.

Mashi said that the agency recorded a huge performance in 2011 with N4.63 trillion against a target of N3.63 trillion for the year.

“In the first quarter of 2012, our quarterly target from government is N909 billion and the service collected N1.17 trillion during the period,’’ he said.

Mashi said that the 2012 first quarter performance was an improvement of about 29 per cent over the N955 billion collected in the corresponding period in 2011, adding that Petroleum Profit Tax contributed 72 per cent of the total collection.

INSIDE - Pg 20 UBA forecasts N16 billion profit before tax

Mob: 08033644990

Inefficient power cost Nigeria 3% of GDP, says BPE D-G

By Aminu Imam

613.697 billion

PAGE 19

L

ack of power and inefficient power now cost Nigeria three per cent GDP growth per annum, according to the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Ms. Bolanle Onagoruwa. She made the observation at a Breakfast Session of the American Business Council which was held recently in Lagos.

In her presentation titled “Investment Opportunities and Current Status of Privatisation in the Power Sector,” she warned that the country cannot allow power outages to stifle economic growth.

Onagoruwa explained that economic growth is needed to finance new and expanded capacity in the power sector. Said she: “We need to choose technologies that are proven, reliable and that will be cost effective.”

She noted that the on-going reform in the Nigerian power sector is designed to attract major private sector investments. “While

acquisition costs for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies may be equity based, investors will require access to long term financing in order to refinance to raise funds for further investments; invest in major rehabilitation; and capital for the greenfield IPPs (Independent Power Plants),” she said.

According to her, Nigeria’s power sector investment requirement in the next 36 months for both for acquisition and capital investments is between $15 and $20 billion.

Onagoruwa stated that developing countries like Nigeria cannot continue to rely on global multinational and bilateral institutions to finance their power infrastructure. She added that new and replacement generation capacity will need to be financed by both domestic and international financial markets.

On the core investor sale method adopted for the privatisation of the distribution companies, she said the bidding

parameters will primarily be based on “the use of quality of service/ efficiency parameters considered against investment proposals made by bidders aimed at reducing Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses over an agreed time frame.”

CBN sells N141bn in T-bills

R

esults of the auction by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) showed sold a total of 140.61 billion naira ($893.33 million) in treasury bills ranging from three months to one year, with yields fell across the board after a heavy subscription by local and offshore investors.

The CBN sold N34.88 billion worth of the 3-month bond at a return of 13.84 percent, lower than the 14.0 percent same tenor paper was issued at the previous auction, while it sold N45 billion of the 6-month bills at 14.59 percent, compared with 14.94 percent at the previous auction.

Flight schedule AIR NIGERIA (MONDAY - SUNDAY) LOS-A BJ: 07.15, 11.40, 14.00, 16.30, 17.00, 17.20, 18.30.

ABJ-LOS: 07.00, 09.30, 10.30, 11.15, 16.15, 19.15, 19.35 ABJ-KANO: 18.40 KANO-ABJ: 08.35 ABJ -SOK (MON): 09.35 ABJ-SOK (FRI): 10.10 ABJ-SOK (WED/SUN): 11.20 SOK-ABJ (MON): 11.35 SOK-ABJ (FRI): 12.00 SOK-ABJ (WED/SUN): 13.20

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

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

L-R: Divisional Head, Recoveries & Remedial Management, UBA, Mrs. Onome David-West, being decorated with the special lapel pin as a Most Valuable Performer (MVP) by the Executive Director, South, UBA, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, during the recognition ceremony organised by the bank to recognize and appreciate its top performers recently.

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

IRS AIRLINES LOS -ABJ: 9.45, 11.45, 2.45

EXCHANGE RATES

CBN CFA • £ RIYAL $

LOS-KANO: 6.15 LOS-KANO (SAT/SUN): 16.30 KANO-LOS: 07.30 KANO-LOS (SUN/SUN): 10.30

SELLING 0.3126 206.0028 252.6355 41.5011 155.65

PARALLEL RATES

ABJ-LOS: 11.30, 3.45, 4.45

£ RIYAL $

Management Tip of the Day

27th Apr, 2012 BUYING 0.2926 204.6793 251.0124 41.2345 154.65

BUYING 243 43 154

SELLING 257 45 159

Introverts: Network in your own way

N

etworking is essential to thriving in business. But if you're an introvert with a natural aversion to groups and talking with strangers, what can you do? Try these things: “Focus on individuals.

Group interactions can drain

introverts.

Spend your networking time having one-onone conversations.

“Rethink how you reach out. Introverts often hesitate to introduce themselves, but social media makes it easier.

Reach out via LinkedIn, Twitter, and even Facebook to

people before events. This preintroduction may put you at ease. “ Re-energize. Take time between networking events to recharge. Take a walk or find 30 minutes alone.

Source: Harvard Business Review

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS

CBN, Bauchi disburse N1bn to farmers

B

auchi state government in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has disbursed the sum of N1 billion as loan to assist farmers in the state as part of efforts to boost food production.

May and Baker strengthens production capacity in Nigeria

M

ay and Baker Plc has assured stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector that the company now has the capacity to produce over six billion tablets and 53 million bottles of liquid preparations yearly at its newly manufacturing facility at Otta, Ogun state.

Govt to assist airlines access fund’s at single digit rate

T

he Federal Government is believed to be in consultations with Nigerian banks for a liberal credit facility for aviation sector, where some airlines are already in distress.

First Bank hosts Nigerian petroleum professionals in Diaspora

F

irst Bank of Nigeria Plc is e t to host a forum of Nigerian petroleum professionals abroad in line with its commitment to promoting platforms targeted at outlining growth initiatives for various sectors of the economy.

The forum which holds from May 1-2, 2012 in Houston, Texas is jointly organized by the Association of Nigerian Petroleum Professionals Abroad s

(ANPPA) and Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) as one of the highlights of the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2012.

Amongst other important issues, the forum will focus on the following themes: “Leveraging Nigerian Content for greater opportunities in the offshore sector” and “Emerging Oil and Gas Development Opportunities for Marginal Operators,

Diamond Bank spends N147.1bn on SMEs development in Niger Delta

A

lex Otti, the Managing Director of Diamond Bank, says the bank has spent N147.12 billion on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and infrastructural development in the Niger Delta area.

Otti disclosed this, on Friday, during a discussion on “Unlocking Investment Funds for SMEs Development/Targeting Private Equity for Development’’ at the South-South Economic Summit in Asaba.

He said that the bank had spent N64 billion in supporting the development of micro and medium businesses in the area.

Besides, Otti said that the bank received 20 million U.S. dollars (about N3 billion) from its international associates, which was used as credit facilities to small-scale enterprises in the

area.

He also said that N80 billion was given to states pursuing Independent Power Plant (IPP) projects, adding, however, that two of such projects were located in Lagos State, while one was in Akwa Ibom.

“We have also given credit facilities to 50,000 shoemakers in Aba,’’ Otti said.

He pledged the bank would continue to support the growth of small and medium scale enterprises.In her contribution, Ms Evelyn Oputu, Managing Director of Bank of Industry, said that the bank had encouraged the development of many businesses in the area.

She said that the bank was collaborating with states in the South-South geopolitical zone to fast-track the region’s

Hike in food prices jerks up Nigeria’s inflation to 12.1 per cent

T

he inflation control mechanism of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is believed to have failed, as the country’s inflationary trend continues on the increase in March.

EFCC arraigns four illegal refinery operators, two bankers

T

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it arraigned four operators of illegal refinery before Justice E. S. Chukwu of the Federal High Court Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

FG partners Zamfara on Jatropha production

T

he Federal Government has expressed interest in partnering with the Zamfara Government and a leading oil company on the cultivation of Jatropha on 10,000 hectares of land.

Inflation rates from Apr, 2011 to Mar, 2012 Max = 12.6%, Min = 9.3% for period in display.

Current Inflation rate = 12.1% Source:CBN

Opportunities for small and large scale business ventures in the Nigerian Domestic Gas Market”.

Describing the Bank’s involvement with the forum as a thought leadership initiative, FirstBank’s Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Mr. Kehinde Lawanson said the event would throw up meaningful strategies for maximizing the potentials that abound in the sector.

According to him, the aspect industrialisation, adding that emphasis was placed on the provision of infrastructure so as to engender investments in the area.

Oputu urged the states in the region to strive to cultivate the goodwill and trust of potential investors, pledging the bank’s readiness to finance ventures and encourage manufacturers.

Interbank rates ease on budget cash flow

N

igeria’s interbank lending rates eased sharply this week to an average of 11.83 percent, from 14.50 percent after market liquidity was buoyed by the disbursement of a portion of the March budgetary allocation to government agencies.

About 300.86 billion naira ($1.91 billion) in the March budgetary allocation to the three tier of government - federal, state and local - hit the system on Thursday, boosting liquidity in the system and sinking the cost of funds among banks.

Nigeria, Africa’s second biggest economy, distributes revenue from oil exports from centrally held accounts to its layers of government each month, providing the banking sector liquidity for their operations.

Dealers said market open with a cash balance of about 331.81 billion on Friday, compared with a 2.89 billion naira negative balance last week.

“The posting of budgetary allocations on Thursday helped eased cost of funds among banks,” one dealer said.

Earnings Report for Banks Source:Pro-share Nigeria

that highlights opportunities for small and large scale business ventures in the nation’s gas market would enhance local capacity building and foster collaborations for expansion through partnerships with offshore organisations. “As a leading player in infrastructure financing in Oil and Gas sector, FirstBank remains committed to driving far-reaching entrepreneurial and capacity building activities through support for players and regulatory authorities in the sector,” he said.

Lawanson said the communiqué and partnerships expected from the forum would deepen professionalism, expertise and capacity development in the sector in Nigeria. “The ANPPA - PETAN OTC 2012 Forum will address local and global issues and identify ways of positioning Nigeria to play a frontline role in the sector’s competitiveness regionally and globally.

FirstBank is particularly proud to be sponsors of this year’s edition,” he said.

First Bank has over the year remained a major player in infrastructure financing in the oil and gas sector.

ANPPA, a non-profit organisation with headquarters in Houston, Texas, USA, grew out of the informal luncheon gatherings of petroleum professionals of Nigerian descent at the Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (SPE ATCE) between 1999 and 2001.

UBA forecasts N16 billion profit before tax From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

T

he United Bank for Africa (UBA) has projected a profit before tax of N16 billion for the second quarter of this year.

The bank which said it is optimistic to meet up with the said target, noted that it is introducing a lot of efficiency into its operations as a way of boosting its activities.

Disclosing this during the company's presentation of facts behind the figures at the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Friday, the bank's Group Managing Director, Mr. Philips Oduoza noted that the bank will not only continue to introduce efficiency that will facilitate growth in the bank but will continue to t manage cost in such a way that will add value to the bank's esteemed shareholders.

As the best agric finance institution in the country, he pointed out that the bank will continue to be involved in agric lending as part of the strategies initiated to enhance its growth adding that agric banking constitutes seven per cent of the company's total net portfolio.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

NSE index records +1.62% gain in the week

T

rading activities on the Nigerian bourse closed positive for the second consecutive week as profitable transactions dominated market activities in most trading days of the week while NSE Index crossed the 22,000 psychological line as bargain activities significantly outweighed sell pressure.

Furthermore, the key benchmark indices sustained uptrend by +0.10% to open the first trading day of the week optimistic as blue chips stocks lift the market indicators further while the second also closed in the positive territory by +0.53% as the bulls continue to dominate market activities to further the rally.

Bargain activities continued to outweigh sell pressure in the third session as NSE ASI firms up by +0.34% to maintain northwards movement as market YTD performance stands at +5.96% while similar outlook was also recorded on Thursday with NSE Index recording +0.64% gain to close the fourth session also northwards.

Conversely, trading activities on Friday closed in the red zone as sentiments turned negative. Consequently, the key benchmark indices dips marginally by -0.001% while market closed the week with aggregate gain of +1.62%.

Further analysis on acquiring banks since

transaction date showed that the share price of Access Bank Plc has recorded 17.78% gain, followed by FCMB with 34.10% gain while Union Bank Plc leads the chart with 93.78% gain.

However, Sterling Bank recorded -5.51% loss while ETI closed positive with +1.11% gain recorded.

However, the All-Share Index in the week under review moved up by +1.62% to close at 22,109.44 as against an upbeat by +4.89% recorded last week to close at 21,756.50.

In the same vein, the market capitalization in the week appreciated by N112.55 billion (US$750.37 million) to close at N7.05 trillion (US$46.99billion) as against

appreciation by N322.96 billion (US$2.15 billion) recorded last week to close at N6.93 trillion (US$ 46.24billion).

The total volume traded in the week closed at 1.96 billion units valued at N17.23billion (US$114.87 million) compared with 2.04 billion units valued at N15.73 billion (US$104.87 million) exchanged in 19,783 deals last week. The volume transaction in the week when compared with the previous week data moved down by 4.24% as against upwards movement by +27.81% recorded last week. Weekly value also went up by +9.54% as against positive position of +69.81% recorded last week.

... to create options market before 2014

A

s part of its product development plans, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is working on launching more products in the medium term.

Specifically, by 2013/ 2014, the NSE says it plans to create an Options Market that will trade stock options, bond options and index options. This would be followed by a futures market in 2016 that will comprise currency futures and interest rate.

Oscar Onyema, CEO, NSE, disclosed this Tuesday at the official signing of the contract between the NSE and NASDAQ

OMX. Onyema said apart from targeting a significant increase in the number of listed companies, “we also want to ensure vibrant trading of those securities and expand our product offering. As part of the strategic transformation of The Exchange we set out last year to launch five products in five years and in December 2011, we launched the first Exchange Traded Fund in West Africa: the ABSA NewGold Exchange Traded Fund.”

Speaking on efforts to boost market liquidity, the NSE CEO noted the essence of recently

Fitch affirms Ecobank Transnational Inc’s ratings

F

itch Ratings has affirmed and simultaneously removed from Rating Watch Negative (RWN) Ecobank Transnational Inc’s (ETI) Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B-’ and Viability Rating (VR) at ‘b-’. The Outlook is Stable. A list of rating actions is at the end of this release.

ETI’s Long-term IDR and VR were placed on RWN following the acquisition of the Nigerian failed bank Oceanic Bank (Oceanic) in August 2011 and reflected Fitch’s concerns on the impact of the transaction on ETI’s capitalisation and asset quality.

Following the

publication of ETI’s 2011 consolidated financial statements, including detailed asset quality data, and the public announcement of the forthcoming USD250m capital increase, it is Fitch’s view that ETI’s financials and risk are commensurate with a ‘B-’ Longterm rating.

The fresh capital will be provided by Public Investment Company (PIC) of South Africa, wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance of South Africa, serving as principal asset management company for the public sector of the Republic of South Africa.

(Source: Reuters)

unveiled 10 Market Makers into the Nigerian capital market.

“This was another milestone in the history of our Exchange.

With this in place, we will soon start short selling and securities lending to further increase efficiency and liquidity in the market by making available securities where they are needed. These initiatives are a vital part of increasing the vibrancy, depth and competitiveness of the market,” the CEO added.

“We have also put in place rules to allow companies to repurchase outstanding shares through a share buy-back process. This would facilitate the repurchase by a company of a portion of its outstanding issued shares. The aim is to improve shareholder value; meaning companies that feel their share

prices are undervalued may engage in share buy-back to shore up the prices while also reorganising their capital structures,” Onyema said.

Stakeholders in the market are cognizant of the fact that a robust and efficient trading platform is the fulcrum upon which all these progressive initiatives of NSE rotate.

The new platform (NASDAQ X-Stream) will enable the NSE have the fastest trading engine in Africa and investors, the stockbrokers will have real-time access to market prices, their portfolios and be enabled to execute market orders in near real-time from anywhere and on a wide range of devices including smartphones. The new system will also improve transparency and provide efficient price discovery in the market, among other benefits.

Skye Bank raises N1.6bn in bonds

S

kye Bank has raised $100 million (about N1.6 billion) in debt from a multilateral institution at a floating coupon rate of 6.3 percent for sevenyears to boost its capital, its chief executive, Kehinde DurosinmiEtti said on Thursday.

“It will add about two percent to our capital adequacy ratio,”

he said, during an investor briefing, commenting on its currently capital adequacy level of 17.5 percent.

A number of Nigerian banks — First Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Diamond Bank have indicated interest to raise bonds from the international market this year. (Reuters)

INVESTORS NEWS BEAT

Mixed feelings trail equities as funds inflow supports bullish sentiments

L

ast week, the stock market will experience a mix of profit-taking given last week’s surge in prices and bargain hunting as investors react to recently released attractive results.

Associated Bus Company Plc announces change of name

T

he Associated Bus Company has notified the Nigerian Stock Exchange of its change of name from Associated Bus Company Plc. to ABC Transport Plc. This is pursuant to the special resolution passed at the company’s Annual General Meeting held on 12th August 2011 and the subsequent filing of the change of the company’s name with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Investors moan as bank bears, poor performance persist

D

espite the fact that investors in the financial services subsector are now biting their fingers and sighing heavy sighs, they are also at a loss to explain the business wisdom in investing their hard earned resources in a sector that has persistently posted poor results, paid little or no dividends and paraded bears that has dragged market down.

Capital market probe: Issues yet to be addressed by the committee

T Source:Pro-share Nigeria

he issues and malpractices that characterised the market before 2009 and led to the collapse of the Nigerian capital market is yet to be raised and addressed by any of the stakeholders that have spoken in the on-going probe by the House of Representative ad- hoc committee on the capital market.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 22

Jonathan extols Dangote at Kaduna Trade Fair

By Aminu Imam

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend commended the Dangote Group for its sponsorship of the 33rdedition of the Kaduna International Trade Fair.

The Dangote Group is the major sponsor and partner of the fair which was declared opened by the President.

Speaking through his representative, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna state, the president said Dangote Group, Unity Bank and others who are partnering with the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture

(KADCIMMA) have shown sincerity in gingering economic activities in the country.

He described the Kaduna Trade Fair as one of Africa’s most famous one, urging participants to maximize the comparative economic advantage of the state and Nigeria at large. These, he said, included agriculture and Tourism.

He also urged foreign participants to partner Nigeria’s Organised Private Sector and invest in Nigeria.

He said his administration is committed to wooing foreign investors.

Meanwhile, participants who thronged the Dangote pavilion

said they were thrilled by the branding and several innovative products of the Dangote Group.

In the same vein, the Director-General of the KADCIMMA, Malam Usman G. Saulawa said the Dangote Industries Limited has been a reliable partner since 1980s.

He said the trade fair opened successfully with participants thronging various pavilions.

President of KACCIMA, Alhaji Umar Yahaya said the trade fair is aimed at attracting investors into the Nigerian economy, strengthen local industries and facilitate interaction between local and

foreign investors.

He said some of the participating countries include: Thailand, Malaysia, Poland, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Mali, Chad, Egypt, Niger, Senegal and several other countries.

Present at the opening ceremony included the wife of the vice president, ministers, wife of the deputy governor and several other investors and dignitaries.

The fair with the theme: Reawakening Nigerian Enterprises through Global Competitiveness is billed to last for ten days.

It would be recalled that the Dangote Industries was the major partner in the 32nd edition of the Kano International Trade Fair.

Volume of trade between Nigeria, India worth N2.6tr in 2011 –Envoy

T

he India High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Mahesh Sachdev on Thursday in Abuja put the volume of trade between the two countries in 2011 at 16.4 billion dollars (about N2.624 trillion).

Sachdev disclosed this at the opening of the 2nd Science Communication Conference of the Nigeria Association of Science Journalists (NASJ) in Abuja.

He said India was Nigeria’s 2nd largest trading partner in 2011 and its largest investor in 2010, having invested five billion dollars that year.

Sachdev urged NASJ to improve on the quality of science reporting, which he said depended on facts.

Also speaking, Mr Onche Odeh, the President NASJ, said that as a professionally responsible body, the desire of NASJ was to use science journalism to bridge the gap between science, scientists and the public.

“Our intention is to promote the role of the science journalists as key players in civil society and democracy by improving on how science is reported.’’ (NAN)

Kano to get 44 micro finance banks

A L-R: Wife of Vice-President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, a member, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mrs Awotu Iyasere, wife of Kaduna state governor, Mrs Amina Yakowa, the state governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, and President, Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mine and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), Malam Umar Yahaya, during the opening ceremony of 33rd Kaduna International Trade Fair, at the weekend in Kaduna.

