Peoples Daily Newspaper, Tuesday 30, April, 2013

www.peoplesdailyng.com

Vol. 10 No. 87

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

. . . putting the people first

Jimadal Akhir 20, 1434 AH

N150

Court jails man 45 years for stealing gov’s phone

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Baga: Displaced persons still in bush — NEMA

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Nasarawa state Governor, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura (right), inspecting the 60 MVA power transformer yesterday at Akwanga, Nasarawa state.

Jonathan/Amaechi face-off

PDP may lose in 2015 - govs

No plan to probe Obasanjo - Presidency

By Lawrence Olaoye

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he ongoing feud between President Goodluck Jonathan and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Rotimi Amaechi, over the determination

of the former to stop the later from retaining his seat at the May 2nd election has continued to rattle governors on the platform of the ruling party, People's Democratic Party (PDP).

A northern governor who craves anonymity raised the

FG bans polytechnics from post-graduate programmes >> 2

fears that continued bickering between the two political figures may adversely affect the fortunes of the party as the 2015 general elections approaches.

The governor would not want his name in print obviously for fear of being witch-hunted by the

Presidency which seems to have made up its mind to dethrone Amaechi as the NGF chairman by all means.

According to him, the Presidency has engaged the Rivers state governor in a 'shadow Contd on Page 2

he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said some of the displaced persons during the recent Baga crisis in Borno state are still hiding in the bush.

This is contained in a statement signed by Abdulkadir Ibrahim, the NEMA Information Officer in the North East Zone, in Yola yesterday.

According to the statement, following the return of normalcy and on arrival into Baga Town, the agency discovered that most of the displaced persons are still scattered in the bush.

“Other people are taking refuge in the homes of their relations in the neighbouring communities,” it said.

He said that humanitarian workers led by the agency had commenced distribution of relief items to displaced persons affected by the crisis.

“This is in line with the President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to the agency that immediate relief materials should be given to the people.

“The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, had dispatched a team of officers with the relief and medical items to affected persons in the area,’’ Mr. Ibrahim said.

“The major task before NEMA is to ensure that people in the bush are relocated to temporary camps,’’ the statement quoted NEMA Director, Search and Rescue, Charles Otebagde, as Contd on Page 2

Gunmen kill 5, bomb bank in Ringim

PIB: NNPC, PTDF, PPPRA, others to be scrapped >> 3

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PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

CONTENTS

FG bans polys from PG programmes

News

By Maryam Garba Hassan

2-10

Editorial

12

Op.Ed

13

Letters

14

Opinion

15

Metro

16-18

Business

19-22

Stockwatch S/Report

23 24-25

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he Federal Government yesterday banned post graduate diploma programmes in polytechnics across the country.

Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, who dropped the hint explained that post graduate diploma programmes are not within the mandate of polytechnics.

She spoke at the inauguration of the governing councils for the

National Teachers Institute, National Educational Research Development Council, 15 federal polytechnics and 19 federal colleges of education.

According to her, “henceforth, no polytechnic convocation should hold without certificates being issued to graduating students.”

She said that provosts and registrars of colleges of education must sign NCE certificates as obtained in polytechnics and universities.

“Polytechnics should stop the running of Post HND programs (Post Graduate Diploma) which is outside their mandate.

“Issuance of certificates to graduating students is a prerequisite for approval for holding convocations, thus no certificate, no convocation,” the Minister said.

Ruqayyatu urged the councils to encourage responsive unionism in their respective institutions, arrest the problem of cultism, drug

abuse and other social vices by students.

She noted that effective strategies should also be developed for early detection and eradication of all forms of vices such as examination malpractices, sexual harassment, extortion, inducement, loss of examination scripts and results.

The Minister warned the councils not to be lured into turning the prestigious fellows17 killed, 500 houses in soldiers, insurgents clash

Bama: 17 killed, 500 houses burnt in soldiers, insurgents clash From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

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oldiers in Borno state yesterday announced the actual casualty figures recorded in the last Thursday deadly gun battle between security forces and suspected insurgents in Bama local government area of the syste.

According to the Commanding Military Officer in charge of Bama barracks, Lt-Col. A.G Laka, 10 Boko Haram gunmen as well as seven

security operatives were killed in the shoo-outs, with 500 houses and shops burnt down.

The state police command had last week claimed that only two of its officers were killed in the clash which erupted in the town, which is located about 75km away from Maiduguri, the state capital.

However following the seemingly intense security situation movement in and of the town was restricted until yesterday late evening when the Governor Kashim Shettima went

there to assess the level of lose of lives and destructions, occcassioned by the unrest.

The Commanding officer, Lt Col Laka told Governor Shettima that the trouble started in the commercial town of Bama when armed Boko Haram gunmen attacked a police patrol vehicle of a Divisional Police Officer killing two of his orderlies.

In a separate attack on the same day Boko Haram gunmen laid ambush on soldiers patrolling the

suburbs of Bama which led to death of a soldier and injuring four others.

The DPO in charge of Bama, Eko Lawu, who was the primary target of the attack said the gunmen, about six of them, were openly carrying AK 47 when they opened fire on his vehicle. He managed to escape because he was in mufti 'and the gunmen couldn't recognise me immediately'.

He said aside his two killed orderlies, three other cops five were also killed during the gun battle with the insurgents.

Baga: Displaced persons still in bush — NEMA Tug of war over JAMB, NECO, Page 4

Int’l

31-34

Strange World 35 Digest

36

Politics

37-40

Sports

41-45

Leisure

47

Columnist

48

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

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

Phones for News: 070-37756364 09-8734478

Contd from Page 1 saying.

It also revealed that an immediate rapid assessment was being conducted in collaboration with Red Cross and other voluntary organisations.

According to the statement, relief items are being distributed while those with minor injuries are being treated at a temporary camp clinic opened in the area.

The statement said that the communities affected in Baga are Bayan Bulabulin, Anguwa Gajagaja, Aliya, Musarin Baga,

Kasuwan Baga, Layin Yannono. It appealed to the people to remain calm as no meaningful development could be achieved without peace.

The items distributed by the officials together with other humanitarian workers include medicals, sanitary, food, household materials and tents.

Meanwhile, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has appealed to humanitarian organisations, corporate organisations and public spirited individuals to provide more relief

materials to Baga victims.

Mr. Ibn Garbai made this known on Monday in Baga during a sympathy visit to the people of Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno.

He said that the victims were in dire need of urgent support due to the magnitude of the disaster.

Mr. Ibn Garbai, who presented a cash donation of an undisclosed amount to the victims, commended the state government for its assistance to the victims.

Senator Maina Ma’aji, the Senator representing Borno North

in the Senate also made similar calls.

He urged the Federal Government to deploy doctors and medical supplies to the various camps in the town.

About 200 people were reported killed during a clash between insurgents and Nigerian security officials in Baga two weeks ago.

Mr. Ma’aji said 220 victims had been buried, while the Nigerian military claims the casualty is not as much as reported. (NAN)

PDP may lose in 2015 - govs Contd from Page 1 boxing’ as a result of Amaechi interest in retaining the NGF chairmanship and over his rumoured ambition to contest the position of the Vice President in 2015.

The May 2nd NGF election has divided the governors into two camps with some pro-Amaechi governors, including the opposition governors maintaining a camp and the others, led by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Akwa-Ibom state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, leading the anti Amaechi group.

The opposition to Amaechi's continued leadership of the Forum is allegedly being promoted by the Presidency while they are equally sponsoring the Katsina state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, as the next NGF chairman.

It was gathered that efforts to persuade Amaechi to step down for Shema in a consensus arrangement failed recently as some of the governors insisted on voting for their new leader on Thursday.

The governor said, “what is happening between the Presidency and the Rivers state governor is very worrisome to some of us. Here we are preaching reconciliation and one part, there is a raging feud between the Presidency and the Rivers state governor. This is coming when we say in PDP that we want to retain power in 2015. This crisis, some of us see it as equivalent of a bull in a China house.

“Some of us are appealing for restraints, because the crisis is one that will do the party no good.

Some of us are also appealing to elders of the PDP to step into this feud before it is late.”

Similarly, the leadership of the party, it was gathered is worried about the development. A member of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) who volunteered information on condition of anonymity said they are not happy over the quarrel between the Presidency and the Rivers state governor.