Photo: NAN

FG plans to privatise supply of pipe-borne water

T

he Ministry of Water Resources says it has concluded plans to privatise supply of pipe-borne water in public taps to ensure adequate supply to homes and offices.

The Minister for Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, made this known at the ministerial platform organised to commemorate the 2012 National Democracy Day in Abuja recently.

Ochekpe said that it became necessary because the water supply from the water board was not sufficient for the citizens.

She also said that it was not generating revenue for the government.

“Government will not be bringing back the public water taps because it does not promote revenue generation for the country; it does not promote water efficiency management.

“It also leads to a lot of wastages. I believe that through the various water reforms being put in place that something better will be initiated and brought in for the good of the public,” she said.

She also said, as part of plans to boost food security in the country, 57 irrigation projects covering 36 states of the federation and the FCT had been approved.

Ochekpe added that the project with irrigation potential of 316,000 hectares had been endorsed by the National Economic Council.

The minister said that the ministry had projected the execution of additional irrigation in the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDA) to boost food production in the country in the 2012.

She said that RBDA are: Anambra-Imo, Benin-Owena, Chad Basin Development

Authority, Cross River, Hadejia Jama’are, Lower Benue, Lower Niger, and Niger Delta.

The others include: OgunOshun,Upper Niger, Upper Benue, and Sokoto Rima, which had 21,250 hectares as the additional irrigation hectares.

Ochekpe said seven hydrometric monitoring stations with data logger equipment had been completed in six hydrological areas and also instrumentation of 11 monitoring wells had been completed.

She noted that the programme for Flood Control and Early Warning System (FEWS) capacity building had been developed.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FEWS is equipment used to detect the flood prone areas early and ways to tackle it.

She said the Federal

Government had provided five million dollars to support the studies of water transfer from Oubangi River in Central Africa to Lake Chad for sustainable development.

“Nigeria provided five million dollars to support the studies of water transfer from Oubangi River in Central Africa to Lake Chad for sustainable development. “ Ochekpe, however, identified budget implementation cycles, releases, closure and return of unutilised fund to treasury, untimely release of funds as challenges facing the water sector.

“The budget implementation cycles and releases do not favour the water sector because most of the projects are executed during the dry season and has longer gestation period than one budget cycle. (NAN)

consulting firm, KUDITECH Investment Limited, is seeking partnership with the Kano state government to establish microfinance banks in each of the 44 local government areas of the state.

The Chairman of the company, Prof. Pedro Alimi, disclosed this on Thursday in Kano when he paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Abdullahi Mahmoud.

He said the banks would provide opportunity for the rural communities to access loans to improve their social and economic wellbeing.

“The banks will provide loan facilities to small and medium scale businessmen and women and this will go a long way in enhancing economic growth in the rural areas,” he said.

He said that the proposed banks would also provide job opportunities to unemployed people in the rural areas.

“Each branch of the banks can employ between 20 and 25 persons when they start operation’, he said.

Responding, the commissioner said the government was prepared to work with the company to ensure the take off of the banks.

Mahmoud commended the company for initiating various programmes aimed at empowering the rural populace.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 23

Report as at Friday, April 27, 2012 Security

Price

Change

Price Open High Low Trades

Volume

Value

Security

Price

Close

Change

Price Open High Low Trades

Volume

Value

5.68

13

226,071.00

1,292,377.72

2

7,679.00

3,839.50

Close

7UP

41.75

41.75 +

17

35,500.00

1,496,053.48

INTBREW

5.90

ABCTRANS

0.50

0.50

+

3

10,000.00

5,000.00

INTENEGINS

0.50

ACADEMY

2.09

2.09

+

2

12,294.00

24,465.06

JAPAULOIL

0.69

0.69

0.72

ACCESS

6.20

6.51

+

238 26,032,790.00 167,531,749.51

JBERGER

30.52

29.00

AFROMEDIA

0.50

0.50

+

1

500.00

250.00

LASACO

0.50

0.50

AGLEVENT

1.32

1.32

+

9

228,117.00

312,275.94

LINKASSURE

0.50

AIICO

0.50

0.50

+

63

1,145,300.00 572,650.00

LIVESTOCK

0.95

AIRSERVICE

1.85

1.85

+

8

20,014.00

36,553.77

LONGMAN

3.09

ASHAKACEM

10.55

10.50

10.80

10.50

10.80 +

0.25

33

390,079.00

4,125,098.72

MAYBAKER

2.22

BAGCO

1.56

1.58

1.61

1.58

1.61

+

0.05

37

1,514,100.00

2,417,699.25

MOBIL

139.65

BERGER

8.00

8.39

8.39

8.39

8.39

+

0.39

17

87,316.00

720,193.00

NAHCO

7.50

7.28

7.60

7.28

7.60

+

BETAGLAS

12.71

12.71

+

2

6,000.00

72,480.00

NASCON

4.06

4.14

4.20

4.14

4.20

+

BOCGAS

6.50

6.50

+

3

6,000.00

37,151.00

NB

98.00

98.00

98.00

98.00 98.00 +

CADBURY

10.85

38

236,347.00

2,577,859.47

NEIMETH

0.80

CAP

16.00

16.00 +

21

105,601.00

1,719,607.18

NEM

0.50

CAPOIL

0.50

0.50

+

2

4,952.00

2,476.00

NESTLE

CCNN

5.07

5.07

+

13

84,241.00

428,428.37

CHEVRON

39.17

39.17 +

2

6,554.00

243,939.88

CILEASING

0.50

0.50

7

531,982.00

265,991.00

CONOIL

25.72

24

80,665.00

2,088,146.31

CONTINSURE

0.92

6

CORNERST

6.20

0.50

11.00

0.50

6.51

0.50

11.00

0.50

6.20

0.50

11.00

0.50

11.00 +

0.31

0.15

+

25.72 + 0.88

0.88

0.88

0.04

5.68

0.92 2.32

5.68

-

0.50

+

0.69

0.72

+

0.03

37

1,614,471.00

1,138,945.44

29.00

29.00

29.00 -

1.52

6

111,979.00

3,247,391.00

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

3

60,000.00

30,000.00

0.50

+

2

4,952.00

2,476.00

0.96

+

14

789,614.00

735,928.68

3.09

+

1

50.00

150.00

2.32

+

30

374,976.00

846,571.41

3

2,320.00

307,794.40

0.10

30

306,727.00

2,281,425.88

0.14

19

245,750.00

1,019,460.00

117

16,452,146.00 1,612,218,092.19

0.96 2.32

5.68

0.92 2.32

0.22

0.01 0.10

139.65 +

0.80

+

10

136,400.00

106,668.00

0.50

+

5

503,000.00

251,500.00

462.37

462.37 +

57

164,169.00

72,118,633.62

NIGERINS

0.50

0.50

4

35,050.00

17,525.00

OANDO

22.67

91

1,681,380.00 38,788,341.08

OASISINS

0.50

0.50

+

2

40,000.00

20,000.00

OKOMUOIL

24.20

24.20 +

5

41,000.00

1,041,810.00

1,000,000.00 880,000.00

PAINTCOM

0.78

4

500,000.00

405,000.00

0.88

-

0.50

0.50

+

3

44,902.00

22,451.00

PREMBREW

COURTVILLE

0.50

0.50

+

1

10,000.00

5,000.00

CUSTODYINS

1.59

1.59

+

7

694,500.00

1,103,070.00

CUTIX

1.58

1.58

+

1

30,000.00

45,300.00

DAARCOMM

0.50

0.50

+

15

75,000.00

DANGCEM

114.50

113.84

113.84 113.84 113.84 -

0.66

28

DANGFLOUR

4.99

5.02

5.02

5.00

5.00

+

0.01

DANGSUGAR

3.90

3.94

3.94

3.90

3.93

+

0.03

DIAMONDBNK

2.50

2.41

2.50

2.40

2.50

DNMEYER

0.85

0.85

0.85

0.85

ETERNAOIL

3.75

ETI

11.00

EVANSMED

0.52

FCMB

4.06

4.10

4.26

FIDELITYBK

1.50

1.45

FIDSON

0.85

FIRSTBANK

10.46

FLOURMILL

58.00

FO

0.50

23.00

23.70

+

23.00 23.70 +

0.89

0.89

+

1

12,766.00

10,851.10

PREMPAINTS

10.93

10.93 +

1

300.00

3,117.00

PRESCO

10.28

35

793,167.00

8,533,288.43

PRESTIGE

0.61

1

5,600.00

3,584.00

37,500.00

PZ

24.50

31

278,415.00

6,960,603.05

277,213.00

31,595,383.32

REDSTAREX

2.38

2.38

+

7

58,150.00

134,977.00

138

843,245.00

4,225,257.20

RESORTSAL

0.50

0.50

+

1

4,902.00

2,451.00

88

6,253,284.00 24,570,936.25

ROYALEX

0.50

0.50

+

2

10,167.00

5,083.50

+

30

2,939,950.00 7,188,699.97

RTBRISCOE

1.17

1.17

+

7

22,447.00

26,073.25

0.85

+

8

103,000.00

87,550.00

SKYEBANK

4.14

4.14

+

70

2,643,037.00 10,856,597.72

3.75

+

5

33,808.00

125,486.24

STACO

0.50

0.50

+

3

11,000.00

5,500.00

11.00 +

42

1,267,495.00 13,783,401.38

STARCOMMS

0.50

0.50

+

1

4,902.00

2,451.00

0.52

+

7

90,150.00

STDINSURE

0.50

0.50

+

1

10,000.00

5,000.00

4.10

4.26

+

0.20

79

5,992,852.00 25,167,441.67

STERLNBANK

1.23

1.19

-

60

42,513,812.00 53,456,827.99

1.46

1.43

1.44

-

0.06

53

5,313,639.00 7,665,826.69

TOTAL

162.91

162.91 +

14

13,664.00

2,114,777.28

0.89

0.89

0.89

0.89

+

0.04

12

545,638.00

TOURIST

4.32

4.32

+

3

448.00

1,841.28

10.65

10.98

10.65

10.98 +

0.52

442 16,385,860.00 179,682,466.64

TRANSCORP

0.56

0.55

-

47

5,372,333.00 2,983,555.32

58.00 +

30

100,487.00

5,692,244.39

UAC-PROP

10.50

11

12,617.00

133,504.86

11.00

11.00 +

22

41,670.00

441,813.57

UACN

33.19

34.55

34.55

34.50

34.50 +

1.31

88

985,481.00

33,873,021.16

FTNCOCOA

0.50

0.50

1

4,902.00

2,451.00

UBA

2.75

2.86

2.86

2.72

2.79

+

0.04

191

11,370,133.00 31,491,247.02

GLAXOSMITH

20.50

7

127,560.00

2,598,526.20

UBN

3.85

3.66

3.66

3.66

3.66

-

0.19

17

164,628.00

602,538.48

GNI

0.50

0.50

+

1

4,902.00

2,451.00

UNILEVER

31.00

65

574,750.00

17,866,080.95

GOLDINSURE

0.60

0.60

+

3

49,945.00

28,968.10

UNITYBNK

0.50

0.51

0.52

0.50

0.52

+

20

1,353,094.00 679,886.98

GTASSURE

1.23

1.22

1.22

1.22

1.22

-

0.01

3

102,400.00

124,952.00

UNIVINSURE

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

+

2

1,000,000.00 500,000.00

GUARANTY

14.15

14.15

14.55

14.15

14.52 +

0.37

345 16,823,991.00 243,736,266.41

UPL

3.45

3.45

+

3

11,241.00

37,045.30

GUINEAINS

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

0.50

1

210,000.00

UTC

0.50

0.50

+

1

2,000.00

1,000.00

GUINNESS

231.00

220.00

239.00 220.00 238.00 +

95

1,336,479.00 309,391,095.01

VITAFOAM

3.25

3.25

+

15

136,863.00

446,620.61

HMARKINS

0.50

0.50

0.50

34

550,500.00

23,048,128.50

HONYFLOUR

2.15

IBTC

7.40

7.18

7.46

IKEJAHOTEL

1.33

1.27

1.27

10.85

20.21

11.00

20.21

1.59

10.85

20.21

0.50

+

20.21 -

0.29

+ 7.00

46,878.00

484,041.09

105,000.00

10.78 25.00

4.11

1.17

0.56

10.79 25.00

4.14

1.27

0.57

0.81

1.03

+

1.59

0.81

0.50

0.81

1.59

0.81

0.50

10.71 25.00

4.06

1.17

0.55

10.71

+

0.61

+

25.00 +

0.03

0.43 0.50

0.04

0.01

10.50 +

31.00 + 0.02

0.50

+

1

100,000.00

50,000.00

WAPCO

40.00

42.00

42.00

42.00

42.00 +

2.15

+

10

110,648.00

238,313.20

WAPIC

0.50

0.50

0.52

0.50

0.50

+

6

5,080,409.00 2,546,204.50

7.18

7.40

+

21

572,838.00

4,220,488.62

WEMABANK

0.51

0.51

0.51

0.50

0.51

+

22

1,374,206.00 698,565.53

1.27

1.27

-

17

249,127.00

318,113.97

ZENITHBANK

13.00

13.17

13.45

13.01

13.40 +

0.06

2.00

0.40

369 18,052,470.00 239,083,816.46

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

How Kano hosted Qadirawa’s 61st Waliyyai Festival

By Sulaiman Muhammad Ayagi

I

n an unprecedented display of Islam as a religion of “peace;” there is no occasion, in spite of the fragile security situation in Nigeria, nay northern part of the country where the true meaning of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) message to mankind was demonstrated than penultimate edition of the annual Maukibi celebration commonly known as “Waliyyai festival” by millions of adherents of Qadiriyya Sect in Nigeria, neighboring African countries and far middle east.

This is against the backdrop of incessant sectarian crisis occasioned with the emergence of bombing of public institutions – notably, security agencies and their apparatus in some parts of the country, a development that instilled fear in public minds and ultimately holding of the 61 st Waliyyai festival in the ancient city of Kano.

Keen and regular observers of the festival might have noticed slight adjustment of its traditional date. This may not be unconnected with the Sect’s leadership thorough but careful study of the security situation in the hosting state, Kano and Nigeria in general.

However, Nigeria’s Amirul AlAnsar as recently conferred on the revered leader of the Sect in Africa, Sheikh (Dr.) Qaribullahi Sheikh Nasiru Kabara may not fixed better date than last weekend, a divine decision guided by spirited recitation of “Hasbunallah Wa Ni’imal Wakil” which the author learnt herald continued but total submission of the sect followers to Allah’s wishes, guidance and protection during and post occasion.

The 2012 event took place on Saturday, 31st March, 2012 with slight changes against the traditional routes and/or areas usually passed by the spiritual head of Qadiriyya in Africa, Sheikh (Dr.) Qaribullahi Mallam Kabara.

Considering the location of the traditional venue, Filin Waliyyai, and other adjoining localities of Kano, this year’s procession was performed in a reverse order in swift response to change of the venue where majority of Qadiriyya sect followers trouped out in observance of the annual event.

However, this did not in anyway alter numerous Schools and Mosques contingents from trooping to the new venue which posterity repeated it to hold at the famous DARUL QADIRIYYA in Kabara quarters. A cursory look of the past reminds one that the Sect’s late leader, Maulana Amirul Jaishi, Al-Sheikh (Dr.) Nasiru Kabara celebrated Waliyyai at Darul Qadiriyya

Leader of Qadiriyya Sect of Africa, Sheikh Qaribullah Nasiru Kabara on board his ceremonial vehicle during the 61st Waliyyai festival held in Kano, recently. due to situation similar to the present in his avowed respect to security challenges and peaceful coexistence against other consideration.

It is instructive to recall that the ‘maiden Waliyyai Outing’ was ably led by the late Amirul Jaishi, Sheikh (Dr.) Muhammadu Nasiru Kabara (of blessed memory) with an odd number of 5–7 followers as is in the books of history in 1372AH, equivalent to 1951 of the Gregorian calendar. Since then, it blossomed to an occasion (in Nigeria) being attended by millions annually. It is worth noting, however, that the institutionalization of Maukibi by the late Sheikh Kabara is not in anyway an innovative practice as some antagonists or cynics tried, albeit unsuccessfully, but for purpose of distorting facts of ‘qadiriyya practice’ in Nigeria and Islam in general. The late spiritual leader of the sect succeeded in doing so to commemorate the date and celebrate same colourfully by impacting Islamic knowledge and Sufism to Muslims, a feat not yet recorded or achieved by any scholar in Nigeria but the Amirul Jaishi – Maulana Sheikh Kabara!

Nonetheless, Qadiriyya Sect which has its roots from various verses of the Holy Qur’an is being practiced worldwide and its public celebration of the commemorative day of the birth of Sheikh Abdulqadir AlJilani (RTA) was neither innovated by the late leader of the Sect in Africa – rather he spearheaded its elaborate observance and celebration in

demonstration of Mallam Kabara’s avowed respect and mark of honour for Allah’s Saints (Auliya’ullah) who we are able to identify out of many other salient ones and above all his deep rooted belief in the propagation of Islam and Allah’s monotheism!

This year’s celebration which was the 61st in series was celebrated in grand and exceptional styles

notwithstanding the security challenges. First and foremost, it coincides with the 17th year of the enthronement of the Sect’s incumbent caliph, Sheikh Qaribullahi Mallam Kabara who steers the affairs of the Sect in Africa since the demise of his late father in addition to chairing the tafsir session of the Holy Qur’an at the palace of Emir of Kano.

Secondly, the annual grand

events were concurrently celebrated at “Qadiriyya House” adjacent to Kano Central Mosque for reasons afore-stated earlier. Qadiriyya House being a household name in Kano remains the undisputable hub or citadel of learning various branches of Islamic knowledge including jurisprudence, Sufism, Qur’anic memorization, monotheism of the Creator amongst others.

It hosts thousands weekly for ‘Friday Zikr session’ and others who sips religious knowledge either as boarders or day students.

To a first time visitor of Kano city especially in the mid or end of March (that is, in the month of Rabi’ul Thani of the Islamic calendar) one would notice an unusual decoration and beautification of all the nooks and crannies of the metropolis – whilst the city agog with Islamic religious flags adorned stylistically with Arabic inscriptions and posters conveying congratulatory messages from numerous disciples and well-wishers. This simply signifies the approach of W A L I Y Y A I in a couple of days, that is, between 10th and 15th of the august month.

On the other hand, series of religious activities such as lectures, Zikr, recitation of holy Qur’an, Dala’ilul Khairat among others were simultaneously taking place at either “Qadiriyya House, Kabara,” or at other designated places to herald, sensitize and reeducate muslim ummah on the good works of Sheikh Abdulkadir Jilani (RTA) which is in tandem

with the practice and deeds of the noble Messenger, Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullahi AlQurayshiyyu (PBUH).

While the foregoing activities were taking place at various places, however, by the 9th or eve of the grand outing day to this year’s new venue, Gidan Qadiriyya, prominent or virtually all roads in the heart of Kano city remain adorned with flags, sizeably cut banners which intersects one side of the road with another, rehearsal of outing, zikr and Tasbih (glorification of the Almighty) in mosques and Islamiyya Schools took centrestage. This period is reminiscent of the day Medinites welcome our beloved prophet, Muhammad (PBUH) to Medina where “Dala’al Badru Alaina Misalul Yatil Wida’i…” reigned the arrival of the seal of prophethood!

One interesting feature that continues to attract and add glamour to the annual event was the liberty accorded various mosques, schools and groups to

dress glamorously according to their financial buoyancy and choice of clothes! This unique feature makes Waliyyai to be an endless day of happiness as visibly conveyed by the faces of the participants and yet another source of spiritual fulfillment by millions of its followers and onlookers!

With the arrival of most contingents to the venue, the spirit of Waliyyai celebration remained at its peak while awaiting the arrival of the Chief celebrant and host, the Sect’s leader, Sheikh Qaribullah Mallam Kabara.

Thunderous and endless sound of Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar… filled the air upon sighting of Sheikh Qaribullahi’s entourage to the venue which was observed in a reverse manner! On the other hand hundreds of thousands were either engaged in various forms of Zikr and recitation of the holy book or in solo meditation with our Creator as some individual participants were noticed to

“

One interesting feature that continues to attract and add glamour to the annual event was the liberty accorded various mosques, schools and groups to dress glamorously according to their financial buoyancy and choice of clothes

An Islamiyya school contingents during this year’s Waliyyai festival by the adherents of Qadiriyya Sect held in Kano, recently.

have deeply committed themselves.

As is the tradition, this year’s occasion witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities notably from Republic of Turkish led by a director of NigerianTurkish International College, Muhammad Isma’il, Niger, Chad and Togo.

On the home front, the occasion was witnessed by the Deputy Governor of Kano state, Engr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya while Sheikh Abdulqadir Muhyiddeen Busari Offa, the Chief Imam of Ilorin served as the Special Guest. Members of the business community in and outside Kano were led by business mogul cum traditional title holder of Zannan Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed Maiturare, Alhaji Liti Kul-kul, Alhaji Sabi’u Bako amongst many others. In this respect one acknowledges the support accorded the Gombe State entourage by His Excellency, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, who arrived in over 20 buses from the state adding colour and glamour in view of their assemblage which was admired by all in addition to others from Kwara Kaduna, Katsina, Lagos, Niger and neighboring Katsina as well as Jigawa states.

In contrast to earlier protocol arrangements, Khalifa Qaribullahi has, for the sake of time, sacrificed many areas in the city for a return to the venue for closing prayers. This decision of the Khalifa’s protocol team was not unconnected with the tumultuous gatherings of faithfuls and onlookers whose

Sheikh Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara (middle), Leader of Qadiriyya Sect of Africa offering prayers during the opening of this year’s Maukibi celebration held recently, in Kano. continued trooping from various nooks and crannies of Kano metropolis had snarled the journey back home.

As the journey back home continued Sheikh Qaribullah Mallam Kabara was engaged tirelessly waiving and offering prayers to tumultuous disciples, onlookers be it the aged and/or the weak gender.

In fact, toddlers were not left behind as parents found it unbearable to leave them at home unless they partake in

receiving their share of prayers. The journey back home was consistently been interrupted by people, particularly the elderly and youth alike, welcoming the Qadiriyya leader to their midst and at the same time requesting for prayers. Upon leaving the venue Sheikh Qaribullahi Kabara passed through Soron-Dinki, Yola, Alfindiki quarters, Kwanar Salga down to Kwanar Goda.

The train of Waliyyai

A team of Shawusai (Security aides) leading the leader of Qadiriyya Sect from his private residence enroute to this year’s venue of Waliyyai celebration at “Darul Qadiriyya, Kabara” held in Kano, recently.

celebration further passed through part of Tudun Nufawa, Asibitin Yara, Marmara through Daneji. Nonetheless, the journey continued with hundreds of thousands of followers through Mandawari and terminated at Darul Kadiriyya.

The 61st Maukibi ended with a tumultuous gathering of Qadiriyya Sect followers and well-wishers struggling for a space at Darul Qadiriyya and its vicinity to welcome the caliph back home and offer the usual closing prayers that signified the end of a spiritual mission!

Like the previous decades, the 61st Waliyyai edition has brought triple blessings to us namely, a befitting Islamic Centre of international repute is under construction at Karmo District Nigeria’s Administrative Headquarters, Abuja, to be known as Sheikh Nasiru Kabara Islamic Centre (SNKIC) comprising of a Juma’at Mosque, Research Centre, an international standard library, a Cocurricular Islamic school amongst many of its concept.

Of recent past, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji (Dr.) Ado Bayero in company of the Sultan, Alhaji (Dr.) Sa’ad Abubakar III officially commissioned another centre of learning/Juma’at mosque named after the revered Sheikh (also known as “Masjidul As-Habil Kahf) at Filin Mushe area of the old Sani Mai Nagge Quarters in the metropolitan Kano in addition to many other mosques and schools opened.

Ayagi is an aide to the leader of the Qadiriyya Movement

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Sierra Leone in picture: What life is now like 10 years after brutal civil war

Dreams: Komba Nyanku (left), 12, who wants to become a lawyer ust a decade ago Sierra Leone was in the midst of a brutal civil war - which killed 50,000 and saw thousands more having their limbs horrifically amputated.

Drugged-up child soldiers and the curse of blood diamonds threw the volatile area into chaos allegedly backed by former Liberian president Charles Taylor who today faces his fate at a war crimes court.

Ten years later the West African nation is still amongst the world's poorest, but at least has a flicker of hope with peace and the promise of elections in November.

Finbarr O'Reilly's photographs chronicle what life is now like for its citizens.

J

Money making: Miners panning for diamonds in the waters of a river in Koidu

Working: A woman uses a net to catch fish in a pool of water near Makeni

Lesson time: Pupils pictured at a Qur'anic school in the town of Small Sefoda in eastern Sierra Leone

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 27

FG committed to completion of NasPoly projects, says Minister

T

he Federal Government is committed to the speedy completion of ongoing projects at the engineering department of Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, the Minister of

Education, said.

The minister gave the assurance shortly after inspecting some facilities undergoing renovation at the department.

The minister, who had visited the institution to assess the level

FG trains 124,061 teachers, says Wike

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he Federal Government has said that 124,061 teachers and education managers benefited from the 2011 Teachers Professional Development Training conducted across the country.

Nyeson Wike, the Minister of State for Education, disclosed this in Abuja at the presentation of Reports on Some Major Activities of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

He said President Goodluck Jonathan had approved funds for the 2012 training.

Wike said that N5.55 billion was disbursed to all the states for the training but added that some states had yet to access their funds.

“Any state that has yet to access

last year’s fund will not have access to this year’s allocation.

“This is because we cannot continue to allow states to carry on as they like as long as basic education is concerned.”

The minister said the government was concerned that about 80 per cent of teachers in basic education were not qualified. “We are doing everything possible to eradicate this.”

Earlier, Dr Ahmed Modibbo, Executive Secretary of UBEC, said the commission, in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), conducted the training in 33 states.

He said Kaduna and Lagos states and FCT were still conducting the training while Anambra had yet to commence the training.

Bayelsa Govt promises to enforce free, compulsory education

T

he Bayelsa Government says it will ensure that the free and compulsory primary and secondary education policy is implemented in the state.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr Adikumo Salo, gave the pledged in Yenagoa in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Salo said that the declaration was in line with the restoration agenda of Gov. Seriake Dickson.

He said the education sub-sector required urgent and fundamental restructuring due to its contribution to the development of the state.

He said: “massive infrastructural development in all primary and secondary schools in the state will soon commence. ” The commissioner also said that training and retraining of teachers would be accorded priority, adding that the State Government had approved the

establishment of teachers training institute to actualise the objective.

“The present administration realises that education is the backbone of very successful economy.

“The government is committed to allocating large resources to revamp teachers’ education as the future of our children lies in their hands. ” Salo said that the government also plans to re-introduce boarding facilities in secondary schools.

The commissioner said that gifted children programme started when Dr Goodluck Jonathan was governor of the state would be reactivated.

NAN recalled that the administration of Dickson had on assumption of office on Feb. 14, declared free and compulsory primary and secondary education in the state. (NAN)

NUC says automobile development can boost Nigeria’s economy

P

rof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), says the development of the automobile sector will go a long way in boosting Nigeria’s economy.

Okojie made the statement in Abuja at a meeting with the Automotive Engineering Degree Curriculum Review Committee.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to take a cue from developing countries, such as Brazil, in developing the sector adequately.

“At a time, Brazil was collecting IMF loan like Nigeria.

Brazil was wiser because it invested its loans mostly in the automobile sector and today it is one of the leading producers of automobiles,” he said.

Okojie,who was represented by the Deputy Executive Secretary of

NUC, Mr Akinbode Agbaoye, urged Nigeria to make the learning process of automotive engineering easier, accessible and more professional.

In a goodwill message to the meeting, the Director-General of NAC, Prof. Abduljalal Aminu, said the current methods used in the repair, design, manufacture, and testing of vehicles were outdated prompting an urgent need to review the curriculum.

“This is particularly so as our training of engineering disciplines still emphasise separate disciplines without the convergence of mechanical, electrical and ICT in the new field of mechatronics.

“The National Automotive Council is making efforts to reverse this trend, starting with the training of automotive mechanics,” Aminu said.

of work done by the Presidential Visitation Panel to the school, promised that the government would make funds available for the completion of projects in the department.

She said the government’s determination to complete the projects was based on its desire to promote technical education in the country.

“Early completion of projects at the engineering department would make learning conducive

for the students of the institution,” Rufa’i said.

Commenting on the work of the panel, the minister said it was surprising that members of the panel had not been paid their allowances by the National Board for Technical Education.

Mr Olu Ilesanmi, the Chairman of the panel, had appealed to the minister to come to the aid of members of the team by ensuring that their allowances were paid.

“Our counterparts at the National College of Education have been paid their allowances and are about to receive their second payment.

“We are stranded here; we have to travel home to borrow money to do government work. It is unfair,” he said.

The Rector of the polytechnic, Dr. Pius Otaru- Salami, appealed to the government to release funds for the completion of ongoing projects in the institution. (NAN)

L: R: Chairman, Zamfara state Universal Basic Education Board, Hon. Murtala Adamu Jangebe, with Chairman ZSPEAC, Professor Tukur Adamu, during their official visit to Zamfara state Governor, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Yari Abubakar, at Government House, recently in Gusau.

Conference of Ministers of Education opens in Abuja

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

T

he 5th Conference of Ministers of Education of the African Union (COMEDAF V) aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problems in the sector held in Abuja.

Speaking at the opening of the senior official’s meeting, Dr Ben Ibe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, advised delegates to avoid past mistakes that led to the near failure of the system in recent years.

He said: “distinguished delegates, one of our tasks at this meeting is to review the successes achieved so far on the implementation of the education Plan of Action.

“As we do this, we must avoid the mistakes that led to the near failure of the system in recent

years.

“As you are aware, among the factors that led to the failure to meeting the goals of the sector were poor funding and the lack of political will on the part of principals.

Prof. Crispus Kiamba, the Permanent Secretary, Kenya’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, who also spoke at the opening of the conference, said that the continent was still a long way from implementing the COMDAF Plan of Action (POA).

Kiamba said challenges such as inadequate human resources and stakeholder ownership were responsible for the lack of full implementation of the POA. He said Kenya, in its capacity as the Chair of the conference in the last two years, had ensured

that the decisions reached at COMEDAF IV, were implemented.

“In line with AU’s vision of integrated peaceful and prosperous Africa driven by its own people to take its rightful place in the global community and the knowledge economy, Kenya has ensured that education efforts in the continent meet this expectation.”

He added that Kenya had evaluated the plan of action during its tenure (from 2009 to 2011) so as to provide a complete picture of the overall actions taken and their impacts.

“At this juncture, I will like to congratulate Nigeria, the incoming Chair of COMEDAF V. I wish Nigeria success in discharging this responsibility of steering the African education agenda.

Educationist advocates early learning for children

A

consultant paediatrician, Dr Funmilayo Ibitoye, in Ibadan said children should be exposed at an early age to fundamental learning experiences to help boost the development of their brain.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ibitoye said such exposure would ensure the optimum development of children’s intelligence quotient as well as their retaining capabilities.

She said children learn well before they reach school while early learning experiences actually shape the architecture of the brain.

The flexibility of the brain in the early years, she added,

provides an opportunity for enrichment probably unmatched at any other time.

“We must support our children during this early stage to take full advantage of this unique window of opportunity.

“To do this, we must invest in our communities by supporting education and learning opportunities and programs that foster stable well-functioning families.

“As proven from research, we instinctively know that early childhood is a crucial time to begin investing in children to ensure their optimal development and to provide an enriching environment that facilitates brain development.

“This policy brief teaches us that in the first three years of life, an infant’s brain is developing and these experiences shape this development.

“An enriched environment, which includes day-to-day activities such as talking, playing, and looking at books, will facilitate development in the regions of the brain that control these functions,” Ibitoye said.

She, however, said that severe deprivation and insecure attachment with the primary caregiver (usually the mother or father) could have a negative effect on brain development, especially the child’s ability to retain memories and learn.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Senate calls on FG to fund public universities

T

he Senate has called on the Federal Government to provide adequate funds for its universities to improve on teaching, learning and research in public institutions.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, made the call during the passage of a bill to establish four additional Federal Universities.

Ekweremadu, who presided over the plenary expressed delight on the “expeditious manner” senators considered the bill and commended the Senate Committee on Education for doing “a good job. ” “I congratulate the Committee on Education for this feat. I will like to say to that the Federal Governments, in setting up these new universities, must also ensure that it fund the old ones as well.

NUT calls on states to pay TSA

“We are aware that our universities have taken the back seats; this is the time to wake up.

These universities must be wellfunded and well-packaged. ” The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the committee on education headed by Sen. Uche Chukwumerije (PDP-Abia).

The universities are: the Federal University of Dutsinma, Federal University of Kashere and the Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The senate also agreed to allow the commencement date of the law establishing the Federal University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom to read Jan. 1, 1992.

The Federal University of Uyo was among the universities, which the bill seeks to establish.

Sen. Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa Ibom) explained that there was no law backing establishment of the university.

Two federal polytechnics to award degrees soon

E

xecutive Secretary of National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Mas’udu Kazaure, has said that arrangements had been concluded for the conversion of two Federal Polytechnics to full degree awarding institutions.

Kazaure, who said this in a telephone interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), identified the polytechnics to include the Yaba College of Technology, (YABATECH) and Kaduna Polytechnic (KADPOLY).

He said that the reports and recommendations by the committee set up to handle the conversion exercise were ready.

“The Ministry of Education is taking a final look at the reports

and has started working on it and we are waiting for the smooth and successful takeoff of these two Universities of Technology.

“You know that government had also been busy with the establishment of some new universities spread across the country, all in a bid to create more access to our teeming school leavers.

“The committee has done a good job, taking into consideration issues such as staff training and upgrading of facilities that would befit the status of the universities“, he said.

Kazaure noted that as soon as all the recommendations were put in place, the Universities of

Complete Alamajiri Model School on May 6, Wike directs contractor

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he Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on States that are yet to implement the Teachers Salary Allowance (TSA) to do so before the end of May. The NUT National President, Mr Michael Alogba-Olukoya, made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that failure of the states to pay could lead to an indefinite strike by the teachers.

Alogba-Olukoya spoke against the backdrop of the refusal of some state governments to implement the TSA which was aimed at motivating the teachers and making the profession more attractive.

The leadership of the Union had in 2009 signed an agreement with state governments to pay teachers 27.5 per cent of their salary as additional allowance.

“Let me seize this opportunity to once again appeal to all state governments yet to pay the 27.5 per cent teachers allowance agreed upon, to do so immediately or face an indefinite teachers’ strike.

“As I speak with you, states that have actually implemented the agreement are not up to 10 and they are not doing so fully as we have some states paying as little as five, 10 and 15 per cent, as against the 27.5 that was agreed upon.

“We would be having our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting when schools resume for the third term and before May 8, we shall be giving the ultimatum concerning the issue,” he said.

Alogba-Olukoya said that most of the state governments had hinged their inability to pay on the N18,000 minimum wage and insufficient fund.

According to him, the agreement was signed before the introduction of the N18,000 minimum wage and it would be unfair for the defaulting state governments to renege on the agreement using it as an excuse.

(NAN)

Technology would take off.

He disclosed that henceforth, the board would no longer accredit any newly introduced course in Polytechnics and Monotechnics that would not contribute to industrial growth for the purpose of national development.

NAN recalls that the approval for the conversion of the two polytechnics was given by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in 2007.

It would also be recalled that the Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, had said at the inauguration of the committee that the two institutions would soon get the license to operate as full-fledged specialised city universities. (NAN)

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L-R: Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr Ahmed Modibbo, presenting reports on some major activities of the Commission to Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, recently in Abuja.

Photo: NAN

Kogi Assembly recommends abolition of automatic promotion for teachers, pupils

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he Kogi House of Assembly has called for the abolition of automatic promotion for teachers and students in public schools in the state to check mass failure in public examinations.

The call is contained in a resolution issued at plenary session on Wednesday following the adoption of a motion on the matter presented by Mr Folusho Daniel.

Daniel had pointed out that promotion, as one of the rewards for efficiency and productivity, ought to be on accomplishment of desired set goals and not automatic.

According to him, the future of the state is hanging on a delicate balance with the fall of

education and poor performance of students in public examinations.

He also called for a review of the education policy that allowed automatic promotion.

The legislator, who reeled out statistics of students’ failure in WAEC and NECO, said performance of Kogi students in English Language and Mathematics dropped to an embarrassing 10.43 per cent in 2007.

“The state recorded an average of 17 per cent in a fiveyear study plan between 2006 and 2010 of students, who had minimum of five credits in WASSCE and NECO,” the resolution quoted him as

saying.

Daniel, therefore, called on ministry of education, the State Universal Basic Education Board and Teaching Service Commission to institute a system of measuring the productivity of teachers to determine promotion.

Seconding the motion, the Minority Leader, Mr Solomon Afolabi, said that automatic promotion had done more harm than good, adding that it made pupils and students not to be serious.

The Majority Leader of the House, Alhaji Yakubu Yunusa, reiterated the need to resuscitate public schools for better performance. (NAN)

he Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, has directed the construction company handling the Alamajiris Model School at Hunkuyi, Kudan in Kaduna State to complete the project by May 6.

The minister gave the directive when he inspected the project site, warning that the Federal Government might sanction the contractor if the company failed to comply with the directive.

Wike said the level of work at the site, being handled by De Ocean Petroleum Engineering, had not convinced him that the project would be completed in March 2013 as agreed.

He said: “If by May 6, this job is not completed, of course, we will invoke the relevant sections of the agreement which recommend sanctions.

“The contract agreement said that March 2013 will be the handing over date of the project, and we are now in the end of April; we have not even roofed.

“You don’t expect me to be happy, and if it is a situation that money is being owed the contractor, we will know that is our problem; but we are not owing. So I am not happy with this particular contractor.

The minister commended traditional rulers including the Emir of Zaria and the Alaafin of Oyo, among others, for supporting President Goodluck Jonathan’s approach at addressing the issues affecting the Almajirai.

In his response, Mr Abubakar Musa, the Director of Projects, De Ocean Petroleum Engineering, said there had not been much delay in the construction.

He said that though the company was mobilised on Jan. 26, the progress of work at the site had been steady, stressing that the company would comply with the directive.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 29

FG to provide financial support for vaccine procurement

By A’isha Biola Raji

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he Federal Government has resolved to make available financial provision for procurement of vaccines till end of this year.

This was contained in press statement signed by Sa’adu Salahu Head Public Relation Unit National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) to mark this year’s African Vaccination Week.

In the statement, the Executive Director Dr. Ado Muhammad said it is one the measures taken by federal government to procure vaccines that will last 3rd quarter of this year.

He said, “over twelve million dollars has been released by the Federal Government for procurement of vaccines lasting the 4 th quarter of the year stretching till end of the year.”

He also said adequate measures has been put in place to guard against vaccine stock out for routine immunization service as experienced last year.

According to him, 24 cases of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) have been reported in 9 states this year, attributing the cases largely to increasing number of missed children due mainly to noncompliance, poor team performance and security challenges.

The Executive Director expressed optimism on the determination of the Federal Government to stop transmission of wild polio virus and exit from polio endemic countries, given the current impressive total support to the programme by President Goodluck Jonathan, State Executive Governors, Traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders.

Dr. Ado explained that the

outcome of the current engagement of the Presidential Taskforce on polio eradication with stakeholders nation-wide revealed the collective determination and commitment of all to ensure that Nigeria becomes polio free soonest.

The Presidential approval of funds for polio eradication, from seventeen million to thirty million dollars per annum, Dr. Ado said, demonstrated the President’s total commitment to stop polio transmission in Nigeria.

He therefore appealed to all parents and guardians to provide their children and wards for immunization as vaccines are available free in all health facilities throughout the country.

Dr. Ado also enjoined chairmen of Local Governments in particular to emulate the presidential commitment and their Governors on the polio eradication exercise.

Avocados can keep you young by fighting diseases

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vocados could be a weapon in the fight against ageing and disease, say scientists.

Oil from the fruit was shown in tests to combat free radicals dangerous molecules said to have a hand in everything from ageing to heart disease and cancer.

These are particularly common inside mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses in our cells that turn the food we eat into energy.

Many ‘antioxidant’ chemicals in vegetables and fruits such as carrots and tomatoes can mop up free radicals but they cannot make their way inside mitochondria while those in avocados can.

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology annual conference researcher, Christian Cortes-Rojo said, “the problem is that the antioxidants in ([other) substances are unable to enter mitochondria.

“So free radicals go on damaging mitochondria, causing energy production to stop and the cell to collapse and die.”

“An analogy would be that, during an oil spill, if we cleaned only the spilled oil instead of fixing

Oil from the avocado could have huge health benefits and slow down the ageing process the perforation where oil is escaping, then the oil would go on spilling, and fish would die anyway.”