He said “what is happening between the Presidency and the

Rivers state governor is a cause for worry to some of us. Both the Presidency and the Governor should know that their actions, whether overtly or covertly could have a negative effect on the unity of the party.

"Some of us are aware that the governors of the party are not happy, but there is nothing we could do, because some of us are even being threatened with sack because of this report from INEC that said that the NWC of the party is not properly composed.

"But this is actually the time for the Board of Trustees (BoT) to act. They should intervene as custodian of the party, because elders don’t stay at home and allow the goat give birth under rope.”

The NWC member said that what is happening between the Presidency and Governor Amaechi deserves intervention from the party, “at least for the continued unity of the party. If the President doesn’t want Governor Amaechi to contest for the office of the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the

party elders should be invited to speak to him. To some of us here, there must be a way out of this.

This ensuring crisis will not help PDP as a political party, when the opposition political parties are merging and plotting for 2015”.

Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has said that neither President Goodluck Jonathan nor the Presidency has any untoward interest in the current challenges facing the Rivers state Governor, Chibuike Amaechi.

Gulak, who spoke to journalists in Abuja on the state of the nation, also noted that the President has no intention of probing former President Olusegun Obasanjo or any of his ministers.

While restating Jonathan's decision not to talk about the 2015 presidential election till next year, Gulak said the President had maintained that no minister has his authorisation to canvass for votes for him or to tell Nigerians whether he will contest in 2015 or not.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 3

Gunmen kill five, bomb bank in Ringim From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

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L-R: Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Chairman, SURE-P Committee, Dr. Christopher Kolade, and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, during an interactive session with stakeholders on graduate internship scheme, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

PIB: NNPC, PTDF, PPPRA, others to be scrapped

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

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xplanations at yesterday's workshop organised for the Senate joint committee on PIB, comprising petroleum downstream, upstream and judiciary, regarding the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) indicated that major government agencies in the oil industry will be scrapped by the revolution being proposed by the PIB, if eventually passed by the National Assembly.

According to the documents and explanations given by experts on the Bill, the 10 government agencies that are most likely to be scrapped are Petroleum Technology Development Fund, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund, Petroleum Equalization Fund, Petroleum Profit Tax, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production sharing contract.

Other agencies likely to kick the

bucket are Motor Spirits (Returns), Associated Gas Re-injection and Oil Pipelines.

Buttressing this fact, a member of PIB drafting committee, Dr. Francis Adigwe, gave a hint that the passage of PIB into law would bring about the repeal of 10 acts.

He added that not all laws relating to oil and gas will be repealed, pointing out that the existence of the PIB law would bring about creation of new ten government agencies to be coordinated by the Minister of Petroleum.

Adigwe also explained that the Minister, as proposed by the Bill, will be treated as an institution and not a person.

He advised the National Assembly to study critically the aspect of the Bill containing discretional powers given to the President to award oil blocs, as well as the section that made the Minister of Petroleum an institution on his or herself and not an individual.

He said, “the concept of the Minister in PIB is an institution and not a person because provisions in the bill make a sitting Minister of Petroleum Resources to have sweeping powers such as power of coordinating and regulating the critical areas of the oil and gas sector.

“Advised the President on the appointment of all the Chief Executive officers including, upstream petroleum inspectorate and the downstream which is not available in the current petroleum Act .

“Also in the bill, power to nominate members of the board of the agencies, as well as serving as the Chairman of the board of National asset management company are given to the Minister", he said.

The workshop is an offshoot from the controversy which has been trailing consideration and adoption of the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

It was on this basis that the Senate committees on Petroleum Upstream, Downstream, and Judiciary, yesterday sought expert information on the grey and controversial areas in the new Bill.

The Senators who participated in the workshop Senators from both the north and the south were well represented at the workshop which witnessed a robust participation by the lawmakers.

The new PIB, since it was submitted last year to the National Assembly by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, had generated intense debate, resulting in apparent disagreement between the northern and southern senators.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event, Emmanuel Paulker, said the essence of the workshop was to give the lawmakers in-depth understanding of the details in the proposed new oil industry Bill.

o fewer than three policemen and two civilians were killed during an attack by unknown assailants at the residence of former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Abubakar Ringim, on Monday evening.

The three police officers were killed inside the Ringim Divisional Police Office after they were trapped by the gunmen.

Earlier the gunmen had attacked the fortress like mansion of the former Ringim when they threw Improvised Explosive Devices into the house.

They also attacked and destroyed the two patrol vans attached to Ringim’s residence before moving over to the police station, adjacent to the house.

The gunmen also invaded and brought down the office of the Unity Bank about two kilometres from Ringim’s residence.

The entire structure of the bank building was destroyed with explosives while two security men on guard at the bank were killed in the attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Theophillus Kayode, said no money was stolen from the bank.

The attackers, according to an eye witness, arrived the area on motorcycles and a Golf salon car and immediately opened fire on Ringim’s residence.

They also attacked a military van and sprayed it with bullets that forced the vehicle to stop.

The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmad Mahmoud, who was conducted round the affected places described the mode of t5he attack as similar to that of the of Gwaram local government, where branch of Unity Bank was also bombed.

According to Mahmoud, “the attack was purely intended for robbery and from the brief I got, the assailants must have created a decoy to distract attention from their robbery by attacking the former IG’s residence and the police station.”

He confirmed that five people were killed in the attack that lasted for about four hours.

Al-Mustapha's death sentence: Application for extension of time stalls hearing of appeal From Matthew Irinoye, Lagos

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he Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos, yesterday fixed May 30, for commencement of arguments in the appeal by Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, challenging a death sentence on him by a Lagos High Court.

Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late Gen. Sanni Abacha, was sentenced to death by Justice Mojisola Dada, alongside Lateef Shofolahan, for killing Alhaja Kudirat Abiola on June 4, 1996 in Lagos.

Shofolahan was a former personal assistant to the late Kudirat.

At yesterday's proceedings, counsel to the Lagos state government, Femi Adamson, informed the appellate court, presided over by Justice Chuma Nweze that the respondent has an application for extension of time dated April 29, 2013, to enable the state government file its respondent's brief of argument.

He apologised for late filling of the said application, explaining that it was due to hitches beyond

his control.

The court, presided over by Justice Chima Nweze, adjourned the case, following the request by the appellants’ counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu and Lekan Ojo, respectively, who informed it that they had just received a reply to their brief of appeal.

The appellants’ counsel told the court that Mr. Femi Adamson, a Chief State Counsel, had only served them a reply before the sitting of the court and they needed time to study the document.

When the case was called for argument of briefs, Adamson told the court that he had just filed a reply to the appellant's briefs.

He said the reply had been duly served on all parties and urged the court to proceed with hearing of arguments.

The appellants were arraigned on October 1999, on a four-count charge of conspiracy and murder of the deceased at Seven Up on the Oregun-Ikosi Road, Lagos.

Dada had found both accused guilty of the offence and had on Jan. 30, 2012, convicted and sentenced them to death by hanging.

Counsel to both appellants had, however, filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal, 24-hours after the sentence, challenging the judgment.

In the notice of appeal filed by Ojo,

the appellants are contending that the death sentence by the lower court was unwarranted, unreasonable and a miscarriage of justice.

The appellants further contended that the trial judge erred in law when he arrived at the conclusion that they conspired to kill the deceased.

The appellants are therefore, praying the appellate court to set aside the judgment, and discharge them on the charges of conspiracy and murder.

The appellants faulted the lower court for neglecting portions of statements made by Barnabas Jabila (aka Sgt. Rogers), which were contradictory.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Tug of war over JAMB, NECO

By Macekho Chukwuma

"Fact is, it has always been difficult to have a reasoned argument in this country.

Everything is coated with so much emotion that even those who are reasonable are so terrified of the consequences (that) they padlock their lips" - Dan Agbese in NEWSWATCH magazine of September 21, 1987.

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ne of the issues over which so much emotions have been expended in recent months is the raging debate over whether government should scrap one of the national examination bodies.

Specificially, should the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) be retained while NECO (National Examination Council) is scrapped, or vice versa?