Unstable free radicals are natural waste products of metabolism but may be generated in greater numbers due to factors such as pollution, tobacco smoke and radiation.

They wreak havoc in the body, triggering chain reactions that

Ravages of time: Active ingredients in the fruit's oil tackle the destructive force of free radicals which damage cells as we age, scientists say

destroy cell membranes, proteins and even DNA. The phenomenon is one of the prime drivers of ageing and believed to play a major role in damage to arteries and cancer.

The researchers found avocado oil allowed yeast cells to survive exposure to high concentrations of iron, an element that produces ‘huge amounts’ of free radicals.

“We will need to confirm that what has been observed in yeasts could occur in higher organisms, such as humans,’ said Mr. CortesRojo from the University Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo in Mexico.

Avocado oil is similar in composition to olive oil, consumption of which is associated with unusually low levels of chronic disease in some Mediterranean countries, and Mr. Cortes-Rojo said his discovery could mean avocado oil becoming ‘the olive oil of the Americas’.

Previous research conducted in Mexico, the world’s largest avocado producer, has shown that the fruit lowers blood levels of cholesterol, and certain fats linked to diabetes.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk/health

Wellness with Charity Omenka omenkac@gmail.com

Home remedies even doctors use

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ou don’t always need a doctor for simple ailments like a cold, an itchy rash or an upset stomach. Many times, the fast relief you need is sitting in your kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. Some doctors are concerned about the overuse of antibiotics for simple ailments and would rather you use the home remedies, some of which have been around for generations, below: Honey Used for minor cuts and burns, cough or sore throat.

Honey has been used for thousands of years to heal burns, and we now know that it soothes a scratchy throat. A recent Dutch study found that honey has a protein with antibacterial action called defensin-1.

Apply warm honey to a minor cut or mild burn, then put a gauze bandage on top; change the dressing daily. See a doctor immediately if swelling, fever occurs or if the pain is increasing.

Salt Used for sore throat, nasal congestion and pinkeye (or apollo).

Mixing salt with water to get a higher concentration than the salt water in our bodies helps draw fluids out of tissues and fight infections For sore throats, stir half a teaspoon of non-iodized salt in a glass of Water (200ml), and gargle the water. For nasal congestion, add salt to boiled and cooled water in a squeeze container, lean over a sink and irrigate your nostrils with the solution. This will thin out the thick nasal secretion, making it flow out easily. And for ‘apollo’, soak a cotton bud in a solution of salt in boiled and cooled water, and place cotton bud over closed eyelids while lying down.

Meat tenderizer (or unripe pawpaw) Used for bee stings, nonpoisonous spider bites and mosquito bites.

Meat tenderizer contains papain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Papain can also break down toxins from insect bites and reduce itching. See a doctor if you experience nausea, difficulty in breathing, or cramping.

Mix a small amount of meat tenderizer with water to make a paste and apply to the bite.

Leave for 10 to 15 minutes, and rinse with warm water.

Ice cubes Used for insect bites, clogged sinuses, headaches and toothaches.

Ice works in different ways as a home remedy. It takes the itch and pain out of insect bites.

Ice rubbed on a specific acupuncture spot stimulates endorphins that relieve toothache.

For insect bites, rub an ice cube over the itchy spot until there is relief. To relieve blocked sinuses, fill one bowl with ice and water and another with hot water. Dip a face towel in the hot water and wring out, place over forehead and cheeks and leave for a minute. Dip another face towel in the icy water and repeat. Alternating between hot and cold water for about ten times will bring relief to your sinuses. To help relieve a headache, wrap ice in cloth and hold to your head. Lastly, for toothache, gently rub an icecube wrapped in a cloth over the web of tissue between your thumb and forefinger. Rubbing ice on this acupuncture spot will bring relief to an aching tooth.

Oatmeal Used for eczema, sunburn and hives.

Oats contain phytochemicals with antiinflammatory properties that soothe itchy and inflamed skin, according to a study in the Archives of Dermatological Research. Use finely ground unflavored oats.

To use, grind your oatmeal into a fine powder. Blend together a cup of oats with a glass of water. Pour the resulting solution into a bathtub full of warm water and soak for 15 minutes.

Alternatively, rub unto your skin a paste made from oatmeal and water.

A Note of Warning Although many remedies are effective, they CANNOT replace a face-to-face interaction with your doctor.

You can try any of these simple cures for a while, depending on how serious the problem is.

However, if symptoms persist for up to 3 days, you should see your doctor. This is especially important with children. If symptoms persist in a child for more than a day, or the child seems to be getting worse, see a doctor immediately.

For more home remedies, check this page next week.

PAGE 30

Malaria has posed serious problem to individuals, Families and government in Nigeria consequently there has been a collective fight in the area of prevention, control and treatment but rather than achieving a decrease the disease is still endemic in Nigeria.

Etuka Owoicho Sunday takes a look at some of the facts revealed by the 2010 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey Report presented early this year.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Despite efforts, malaria still endemic in Nigeria

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alaria is an infectious disease caused by a parasite, Plasmodium, which infects red blood cells. It is characterized by cycles of chills, fever, pain, and sweating. Historical records suggest that malaria has infected humans since the beginning of mankind.

The malaria parasite (Plasmodium) is complicated and involves two hosts, humans and Anophele mosquitoes. The disease is transmitted to humans when an infected Anopheles mosquito bites a person and injects the malaria parasites into the blood.

In Nigeria, malaria is still endemic. It is on record that Nigeria has a projected population of about 169 million people, 20% of which are children under 5 years and 21.6% are women of child bearing age. The 2010 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey Report revealed that the disease contributes about 33% of all childhood deaths and over 300,000 lives are lost each year. According to the report, malaria affects 70% of pregnant women and is responsible for 11% maternal mortality.

In the area of what causes malaria, the data breakdown given by the National Coordinator, National Malaria Control Programme, Chioma .N Amajoh revealed that “82% of women know that malaria is cause by mosquitoes, while 27% say malaria is caused by dirty surrounding, and 12% said that malaria is caused by the present of stagnant water. 6% of women say that eating certain foods causes malaria, and eight percent of women responded that they did not know what causes malaria.”

According to the report, 64% of the women said that children are more likely to be affected by malaria, 64% said everyone is vulnerable, and 26% said pregnant women are most vulnerable, 18 said adults are most likely to be affected, and 9% said elderly are most vulnerable while 5% responded that they do not know who is likely to be affected by malaria.

In the area of treatment the coordinator said that 98% of women reported that malaria is treatable. Saying that

L-R: Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, having a discussion with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele, at the press briefing on Malaria Day among these women, 38% said chloroquine could be used to treat malaria in adults, 38% goes for panadol, 23% for SP/ Fansider, nine percent for ACT, Six percent for Quinine and 23% said malaria can be treated but said they do not know any specific medicine.

Meanwhile, the Honorable minister of Health Prof.

C.O.Onyebuchi Chukwu said that one of the goals of the Federal Government is to eliminate malaria from the country as contained in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan; therefore they are working hard to achieve it since malaria is still endemic in most parts of the Country.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatima B. O. Bamidele, said that Nigeria loses up to 132 billion Naira (over0.85Million USD), yearly, in form of treatment cost, prevention and loss of manpower.

Malaria also put pressure on the already strained health system in Nigeria.

Therefore, the government and the malaria partnership has adopted key strategies for malaria control including the use of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets; Indoor Residual Spraying and Environmental Management; effective Case Management and Malaria Prevention in Pregnancy along with other cross cutting strategies of Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization; Procurement and Supply Chain Management; Monitoring and Evaluation and programme Management.

Dr. Olusola Oresanya of NMCP explained that, “tests for

malaria parasites were conducted on children aged 6 to 59 months in 6,197 households across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“Results showed that children tended to have malaria as they grew in age, but were less susceptible if their families were of better socioeconomic status or lived in

urban areas.” Urban areas have the lower prevalence at 23%, as against 48% in rural areas.

The South-West zone had the highest prevalence of malaria in the survey, and also the zone with the least use of insecticide-treated nets. Only eight per cent of children in the zone used nets.

The fight to bring malaria to

Insecticide-treated bed nets are crucial in the fight against malaria.

its knee is still on since the vision of the ministry of Health is for the country to be malaria free.

The belief is that, every Nigerian has the right to access highly effective malaria preventive services and curative care delivered as close to the households as possible.

They also have a goal to reduce the burden of malaria by the year 2010 and thus ensure that the disease no longer constitute a public health problem. ”Since the inception of the Roll Back Malaria Initiative, malaria control in Nigeria has undergone an evolution that has resulted in the attainment of several milestones which have served to set the stage for the next phase in the implementation process: rapid scaling up of interventions.

These milestones include among others, development and adoption of national policies and guidelines development of training manuals; sensitization and training of health workers and stakeholders on all interventions.”

Although there seems to be a considerable improvement now in the area of prevention and control, but more is expected of them especially in the areas of funding and full implantation of Roll Back Malaria Policies and other programmes that will help in fight against malaria in Nigeria.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 31

The IMF and oil: It’s the politics, stupid (I)

In some cases, governments may benefit from separating oil exploration from extraction

ANALYSIS

By Johnny West

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here's virtually a petropolitics story a day right now. If it's not the two Sudans on the verge of war, it's a sudden resurgence of economic nationalism in Argentina, where the government gave Repsol 15 minutes to pack their bags, or economic growth slowing in India because there's not enough coal, or even arguments over whether an independent Scotland would be oil-dependent or not.

There's no escaping the geopolitics of energy. This has got to be the single biggest axiom for the IMF, now reviewing its ideas on how to advise governments on oil and other extractive industries, to take on board. It's the politics, stupid.

Counterintuitive, perhaps, for an institution whose whole raison d'etre is to eschew politics and achieve technocratic nirvana. But, perversely, any policymaking for the oil industry that fails to take into account the specific nature of rents - money for nothing and the things people will do to get near it - is doomed

to perfection on paper and irrelevance, at best, in the real world.

So here are a few generic policy approaches to oil and extractives, which start from the simple premise that the peoples of producing countries must be persuaded that the benefits from the development of these global industries be made to outweigh their real total cost, including social capital and environmental degradation, and that the benefits of extraction will be fairly allocated, and lead to real human and economic development, rather than to corruption and conflict. Call that political if you like. In fact,

ownership of sub-soil natural resources by the entire people is recognised by law and in many cases by constitution, in most producing countries.

Human Stabilisation Funds - resource-rich countries with many poor people could pool resources to create emergency response funds.

Citizen Dividends - since the people own the resources they should see some of the rent directly, in the form of a flat universal dividend, Alaskastyle.

Sousveillance - systems such as satellite imagery and real-time metering are cheap and can be put in the service of public scrutiny.

“

Embrace Dutch Disease recognise the systemic effects of rent so that policies are framed specifically as antidotes. Paul Collier's "Investing in investing", human capital development and gender programmes are three such generic approaches.

State-sponsored exploration the end of neo-liberalism and the "Risk Versus Reward" mantra touted by Big Oil. Because commodity markets are volatile, thinking on how to manage petrodollars normally focuses on the huge ebb and flow of earnings. Iraq's income, for example, increased 60 per cent between 2007 and 2008, then dropped 40 per cent between 2008 and 2009. That's not an Iraq issue:

If extractive industries were clearly identified as providing the ultimate insurance to their populations, the wherewithall for effective locally owned response to crop failures and natural disasters, the dynamics of humangenerated conflict around rent would start to shift dramatically - for the better.

any government in the world would have trouble managing that level of uncertainty. So experts debate the pros and cons of financial stabilisation funds, revenue smoothing, and sovereign wealth funds.

Meanwhile, the world outside carries on. Nations burn, vested interests seize the state and the billions of dollars it offers, insurgents and secessionists oppose them and, when they succeed, tear up agreements. Because this layer of policymaking doesn't explicitly address politics, the resulting instability often renders such technical assistance mechanisms null and void.

As more new oil producers come online, we need human, not financial, stabilisation funds.

Producing countries could pool petrodollars into regional emergency response funds.

International financial institutions could manage them and provide matching funds. It is intolerable to have a situation such as we have in parts of Africa, where populations languish in desperate poverty while petrodollars sit in the bank and humanitarian response relies on appeals by Save the Children or the World Food Programme.

If extractive industries were clearly identified as providing the ultimate insurance to their populations, the wherewithall for effective locally owned response to crop failures and natural disasters, the dynamics of human-generated conflict around rent would start to shift dramatically - for the better.

If states manage natural resource wealth on behalf of the people, why don't they give some of it back to them directly? Not as welfare state; means tested and administered by a bureaucracy, but as a flat universal citizen dividend.

Ironically, this idea has been been vehemently opposed on ideological grounds by large sections of both the left and the right. The right are repelled by the decadence of giving away something for nothing. The point that natural resources actually belong, legally, to the people in the first place, so no-one is giving away anything, eludes them.

Culled from Aljazeera.

Johnny West is founder of OpenOil, a Berlin-based consultancy in oil and other extractive industries. He has covered global energy markets since the early 1990s.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 32

Mali junta rejects West African transition plan

Mali"s interim President Diouncounda Traore (C) speaks with military junta leader Amadou Haya Sanogo (L) at a military base in Kati, April 9, 2012.

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military junta that seized power in Mali last month rejected a regional plan to extend the rule of an interim civilian government on Saturday, casting a shadow over delicately-balanced negotiations to resolve the country's crisis.

The junta had already agreed to hand over power for 40

days to a civilian government led by caretaker president Dioncounda Traore, and then allow the country to hold elections by the end of May. But the West African regional bloc ECOWAS on Thursday said the interim government should have up to 12 months to hold the elections.

The junta on Saturday accused ECOWAS of making the decision without consulting it and said the change could derail the whole transition process.

"I want to reassure everyone that the CNRDRE (junta) will stick only to the (earlier 40-day) agreement signed with ECOWAS. It is not possible to

change it," coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo said after a tense meeting with ECOWAS mediators.

"This is with regards to Dioncounda's interim rule. After the 40 days, we will decide which state organs will continue, that is what we agreed and that cannot be changed," Sanogo told journalists.

Adding to uncertainty over the process, he did not refer to holding any elections after the 40-day period.

Armed soldiers gathered outside the talks at the Kati military base, about 20km (13 miles) north of the capital Bamako shouting "Down with ECOWAS" and "Down with Dioncounda".

It was always highly unlikely Mali would meet the 40-day deadline to hold elections after a mix of separatist and Islamist rebels, taking advantage of the chaos after the coup, seized the northern two-thirds of the country and declared an independent state.

The naming of an interim president has nominally shifted the seat of power from a dusty out-of-town barracks back to the repaired presidential palace. But midranking coup-leading officers still hold sway in the poor former French colony.

The junta has already said it would resist an ECOWAS plan to deploy of West African soldiers in the country and would treat foreign forces as "the enemy".

Sudan rules out UN role in border row with South

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udan yesterday rejected UN Security Council involvement in efforts to end weeks of border clashes with South Sudan, which said it repelled an attack by Khartoumbacked rebels.

"Sudan confirms that it rejects any efforts to disturb the African Union role and take the situation between Sudan and South Sudan to the UN Security Council," Foreign Minister Ali Karti said after a month of deadly clashes which have raised fears of a wider war.

The African Union itself, in a decision last Tuesday, asked the Security Council to endorse its demand that the two Sudans halt hostilities in 48 hours, start talks within two weeks and complete a

peace accord in three months.

But Karti - while expressing full confidence in the AU's role said involvement by the Security Council would "give priority to a political position which was announced before and has a hidden agenda."

He did not elaborate.

The South Sudanese Army said yesterday it repelled an attack by rebels backed by Sudan outside Malakal, capital of the South's Upper Nile State.

"It was Sudan-supported militias that attacked SPLA (South Sudan Army) positions" on Friday, Col. Philip Aguer told AFP. He said his forces repulsed the attack, with an unknown number of

casualties.

But the rebels claimed to have surrounded Malakal, saying in a statement: "The magnanimous forces of South Sudan Democratic Army (SSDA) launched Operation Ending Corruption and surrounded Malakal ... and captured its surroundings."

Aguer said South Sudan's forces had detained three rebel fighters and one vehicle.

The Security Council on Thursday started talks on a resolution that could allow sanctions against Sudan and South Sudan if they do not meet the AU demands to end their fighting.

A US-drafted resolution backs the AU demands and calls for the

two sides to "immediately" halt hostilities and pull their forces back into their own territory.

The text says the Security Council would review the rivals' implementation of AU demands and could "take appropriate additional measures" under article 41 of Chapter VII of the UN charter that allows for sanctions but not military force.

After its meeting on Tuesday, the AU's security body adopted a roadmap calling for an end to fighting, "including aerial bombardments, with the parties formally conveying their commitment in this respect to the chairperson of the Commission within 48 hours," said the body's security commissioner Ramtane Lamamra.

‌Declares emergency on border with South

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udan has declared a state of emergency along its border with South Sudan, in a move that imposes a trade embargo on the South and suspends the constitution, official news agency SUNA said.

President Omar al-Bashir issued a resolution on Sunday declaring the emergency in border districts of South Kordofan state, White Nile and Sennar states, it said.

The measure follows a month of border fighting with South Sudan, which separated last July after a peace deal ended one of Africa's longest civil wars, which killed about two million people between 1983 and 2005.

An emergency has already been in effect for almost a decade in Darfur,

along the western border with South Sudan, while a similar status took effect in Blue Nile state last September when an ethnic insurgency began.

Trade across the border has unofficially been banned since South Sudan's independence but the emergency formalises that prohibition.

Bashir's resolution "gives the right to the president and anyone with his mandate" to establish special courts, in consultation with the chief justice, SUNA said.

The state news agency als reported that the governor of White Nile state on the border has set a oneweek deadline for 12,000 ethnic South Sudanese gathered south of Khartoum to leave the country.

"The wali (governor) of White Nile state, Yusuf al-Shambali, confirmed that he has set May 5 as the deadline for the Southerners waiting in Kosti," a way station south of Khartoum, it said.

"The presence of Southerners in Kosti threatens the security and the environment for Kosti citizens," he said.

Meanwhile, a South African demining company on Sunday said two of its workers were abducted by the Sudanese military while on a UN landmine clearance contract in South Sudan.

Ashley Williams, CEO of stateowned Mechem, said its employees, a South African and a local South Sudanese, were seized along with a

British UN employee and a Norwegian.

Williams rejected suggestions by the Sudanese army spokesman that the men were working in support of South Sudan in its "aggression" against the north.

"It's humanitarian work so the story of them being military advisers and this type of thing is completely and utterly nonsense and not true," he said.

"We are doing humanitarian landmine clearance on a UN contract and our members have full UN immunity. The abduction took place well within South Sudan territory," he told AFP news agency, saying the group was travelling south between two UN bases.

One killed, 16 hurt in grenade attack at Kenyan church

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gunman detonated a grenade in a Nairobi church yesterday, killing one worshipper and wounding 16 in the latest in a series of attacks in Kenya since it sent troops into Somalia to crush militants blamed for cross-border raids.

Nairobi has said al Shabaab militants, who merged with al Qaeda earlier this year, are behind the surge in violence and kidnappings that has threatened tourism in east Africa's biggest economy and wider regional destabilisation.

Police said the pastor of the church was concluding the service when a man who had "camouflaged" himself as a worshipper threw the grenade and then ran out into the street.

Some worshippers pursued the man who then drew what police said was a 9mm pistol and fired at pursuers before escaping in a maze of alleys in a busy market and residential area known as Ngara a few km (miles) away from downtown Nairobi.

"One person has been confirmed dead and sixteen others including the presiding pastor were injured. The motive of the attack has not yet been established," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said in a statement.

A bloodied footstep marked the entrance of the God's House of Miracle Church, an edifice of corrugated iron sheets which police estimated could accommodate more than 200 people.

The pastor's glass stand was shattered and shards from the stand and stained-glass windows were strewn about the floor next to a mangled flower arrangement and overturned plastic chairs.

A male worshipper sobbed as he covered his face with a brown handkerchief, shaking his head at a request for an interview.

Worshippers carried the wounded to cars that rushed them to hospitals, and later huddled speaking in hushed tones as armed police ringfenced the church to keep a curious crowd at bay.

"It just happened, we do not know actually how it started but we just heard a blast," said Hebo Hamala, a church elder.

The blast resembled two separate attacks at different bus stations and a bar in the capital that killed a total of 10 people and wounded many more last month and in October, a week after Kenyan troops swept into southern Somalia.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 33

Colombia security forces killed in FARC raid

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our security officials have been killed in fighting with the Colombian rebel group FARC in the country's south, the defence ministry says.

The ministry said that three soldiers and one police officer were killed in the attack in Caqueta province, where it said they had engaged in "heavy combat" with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

A foreign journalist and four soldiers are missing after the raid on the military and police antidrug patrol on Saturday, the defence ministry said in its statement.

Colombian authorities have launched a search operation for the missing after the incident, which occurred in the hamlet of Buena Vista, in the municipality of Montanita.

On Friday, FARC fighters

killed at least five government troops in a gunbattle, while three civilians died after a separate attack on a police station.

The former fighting took place in the southwest of the country, on the border between Cauca and Valle del Cauca departments.

A sergeant and four soldiers were among the dead, Jorge Humberton Jerez, a local

military commander, told the media.

The police station attack occurred in Caqueta, where Saturday's violence also occurred.

FARC's deadliest attack this year occurred last month, when fighters killed 11 soldiers in the town of Arauquita, near the border with Venezuela.

Earlier this month, the FARC released the last 10 police officers

and soldiers they were holding hostage.

Timolean Jimenez, a FARC leader, has recently denied that proposed negotiations with the government imply that the group is prepared to surrender.

About 400 civilians are still being held hostage by the group, according to estimates from the Free Country foundation. FARC denies that claim, but has not released figures of its own.

Sarkozy defends himself a week before runoff

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Colombia's army has been fighting the FARC for decades France"s President and UMP party candidate for the French 2012 presidential elections Nicolas Sarkozy (L) arrives for his reelection campaign rally in Dijon April 27, 2012.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, center, and his wife Yoo Soon-taek, second right, arrive at a hotel on Sunday in Yangon, Myanmar. Ban arrived here Sunday on a three-day visit.

rench President Nicolas Sarkozy dismissed as a "disgrace" a report that deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had sought to help him win power, a week before a presidential runoff in which he is trailing his Socialist challenger Francois Hollande.

Struggling to reduce Hollande's 10 point lead in opinion polls for the May 6 runoff, Sarkozy also slammed accusations from former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the Socialists' presidential favourite before a May 2011 sex scandal, that his downfall was orchestrated by his political foes.

The conservative leader said Strauss-Kahn's comments were "vulgar" and that the left was using the Mediapart report to distract attention from his reappearance on the political scene.

The former finance minister "should have the decency to keep quiet", Sarkozy said, betraying his frustration at a campaign that has become increasingly

bitter.

Since losing to Hollande in the April 22 first round, Sarkozy has tried to turn voters' attention to his rival's lack of government experience and economic policies he says will be a disaster for an economy struggling to reduce debt.

Hollande has ridden a wave of discontent with austerity measures as well as Sarkozy's abrasive style.

Both have been courting the almost one in five voters who helped far-right candidate Marine Le Pen into third place.

Sarkozy needs about 80 percent of Le Pen voters behind him to avoid defeat, but surveys conducted during or after the first round found only 44-60 percent planned to back Sarkozy.

Strauss-Kahn said in comments published on Friday that opponents had torpedoed his presidential bid by making sure his now infamous sexual encounter with a hotel maid was made public.

UN chief visits Myanmar to press for further reforms

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N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made a landmark visit to a fastchanging Myanmar yesterday to encourage its government to carry out more democratic reforms and shore-up peace deals with ethnic rebel groups.

Ban's trip was his first since a reformist, quasi-civilian government took office a year ago, ending five decades of authoritarian military rule and frosty and frustrating ties with the international community.

The government, which is still led by remnants of the former junta, has stunned the outside world with economic reforms and unprecedented engagement with the West, the political opposition and ethnic minority rebel groups, moves Ban said were encouraging, but still not enough.

"We see Myanmar is reopening to the world," he said earlier in New York, adding that "the fresh start is still fragile."

Ban arrived in the commercial capital Yangon and will see a Myanmar that has undergone astonishing changes since his last visit in July 2009 on the invitation of former junta strongman Senior General Than Shwe, which was widely seen as a

stunt to boost the regime's credibility at home.

Ban left frustrated, describing it as a "very difficult mission" having failed to convince Than Shwe to release political prisoners and being denied access to Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who was in detention at the time but was released 15 months later.

Since Than Shwe stepped aside on March 30 last year, four months after an election seen as rigged, its former fourth-incommand Thein Sein has become president and has brought Suu Kyi into the political fold.

His government has started overhauling the tattered economy, easing media censorship, legalising trade unions and protests, freeing political prisoners and agreeing cease-fires with more than a dozen ethnic rebel armies.

Ban was due on Monday meet Thein Sein and other former generals who were part of Than Shwe's inner circle but now seen as key drivers behind Myanmar's stunning facelift, which has led to an easing of some sanctions this month by the European Union, United States, Australia and Canada and a resumption of aid and debt relief by Japan.

PAGE 34

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Israel ex-spy chief slams Netanyahu over Iran

Kingdom recalls envoy to Egypt, closes embassy amid security threats

S Iran says its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful and has promised wide-ranging reprisals for any attack

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former Israeli spymaster has branded the country's leaders unfit to tackle the Iranian nuclear program because of what he called the "messianic feelings" behind their threats to launch a pre-emptive war on Iran.

Other veterans have come out against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak recently, but the criticism from former domestic intelligence chief Yuval Diskin was especially strong.

"I have no faith in the prime minister, nor in the defense minister," Diskin, who stepped

down as head of the Shin Bet a year ago, said in a speech partly broadcast by Israel Radio yesterday. "I really don't have faith in a leadership that makes decisions out of messianic feelings."

The catastrophic terms with which Netanyahu and Barak describe the prospect of a nucleararmed Iran have stirred concern in Israel and abroad of a possible strike against a uranium enrichment program Iran says has peaceful ends.

World powers have been trying to curb Tehran through sanctions and negotiations that are due to resume next month.

audi Arabia on Saturday recalled its ambassador to Egypt and closed its embassy and consulates, citing threats to the security of its staff.

State news agency SPA said Ambassador Ahmad Al-Qattan was recalled for "consultation" following "unjustified demonstrations" in front of the Saudi embassy in Cairo missions and consulates in Alexandria and Suez that were threatening the security of both Saudi and Egyptian staff.

Protesters have tried to storm the missions over the arrest of an Egyptian lawyer who tried to enter the kingdom for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

Egyptian activists claimed that lawyer Al-Gizawi (whose name in passport is Ahmed Mohammed Tharwat Al-Sayyid) was arrested for insulting King Abdullah after filing a complaint against Saudi Arabia for its treatment of Egyptian citizens in Saudi prisons.

Al-Qattan has said Al-Gizawi was detained at the King

Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on April 24 after customs officials seized 21,380 narcotic pills found hidden in the packet of baby milk powder and cases of two copies of the Holy Qur'an from Al-Gizawi's luggage.

"Even though Al-Gizawi arrived on an Umrah visa, he was not wearing pilgrims' Ihram clothes," the ambassador said was quoted earlier as saying.

Following the "surprise decision"

by Riyadh to withdraw its envoy, the head of Egypt's ruling military council contacted the Saudi

UN observer chief urges end to Syria violence

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ajor General Robert Mood, head of the UN observer mission in Syria, has called on all sides to "stop the violence" upon his arrival in Damascus.

Mood, a Norwegian with experience from several UN missions, will take charge of an advance team of 16 monitors trying to salvage a peace plan brokered by special envoy Kofi Annan that aims to end the country's 13-month-old crisis.

"To achieve the success of the Kofi Annan plan, I call on all sides to stop violence and help us continue the cessation of armed violence," Mood told reporters on Sunday.

Under the plan, a ceasefire between government forces and opposition fighters is supposed to lead to talks between President Bashar al-Assad and the opposition on a

political solution to the conflict that the UN says has killed more than 9,000 people.

The observer mission is to be expanded to 300 monitors in the coming months.

"Thirty unarmed observers, 300 unarmed observers, even 1,000 unarmed observers cannot solve all the problems," he said. "I call on everyone to help us and cooperate with us in this very challenging task ahead."

Opposition activists say more than 360 people have been killed since the ceasefire officially went into force on April 12.

In the latest reports of violence, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least eight people were killed on Sunday, including four soldiers who died in a blast at a military centre in Aleppo province.

Syrian policemen carry the coffins of their colleagues who died in a suicide bombing in the central Damascus district of Midan on Friday, during a funeral ceremony at the police hospital near Damascus, in this handout photograph released by Syria's national news agency SANA on Saturday.

Egyptian protesters demonstrate in front of the Saudi Embassy in Cairo in this April 24, 2012 photo.

UK supermarket shuns Israeli-settlement goods

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he Co-Operative Group, a British supermarket chain, is extending a boycott of goods from illegal Israeli settlements and will now shun any supplier known to source from these areas, a statement has said.

"Following an audit of the Group's supply chain, it will no longer do business with four companies, accounting for ÂŁ350,000 ($560,000) worth of sales, as there is evidence that they source from the Israeli

settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories," the statement said.

The UK's fifth-largest food retailer has not bought goods from the settlements since 2009, it said, but does trade with about 20 Israeli businesses that do not source from the settlements.

"The Group will also continue to actively work to increase trade links with Palestinian businesses in the occupied territories," it added.

The UN Human Rights Council in March passed a resolution ordering a first investigation into how Israeli settlements may be infringing on the rights of the Palestinians.

Israel approved another three settlements in the occupied West Bank on Monday, a move that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said left him "deeply troubled".

The three outposts will now join some 120 settlements dotted across the territory that are home to more than 342,000 people.

The UN is to show Israeli settlements may be infringing on the rights of the Palestinians

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 35

Hard to swallow? Greedy bird gets to grips with gigantic fish lunch I

t initially appeared as if this hungry bird's eyes might have been too big for its belly after being spotted wrestling with a rather large lunchtime meal along the banks of a river in Florida.

The anhinga water bird, usually found in warmer parts of America, looked pleased as punch after catching himself an enormous snack at Everglades National Park, a renowned wildlife world heritage sight However the greedy bird, which lives primarily off a diet of fish, struggled as it attempted to wolf down its meal.

Its catch may have been almost double the size of his head, but that didn't stop the eager anhinga, also known as the Snakebird The scene was captured by amazed wildlife snapper Javier Parrilla Perez, who explained: 'Throughout the morning, my wife and I were photographing wildlife in the Everglades, an amazing place for bird photography.

'At one point we were shooting an alligator in the canal when we saw this incredible anhinga with fish in its mouth.

'We couldn't believe it because the bird was only a few

metres away from us. Camera in hand we set out to shoot without stopping, we knew it was an incredible moment and we didn't want to miss it.'

With its small head and extra-long neck, it took the anhinga a while to digest its meal fully, but got there in the end.

Mr Perez added: 'The bird seemed to expend so much effort wallowing the fish. At one point we thought he was going to choke.

'But after a few minutes of wrestling he finally swallowed it. It was an unforgettable moment of intense emotion.'

Cat weighing 18kg in the running to be the world’s fattest moggy

An anhinga gobbles up a gold and green fish for his lunch (Picture: Caters)

Paintballing company offers frustrated fox hunters wacky human alternative

Over-sized bundle of fluff: Dr Jennifer Steketee struggles to hold Meow (Picture: AP)

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eow is in the running to be the world's fattest cat after tipping the scales at 18kg (2st 9lb).

The greedy two-year-old is four times the weight of a normal cat after gorging on rich and fatty left-overs.

Now he is too big to be taken care of by his 87-year-old owners, vets have taken over and put Meow on a diet.

They say he weighs the equivalent of a 273kg (43st) human and displays 'all the health risks that you would see in a morbidly obese person'.

'There is extra pressure on his heart from all that extra fat he's carrying around,' said Dr Jennifer Steketee of the Santa Fe Animal Shelter in New Mexico, US. 'It's also tough on his joints.

He has a stiff little stilty walk.'

Shelter spokesman Ben Swan added: 'He's very sweet. But he loses his breath and tires easily.

We got him a scratching post with a carpeted ring attached but he couldn't even get his head through.

'He had no interest in the super-sized toy mouse we gave him either.'

Himmy from Australia was the last recorded heaviest cat who

weighed 21.3kg (3st 4lb). He has since died. Guinness World Records has now scrapped the record over concerns it would encourage people to overfeed pets.

Caught: One hunter closes in on his target

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paintballing company has come up with an ingenious way of getting around the fox hunting ban after launching a package which involves competitors chasing after a 'human fox.'

Fox hunters left frustrated at being unable to pursue their

favourite rural pastime since the hunting ban was introduced in England and Wales in 2005 now have the opportunity to satisfy their predatory urges with paintball guns.

Groups of up to 10 people armed with paintball equipment have the chance to track down and chase the 'human fox' through dense woodlands.

The unorthodox alternative to the controversial sport has been launched by UKPaintball.co.uk, who operate more than 50 centres across the UK. A spokesman for the company said he believes the experience is one that could be enjoyed equally by both pro and anti-hunt brigades.

He said: 'Whether you agree with fox hunting or not there's no doubt that when the hunting ban was brought in many people lost a hobby they loved.

'Now we've decided to recreate the experience as realistically as possible, with one main difference we're using a human fox, and no animal loses its life.'

He added: 'Participants will be able to hunt the "fox" - who will be dressed in a full-size outfit - and will be encouraged to take shots once within range.

PAGE 36

C

onvincing evidence that mobile phones damage health is yet to surface despite an ‘explosion’ in research - a new study claims.

A leading scientist insisted that driving while using a mobile remains the only proven health risk; with the publishing of a report about exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields.

The review, billed as the most comprehensive yet, found a large number of studies have been published on cancer risks; but claimed none of the results had demonstrated that mobiles cause brain tumours or any other types of cancer.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) report still warns that evidence needs to be constantly assessed as there was little information about risks beyond 15 years from first exposure to RF. This should include awareness of nationwide brain tumour trends; which have so far given ‘no indication’ of any risk, the

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

‘No evidence’ that mobile phones damage your health report said.

The HPA said it would continue to advise a “precautionary” approach and keep the science under close review.

The agency recommends that “excessive” use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged while adults should make their own decision.

Epidmologist Professor Anthony Swerdlow is chairman of the HPA’s Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR).

He said the last similar largescale review was in 2003.

He said: ‘There has now been a very large amount of research conducted, which wasn’t true 10 years ago, and we have much

The HPA report says no evidence has been found which suggests mobile phone usage will cause health problems

Despite lack of evidence linking mobile phone use to health problems; the new report warns that children should be discouraged from excessive use

firmer information than we had on several areas, for instance symptoms, cognitive effects, brain tumours, than we had then.

‘There is no convincing evidence that radiofrequency exposure causes health effects in adults or in children.

‘But beyond 15 years for mobile phones, we have to say we have little or no information.

‘I think it is important therefore, to some extent, to keep an eye out on this, which we will do into the future.’

He added that brain tumour

rates were not rising in age groups that had been exposed for the last 10 to 15 years.

‘This is an exposure that 20 years ago nobody had and now practically everybody has; so you might expect that if there were appreciable effects that you would see them in the tumour rates,’ he said.

Dr John Cooper, director of the HPA centre for radiation, chemical and environmental hazards, said: ‘There is still no convincing scientific evidence that RF field exposures from mobile phones and other radio

technologies affect human health at exposure levels below internationally agreed guidelines.

‘However, as this is a relatively new technology, the HPA will continue to advise a precautionary approach and keep the science under close review.

‘The HPA recommends that excessive use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged and mobile phone-specific energy absorption rates values should be clearly marked in the phone sales literature.’

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

How women’s hearts can be broken by mental stress

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ental stress can literally be heart-breaking for women – leading them to be more likely than men to suffer coronary problems, a study claims.

The findings could help explain why women are more likely than men to be hit by coronary symptoms after emotional upsets such as losing a spouse.

The U.S. study examined the effects of mental stress on blood flow through the heart.

It found this actually increases in men during mental stress, but there was no such change in women.

By contrast, studies have shown men’s hearts become more constricted than women’s during physical stress, such as exercise.

In the US study, 17 healthy men and women had their heart rate, blood pressure and coronary vascular conductance – blood flow through the heart – measured while at rest. They were then tested while doing three minutes of mental arithmetic.

Then, to increase the stress

load, researchers badgered the volunteers and urged them to hurry during the maths. Their hearts were then tested again.

During the arithmetic task, all volunteers showed a rise in heart rate and blood pressure, regardless of sex.

However, while the men showed an increase in heart blood flow under stress, the women showed no such change.

This difference could potentially predispose women to heart problems while under stress, said study leader, Dr Chester Ray, of Penn State College of Medicine.

He said the results came as a surprise, since previous studies men have significantly less blood flow than women during the physical stress of exercise, and could explain why women tend to have more heart troubles after stressful events, such as losing a spouse.

He said the findings also reemphasise the importance of mental stress in affecting health.

Dr Ray added: ‘Stress reduction is important for anyone, regardless of gender,

but this study shines a light on how stress differently affects the hearts of women, potentially putting them at greater risk of a coronary event.’

He said further research

could discern the mechanism behind the difference, leading to more targeted treatments and prevention efforts for women at risk of coronary artery disease.

Daylight could reduce risk of having a heart attack

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orget CPR, aspirin and blood clot busters treating a heart attack victim could be as simple as exposing them to light.

Doctors say strong light or even just daylight could cut the risk of having a heart attack or suffering permanent damage after having one.

They say that heart attack victims could recover quicker in hospital simply by being exposed to daylight.

Experts say the answer lies in the body’s clock, or circadian rhythm, that is linked to light and dark.

The circadian clock is regulated by proteins in the brain. But the same proteins are

also in the heart.

Heart expert Tobias Eckle, from the University of Colorado, Denver, and colleagues found that one of the proteins link to the body’s clock - called Period 2 - plays a vital role in fending off damage from a heart attack.

During a heart attack, little or no oxygen reaches the heart.

Without oxygen, the heart has to switch from its usual fuel fat - to glucose. Without that change in heart metabolism, cells die and the heart is damaged.

The study showed that the Period 2 protein is vital for that change in fuel, from fat to glucose, and therefore could make heart metabolism more

The findings were due to be discussed at the meeting Experimental Biology 2012, at the San Diego Convention Centre.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk efficient.

The team found that strong daylight activated Period 2 in animals and cut damage from a heart attack.

Professor Eckle said: ‘The study suggests that strong light, or even just daylight, might ease the risk of having a heart attack or suffering damage from one.

‘For patients, this could mean that daylight exposure inside of the hospital could reduce the damage that is caused by a heart attack.’

The research is published in the science journal Nature Medicine.

Future studies will try to understand how light is able to change heart metabolism in humans and how this could be used to treat heart attacks in patients.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 37

2015: Maku’s ambition is killing PDP in Nasarawa, says party chieftain INTERVIEW

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ollowing the just concluded party congresses in Nasarawa state, there were strong indications that things may after all, not be the same for the PDP in the state with a section of the party crying foul over the conduct of the exercise. There seems to be a visible crack in the party?

Yes, of course, PDP in Nasarawa state is one but the only problem is the party’s way of doing things. Greed, selfishness, imposition of party leaders, lack of internal democracy and all such tendencies, played prominent roles in conducting the affairs of the party . In fact, that is why PDP lost the governorship seat to an infant political party and that is why we are saying, now is the time to come together and entrench internal democracy in the party. The planned ward congress that was supposed to hold on the 3rd of March, did not take place as has been corroborated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), when the Commission declared as faulty the congresses in 9 states, Nasarawa inclusive. We tried to make them understand that there was no ward congress which is fundamental to all subsequent congresses and that on the basis of that, any other election is a violation of basic laws. Instead, the then state executives who were bent on self perpetuation went ahead and conducted the congresses. Seeing that the exco then were not ready to play the game by the rules, we went to Court to try to stop them. We secured a Court Order restraining the party from conducting the state congress but the exco evaded our effort to serve on them the Court Order, which we however served the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja. So they went ahead and stage- managed the congress, which held in far away Nasarawa town, headquarters of Nasarawa local government area, instead of Lafia, the state capital. We are still hopeful though, that with INEC insisting that PDP puts its house in order, together with the warning that the Commission will not recognise officials produced as a result of flawed congresses in the 9 states; that the National Secretariat of the party will take a decision that could be beneficial to the majority of members of the party, rather than to appease the tendencies of a select few.

So far, what has been the response of the National Secretariat of the party?