A measure of the universal interest that has been generated by this burning issue lately is evident in the fact that even as the federal Ministry of Education has announced at the National Assembly that Aso Rock was not contemplating any such move, thousands of stakeholders from both sides of the divide have continued to underscore their respective views, seemingly convinced that thye hammer would indeed fall on one of these bodies sooner or later.

Consider, for example, the vehement views expressed by a cross section of Nigerians polled by a national publication recently. The respondents had been asked to comment on the federal government's rumoured plan to scrap the National Examination Council (NECO) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), along with many other federal agencies.

"NECO should be scrapped" snapped one of the respondents, Mrs. Cynthia Eze, a lawyer, echoing the

opinion of the majority. "There is no point using the same mode of examination to test the ability of students, when on of them (GCE, WAEC, and NECO) will do for the same purpose. UTME (conducted by JAMB) should be allowed to stay for testing academic ability" Another respondent, Osakuade Senu, a student, was no less blunt.

"UTME should be left alone" Senu stated. "The only thing is for the system to be restructured so that when you do well in JAMB, schools will be the ones sending letters of admission to the students. NECO is not necessary. IT is a distraction".

"NECO should be scrapped," concurred Miss Tosin Solanke, a barrister, "Since we have WAEC and GEC. It is a duplication of duty. Let UTME remain, because it presents a level of playing ground for everyone aspiring to gain admission into the university". The voice of the people, goes the old saying , is the voice of God. It is against this backdrop that many strongly feel that the authorities concerned mist think deeply before deciding on which national examination body to abolish. Deep, discerning thinking or reasoning is crucial, given our tendency to coat every issue "with so much emotion," as Dan Agbeses eloquently stated in NEWSWATCH magazine of September 21, 1987.

NECO, to be sure, has its advantage. At its conception many Nigerians had reasoned tha6t since WAEC (West African Examination Council) already performs similar functions as NECO, there was no need to establish a new body that would essentially duplicate WAEC's roles.

Even though NECO has benefited a generation of Nigerians in sundry ways since its creation, the fact still remains that it more or less duplicates WAEC's roles.

Like the respondents quoted earlier, Henry Lemani says he "strongly feels that there is the need for officialdom to be cautious vis - a -

Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Office Abuja

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’I vis the alleged plan to scrap JAMB or UTME in favour of NECO. Abolishing JAMB, so the argument goes, would let universities admit candidates of their choice directly, apparently using the students' performance in NECO as a basis."

Lemani, an educationist based in Umahia, added: "Granted, that argument has some basis, but I sincerely believe that this argument raises more posers than it answers. It is like contending, for example, that because we can transact business online, the Naira or Dollar should be abolished. Buying and selling online (and, by extension, making electronic payment) may be beneficial in countless ways, but, pray, does that

justify the need to abolish the Naira as a legal tender?

"JAMB, as an institution, is certainly not perfect. Its limitations are well documented. But as even its most unfair critic would concede, this good old examination body has been performing fairly well in recent times, particularly since the advent of electronic mail. For instance, its hitherto cumbersome registration process has been comparatively simplified. Hitherto, checking results had been a nightmare to students, but with the introduction of e - mail, all that has now become history".

In her own view, Naomi Zakari, a retired teacher, stated that the centrality of JAMB has also been another sore point. "Handling the admission pressure of all prospective university undergraduates is a chore too Herculean for JAMB. Bearing in mind that such an argument had bee canvassed for the Nigerian Law School.

Prior to its being decentralized, the merit of this point is obvious. Kindly note, however, that the Nigerian Law School (NLS) was decentralized, not abolished.

Therefore, if decentralization is the "solution", then we should, in my view, embrace it and retain - rather than demolish - JAMB".

JAMB, she added, has despite its limitations, played veritably important, nay significant, roles in the lives of generations of Nigerian students, including my humble self.

Scrapping it in one fell swoop would, in my view, amount to throwing away the baby with the bath water.

Neither emotion nor ego should be allowed to stampede the authorities concerned into abolishing JAMB. Instead, NECO should go. *source: Trinity Education Review

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 5

L-R: Nigeria Ambassador to China, Ambassador Aminu Bello Wali; Mongolia president Elbegdorj Tsakhia; vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, and his wife, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, during the 7th session conference of community for democracies, yesterday at Ulaanbaatar, in Mongolia.

Man bags 45 years for Lagos stealing Aregbesola’s phone shuts illegal A medicine stores

From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Lagos state Task Force on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods at the weekend sealed no fewer than 30 illegal patent medicine stores in the AjahLekki axis of the state.

Special Adviser to the governor on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, who disclosed this at a prèss briefing noted that the government was not only worried by the dangers posed by illegal drug hawkers but also by the nefarious activities of illegal operators of patent medicine and pharmaceutical stores.

According to her, “the drug distribution system in Lagos will get worse if the activities of illegal drug operators are allowed to continue unchecked as more people will get harmed by their nefarious activities.

“The shops were sealed off for offenses ranging from sales of drugs without license from the regulatory authority to failure to relocate from a market area to the mandated distance between a patent medicine shop and market place as stipulated by the law.

n Osogbo High Court on Monday sentenced a dismissed police officer, Kelvin Ighodalo, to 45 years imprisonment for stealing the cell phone of Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state.

The accused was arraigned on a six-count charge of conspiracy, theft, obtaining by false pretence, obtaining by force and impersonation among others.

Justice Jide Falola of High Court 5, citing Section 1, Subsection 1, paragraph ‘C’ of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and

Section 218 Cap 35, Laws of Osun State, 2003, found the accused guilty as charged.

The accused was sentenced to 10 years for each of counts 1, 2 and 3 and 5 years each for three other counts.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

The defence counsel, Mr. Ngu Amaechi, had earlier urged the court to consider community service sentence since the accused had served previous jail terms.

But the counsel to the

plaintiff, Mr. Tiamiyu Adegboyega, expressed his satisfaction with the judgment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the governor’s cell phone was stolen on Nov. 28, 2010, at his swearing-inceremony.

Six months later, Ighodalo, a dismissed police officer, used the phone to swindle the governor’s friends and associates.

The accused had earlier served jail terms for murder, theft and political thuggery.

(NAN)

UniAbuja: ASUU commences two-week warning strike

By Usman Shuaibu

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he leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, has commenced a two-week warning strike yesterday.

Briefing newsmen, the ASUU Chairman, Comrade Clement D. Chup, explained that the union embarked on the strike due to what he described as continuous delay in the implementation of the recommendations of the report of the 2012 Presidential Visitation Panel.

He alleged that despite the N400 million tax payers’ money being spent on the panel, nothing had been done by the government of the day.

According to him, “it may interest you to recall that the panel submitted its report to government on September 21st, 2012, more than seven months ago.

“It is thus highly regrettable and to say the least, unfortunate for a university that is strategically located in the

Federal Capital Territory of our country, a university which should be the show piece of Nigeria’s university system to be so neglected.’’

Chup accused the management of the university of

failing to provide a purposeful leadership or governance in the institution.

He said that the ASUU leadership would continue to fight towards the developmental needs of the school.

Money laundering: Court adjourns Lamido’s case to May 27 From Edwin Olofu, Kano

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he money laundering charges against Alhaji Aminu Sule Lamido, eldest son of Jigawa state Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, at the Federal High Court, Kano suffered a set back yesterday as the presiding Judge, Justice Fatu Riman, threw out the first exhibit brought by the Economic and Financial Crime (EFCC) on the ground that it was not duly signed by the officer concerned.

The Judge argued that the evidence in the case which is a form of for the commission of the crime commission had the stamp of the EFCC without a signature

of any officer.

He said the document without a signature was invalid and not tenable as an exhibit against the accused person.

The Prosecuting Counsel Hanafi Saad Hanafi, had argued that the EFCC document can be accepted on self-recognition and because it was not tempered with and came from the Commission’s office, not from any individual.

The defense counsel, Effiong Effiong, had challenged the document noting that it was not duly signed.

The Presiding Judge adjourned the case to May 27 and 28 for continuation of proceedings in the matter.

NDLEA impounds 300kg Indian hemp in Sokoto From Mahmoud Muhammad, Sokoto

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he Sokoto state Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has seized over 300 kilogrammes of Indian hemp since January to date.

The Commandant, Malam Musbau Muhammad Idris, who disclosed this in an interview with People’s Daily in Sokoto also said that his men raided several “black spots” area within and outside the state, following a tipoff.

Musba’u, regretted that majority of those arrested were young men and women noting further that, “these are people who are talented but because of this drugs issue, they are becoming useless to the society.

He also said that following the NDLEA operation in the last three months, the level of drugs consumption in the state has reduced drastically, with the support of the Governor Aliyu Wamakko.

“As I speak to you, we have gone in to collaborative effort towards eradicating the menace in the state.

“So far, the Governor has donated a building in our Command as part government efforts for fighting drugs.

“This centre is going to be the first of its kind. It is the only place where NDLEA has a model rehabilitation which is built by a state governor,” he said.

He pleaded with other relevant stakeholders to provide vital information of all drug baron in the state to the Command.

PAGE 6

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Gombe approves N7bn for new secretariat complex From David Hassan, Gombe

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he sum of over N7 billion has been set aside by the Gombe state government for the building of a new secretariat complex.

The Head of Service, Mr. Eli Meller Akeme, stated this while briefing journalist on the activities of his office in the last one and half years of the present administration of Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.

He said his office and the Ministry of Housing and Transport in conjunction with the Ministry of Lands had identified a suitable site for the construction of a befitting new state secretariat complex.

According to him, building plan and design for the complex had been produced even as due process is presently at an advanced stage and that work is expected to commence this year.

He said that within the year under review his office procured office furniture and equipment for the new

Nasarawa plans demolition of illegal structures in Karu, Keffi, Lafia

By Umar Muhammad Puma

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etermined to rid some major towns in the state of slums, shanties and illegal structures, Governor Umar Tanko Al-makura of Nasarawa state has said that the on-going demolition exercise in the Greater Karu area would be extended to Keffi, Akwanga and Lafia, the state capital Speaking to newsmen in Abuja through his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Press Affairs, Sani Musa Mairiga, said the exercise had become imperative because some structures were built near the main roads, pipe lines and under high electric cables, while some did not give the mandatory 30 meters away from the roads.

According to him, “we can no longer allow this to continue as all structures built near the main roads in Keffi, Akwanga and Lafia must give way, along with makeshift shops and traders who display their wares on the major roads will be cleared by the special task force on development control set up by this administration.”

He said the demolition exercise would also open up streets and access roads in these towns and restore their atheistic beauty even as he also expressed concern on the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the Abuja-Keffi dual carriage way especially in Maraba ,Ado, Masaka and Auta Balaifi.

Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ministry of Science and Minerals Development and the state Sports Commission, worth N43, 694, 000.00.

In the same vein, according to him, office furniture and

equipment worth N4, 590, 440.00 were procured and installed in at the the National Human Rights Commission and Nigeria Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) offices in the state.

He added that contract for

the supply of office furniture to other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA’s) in the service worth over N25 million had been awarded among many other achievements.

In the education sector, the Head of Civil Service pointed

out the government in 2012 alone employed 1,000 graduate teachers on grade level 08 and 326 non-teaching staff to secondary schools with a promise to employ same number of teachers in the next two years.

L-R: Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Aminu Suleiman, and Chairman Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Kaura Namoda, Hon. Lawal Nalado, during the inauguration of the polytechnic Governing Board, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo: Justin imoOwo

FG, northern governors commended over moves to address security challenges

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oordinator of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security, Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya who is also the Niger state Commissioner for Information, Communication and Integration, has commended steps taken so far to address the security challenges in the north.

The committee submitted its report to NGSF last week.

Yahaya in a statement in Abuja yesterday said members of the committee did a “good job as true nationalists and patriots” whose efforts opened new vistas that has been exploited by stakeholders.

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Federal government said yesterday that it would grant some form of fiscal incentives to firms that key into its Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), a component of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minster of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, gave the government’s commitment in Abuja at an interactive session with stakeholders on successful implementation of GIS. Though, she did not give details of the incentives the Minister announced that firms that engaged some number of interns and retained them for

According to the statement, “the northern governors conceived the idea of the committee on July 26th, 2012 and was inaugurated on August, 22nd 2012 in Abuja.

He reiterated “After the submission of the report, it has c and to become imperative to express deep appreciation to the conveners of the committee and Nigerians for the noble initiative and support provided throughout the period.

“As a result of recurring incidence of violence and wanton destruction of lives and property, the economy of the northern states has been crippled and socio-political activities nearly paralysed in the region.”

Yahaya called for quick action that focuses on strategic and integrated approach to sensitization and value reorientation that will involve community-based actions towards peace, security and high moral response to accepted norms and values across the nation.

“It is noteworthy that the underlying factors are surmountable if due considerations are given to the recommendations of the committee’s report.

“On this note, all critical stakeholders to the peace building process, wealth creation and socio- economic regeneration of the region and

Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya Nigeria at large are urged to form a formidable front towards operationalising and streamlining the valuable recommendations into practicable course of action in line with the stated timelines,” the statement said.

FG woos firms on GIS scheme employment after one year mandatory scheme would be beneficiaries.

The Minster said she was excited about the scheme because, “it is a practical and innovative response to the unemployment challenge which brings together the synergies of government and private sector partnership to maximize the energy of youth. “It demonstrates what is possible when we come together to create new paradigms in response to the challenge that confronts us a nation.”

She said the GIS constituted part of government’s initiatives aimed at tackling unemployment

scourge amongst the youth, adding that YOU Win which was launched last year had already begun manifesting positive impact, generating over 10,000 new jobs.

Giving a background on GIS scheme, she said up to 50,000 unemployed and under employed graduates will be engaged by the end of 2013 as interns in reputable organizations, to build their skills and make them relevant in today’s work place while at least 1000 unemployed graduates are to be engaged in every state adding that the number would be scaled up to 10,000 in second phase.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman of SURE-P Committee, Chief Christopher Kolade, explained that SURE-P was an intervention by government to give relief to Nigerians who suffered withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

He described the scheme, a quick and temporary relief that will get out of sight as soon as it has fulfilled its mission About 1, 939 firms have so far registered for the GIS scheme out of which 1,371 were verified and 293 were approved while 1,078 were rejected for their inability to meet the minimum requirements.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 7

Jonathan commissions Police helicopters, armoured tanks, patrol vans

By Lambert Tyem

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan has said the Federal Government was committed to equipping the Nigeria Police with the necessary facilities, even as he

challenged the men and officers to increase their capacity to checkmate modern security challenges.

Jonathan spoke yesterday at the ceremonial parade marking the 2013 Police Week celebrations in Abuja where he

inaugurated seven helicopters, 20 Toyota Hilux pick-up vans, 15 Armoured Personnel carriers and 15 Steyr trucks for the police.

He also presented awards of merit and courage to some gallant policemen, including

L-R: Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade; Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Dikko; President Goodluck Jonathan; and Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Usman Bello; cutting the tape to unveil police equipment during the Police Week celebration, yesterday at the Eagle Square, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

“Songhai farming’ll boost food security in Katsina” From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

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atsina state chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has said that the Songhai farming techniques introduced by Katsina state government would boost food production and ensure food security in the state.

Chairman of the association who is also the Speaker of the Katsina state House of Assembly, Alhaji Ya’u Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, made the observation during a visit by members of the association to the Songhai Farm at Makera village, in Dutsin-ma local government area.

Aording to him, “it is only a

government that has interest of its people that can embark on this laudable project.

“We only hope that those trained to run this project will put in their best to ensure the success of the initiative.

“We at the state House of Assembly will always support government in moving the state forward.”’

He also called on farmers to avail themselves with the opportunity provided by the project in enriching their knowledge and learning modern ways of farming.

Conducting members of the association round the project site, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Adamu

Funtua, noted that the Songhai integrated farm is a unique with multi-purpose farming activities that include irrigation, poultry, animal breeding, fish farming and training of the youth on modern farming techniques.

Funtua further disclosed that the state government has committed a lot of resources in ensuring the success of the projects which he said are sited in Makera in Katsina zone, Mairuwa in Funtua zone and Sabke in Daura zone.

He said that 60 youth were selected from each of the 34 local governments of the state who received training in Benin Republic.