Let me tell you, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Chairman of the party, also

For the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa state, the just concluded party congresses may after all be the last straw that broke the camel’s back, as a section of the party was crying foul alleging that they were conducted without following guidelines put in place by the party. Aliyu Bello, one time councilor and immediate past Director, Youths Mobilisation for Akwe Doma Campaign Organisation, who recently contested for the position of the party’s state secretary, spoke with our Nasarawa state correspondent, Ali Abare Abubakar, over the matter and more. Excerpts: suffered similar fate. The ease with which party executives dispense with the guidelines of the PDP, when he led a delegation from Adamawa state in 2010 to the National Secretariat to protest lack of internal democracy, after which nothing was done. Being a victim once, I am optimistic he is going to do something about it. More so, INEC has written the National Secretariat, saying unless the party does the right thing, INEC will not recognise the exco from these 9 states.

Still, there are insinuations that the party in the state is now divided. How do you react to that?

Those making the insinuation are selfish people who are seeking to actualise one ambition or the other.

These people say all manner of things, just so they can compel two prominent sons of the state, former governors Abdullahi Adamu and Aliyu Akwe Doma, to join issues. But of course, you cannot compare the two personalities. Adamu was the torch bearer of PDP in the state; he brought the party to the state. Then again, he is the architect of his undoing, so to say, as well as all the problems in the party today, because during his time, there was no internal party democracy. What is happening now is that some party officials are trying to emulate his strategy and look at where such has taken the party? For the past 12 years, the PDP in the state has conducted its affairs without paying heed to the need to build internal democracy within the party and this has been responsible for the party losing its grip on power.

Adamu single-handedly brought Doma to power, against the wish of many and within four years, more people left the party than during the eight years when Adamu was governor.

The incumbent governor, left the party barely two months to the 2011 elections and still won. So for us to solve the problem, we must first know where

Aliyu Bello the problem comes from. But for someone to say that Abdullahi Adamu is fighting Aliyu Doma, well, there is nothing like that.

Really, it is bad that the party lost the guber seat, more so that Umaru Tanko Al-makura was a member of the party. The PDP in the state should have evolved a means of reconciling aggrieved members rather than resorting to arm twisting which resulted in more members leaving the party.

For instance, the current party structure was put in place since 1998, with the chairman zoned to Obi, secretary, Toto, etc. However, since then only these two positions were re-zoned, with the other positions remaining since 1998.

There should be a re-structuring of the party to carry the members along and give them a sense of belonging, instead of pandering to the whims of a collective few. Of

“

Something is wrong somewhere and yet we seem to lack the courage to tell ourselves the truth. To my mind, people like Maku do not want the PDP to win any election in Nasarawa state. Maku now, as a member of the Federal Executive Council makes appointments from the top

course, there are more ways to knit the party together but the way and manner the state exco are handling the situation, it will not be out of place to insinuate that the party is divided. PDP in Nasarawa remains united but we, as concerned members, are calling for a clean break from the old way, from the PDP way of doing things, to a more democratic, more acceptable conduct.

Recently, the new state exco of the party visited the National Secretariat to felicitate with Bamanga Tukur over his victory, where it was alleged that the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, assured the National Chairman that PDP in Nasarawa was very strong, arguing that with 20 out of 24 members of the State Assembly, it was glaring that the party was robbed in the governorship election. How to you react to this allegation?

My candid view on this matter is that the PDP National Secretariat and the government of President Jonathan are fully aware that Maku was not telling the truth. It is clear that they are trying to deceive the people at the centre. It is because of this attitude that we lost the governorship election; the inability to say the truth as it is, what is really on ground. Everyone knows that PDP has a minister in Nasarawa North Senatorial

district, we had a Deputy Governor also from there, we had the SSG coming from there, but we lost the election. Maku should ask himself why the party was able to capture 20 seats at the Assembly but still lost the guber election. Everywhere they go, they claim it is Abdullahi Adamu and some of us that worked against the party, so why are they now saying they were robbed? I am happy that the National Chairman asked them to go back and reconcile with aggrieved party members. Something is wrong somewhere and yet we seem to lack the courage to tell ourselves the truth. To my mind, people like Maku do not want the PDP to win any election in Nasarawa state. Maku now, as a member of the Federal Executive Council makes appointments from the top. So he now makes appointments at the federal level because there is no governor and as long as he makes such appointments, it does not bother him if in doing so he is furthering the cause of the party or merely positioning himself to become governor in 2015. So, even as he positions himself, it is the party that is fast losing grounds. The truth is that, as long as there is no proper restructuring of the party, no deliberate effort to reconcile members and internal democracy remains lacking, PDP will remain a dead party in Nasarawa state. We have to tell ourselves the truth, people like Maku are killing the party in the state. He blocked Solomon Ewuga from returning to the party because of his 2015 ambition, they blocked Al-makura from contesting under PDP just because of 2015 and look at where these took us.

Your group initiated a move to investigate an alleged N20 m purportedly mismanaged by the immediate past exco. How far have you gone in your pursuit?

You see it is really difficult to fight corruption in this country. We are a PDP government and one of the cardinal agenda of the Federal Government is to fight corruption.

We were able to present to the party documents supporting our claims yet up till now nothing has come out of it. We are not discouraged though as we are ready to go to any length to ensure that justice is done. Money, N20 million was removed from that account of the party which cannot be accounted for till today.

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PDP tackles Azazi, says he made statements in error

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the National Security Adviser (NSA), Gen. Owoye Azazi for attributing the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the country to lack of internal democracy and zoning arrangement in the party even as it stated that the NSA made the statement in error.

The party in a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, at the weekend described Azazi’s statement as a very poor reflection of the foundation and the internal workings of the Party as well as a wrong deduction on the roots of security challenges in the country.

Metuh said that contrary to assertions by the National Security Adviser, the PDP has remained the strongest catalyst for the unity and progress of Nigeria.

Arguing that equity, fairness and all inclusiveness have been the cardinal operative principles of the PDP since formation, PDP spokesman said the spread of all the offices in the Party as well as in the federal government, which it has been controlling, are firm demonstration that the PDP is a sure vehicle for every Nigerian to seek and realise political ambition notwithstanding the hindrances of tribe and religion. ”We wish to state without any ambiguity that our great Party remains the only political party in Nigeria that is not owned by any ethnic group, person or group of persons. All Nigerians are equal stakeholders. All our special

Gen. Owoye Azazi National Conventions for the election of our Presidential flag bearers since 1998 have seen candidates emerge on the strength of national unity, a common motif which envisages that every section of the country, majority or minority can aspire to the highest political office in our fatherland via a well entrenched rotation and zoning principle in the constitution of our party.”

According to the statement, the 2010 presidential primaries of the PDP through which President Goodluck Jonathan emerged was an acid test that proved the founding fathers of the PDP as true architects of national unity.

“We wish to add that President

Jonathan emerged with overwhelming votes of delegates from every state in the country, a feat that was again repeated in April 2011 general elections which of course, have been adjudged the best in our recent history. It is therefore a comment in grave error, a fatal diagnosis of facts for anyone to insinuate or directly assert that a section of the membership of the PDP or its foundation predisposes that only a certain section and not others will aspire to the highest office in the country.”

The statement added that “without fear of contradiction, the PDP is one and truly united in its support for President Goodluck

Jonathan who by carriage and personal example has remained the father of all.”

The PDP also said that the issue of insecurity predated the ascension of Dr. Jonathan to the office of the President of Nigeria.

“While through the military and civilian administrations hitherto, the nation witnessed eruptions of religious violence, the Boko Haram insurgency which itself predated the tenure of the current President is only different in sophistication which again is aligned to the sophistication in this ugly global trend of violence.”

The statement further said the PDP has been in the vanguard of the crusade against all forms of violence. “The PDP is the only political party that has been entrenching an unambiguous clause against violence in all its electoral guidelines and examples abound of our members who have been disqualified from participating in elections for attempting violence.”

“Our Party will not relent in seeking an end to the scourge of violent attacks in the country and will continue to encourage the security agencies to do their best in the interest of the nation.

However, it is important for us to advise appointees of government to navigate on only on the terrain where their authority will not be humbled by superior knowledge so as to avoid attracting undeserving and unnecessary ill feelings for their principal. The PDP as a Party will not cease supporting and assisting the National Security Adviser in as much as he remains focused in this job of securing the lives and property of Nigerians.

Group decries PDP criticism of ACN governors From Inumidun Ojelade, Ibadan

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pressure group under the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo state, Asiwaju Leadership Forum, has advised the people of the state not to be carried away by the failed media war against the Governor of the state, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi and other ACN governors by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the sacked governor of Osun state, Brig. Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Senator Iyiola Omisore.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Sikiru Akinola Oranmiyan, it alleged that the PDP was planning to cause mayhem in the state through a false publication to be published in some section of the compromised media during the one year anniversary of the ACN’s administration in the state. It urged the Security agents to be at alert as they are going to carry out their dastardly act with ACN souvenirs which they have been printing with their savings.

Oranmiyan affirmed their total support for the present administration in the state adding

that they were not surprised with the antics of the leadership of the PDP. He said the PDP was not only intimidated by the performance of the ACN but has been relegated to the dustbin of political history.

He said ‘’we have uncovered plans by the PDP, which is a alien to the Yorubas to cause mayhem in the region to pave way for state of emergency. One of their plans, which failed, was the connivance of the PDP leaders with security agencies who cannot distinguish from right and wrong; alleging Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of plot to secede and Islamize Osun.

“Though, there are Intellectuals in the PDP but most of them are educated illiterates; not better than the garage boys. They neither read books nor conversant with current affairs; they should consult government textbooks written by eminent scholars to know what it takes to secede and make a state a mono-religious entity.

“We believe in the manifesto of the ACN as it has been bettering the lots of the masses since they assumed the mantle of leadership in the South-West and Edo. Their ‘mainstreaming’ which we

practiced for eight years did not only brought pain and disaster but the culture and essence of the region was repudiated. The most glorious days for all Yoruba was when we were practicing regionalism; during Baba Awolowo’s era. If not that those Vagabonds in the South-West who sold us to the PDP’, the worst to have come from Nigeria, our region would have been well developed than this.

“Though, we are vindicated by Speaker Aminu Bello Tambuwal’s

Gov. Abiola Ajimobi

comment when he visited the state of Osun, it is imperative for us to advise president Jonathan to investigate the uncouth behaviour of Sen. Omisore because this was the same pattern of what happened before Chief Ajibola Ige was murdered. We will not fold our arms and allow some persons who were rejected in their respective areas during the polls because they don’t have electoral value to denigrate the status of our own revered party leaders.

Sokoto PDP Chairman was great asset to the party — Tukur

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has described the Sokoto State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Wazirin Bodinga, who died last Wednesday as “patriot, loyal, hardworking and great asset to the PDP.” “The death of Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Wazirin Bodinga came to us as a surprise because he was one of the people who spare no efforts in developing PDP and the ideals of democracy not only in Sokoto state but in Nigeria generally. He was very loyal to the party and his people, hard working, a patriot and great asset to the party.”

The National Chairman, who was unavoidably absent attending another national assignment, appointed a high-powered delegation to Sokoto, on Friday, to condole the family, the state government and the people of the state over the demise of the PDP state chairman.

The delegation was comprised of National Organizing Secretary, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar, National Treasurer, Alhaji Bello Ka’oje, Special Adviser on Political Matters to the National Chairman, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad Gusau and Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Mr. Okenne Okey Nnadoze.

The delegation was received by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari representing Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako, who was in Saudi Arabia for laser Hajj.

The late Waziri, 65, was active politician who shot to the limelight of old Sokoto State politics during the Second Republic and made name as a go-getter and result oriented leader.

He became the Sokoto State PDP chairman in 2008, succeeding Senator Bello Jibril Gada who was appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism, and was re-elected last year.

Under Waziri’s leadership, Sokoto PDP had recorded unprecedented growth, winning the entire 30 Sokoto State local government councils seats, 11 members of the House of Representatives and the three senators from the state.

Speaker Tambuwal said the people of Sokoto and the entire PDP family in the country have lost a great politician, grassroots mobilizer and master strategist, adding that “the PDP family is hereby offering its condolences to the National Chairman of the party. We pray that Allah, the most benevolent the most merciful, may forgive his shortcomings, reward his good deeds with Al-jannah and give his family the strength and the fortitude to bear the loss.”

After eulogizing the character of the late Wazirin Bodinga, Deputy Governor Shagari extended the condolences of Governor Wamako to the PDP National Chairman’s delegation, adding that Governor Wamako was shocked by the news of the death of Waziri and was cutting his trip short in order to be with the bereaved family.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 39

Centre for S/West PDP to appeal against court ruling nullifying Congress Barrister Sola Oludipe that it was state on March 21, 2012. copy of the judgment and study Leadership From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos neither served any court "As stated earlier, we were not it. Thereafter, we will exercise he Peoples Democratic Party processes nor put on notice of an aware of any suit on the our rights to appeal by filing an advocates (PDP) in the Southwest has impending legal matter relating Congress.We however appeal against the ruling. said it would appeal against to the Congress or any other issue. understand that the ruling was "We also wish to state further judicial reforms the recent Lagos High Court The statement read; "Our part of a court process that has that as a party that respects the

T

he African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) yesterday advocated for urgent reforms in the nation's judicial system to regain its lost glory.

The Executive Director, Dr Otive Igbuzor, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

According to Igbuzor, there is need to engage in judicial reforms that will boost the confidence of the common man in the nation's judicial system and ensure that its integrity is taken back into the system. `` ``It is very unfortunate that some people, especially politically exposed persons have found a way of manipulating the judicial system in this country and I think it is a great shame for our emerging democracy, `` he said.

Igbuzor stressed the need for active participation of citizens in reform process of the legal system to prevent the political class from outright manipulation.

The reforms, he added, would enhance access to justice and speedy disposal of cases as well as efficient administration of justice.

He observed that the judiciary was facing challenges that if not addressed, would hinder the entrenchment of `rule of law' and enthronement of justice.

Igbuzor also rated the anti corruption agencies low in their fight against corruption, pointing out that the recent reports by Transparency International indicated that corruption was on the increase in the last few years.

The executive director said that the ongoing anti-graft war required efforts and commitment of all Nigerians. ``To fight corruption in any country goes beyond activities of only anti corruption agencies, it requires collective efforts of all and sundry, `` he said.

He urged anti corruption agencies to embark on awareness campaign on procurement and due process to ensure that the system was more transparent and accountable.

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ruling nullifying the party's Zonal Congress held in Oshogbo, Osun state on March 21, 2012.

Reacting to the Court ruling, the PDP said in a statement signed by its Legal Adviser,

attention has been drawn to newspaper reports on a Court ruling, purportedly nullifying the Southwest Zonal Congress of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Osogbo, Osun

been on before the Zonal Congress.

No formal notification was given to join the present Zonal Executive of the PDP to be joined in the suit.

"However, we will obtain a

R-L: Yobe state Governor, Malam Ibrahim Gaidam, in a handshake with Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Musa Gamcho Tela, during the governor's visit to the latter's family residence to condole him over the death of his father, yesterday in Azam-Kura village near Gashu'a, Yobe state.

ACN youths’ aborted Cuba trip must be investigated – PDP From Adesoji Oyinlola, Lagos

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he South West chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked security agencies to go beyond just stopping the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) youths visit to Cuba but investigate the matter thoroughly.

The party said "The youths should be investigated to know the level of their involvement and knowledge of the main mission for the trip."

Security agents at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, on

Thursday night reportedly stopped the youths, numbering more than 50 from embarking on the Cuba trip, which was sponsored by the Osun state Governor, Mr Rauf Aregbesola.

PDP Zonal Publicity Secretary, Hon Kayode Babade, alleged in a statement issued yesterday that "as against claim by the ACN government in Osun state that the trip was for student activists to witness the May day celebration in Cuba, we have information that only seven out of the over 50 youths billed to embark on the trip were

students."

The added "other youths that were part of the trip were drawn from Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states and they were not student activists."

"We wish to commend security agents at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport for aborting this Aregbesola's evil trip to Cuba, a development that has vindicated us on our earlier stand that the Cuba trip was inimical to the corporate existence of Nigeria.

"However, it is our belief that security agencies in the country must go beyond mere stoppage of

LG chairmanship candidate in A/Ibom pledges inclusive administration

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chairmanship candidate for Esit Eket Local Government in Akwa Ibom, Chief Ibanga Etang, has pledged to run an open and inclusive administration if elected.

Etang, a candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming local government elections made the pledge on Sunday in Etebi, Esit Eket during a thank you visit for his victory at the party's primaries.

The candidate visited the three political zones in Esit Eket Local

rule of law, we will not flout any court order.

"Rather, as said earlier, we will exercise our rights under the law by appealing against the ruling."

Government to express appreciation to delegates and party members who supported his candidature at the primary elections to select PDP chairmanship candidates across Akwa Ibom.

He observed that the massive support he received at the keenly contested primaries reflected the desire of the delegates to enthrone an administration that would be accountable to the people.

The candidate commended the sportsmanship spirit of some fellow contestants for the PDP ticket who

accepted the result of the primaries and pledged their support.

"It is not a winner takes all, I will not play politics of exclusion and I will accommodate all my fellow contestants who did not leave for other parties, there were five candidates from Etebi zone alone.

"The spread of the support I received is an indication of the expectations of the people, I will not disappoint the people because I understand their feelings. " This is just to say thank you, in due course we shall go into the field

for electioneering campaign where I shall unfold my plans for Esit Eket Local Government," Etang said.

NAN checks in Eket and neighbouring council areas in Southern Akwa Ibom shows that the announcement of the elections timetable last month has heightened political activities in the area for chairmanship and councillorship positions in the coming polls.

The election across the 31 local government areas in the state has been scheduled for June 9.

the trip. They must investigate the youths that are involved in this trip with a view to finding out their level of involvement and understanding of the real mission of the trip. “Also, background check must also be done on the affected youths so as to ascertain their past activities, political views and sources of livelihood.

"Our concern on this issue is premised on the present security situation in the country vis Governor Aregbesola's radical political and religious views, which has remained a source worry not only in Osun state, but in the country.

"Nigeria cannot afford another Boko Haram, hence, our concern that activities of Aregbesola and his party, especially in relation to religious extremism and disintegration of the country must not be treated with levity.

"For instance, Governor Aregbesola's continued defence of his change of Osun state to 'The State of Osun' is enough pointer to the fact that he (Aregbesola) and his party are desirous of precipitating crises in the country and this must be nipped in the bud before another Boko Haram begins to stare us in the face," the PDP said.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Maitama Sule decries calls for Nigeria’s break-up F

ormer Nigeria's P e r m a n e n t Representative at the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule, has warned against calls for the disintegration of the country.

Sule urged those agitating for the break-up to desist from the act "in order not to fall into the trap of enemies of the country".

He gave the warning when a group of youth under the aegis of Arewa Youth Stakeholders

Peace Parley (AYSPP) visited him on Saturday in Kano.

"Instead of calling for the disintegration of the country, they should rise up to the challenges of uniting the country in the interest of its progress and stability.

"We have so much that unites us than what divides us.

We should focus on those positive values of our cultures and religions that bring us together as a people.''

He noted that what the country needed most at the moment was 'cultural revolution' that would launch it into a glorious future, to enable the nation to compete at the global level. ``Disintegration will do no one any good, and if we play into the hands of our detractors and our enemies, we will end up a divided people.''

He called on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious

and political inclinations, to continue to promote peace and unity in the country.

"If the country disintegrates, all of us will regret it. We have seen what is happening in those countries that have partitioned themselves.

"Fighting corruption, instilling moral discipline and youth empowerment are the only ways through which Nigeria can attain greatness.''

He advised the youth to

remain resolute in their determination to make the country a better place for all.

Earlier, the leader of the group, Dr Sadiq Abubakar, told the elder statesman that they were in his house to seek for his advice on how to move the country forward.

He said the North had been disadvantaged because of the current security challenges rocking the region and the country. ``This should not be allowed to continue, hence the resolution of the group to come together and search for a way forward.''

Senator Abatemi-Usman condemns attack on Media Houses

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L-R: Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Solomon Adeola, his Deputy, Hon. Auwal Jatau, and member of the Committee, Hon. Raphael Igbokwe, during the submission of audit query response by the Ministry of Agriculture to the committee at the weekend in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Al-Makura promises prudent, transparent administration

G

ov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state on Saturday assured the people that his administration would be prudent and accountable in respect of contract awards.

Al-Makura madethe statement while inaugurating some earth moving equipment for the construction of rural roads in parts of the state in Lafia.

He said the present

administration in the state would distance itself from the past practice when contractors failed to deliver on contracts and collected money. ``We are going to take a full stock of all projects that have been awarded and those either completed, abandoned or uncompleted.