Plateau collaborates with NTI on teachers’ training

By Stanley Onyekwere

A

s part of efforts to improve the standard of learning through qualitative teaching, the Plateau state government has expressed its willingness to collaborate with National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) on the Pivotal Teacher Training Programme (PTTP).

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Education, Hon. Nanle Dashen, when he led a delegation to the NTI headquarters in Kaduna.

According to him, the aim of the visit was to seek ways of

partnering with NTI on the PTTP initiative, so as to ensure that the teachers in the state get proper exposure and required training in teaching profession, which is poised to boost qualitative teaching in schools, “which is the objectives of the programme.”

The Commissioner however noted that that only young people with genuine interest in teaching as a career will be selected for the programme.

In his remarks, the NTI Director-General, Dr. Aminu Ladan Sharehu, assured the

team of maximum cooperation in the area of teacher training.

He said that participant from the state taking part in the programme would be given the opportunity to enroll in the institute’s NCE programme after their course, as a source of encouragement for the state.

The team which also included the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Ruth Biaugten, Director of Schools, Director of Finance and Director Educational Services, among others.

Inspector Ali Mohammed who arrested a terror suspect in Borno state, Inspector Mohammed Dimka, Sgt. Sunday Bulus, Jarafu Wazari, ACP Okwora Nkem, DSP Agbaje Yakubu and posthumours awards to some others.

The President noted that training of policemen was important; he pledged to equip them to serve the nation even as he tasked them to increase their capacity to handle the challenges of modern times.

He cautioned policemen to be mindful of the rights of people and to exhibit a high level of discipline as well as improve on their maintenance of facilities by emulating the military in that aspect.

According to Jonathan, “the commitment of government is that every state police command must have a helicopter and that is why we set up a security trust fund, we must invest in air power for the police. The idea of armed robbers putting a state under siege for three hours without

any challenge from the police must be a thing of the past.

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in his remarks said that the Police Week which is an instrument for strengthening the bond between the police and the public, was last celebrated in 1976.

According to the IG, the long term objective of the event was the restoration of the lost glory of the police and the reenactment of practices that bind the citizens to the police which he said elicited fond memories.

Abubakar assured that the police would display team spirit, loyalty, zeal, courage civility and renewed commitment towards confronting criminal elements.

He said, “today, we recognise and encourage the unsung heroes of the Force who uphold the tenets of rule of law in the discharge of their duties, guide the weak and vulnerable through traffic safely and laid down their down their precious lives for us all to live.”

Rep’s Constitution review committee to hold retreat

By Umar Muhammad Puma

F

ollowing the successful presentation of the collated results of the people’s public sessions, the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has announced its plan to to hold a retreat a retreat for its members in preparation for the next stages of the constitution amendment exercise.

The collated results of the Sessions were presented to the

public on 18th April, 2013 by the committee chaired by Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha (PDP Imo state) at a wellattended ceremony at the National Assembly.

A press statement the Chairman, House Committee on Media, Eziuche Ubani, (PDP Abia state) said the retreat would afford members an opportunity to deliberate on draft bills on the aspects of the 1999 Constitution that Nigerians would want to see amended.

Lagos CJ advocates continuous education for lawyers From Matthew Irinoye, Lagos

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hief Judge of Lagos state, Justice Ayotune Phillips, has advised lawyers to continue to develop themselves in order to make them better practitioners.

She gave the charge yesterday at the opening of a two-day workshop on, “Entrenching versatility in legal practice,” organised for lawyers by the Continuous Legal Education Committee of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

“We learn something new every day and as the law evolves, we have to evolve with it.

“Otherwise, you will be left behind and you will become a useless practitioner,” she said.

She noted further that there was need for every lawyer to be on top of the laws around them and keep themselves abreast of new developments in law.

According to Phillips, “we have to be on top of the law and while you are on top of the law, you also have to be on top of what is going on around you in the world.”

The Chief Judge noted the inclusion of judges of the state High Court as resources persons saying that the development was good for cross fertilisation of ideas.

“It shows that you have confidence in my judges and in this judiciary”, she said adding that at the end of the workshop, they would have learnt something from each other.

In a welcome address, chairman of the NBA, Mr. Monday Ubani, said that it would be difficult for any lawyer to be successful in the practice without keeping abreast of abreast of developments around him as continuous legal education is a requirement for renewal of practice.

www.kn.gov.ng/new/

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95 th KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

overnor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE presided over the ninety five (95th) sitting of the Kano State Executive Council today Wednesday 24th April, 2013 (14th Jumada Thani, 1434AH). Ten (10) Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) submitted sixteen (16) memoranda for deliberation. Sixteen (16) of them were approved for execution among which only two (2) were on policy issues while the majority were on projects covering an expenditure of Three Billion, Four Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty-Four Naira, Seventy Kobo Only (N3,495,734,744.70). However, before tabling any memorandum, the Hon. Commissioner for Planning and Budget was directed to report to the Council the stage reached on the implementation of the 2012 MDGs Conditional Grants Scheme in the State.

Council was appraised that the State has received location sheets for the approved projects and policy brief on the implementation of the 2012 CGS. All participating States were advised to strictly adhere to the conditions detailed in the CGS Implementation Manual and the Signed Memorandum of Understanding. The Scheme was for five selected Local Government Councils; Dawakin Tofa, Madobi, Makoda, Tarauni and Doguwa. The objectives of the Scheme are reducing poverty and providing incentives for families to utilize MDG enhancing activities such as School enrollment, Infant Immunization and Antenatal care for pregnant women.

Council was also reminded that the State Government had paid its share of the Conditional Grant Scheme to the tune of N187, 500,000.00 Counterpart funding while the OSSAP-MDGs had also credited the program account at the designated Bank (EcoBank) with an equal amount of money making the available sum of N375, 000,000.00.

So, the currently available sum of N375,000,000.00 will be disbursed to the selected five (5) LGCAs with the objective of reducing poverty and providing incentives for families to utilize MDG enhancing activities such as School enrolment, Infant Immunization and Ante Natal Care for pregnant women.

The State is also collaborating in another scheme under the same arrangement covering education, health and water and sanitation sectors to be implemented in six LGAs of Bagwai, Bunkure, Kunchi, Minjibir, Sumaila and Warawa. The Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs (OSSAP-MDGs) has already paid its matching grants for State Track-N418, 000,000.00 and LGAs Track-N600, 000,000.00. The State has paid its counterpart funding for the execution of the development projects in the selected Local Governments.

There is also the 2012 MDGs-State Track Conditional Grant Scheme Projects for the construction and improvement of Bichi, Danbatta and Rano General Hospitals. The sum of N836, 000,000.00 was the budgeted amount estimated for the execution of the projects, which will be shouldered by the State and OSSAP-MDGs. Council noted that the previous Government was unable to access funds meant for meaningful projects for the State due to non-payment of the Counterpart Contribution (ESP) in the year 2009.

This administration through the joint Contributory MDGs Grant in 2011 and 2012 expended N1.2billion and N836million respectively. The funds were utilized for the construction of over 40 Primary Healthcare centers, supply of equipment and drugs, tube well-based water supply, etc. Under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) arrangement, five Local Governments would benefit from the Scheme with the provision of over N50million and over. In fact, since inception the State has never failed to release its counterpart funding to execute development projects in the education and other sectors.

The State Government is open to any collaborative venture and is ready to pay counterpart funds for any development projects for the benefit of the citizenry.

Council appreciated such grants and assured that the State is ready to comply with all laid down conditions. Below are the decisions and approval granted for the execution of programs/projects at the 95th sitting of the Executive Council.

4.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION The State Ministry of Education submitted four (4) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Three (3) of them were approved for execution as follows: a.

Request for Funds to Facilitate Converting Government Arabic Secondary School, (GASS) Gaya into a Tahfeez Boarding Secondary School:The Honorable Commissioner for Education notified

ENGR. RABI`U MUSA KWANKWASO Executive Governor, Kano State Council of the irking fact that despite the multitude number of Islamiyya Schools in Kano, the State can only boast of possessing one Tahfeez Boarding Secondary School located at Kiru town in Kiru LGCs. So, pupils/students seeking the peculiar education/ knowledge entailed congregate in Kiru town from across the three (3) Senatorial Districts (44 LGCs) of the State. This congests the School making the available physical structures and facilities inadequate.