"My administration will not leave any stone unturned and will deal with anybody found guilty of

Action-Aid commends NASS performance on fuel subsidy scam

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ction Aid Nigeria, an NGO, has commended the National Assembly for being responsive on the petroleum industry scam.

The Country Director, Dr Hussaini Abdu, made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

“I think the seventh National Assembly has done well for now, they have been responsive, particularly on issue of fuel price increase and petroleum industry scam “This demonstrates their commitment to satisfy the yearning and aspiration of Nigerians, `` he said.

siphoning government funds,'' the governor said.

He said the construction of rural roads would start at AgyaraguKwara, in Nasarawa North Senatorial (Lafia) Zone and in Garaku in Nasarawa West Senatorial (Keffi) Zone through Dari-Amba-up to Basa.

He said the Nasarawa Central (Akwanga) Zone road construction would begin from Wamba through FarrinRuwa to Maman areas.

He said the state government bought the equipment in conjunction with the local government/development areas for the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads.

Al-Makura said the provision of feeder roads would go a long way in opening up rural communities in the areas of transportation and increased social and economic activities, especially where the mainstay of the rural economy was agriculture.

"As an administration under

the platform of CPC, which everybody knows is the only party on ground to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, this government will definitely be there for those in the rural areas and to those without opportunities to work in government,' he said.

The governor called on the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure maximum utilisation of the equipment in the interest of the people.

He said the government was intensifying efforts to buy more heavy duty equipment to build more feeder roads.

In an address of welcome, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr. Wada Mohammed, urged communities that would benefit from the road projects to engage in profitable economic ventures and agriculture.

The commissioner commended the governor for his effort to alleviate the suffering of rural farmers through road development.

ice Chairman of Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, representing Kogi Central has joined other prominent Nigerians to decry the bombing of some media houses by members of the Boko Haram sect.

The Boko Haram group had on Thursday last week hit the offices of Thisday, Sun Newspaper and Tribune in Abuja and Kaduna with a bomb blast that left about ten people dead, while several others sustained injuries of various degrees.

In a statement signed by Michael Jegede, his Special Assistant on Media, Abatemi-Usman said he could not imagine why on earth any group of persons would unleash such an attack on the Press for discharging its constitutional duty of informing and educating the people.

He noted that the media has played significant role in the sustenance of democracy and the struggle for the emancipation of the masses, wondering therefore why any group would want to unnecessarily browbeat and terrorize the Press.

The Senator, while commiserating with the affected media establishments and families of the deceased prayed for their peaceful repose and quick recovery of the injured.

Describing the act as highly despicable, abhorrent and repugnant, Abatemi-Usman called on the group to have a rethink and allow peace and unity to reign supreme in the country.

"I wish to strongly condemn the bombing of some media houses in the country. I do not think there is any reason that could justify such an act because the media represents the interest of all Nigerians regardless of tribes, religion, political affiliations or associations. For any group to think of attacking the Press in the manner it was done last week Thursday, is to my mind, a big dent to the country's image as a democratic nation," the Senator said in the statement.

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 41

Nadal wins 7th Barcelona Open, as Sharapova clinches 25th title

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Rafael Nadal

Maria Sharapova

Rangers topple Pillars, shoot to the top

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angers toppled Kano Pillars to return to the top of the Nigeria Premier League with 37 points after a huge 3-0 home win over Gombe United yesterday.

The Coal City club edged Pillars who lost 1-2 to Shooting Stars at the Adamasigba Stadium, Ibadan.

Ifeanyi Edeh stabbed home inside the box off a low left cross

by Ejike Uzoenyi for the opening goal of the match in the 42nd minute.

Chikeluba Ofoedu doubled Rangers advantage on 54 minutes when he ghosted past several of his markers before he smashed home from outside box for his eighth goal of the season and his first in the second round. In the 59th minute, Babalo Haruna would have pulled a goal back for Gombe but he made a hash of a low pullout that set him free inside the six-yard box.

Sub Efe Yarhere made it 3-0 on 74 minutes after Umar headed on a corner by Uzoenyi and former warri Wolves front man easily nodded home from seven yards.

In the first half, it was literally Rangers against Gombe goalkeeper Ahmed Yusuf. In the 16th minute, Haliru Umar failed to connect home a cross from Uzoenyi with the Gombe goalkeeper all

NPL results Kwara 2 Wikki 1 Dolphin 1 Enyimba 1 Rangers 3 Gombe 0 Lobi 1 Jigawa 0 3SC 2 Pillars 1

exposed.

Six minutes later, goalkeeper Yusuf pulled off a fine save when he tipped for a corner a free header inside the box by Ofoedu.

Pillars are now down in second on 36 points after they lost 2-1 at Shooting Stars, while Enyimba and Dolphin drew 1-1 behind closed doors in Port Harcourt to stay put in third and fourth positions, respectively.

In Ilorin, Kwara United pipped Wikki Tourists 2-1 with Segun Alebiosu scoring the opener for ‘The Afonja Warriors’in the 34th minute after his 19-yard shot was deflected into the net by Wikki defender.

Aminu Umar grabbed the equaliser for Wikki in the 83rd minute only for Kwara new signing Stanley Dimgba to tuck away from close range a rebound parried towards him

by Wikki goalie from Segun Alebiosu’s shot in the 88th minute to send the Ilorin fans into jubilation.

David Tyakase’s first-half strike was all Lobi needed to beat Jigawa Golden Stars.

H

eartland came from behind against AC Leopard of Congo yesterday after conceding 25 minutes and then went ahead only to watch helplessly as the visitors draw level before finally sealing a win 10 minutes from the time.

The result meant Nigeria’s other CAF Confederation Cup hopefuls- Warri Wolves being the other- take a delicate 3-2 victory to the decisive second leg in a fortnight in Congo.

The Congolese team’s two goals away from home could well prove crucial in the return

afael Nadal became the first player in the Open Era to win two tournaments seven times after beating David Ferrer 7-6 (1), 75 in yesterday’s Barcelona Open final.

The second-ranked Nadal’s 21st straight victory on clay followed up his eighth straight win in Monte Carlo.

The sixth-ranked Ferrer lost his fourth Barcelona Open final to Nadal, who saved 12 of 15 break points for his 34th victory on clay. Nadal won the 10th allSpanish final for a 48th career win.

Meanwhile, Maria Sharapova earned her first WTA title of the

year yesterday by blasting away world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the Stuttgart claycourt tournament.

The victory was a revenge for this year’s Australian Open and Indian Wells defeats to Azarenka. Besides, the win was the 25-year-old Sharapova’s 25th title of her career, but her first in 2012 having lost three finals including the Miami tournament.

Her victory in 84 minutes comes with both a winner’s cheque of 115,000 dollars and a new Porsche sports car.

Azarenka needed treatment on her right wrist after the first

set and did not look as sharp as she had done throughout the week, but rallied in the second and pushed Sharapova all the way.

Sharapova demolished her 22-year-old opponent in the first set needing exactly 30 minutes having raced into a 3-0 lead.

In a competitive encounter, the world’s top two players even barged into one another during a changeover.

The Belarusian world number one raised her game in the second set, but Sharapova got the break she needed to make it 4-3 and then served out to win the tournament on her debut in Stuttgart.

Warri Wolves stop Black Leopards

By Patrick Andrew

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igeria’s CAF Confederation Cup flag bearers, Warri Wolves defeated South Africa’s Black Leopards 3-1 in the first leg of the championship’s second round game yesterday.

The result means that Wolves

would have to prevent the hosts from scoring twice against during the return leg in South Africa in a fortnight where the overall winners will be taking on a team from the Champions League Round of 16 for a place in the group stage of the Confederation Cup. Black Leopards, who have

Bello Kofarmata contesting for possession of the ball against AC Leopard of Congo defender yesterday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri

struggled in the South African Premier Soccer League this season, enjoyed more of the ball, while Wolves battled on.

Top striker Jude Aneke, who was the NPL hotshot with 20 goals last season, was forced out of the game after just 15 minutes following a thigh injury.

Raymond Monama stunned the average crowd at the Warri City Stadium after 20 minutes when he put Black Leopards in front off a quick counter attack.

However, Augustine Amutu drew the hosts level five minutes later. Amutu, who a few months ago was playing in the Nigerian lower league, then put Wolves ahead for the first time in the game two minutes after the break.

Former Nigeria U20 star Gift Atulewa, who replaced the injured Aneke, made it 3-1 in the 55th minute when he fired home after some good work by the exciting Amutu.

Late in the match, Malawi midfielder Davi Banda failed to make hay when he came face-toface with Wolves goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim. Nigerian forward Joshua Obaje posted an average game for the Black Leopards.

In general, Wolves played a better game in the second half as both sides threw away begging chances.

...Heartland in slim win leg as a goal could see them go past the Nigerians.

However, Heartland Dutch coach Lodewijk de Kruif remained upbeat his team are in a good position to go past their opponents and advance to third and final qualifying round of the competition.

“The return leg will be tough but I believe we will get the result we need in Congo to go forward,” said de Kruif. I’m very proud of my players because they showed character

to get this hard-fought victory.”

Hosts Heartland went behind in this second round, first leg clash after 25 minutes courtesy of a goal by Kombo Benveny.

But the hosts responded two minutes later through Kabiru Umar’s equaliser.

Brendan Ogbu again came off the bench to score in the 64th minute for ‘The Naze Millionaires’, just as he had done in the previous round against Unisport-Haut Nkam

of Cameroon.

But Leopard did not relent as they continued to attack and they were rewarded in the 71st minute, when Bheby dey Gayina found the back of the net.

Nigeria Olympic international forward Osas Okoro conjured the winner for Heartland 10 minutes from time and at stoppage time, the visitors almost drew blood again but frittered a clear chance.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Weightlifting: Bassey hails Germany training tour Ikhana nixes

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atrick Bassey, Head Coach of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), has applauded the proposed training tour of Germany ahead of the London Olympics in July.

Bassey said that the tour would enable the weightlifters to perfect their strategies before the Games scheduled for July 27 to Aug. 12, adding that the trip would provide the weightlifting athletes the required exposure and the focus ahead of the Olympics. “ I appreciate the federation for making it possible to start preparation early, this will make the athletes to be relaxed and be fully prepared. The athletes needed quality exposure and also should be able to adapt in different weather condition

N

o fewer than 70 boxers have begun trials for placement in the team to represent Lagos State at the 18th National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold between November 27 and December 9.

The boxers, drawn from 45 boxing clubs, are participating in a two-day trial, organised by the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba.

The trials also constitute part of the Lagos State Inter-Clubs Championships, an initiative of Wale Oladunjoye, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Babatunde Fashola on Grassroots Sports Development

and change of environment, ” he said.

It would be recalled that only

seven of the 15 lifters, who featured in the Olympic qualifiers in Kenya from March

Nigerian weightlifter Hadiza Zakari

28 to April 1, would make the final phase of camping in Germany.

The Nigeria’s weightlifting team in Kenya clinched the two available slots for Africa, winning the championships with 19 gold medals, and also setting new African and Commonwealth records.

Bassey, one of the three coaches appointed to prepare the athletes for the Olympics, canvassed for more slots for Africa at the Games.

“I hope we get more slots, even if it is just one, because we have a lot of potentials that can win medals at the Olympics,” Bassey said.

The coach was optimistic of a good showing by the Nigerian weightlifters at the Olympics, just like they did at the African qualifiers in Kenya.

70 Lagos state boxers begin trials for National Sports Festival

Wasiu Birisiryu, an assistant boxing coach in the state, said recently that the trials, which would last for two days, would enable them to select outstanding boxers for the festival.

The coach warned the other participating states to be prepared to contend with Lagos’ boxers for the gold medals in all the weight categories. He added: “We are prepared to sweep the medals in boxing; the state can boast of over 50 boxing clubs and I can say that we are blessed with lots of good

boxers.

“With 70 boxers taking part in this trial, it means we are not taking any chances because we are targeting gold medals in all the categories.” The coach said that the boxers selected to represent the state would be screened to ensure their medical fitness.

He said that the state government gave the medical fitness of its boxers top priority, while the association ensured that all the boxers participating in the trials were certified fit.

Bisiriyu warned the boxers against taking performance enhancing drugs and to watch what they ate or drank as they could fail the doping tests if they did. He lauded the state government for developing boxing and giving young boxers opportunities to showcase their talents.

The trials, involving male and female boxers, are spread over 10 weight categories, including 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 69, 70, 75, 81 and 91 and kilogrammes.

Ugbade confident national teams’ technical crews will succeed

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duka Ugbade is confident the national teams’ technical crews have enough depth and experience to forge formidable teams that again take Africa and the rest of the world by storm.

Ugbade, an assistant coach of the Golden Eaglets is convinced that the crews have not only resolve and competence to discover and assemble precocious youth, but knack and mentality necessary to chisel quality players from the roughages available.

“The current coaches are experienced hands who had played the game at that level and even beyond and thus have garnered enough experience. With the likes of Steven Keshi, John Obuh, Daniel

Amokachi and the rest also offering useful suggestions, the team, and indeed, football in Nigeria, I believe would soon change.”

Ugbade also assured without mincing words that the various technical crews at the helms of the

Dan Amokachi, Asst Coach, Super Eagles

concluded plans at ensuring that it would not affect their schooling.

“We ensured that the right age bracket made the team, we have passed through this process before and so we knew what to look out for.”

S

uper Falcons’ manager, Kadiri Ikhana has said he will not invite foreignbased players at the teething stage of his African Women’s Championship programme.

The former Nigerian manager has cut the initial 53 domestic players he invited to the camp to 34 preparatory to the 2012 Equatorial Guinea AWC qualifiers against Zimbabwe in Harare on May 27.

Ikhana revealed that his main focus at the moment is to fashion out a strong domestic squad before their counterparts from Europe would be asked to join the rank.

“No, I’m not inviting the foreign professionals at this stage, I want to work and concentrate on the local players first. The foreign professionals will come in later, at least, two weeks to the qualifier.

“Their clubs won’t release them at this early stage of preparations. I want to see the quality of the locals and how they fit into our programme.

Initially 53 were invited to the camp, but the number has been cut down to 34. It will still be cut down to a manageable size.

“This will help us to know the area of needs when we decide to bring in the foreign professionals. There won’t be problem with blending the team because already the Europebased ones are competitively active,” he said.

The former Enyimba and Kwara United coach said their target is to raise a solid team that will get positive result against Zimbabwe and in other qualifiers the team would be involved.

“The expectations are high already, we must start very well against Zimbabwe in Harare and take it up from there to other matches we’re scheduled to play.

“We must be careful not to let the country down in any of the assignments,” he said.

John Obuh, Head Coach, Flying Eagles

Emordi seeks to end trophy drought in Rangers

O Nduka Ugbade, Asst Coach, Golden Eaglets

national teams would definitely steer the nation’s football in the right direction.

Similarly, Amokachi, suggested the need for the NFF to cooperate with the various coaching crews for the national teams that the national objectives and targets will be to achieved.

“We need more training courses for our coaches because it is only then they can impart positively on our football.”

According to him, players for the national U-17 team are carefully selected, to meet the specific age range in the team adding this is being done to forestall any embarrassment to the nation on account of age cheat allegation.

Ugbade said that some of them were still in schools and had

foreignbased Falcons for now

key Emordi, the Head Coach of Rangers International FC, of Enugu, has attributed the club’s sterling performance in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) this season to its focus and discipline.

He said that the club was bent on ending its barren spell, dating back to the 1980s, adding that it would do everything humanly possible to win “something” for its

teeming fans.

“Our current crop of players have worked so hard, and are also taking things in their stride, playing like a team should; their level of determination is commendable. Rangers has not won anything for a while and so our boys are hungry for success, which we will achieve with God on our side; that is our main aspiration,” he said.

Emordi, who won the CAF

Champions in 2004 as coach of Enyimba FC, of Aba, said that everything would be done to make the club a force to be reckoned with in local and continental football.

“We intend to go beyond the level we presently find ourselves and it takes hard work to attain the height we are aiming for. It is only through a high level of determination and zero tolerance on indiscipline that Rangers could achieve this objective,” he said.

Kadiri Ikhana

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

A

mong the goals you have scored in the K-League, which one do you still remember most vividly?

That’s the first goal in my professional career, which I scored in my third game for Pohang Steelers. I can still remember it because I was up against star players on the stage where I’d dreamt of playing.

121 goals and still counting, what do you want to achieve from here?

I’d like to score as many goals as possible. It’s not just about breaking records, but I need to score to help my team win games. When you see some other players in foreign countries they even score 40 or 50 goals in a season, so my record may look humble. But I think every goal I score counts because it can lead my side to winning matches. I feel very proud of it, and I will try to score many goals before I retire.

After a long slump you finally rediscovered your form at Jeonbuk. How have you made yourself at home there?

I’ve got wonderful team-mates and I’m also satisfied with everything here. Everyone here loves football, and the fans create a wonderful atmosphere at the stadium. It’s just amazing. I’m happy when I play here and I think it’s natural that you can notice it when you see me play.

You’re just a handful of matches away from making one hundred appearances for Korea Republic. Are you aware of it?

I don’t really care about records, and I haven’t thought about it.

To see your excellent track record in your professional career, it seems unfortunate that you have not performed well in FIFA World Cups. What do you think of your chances at Brazil 2014?

At the moment I’m not thinking about the finals, because we still have to go through so many matches in the qualifying round. I don’t think about anything else ahead of what I’ve got to do right now. We’ve got important games to play and there’s no point in talking about the finals already.

That said, I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to score in the finals. I’ve always scored in every tournament I took part in, but not in the World Cup. So I’d like to score if I can, and help my side win.

What would be your worst miscue of your life?

In the World Cup in South Africa, I had a great chance to equalise against Uruguay in the Round of 16. That was exactly one of the situations I’d imagined, but I just couldn’t hit the ball well and I was disappointed. But I’m always optimistic and positive after such a terrible mistake, I try to forget about everything and start all over again.

PAGE 43

Lee Dong-Gook is, quite simply, a goal machine. The Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker is the all-time K-League top scorer with 121 goals in 287 matches, while he has also netted 28 goals in his 88 appearances for Korea Republic. But his professional career has been far from straightforward, with the player also known as the Lion King, wandering in and out of his home nation before finally settling down in Jeonju three years ago.

There, Lee has enjoyed a dramatic rebirth on the domestic stage by helping the Motors win their first ever championship in 2009, before repeating the feat last year. With his coach Choi Kang-Hee subsequently taking charge of the national team, the 32-year-old emerged as the front man to lead the Taeguk Warriors into the finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. FIFA.com caught up with Lee last week, to hear about his thoughts on goals, miscues, records and what the future may hold.

After having some unsuccessful stints in Germany and England earlier in your career, do you still have ambitions of playing abroad?

To be frank, I’m getting a bit too old for another challenge, and it’s not a matter I can decide on my own. Besides, I don’t think I can possibly get any good offer at the moment.

“

Human life has been prolonged to over one hundred years, but I wonder why footballers should still think about retiring around that age.

I think I can still go on until the fans tell me to stop [laughs], but I want to carry on unless I can’t stand it physically. That said, I’m still too young to talk about retiring already.

Coach Choi Kang-Hee has repeatedly said that he is leaving the national team after the qualifiers, because he is not good enough for the tournament proper. Would you agree with that?

The coach must have thought about it much more than I have, and he’s thought of great ideas down the years. If that’s his decision, I think that’s best for him and I’m not in a position to say something about it. After the qualifying is over he will make a choice, and as a player I respect his decision.

You turn 33 this Sunday (yesterday), and you have become one of the most seasoned veterans in Korea Republic. How do you feel?

Well, I’ve heard something like that ten years ago, when 33-yearolds were regarded as veterans. Human life has been prolonged to over one hundred years, but I wonder why footballers should still think about retiring around that age. I think I can still go on until the fans tell me to stop (laughs), but I want to carry on unless I can’t stand it physically.

That said, I’m still too young to talk about retiring already.

So are you having your finest hour now?

I think I still have room for improvement. It’s not appropriate for a footballer to say when his finest hour is, but he should always prepare for it by maintaining his best form and conditions. Even when I won the golden boot and the MVP awards in 2009, it wasn’t down to my own abilities but I had wonderful support from my team-mates. Whether or not I’m having my best period, well, you’ll find out when you see me play on the pitch.