This reason and more informed the Ministry of Education to recommend for the conversion of GASS Gaya into a Boarding Tahfeez Secondary School, which will provide for the needs of Tahfeez Education to pupils/students of Kano South and other Senatorial districts.

Relevant assessments were made on the requirements for the conversion by the Ministry of Education. Details of the findings were presented for Council's consideration.

An aggregate sum of N95,675,961.14 is required for the purpose at the first phase stage for which eleven main items are required.

So, the Ministry of Education requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N95,675,961.14 by Council to enable the conversion of GASS Gaya into a Boarding Tahfeez Secondary School.

Considering the relevance of the request to the needs of the people of the State Council approved the release of the requested sum of N95,675,961.14 to the Ministry of Education to enable conversion of GASS Gaya into a Boarding Tahfeez Secondary School in order to add one more to the only one currently available at Kiru. b.

Presentation on the Need and Request for Funds to Convert Gwaron Dutse Psychiatric Hospital into a Day Secondary School:Contents of this memorandum amply substantiated the need to convert Gwaron Dutse Psychiatric Hospital into a Secondary School in line with the laudable policy of the present administration of converting all idle and underutilized public buildings/facilities into proper use especially Schools. Many such conversions have already been undertaken for example; •Gidan Ado Bayero - Temporary site Northwest University, Kano.

•Magwan Water Restaurant - First Lady's College.

•Psychiatric Hospital Yadakunya - Government Girls Secondary School Jan' Baki etc.

So, the Ministry of Education requested for the release of the aggregate sum of N38,479,724.20 to enable the undertaking of the first (1st) phase of the conversion project of Psychiatric Hospital Gwaron Dutse into a Day Secondary School. Details on the nine (9) items required for the implementation of the first (1st) phase of the conversion exercise were presented for Council's consideration.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N38,479,724.20 to the Ministry of Education to enable execution of the first (1st) phase of the conversion exercise of Psychiatric Hospital Gwaron Dutse into a Secondary School. c.

Request for Funds to Enable Furnishing and Equipping of Science Laboratories in 100 Government Senior Secondary Schools in the State:The Honorable Commissioner for Education categorically blamed the pathetic failure of our Students in the Science/ applied Subjects on the inadequacy of provisions or total absence of Science Laboratories in our Government Senior

Secondary Schools that offer Science subjects where the final results of the Science Students are perennially poor though the victims are characteristically brilliant.

Furnished and fully equipped Science Laboratories will certainly provide the solution to the pathetic situation.

Simple comparison of results obtained by Students who attended the Science Secondary Schools owned by the State to those obtained by Students who attended the ordinary Senior Secondary Schools will show the variation which can simply be traced to the availability or unavailability of fully equipped and furnished Science Laboratories.

As such, the Ministry of Education solicited for proposals from viable suppliers of Science equipment and came up with a figure from the most competent among them. The figure stood at N1,268,421,467.00 which was requested for release by Council to the Ministry of Education to enable furnishing and equipping of Science Laboratories in 100 Senior Secondary Schools in the State.

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N1,268,421,467.00 to the Ministry of Education to enable furnishing and equipping of Science Laboratories in 100 Senior Secondary Schools in the State.

The Office of the Deputy Governor/Honourable Commissioner for Local Governments was directed to release the money from the Local Governments' SURE-P Account.

5.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR/ HONORABLE COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS This Office submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. One (1) of them was approved for execution as follows: Request for Funds to Enable Conduct of Training Program for 220 Female Youths on TV Production, Photography, Videography, Printing and Event Management:The Deputy Governor/Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments notified Council of a proposal submitted to Government through the State Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture on a Training Program to involve 220 female youths by Dabo TV Center (an affiliate of VTF). The program aims at providing the female youths with specialized knowledge/skill in TV Production, Photography, Videography, Printing and Event Management.

The program is designed to draw participants from the 44 LGCs to supplement the present administration's effort on employment/job creation to the citizenry so as to curtail poverty in the society. This will certainly ensure wider participation across the State and ensure indigenous female involvement in the viable skills entailed in the program.

Specifically, 220 female youths are targeted for the entire program with each of them benefitting the sum of N100,000.00 (covering allowances, supply of video/stillcamera, etc.) which brings the total financial commitment for the program to the aggregate sum of N22,000,000.00 which was requested for release by Council.

The program was considered credible and Council approved the release of the requested sum of N22,000,000.00 to the Office of the Deputy Governor/ Honorable Commissioner for Local Governments to enable conduct of the laudable program to be charged under State/Local Government Joint Account with each Local Government Council sponsoring its candidates.

Again, the Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youths, Sports and Culture was instructed to collaborate with the State Community Reorientation Council (CRC) and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in assembling a list of female prospective participants from across the 44 LGCs in the State. This will certainly further diversify and expand the areas positively intervened upon by the present administration under the leadership of the second incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. 6.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH Three (3) memoranda were submitted for deliberation

by Council from the Ministry of Health. Two (2) of them were approved for execution as follows: a.

Request for Permission to Replace the Already Ordered Ophthalmic Equipment for Eye Clinic at the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano:Contents of this memorandum reminded Council of CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

its approval granted to the Ministry of Health for the procurement and installation of Ophthalmic Equipment at the Eye Clinic of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.

Substantially, Contract was awarded to Messrs. B & A Import/Export Nigeria Ltd. at the cost of N44,138,250.00.

The Company supplied the equipment according to the approved specifications/Bill of Quantities. However, the Ministry of Health was informed by the Company that Shitoz Tonometer and Phacco Machine could not be sourced easily and even when found to manage them may require special training overseas for the Staff to operate them. The Ministry of Health recommended the substitution of these equipment with 'Illuminated V.A. Chart' and Perimetry Machine as they can perform the same functions and the staff are familiar with them.

Council noted, considered and approved the substitution as recommended by the Ministry of Health. b.

Request for Funds to Undertake General Renovation/Rehabilitation Works at Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital:The Honorable Commissioner for Health notified Council of the condition of Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital and the need for immediate renovation/rehabilitation of the facilities and existing structures so as to reinvigorate normal activities and improve the delivery of specialized Psychiatric Services in the State.

Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital is the only referral Psychiatric Hospital in Northern Nigeria but suffered serious neglect by the past administration. In fact, the last renovation effort at the Hospital was undertaken in 2002 during the first incumbency of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The Ministry of Health assessed the extent of the required work and prepared Bill of Quantities in the total sum of N170,381,035.84 but phased the project into three (3). Thus; •Phase I N50,096,704.89 •Phase II N59,595,332.82 •Phase III N60,688,998.13 Total N170,381,035.84 Itemized details for each of the three phases were presented for Council's consideration of which only funds to facilitate the execution of phase I were requested for release by Council to the Ministry of Health.

SN i. ii. iii.

Phase I Renovation of Male Ward (1 NO) Renovation of LCT Block Renovation of Male Ward (2,3 and 4) Total

Contract sum (N) 13,850,877.13 2,173,473.54 34,072,354.22 50,096,704.89

Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N50,096,704.89 to the Ministry of Health to enable execution of the first (1st) phase of renovation works at Dawanau Psychiatric Hospital in view of the significance of the project and congruence to the policy of the present administration on the provision of qualitative health care delivery facilities/services for the citizenry.

7.

MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT This Ministry submitted ten (10) memoranda directly for consideration and deliberation by Council. Seven (7) of them were approved for execution as follows; a.

Request for Funds to Enable Landscaping and External Civil and Electrical Works at Central Eid-Ground K/Mata, Kano:Contents of this memorandum politely notified Council of the need to upgrade/modernize the status of the Central Eid-Ground at Kofar Mata for dual purposes, which necessitates the complete landscaping (hard and soft) and external Civil and Electrical works. Thus, the area could be used for the two (2) annual Eid-prayers and as a grand public parking space.

Consequently, the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport requested the release of the sum of N329,978,691.00 by Council to enable the execution of the required project.

Considering relevance of the request, Council approved the release of 50% of the requested sum of money (i.e.

N164,899,346.00) to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to commence the execution of the project so as to ease difficulties faced by the citizenry in terms of praying when due and daily parking convenience. b.