Lee Dong-Gook

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

Bolt will lower Olympic 100m record, Blake set for phenomenal feat in 200m, says Coach Glen Mills Glen Mills, the Jamaican who coaches both double Olympic champion and World record holder Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, the World 100m champion, says his charges are in sublime form ahead of the London Olympic Games, Mills discussed his star athletes, their preparation for the Samsung Diamond League and the Olympic Games, and provided some insight into his coaching philosophy as well.

Are you happy with Bolt’s strength development?

We have developed over the years his strength level and are happy with the level it is at the moment. We continue to work on his biomechanics so that we can create perfection in the execution of his sprinting.

Is Bolt 100% healthy?

Yes. How fast can Blake run this summer? Will he double in London?

I would love to see him go much faster than he did last year. His PR (personal record) is 9.82. He’s training with the double in mind. We’ll see what happens after the trials and then we’ll make a decision.

Is the 100m more of the focus for Blake, or is the 200m, after his 19.26 last year, also important?

I think the 200 metres will become a dominant part of his sprinting. We are taking some

Usain Bolt

D

Yohan Blake

o you have any general predictions or expected highlights for both Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake?

Well, the Olympics take centre stage this year. I’m certain everyone will be looking to see what is happening in London. And the 100 metres for men and for women should take centre stage for athletics.

The Diamond league season, the precursor leading up to the Olympics, will attract a lot of attention to what is happening in the sprints. And to see what the expectations are going to be in London.

The first meet in Doha has great significance as many of the top 100 metre participants will be taking part. So the Diamond League season takes on greater importance. Athletes will be using it to prepare for the Olympic Games.

We won’t see Bolt or Blake in Doha, but most of their top rivals will be there. Who do you see as the primary threats?

All of them are exceptionally good and fast sprinters. They certainly will provide tremendous competition for (Bolt and Blake), the Olympic champion and the World champion. They will certainly face formidable competition from all these gentlemen.

Can you confirm if Bolt was hurt in a charity soccer match in the spring?

That’s not correct. Usain has not played in any soccer charity game this year. Usain is in good condition, he’s trained well, he had his first run a week ago where he anchored his relay team to a world-leading 37.81. He’s ready to run this week at the Jamaica Invitational.

He’s in good shape so I’m expecting him to run a good race.

Are Bolt and Blake considered to be on an even footing now?

Yohan is at the beginning of his career. And Usain is probably somewhere in the middle of his. So they’re not at the same point in their careers. But they’re two exceptional young athletes who are capable of superb performances on any given day.

Why are they taking different early season approaches, Bolt traveling to Europe but Blake staying in the Caribbean and North America?

Usain has experience competing in Europe. He’s been doing it for awhile and is used to competing in different climates, etcetera. Yohan had some problems going into the trials last year, so we thought this being an Olympic year we’d keeping him from traveling too much before the trials.

Do they have the same training programme?

They basically train at the same time every day but they don’t necessarily do the same programme.

They are two different kinds of runners. We tend to be more specific with our programmes. But sometimes they do similar workouts.

Glen Mills time for him to develop himself in the event. I think he’s now experienced and developed to the point where he’s now ready to compete at the Olympic level. So he’s training and preparing for both events.

Bolt has run 9.6, then 9.5.

Now 9.4 is being talked about reasonably. Is it possible?

Well, I don’t think it’s impossible. He’ll have to have the right conditions. I’m not sure if London is going to have the conditions for a world record.

Will Bolt be disappointed if he doesn’t break the World record in London?

No. World records are what we call bonuses. The objective is to win titles. He wants to become a legend so the objective is to win titles.

Powell, Carter, Gatlin, Dix pile up pressure on Bolt J amaican elite sprinters will take on US’ best in yet another chapter of a breathtaking rivalry at the first major 2012 outdoor event, the Samsung Diamond League in Doha on May 11.

The Organising Committee announced an impressive lineup in both the men’s and women’s sprinting events at a Press Conference in Doha, where a rich field of athletes that have confirmed participation were disclosed.

In men’s 100m Olusoji Fasuba’s six-years-old meeting and African record, 9.85, is shaking under the pressure of world’s third and fourth fastest men ever Asafa Powell and Nesta Carter. The former who held the world record before Usain Bolt stormed in the athletics scene, ran 9.75 and 9.81 in Doha in 2010 but his records were blown by illegal winds.

“Reborn” and recently crowned 60m World Indoor Champion Justin Gatlin still at his 30’s from the US shares the same target with the Jamaicans, but will definitely oppose them until the last stride.

Last year’s winner in 200m, Walter Dix, the Olympic bronze and World’s silver medallist in both 100m and 200m looks to retain his 200m reign in Doha.

The American, who ran a wind assisted 9.85 in 100m penultimate weekend, moved to California in November 2011

and now trains with legendary coach John Smith.

All four above mentioned athletes feel strong enough this season and capable of dethroning “King” Usain Bolt at the upcoming Olympic Games in London.

Double 200m Olympic Champion and reigning 200m and 60m World Champion, Veronica Campbell-Brown, will be the woman to beat in the 100m dash, an event in which she has been crowned World Champion in youth, junior and senior levels.

100m Olympic gold medallist

Continued on page 46

Allyson Felix

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

PAGE 45

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

CAF Champions League:Mazembe stun El Merreikh in Lubumbashi

Damilola Osayomi

Blessing Okagbare

F

AFN fixes June 21 for Olympics selection trials

our-time African club champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo beat El Merreikh of Sudan 2-0 to record a vital home win in Lubumbashi yesterday in a CAF Champions League second round, first leg match.

Mazembe took a 1-0 lead into the break of this match played at Stade Kibasa Maliba in Lubumbashi through Tanzanian international striker Mbwana Sammata who headed in the first goal in the 22nd minute from a Rainford Kalaba corner.

The two sides were pretty even for the last 23 minute of the first half. El Merreikh had a glorious chance to level scores in the 52nd minute through Mustpaha Abdhala but his shot

Tresor Mputu beat El Merreikh’s offside trap and fire-in the DR Congo giants second.

The two sides meet in a fortnights’ time in Khartoum to decide who qualifies to the

Continued from page 44 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will be a major threat to CampbellBrown’s aspirations for victory

Veronica Campbell-Brown

F

IFA president Sepp Blatter, who is on tour in North Africa, said on Saturday that the continent could host another World Cup tournament after South Africa 2010 if infrastructure were developed and improved.

He said he was honoured to visit Algeria, his second port of call in the Maghreb after Morocco, and lauded the country’s football despite the

Fennec’s failure to progress from the group stage at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “Algeria is a football country.

I was particularly hurt to see the Fennec eliminated from the World Cup in South Africa after a brilliant qualifying campaign to the tournament,” Blatter said.

Accompanied by CAF president Issa Hayatou, Blatter will attend the final of the Algeria Cup between Entente de

in Doha. The 25-year-old just fell short of the podium at the World Championships in Daegu, finishing fourth.

Another valuable athlete from the Jamaican golden squad is double 2008 Olympic medallist - 2nd in 100m, 3rd in 200m - Kerron Stewart, the tallest (1.75 cm) of the Jamaican charge.

Stewart, along with Campbell-Brown, Fraser-Pryce and Sherone Simpson, set a national record in Daegu to snatch silver behind USA who had Allyson Felix in the lineup.

Allyson Felix comes back to Doha not only to defend her unbeaten status - ten times winner in as many races on Qatari soil but also the meeting record (10.93) she shares with Kerron Stewart.

Men’s 400m is another starstudded event. Beijing Olympic

gold medallist and former World Champion LaShawn Merritt faces twice 400m Hurdles Olympic Champion (2000 – running from lane 1

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce

Yakowa begs NFF to retain Kaduna as venue for Eagles’ qualifiers

T

he Kaduna State Government has appealed to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to maintain Kaduna as venue for the hosting of Super Eagles World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers.

The 2014 World Cup and 2013 second leg African Cup of Nations qualifiers are scheduled for June 3 and June 17 in Nigeria between the Eagles and Namibia and Rwanda, respectively.

It would be recalled that NFF officials last week inspected the UJ EsueneStadium Calabar,

Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna state

Champions League in July.

The loser will chance in Africa group stage draw Confederation Cup

group stage get another with a prein the CAF in June.

Africa can host another WC, says Blatter

Powell, Carter, Gatlin, Dix pile up...

T

he Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has fixed June 21 for its national trials in Calabar for the final selection of athletes for the 2012 London Olympics.

Though some athletes have already qualified for the Olympics scheduled for between July 27 and Aug. 12, the AFN wants to narrow the choice of Nigeria’s representatives to only those with medal prospects.

Yusuf Alli, a board member of the federation, yesterday in Lagos that the trials would determine the board’s final selections for the Games. “The trials will also help us determine our chances and what we are going to do to improve at the world event,” he said.

According to him, the trials will give the opportunity to upcoming athletes to prove themselves and perhaps meet the standard for selection and noted that Blessing Okagbare, currently the best in 100m, was expected at the trials.

Alli, a former long jumper, added that the federation was also focusing on the issue of age cheats, advised athltes against the use of banned substances at the trials and stressed that any athlete caught would be disqualified.

He said that the federation would later in the year organise an age group competition in Lagos aimed at curbing age cheats.

“Some people will claim they are under 17, whereas they are over 20 years old. Such athletes do not last long in sport. The competition will focus on secondary school students and with time, talents discovered will graduate to the senior cadre,” he said.

The athletes, he said, would later be groomed to do the country proud in future meets.

went inches wide after benefiting from a short pass from Zambian Jonas Sakuwaha.

Mazembe made sure of the win in the 70th minute when DR Congo international striker

Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan and the Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna, even as there have been uncertainty of the Kaduna venue because of security concerns.

The inspection was to ascertain which of the stadia met the standard for the hosting of the two qualifiers.

Nazifi Mohammed, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, said in a statement yesterday in Kaduna that the state was safe and ready to host the two matches.

The statement, signed by his Media Assistant, Abdulrahman

Aminu Maigari, President of the NFF

Tonga, said that Gov. Patrick Yakowa was interested in the successful hosting of the matches.

According to the statement, the governor has ordered security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property.

“The recent bomb blast in the state will not affect the hosting of the games; the issue of security is national and not peculiar to the state. The state’s Police Command and other security agencies will ensure maximum security before, during and after the matches.

“I want to assure Nigerians that Kaduna State is safe for hosting the matches and the State Government is interested in the successful hosting of the games.

“The governor has been briefed on the development and he has ordered that all necessary steps should be taken for staging hitch-free matches,” the statement said.

The statement added that it was not the first time that the state would host matches of such magnitude with live and property well protected during and after the games.

It added that local clubs in the states were playing in the ongoing Nigeria Premier League, the Nigeria National League and the Nationwide League without difficulties.

Sétif and Chabab de Belouizdad on Tuesday at the Stade 5 Juillet in Algiers.

The head of the world’s football governing body will on Monday hold talks with his hosts concerning reforms on dual citizenship of footballers.

Algeria football federation (FAF) supports players’ freedom to play for either country, which FIFA is opposed to. Television rights issues will also be discussed, according to the FAF. and 2008 winner Angelo Taylor.

American Danielle Carruthers, the 2011 world’s second fastest 100m Hurdles runner, will test in Doha her faculty ahead of the always demanding US trials.

Carruthers, who set a personal best, 12.47, in Daegu to earn a World Championships silver medal, will have to hold off fellow compatriot, Kellie Wells, Doha’s 2011 winner.

The meeting director Mr. Abdulla Al Zaini stated that he was a little bit worried that this season’s meeting might had been affected by the athlete’s Olympic Games preparations “but everything looks set now.”

NFF picks Abeokuta for Falcons

N

FF has confirmed that the MKO Abiola stadium, Abeokuta will host the third fixtures, first leg of the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier between Nigeria’s Falconets and DR Congo’s Leopardess on May 5.

The football federation’s director of technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and subtechnical committee chairman, Barr Chris Green said that the state’s warm hospitality and luck to the women national teams is the overriding reasons for its choice.

“The state has become a lucky ground for our women teams, we are grateful to governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and the good people of Ogun state.

“It is therefore only normal that we still go there and play,” said Ikpeme Green, however, told the players to remain consistent while he praised the defenders for a yeoman’s job.

“The defenders are good, they have kept opponents’ attackers at bay in past matches. l want them to continue the performance against the DR Congo next Saturday,” he said.

The team will arrive Lagos on Monday and driven immediately to Abeokuta.

The return leg is billed for Kinshasa in a fortnight with the winner of the two-legged encounter representing Africa at the 2012 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Japan in August.

QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think.

Opr ah Winfr ey Oprah infre

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2012

SPORTS

LA TEST LATEST EPL: United, City in derby decider

M

anchester United and Manchester City face each other in a pivotal Premier League clash today in what unarguably could be a potential decider of this year’s champions. A draw is good for United while City need a win.

The clash, which goes beyond a local rivalry, is probably the last chance starglut Man City have to return to the top at the most auspicious moment having dropped eight points lead to allow their rivals to edge them.

City’s goal surplus stands them in good stead to climb to the summit should they succeed in beating United in this epic encounter. They have plus 60 having scored 87 goals one more than United but conceded and inferior number of goals 27 leaving 60 surpluses in the basket while United have 52 surpluses in the bag.

City had always had the upper hand at crucial moments in such decisive derbies as could be testified to by the results of 1974, 1989, and twice in 2011 where they posted 1-0, 5-1, 1-0, 6-1 respectively.

Interestingly, they had never lost as hosts to their city rivals and it would seem odd to expect anything different considering the quality and resilience of the present squad.

True, they slipped by frittering away 10-point lead and now trailing by three points which in itself shows some kind of irony because United only three matches ago were eight points adrift of City, United lost against Wigan and a draw with Everton cut that to a mere three points difference.

With Carlos Tevez, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, Sami Nasri, David Silva, Edin Dzeko, available for Roberto Mancini, Alex Ferguson would have his hands full as he fills out Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs in one hell of a game that would surely tasks his wit. A draw Results Chelsea 6 QPR 1

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Roadmaps and roadblocks By trying, we can easily learn to endure adversity. Another man's, I mean — Mark Twain, 1897

T

he second South South Economic Summit was concluded last week in Delta State. The Delta state government had wanted the President to land in Asaba, its capital, and was going to spend over N7 billion to clear a sandy hill which in its judgement, was an obstacle to its desire to have the presidential aircraft land in Asaba, rather than in far away Uyo or Benin. In the end, President Jonathan did not attend the Summit. He was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo. It will be interesting to know what the Delta state government intends to do with the offensive pile of sand which it says obstructs large planes such as Mr President's from landing. It could call off the expensive venture, or it could go ahead and remove the sand, and very likely spend more money to have the runway properly constructed for presidential aircraft. It is anybody's guess which other planes will be expected at Asaba when President Jonathan ceases to be the No. 1 citizen.

In any case, the Summit will be judged the usual success. It will be one in a series of geo-political fora which are being organized to design or unveil roadmaps and blueprints for the consolidation of development efforts in geo-political zones. The nation is marveling at the elaborate and inspiring blueprint being discussed by Yoruba states, which, if it were to be implemented, would make the South-west of Nigeria a highly integrated economic unit with a massive potential to develop. It also hints at a strategic option, a Plan 'B' for the region to go it alone in the event that the future of the Nigerian state cannot be salvaged or guaranteed. The region already has a critical precondition for economic integration and development: substantial political integration under the ACN. The South-east is also actively looking inwards, and its considerable number of citizens living outside the country are pushing for some space to make inputs into the design for roadmaps and blueprints. The region's split personality is however still a problem, and it is being weighed down heavily by crime rates which make lawful and secure existence almost impossible. Nonetheless, it is actively tapping into the goodwill and good fortune of the Southsouth, and for now, it sees a future around a 2015 presidency, and improvements in its political fortunes from possible constitutional amendments.

The South-south is making its hay while the sun shines. It enjoys near solid unity under the PDP, and

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FIFTEEN MINUTES with Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed drbabaahmed@yahoo.com

NSA, General Owoeye Azazi the substantial clout of an incumbent President. It alone receives about 50% of revenue from oil and gas, an amount large enough to allow Delta state government attempt to remove a sandy hill for N7 billion without anyone batting an eyelid. The region is in a hurry to translate its considerable revenues into sustainable investable capital, durable infrastructure and an industrial base which will operate with substantial autonomy from the oil and gas industry. It could focus on a Jonathan presidency until 2015 as a critical target to achieve maximum impact, or it could plan to push for another term for him after 2015. It must be building this incumbency factor into its roadmaps, plans and strategies, because it is obvious at this stage that if anyone becomes President of Nigeria after 2015 under a PDP platform he will be expected to behave as if his zone is the only part of Nigeria which matters. This is what the PDP zoning formula has done to Nigeria.

The sun follows PDP presidents, and most others live in darkness and bitterness.

Even the North-central zone is making efforts to create a mental image of a region which can achieve some measure of coherence and uniformity. Its plethora of groups are constantly looking for allies in each other, and a few months ago, they even succeeded in hosting a security "summit". This most diverse part of Nigeria has a massive crisis of identity, and quite a few of its thinking citizens believe it can and should focus on the most essential elements, such as resolving just

how to treat each other legally, socially and politically, and how to relate with the rest of Nigeria.

The rest of Nigeria outside these areas have no roadmaps to a prosperous and secure future. They have roadblocks every few metres.

The North-east and substantial part of the North-west are defined by violence and decaying infrastructure. They have become substantially de-industrialized in the last 20-odd years, and the most dominant party in the region, the PDP, has no room or need for these leaders. Most parts of the Northeast, North-west and parts of Niger and Kogi states are effectively living under military occupation, and yet are daily exposed to the violence of Boko Haram. While leaders and intellectuals are planning how millions of fellow citizens will live in 10 or 20 years in some parts of Nigeria, poor citizens in the far North and parts of the Middle-Belt live without guarantees that they will see the next day.

Significantly, the National Security Advisor, General Owoeye Azazi chose the second South-south economic summit to offer an insight into the critical linkages between politics, economy and security. The NSA said the PDP's zoning and rotation policy, a devise which effectively precludes entire populations from aspiring for the position of President, breeds bitterness and unhealthy competition. He said the current levels of violence can be traced to disputes regarding the Nigerian who, only by reference to his ethnogeographical (and religious) origins can become a candidate or a president. He was reported to have said that there are political linkages to the Boko Haram insurgency, and implied that these linkages are so deep that even if all the leaders of the insurgency were arrested today, there are no guarantees that this will end the problem. He was explicit in linking the failure of some politicians to realize their ambitions with the resurgence and improved capacity of the insurgency, and he made it clear that unless we address poverty and inordinate political ambition, the roots of the insurgency will sprout sooner or later. He did not sound optimistic about 2015, and hinted that current jockeying for positions will compound the current security

situation.

Now, give or take the issue of whether General Azazi was acting as a spoiler in a forum which was intended to showcase the achievement of the administration and the PDP, his comments (which I hope he does not retract) say a lot about our current situation. He is right of course on the contribution of PDP's rotation and zoning policy to the challenges of governing the Nigerian state. So long as the PDP continues to dominate the political landscape, the nation will continue to pay heavy penalties for an arrangement which has lost all credibility, and which offends the very foundations of a democratic system. The zoning arrangement will continue to generate the worst elements of our political system: the tribalization of our highest offices, and dangerous panderings to our divisive elements. Every political contest will have a bitter end, and will fuel more crises.

But General Azazi spoke about a lot more than the danger in the zoning principle of the PDP. He hinted that there is a strong correlation between the last elections and the current sophistication of the Boko Haram insurgency. As a key adviser and one who should know, the nation will welcome some evidence that links politicians with Boko Haram in a direct, substantial manner.

The price the North and the nation are paying for this threat are unacceptable, and we need to go beyond innuendoes and conjectures to expose any possible linkages between politicians and Boko Haram. Certainly, if the Advisor himself says so, he must be standing on firm ground. He should let us know, because blaming faceless politicians and politics alone for a problem we live with on a daily basis just isn't good enough.

Twelve years ago, Nigerians looked ahead with faith and optimism that the democratic process will provide the context for releasing the nation from its cumulative and damaging political liabilities, and unleash our creative energies to rebuild a nation we can all be proud of. Tragically, these twelve years have created many parts of a nation, some forging ahead, others regressing dangerously. Yet all the parts are so intimately interwoven that the roadmaps of the South-west and South-south are actually hostages to the hundreds of the roadblocks of much of the North. The link is a political process which increasingly perverts the democratic values and institutions which we should be building. Yes, General Azazi is right. The PDP is a threat and a danger to the nation.

So is the Boko Haram insurgency.

The PDP should not continue to breed insecurity, and Boko Haram should not continue to threaten the very existence of the Nigerian State.

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