Report on the activities of Task-force Committee on the Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Street and Traffic Lights in Metropolitan Kano This administration was sworn-in when the State was running adrift owing to a series of factors, ranging from lack of vision and mission, financial recklessness, lack of routine maintenance/expansion of facilities and general or purposeful neglect of governance. To move the State forward, this administration formulate and execute

policies leading to the rehabilitation of infrastructural facilities through prudent utilization of resources. Since the inception of this administration, billion of Naira was expended for the provision of infrastructure and facilities thereby turning the State into a model to be copied by other States in the country. In fact, Kano State has never witnessed a period of infrastructural development as of this era. The Task-force Committee on the Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Street and Traffic Light amongst other Committees set up by this administration to undertake, identify, and assess the nature and scope of the faults associated with streets and traffic lights in metropolitan Kano. The aim was to launch an operation for their quick maintenance and installation of new ones on major streets.

In the last 22 months the Committee undertook repairs and rehabilitation as well as installation of new street and traffic lights as follows: i) Rehabilitated 35 Streetlights ii) Installed 20 new streetlights (including ongoing one) iii) Rehabilitated 6 Traffic Lights iv) Installed 15 New Traffic Lights The sum of N2,225,620,630.32 was expended for the provision and rehabilitation of these facilities. This brings us to the requests submitted by the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport for the release of funds to install streetlights along the following roads: i) Zoo Road-Sheka-Medille; Sabuwar Gandu-Tukuntawa at the sum of N77,700,387.90 ii) Beirut Road from the Civic Center Road Junction at the sum of N6,588,128.40 iii) Matan Fada Road from the State Road to Abdullahi Bayero Road at the sum of N5,953,324.00 iv) Yankura from Murtala Muhammad Way Road About to France Road at the sum of N5,982,380.80 v) Kofar Na'isa to Mandawari at the sum of N15,798,746.00 vi) Koki Quarters (Gidan Aminu Dantata) sum of N9,825,918.90 Council deliberated on the separate requests on their merit and approved the installation of streetlights along the above listed roads in view of their relevance as well as congruence to the policy of the present administration on the beautification of Kano Metropolis in addition to the provision of security for life and property.

8.

MINISTRY OF FINANCE The Kano State Ministry of Finance submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. One was approved for execution as follows: a.

Presentation of Request for Treasury Loan to Kano Housing Corporation and Kano State Investment and Properties Company (KSIP):The State Ministry of Finance, through the Office of the Accountant General notified Council of the ongoing efforts, by the incumbent administration to facilitate the construction of affordable Commercial houses at the respective three (3) Cities of Kwankwasiyya, Bandirawo and Amana.

Related to this effort, the State Government has already provided a treasury loan to the tune of N3billion (N1.5billion each) to the promoters (i.e. Kano State Housing Corporation and KSIP). This was to supplement the N2.6billion lent by the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees. Process for sales of the houses has been put in place to fine-tuning level while Certification is almost completed.

So, Council was requested to continue the considerate gesture by approving the release of the sum of N1billion in the form of treasury loan on the same terms like the earlier borrowing terms and a 40:60 profit sharing arrangement (i.e. 40% to the State Government and 60% to the promoters).

Council noted and considered the credibility of the request, which prompted immediate granting of approval for the release of N1billion as treasury loan to the Kano Housing Corporation and KSIP in accordance with the details presented.

9.

MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES Request for Funds to Enable the Procurement of 3,800 Lengths of 400MM Ductile Iron Pipes and Fittings for Dedicated Water Pipeline from Kafinchiri to Sumaila:Council was amply informed of the need to solve the potable water supply problem being experienced in Sumaila town and its surrounding areas. The Kafinchiri water treatment plant is in the near vicinity of the area. All that is required is to transport the processed/treated potable water to the area through pipelines of which 3,800 lengths of 400MM Ductile Iron Pipes and fittings are required valued at the cost of N718,462,657.50. Council deliberated on and approved the procurement of the pipes for improved water supply to the affected areas.

and Social Development comprising Divorcees, Widows, Physically Challenged, HIV victims, VVF victims and the girl-child who were trained in various skills of making air freshener, liquid soap, hair shampoo and hair conditioner. Council also noted the effort of the Ministry to form the women into cooperatives for sustainability and progress.

In the same vein, Council also noted the hosting of Walima for the female winners of this year's Qur'anic recitation competition.

2.

WATARI IRRIGATION WATER SCHEME Council noted the problem of water distribution at the Watari Irrigation Water Scheme and directed the immediate repair of the water distribution plant.

Furthermore, Council calls the general public to exercise patience as the Government will do everything at its disposal to provide potable water to the populace.

3.

GRADUATION OF 600 WOMEN FROM THE POULTRY INSTITUTE TUKWUI AND 132 PARTICIPANTS FROM INSTITUTE OF LIVESTOCK, BAGAUDA Council noted the successful graduation of 600 women from the Poultry Institute, Tukwui and the empowerment of 132 participants from the institute of livestock, Bagauda, which is in tandem with the present administration's desire to improve the lives of the citizens and to be selfreliant.

4.

CONDOLENCE MESSAGE ON THE DEATH OF BARONESS MARGARETH THATCHER Council with deepest sympathy condoled the Government and people of the United Kingdom over the death of the former Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher.

5.

SIGNING OF LAWS BY THE GOVERNOR Council witnessed the signing of the laws of the Kano State Institute for Information Technology and the Kano State Security Trust Fund by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, which were recently passed into Law by the Kano State House of Assembly.

6.

DONATION OF FIFTY (50) COMPUTERS TO KANO STATE POLYTECHNIC BY ZENITH BANK PLC Council witnessed and appreciated the presentation and donation of fifty (50) brand new desktop computers to the Kano State Polytechnic by Zenith Bank Plc. as part of its corporate social responsibility 7.

AWARD OF DISTINCTION CONFERRED TO GOVERNOR Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE Council acknowledged the conferment of an award of distinction to Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE by the Nigerian Youths Parliament, Kano State Chapter, for his tremendous stride and support towards making the Nigerian Youths Parliament a reality and functional in Kano state.

8.

COMMENDATION TO KANO STATE CHAPTER OF ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF POLYTECHNICS (ASUP) AND SENIOR STAFF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIAN POLYTECHNICS Council commended the above mentioned associations' congresses for agreeing not to participate in the current strike action embarked upon by the National Unions.

This is as a result of the numerous and laudable development projects and programs initiated by the present administration.

9 STUDENTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM Council deliberated on the need for the State to propose Students Exchange Program to the Southern States of the country as being done with the Northern States to foster unity and exposure amongst the citizenry. The Ministry of Education was directed to link up with the Southern States for the program to materialize.

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY

UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 95TH EXCO SITTING

Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents for easy access in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the general public may easily contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking on - 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on - 07051246833, 08191778888. For further information on Government activities visit us at: www.kano.gov.ng/new

1.

TRAINING OF 500 LESS PRIVILEGED WOMEN Council acknowledged the conduct and training of 500 less privileged women by the Ministry of Women Affairs

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports & Culture, Kano State

PAGE 10

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Kano state Governor, Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso (3rd left) was among thousands of people that witnessed the wedding fatiha of some 1,000 women, at the weekend, in Kano Central Mosque, Kano.

With him are Sheikh Aminuddeen Abubakar (2nd left), Alhaji Shehu Malami Sarkin Sudan (3rd right), Sheikh Aminu Daurawa (2nd right), and other dignitaries.

Nasarawa set to build new model schools From Ali Abare Abubakar, Lafia

I

n a bid to improve the standard of education, the Nasarawa state government has disclosed plans to build 36 model schools across the state.

According to Chairman of the Nasarawa State Universal Education Board (NSUBEB), Malam Abdulkarim Mohammad Abdullahi, three of the schools are at various stages of completion in Lafia, Akwanga and Keffi.

Abdullahi spoke at the weekend in a speech he delivered during the inauguration of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Joint Campus Committee, Nasarawa state chapter, at the state polytechnic, Lafia.

Represented by Musa Gambo Suleiman, Director of Administration at the Board, Abdullahi said that NSUBEB was poised to change the educational sector, from the grass roots, with a model school to be sited in each of the local governments and development areas.

While charging members of the committee to conduct their affairs with every sense of accountability, Abdullahi maintained that the administration of Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, is determined to deliver on the promises made to the electorate and would do everything to support education.

In a keynote address, a lecturer at the Department of Sociology at the state university Keffi, Dr. Umar Shehu Usman, lamented that despite the contributions of the youth in the emergence of the present democratic dispensation, "our leaders continue to look at them as being lazy, uneducated and irresponsible."

According to him, politicians who easily mobilise the youth and students to prosecute their political campaigns, abandon

them shortly after getting elected, instead of embarking on projects such as youth empowerment, dynamic scholarship schemes, etc, that would impact positively on the lives of such youths.

He urged the state government to aspire to give indigenes of the state functional education that can make them

self reliant..

In his inaugural speech, Comrade Musa Moses Attah, chairman, Joint Campus Committee, observed that the challenges confronting the youth are multidimensional and would require dogged commitment to tackle.

While showing appreciation to Al-Makura for the prompt

action he took to address the crisis at the state university in Keffi, as well as the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof.

Shamsudeen Amali, on his infrastructural development strides, Attah however made a case for the arrest of the military men involved in the killing of two students of the university.

Maritime sector can create five million jobs, says former presidential aide From, Ahmed Kaigama, Bauchi

F

ormer Special Assistant to the President on Maritime, Ibrahim Zailani, has said that the Nigerian maritime sector could create up to five million jobs.

"I have realised that we can generate up to five million jobs in the maritime sector, what we just need is to tap what we have," Zailani said at the weekend in an interview with journalists in Bauchi.

According to him, "there is this belief that crude oil in Nigeria may dry up in 25years but the Nigerian seaports will never dry up."

He explained that there are

potentials in the Nigerian maritime sector, citing examples with Malaysia and Singapore that have over 90 per cent of their foreign exchange being generated through export and seafarers.

He stressed the need for the provision of shipyards, dockyards, and maritime universities for the training of seafarers.

On the pressure being mounted on him to aspire for the governorship of Bauchi state in 2015, Zailani said people were entitled to their own opinions.

"But I want to tell you something, let us get to the bridge and then think of crossing it.

"If the people of Bauchi state are saying Zailani should come and lead them, why not, because I am a Muslim and I believe in the tenets of Islam.

"So, if I'm cajoled or commanded or if I am coerced, I have no option than to succumb to the wishes of the people," he said.

He listed some of the problems in the state to include illiteracy and lack of economic empowerment for the people.

He said that if given the opportunity to lead the state, his priorities would be solving the problems militating against education, health, and water sectors, and also ensure that people are economically empowered.

First Lady reiterates commitment to women empowerment, emancipation

By Etuka Sunday

T

he First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, has appreciated the involvement of women in governance and national development in the justconcluded centenary celebrations of the Nigerian woman.

The celebration, tagged 'Achieving 50/50 by 2020" took place at Eko Hotel and Suites,

Lagos.

According to her, no meaningful development can take place without the active involvement of women for the greater good of the country and acknowledged that Nigerian women have made significant contributions to the development of their various communities over the years.

She canvassed for the passage and domestication of the CEDAW

bill and the affirmative action principles by the National Assembly as well as the domestication of appropriate instruments and framework on gender and equal opportunities.

Some other stakeholders who also attended the programme included, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, and the representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mary Odili.

‘Eagle Chaplains’ pledge to uphold unity

By Sonde Abbah

N

asarawa state chapter of Eagle Chaplains Corps (ECC), an elite corps whose activities encompass religious education and counseling, prisons, and crises management, has reiterated their determination to impact the society in various significant ways.

Chaplain Godwin Okwori, the Area Commander of ECC, stated this in an interview with Peoples Daily at the weekend, at Nyanya Gwandara, Karu local government area of Nasarawa state.

A non-denominational group that cuts across religious and ethnic barriers, ECC's responsibility is to, "promote unity and peace across the nation," Chaplain Okwori said.

"Chaplaincy's solemn goal is to promote goodwill among all men," he added. "It is a known fact that the general laws of the land are not good enough to create conducive atmosphere that will in turn promote real peace.

"Therefore, the spiritual growth of man is most paramount, and this is one of the areas we as a grouop are indispensable.

"In this vein we are able to support our compatriots, so to say, by building their faith, speaking with authority in the line of truth and promoting love. Our general conduct is to draw men and women closer to their creator and also creat moral standards and oneness."

Speaking in the same vein, one of the ECC cadets, Jamila Mohammed, said that, "the high level of discipline, spiritual awareness, brotherhood which the Chaplaincy imbibes in them in particular and the society in general are "truly as ennobling as it is worthy of commendation."

Hajia Jamila, who is also the Executive Director of Destiny Youth International Forum (DYIF), Abuja, noted that "incidentally, we at my NGO (DYIF) share the same principles and ideals with the Eagle Chaplain Corps.

"The mission and vision is to impact on widows, youths, and indeed the less privileged in general, in memorable ways."

PAGE 11

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Time to venture into a business even with your little income

W

hile many people would laugh at at the notion of using your little income for anything other than retirement, for the entrepreneur who absolutely MUST get a business off the ground immediately, there is an option to use that meager amount to start a business.

There's a little known, but increasingly popular provision in the tax code referred to ast he Rollover as Business Startup (ROBS). It allows someone to start up a new business venture with funds from an old account without incurring the dreaded early withdrawal penalties meant to deter people from using their hard-earned income.

Chances are, you might already have some retirement funds stashed in an IRA account as well.

There are various ways to structure the transaction, but if you engage an experienced and reputable accountant or tax attorney, they should be able to guide you through the recommended process for your particular situation. Given the potential complexities and tax liabilities if this isn't enacted properly, I haven't listed out step-by-step instructions. But it is possible and legal, and thousands of low-income earners are doing it.

Money Tip: Hold a PostMortem

When would using little funds to start a business make sense?

Tapping retirement funds for any endeavor requires careful consideration, but there are a number of plausible scenarios where one might actually be better off going the sizable funds route than other conventional

means.

To avoid going into debt If you're an entrepreneur who is going to pursue an idea no matter what, nothing will stop you, not even going into debt. So, rather than borrowing money at a high interest rate or using questionable means to gain access to capital (like peer

Learn the necessary ways to properly take care of your money

E

mbarking on an unvarnished analysis of how your business navigated the past year is a must.

McBean recommends asking yourself questions like: Did you have a successful year? Where did your business shine? What's holding it back?

While the answers to those questions are important, the real point of this exercise is to arrive at the moment when entrepreneurs start "looking at themselves in the mirror."

It's the key to effective leadership, said McBean. With a brutally honest assessment of your business in hand, it falls squarely on the shoulders of the small business owner to guide the implementation of any improvements that need to happen.

That takes leadership, and one of the traits of a good leader is to know how things truly stand with your business.

Quote Refuse to accept the belief that your professional relevance, career success or financial security turns on the next update on the latest technology.

Sometimes it's good to put the paddle down and just let the canoe glide.

- Simon Mainwaring

lending or deferring payments from other mandatory sources) this might make more sense and keep you out of debt.

When you're going in a new direction A common example in this economy might be someone who was laid off. Let's say you're a highly paid executive with a

sizable amount who was just laid off, and the odds of you finding work at a similar salary are quite low. Maybe it makes sense to take a new direction in life and start up a small business. With the right funding and opportunity, you may be able to parlay your experience and leadership into a better opportunity as a small business owner.

If you have the most incredible idea ever Of course, the history books are written by the victors, so we've all heard the proverbial stories about the entrepreneurs who mortgaged their homes and borrowed from friends and family to start businesses, and now they're multi-millionaires.

This doesn't happen often, and most small businesses don't make the big-time. But if you have a unique business that really could take off and you don't have access to capital otherwise, this might be your best option.

A decision to raid your account shouldn't be taken lightly, but when opportunity knocks, Nigerians often answer the door.

We're an entrepreneurial bunch. If the opportunity is right and you have other means to fund your retirement, this might just be the mechanism to make it happen.

EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde, whose commission prosecutes money launderers in Nigeria

H

ere is a clear and simple guide on how to live happily within your means, manage budgets and use financial services wisely.

Now is the time to make the most of your money and develop a plan for this phase of your financial life. Enjoy your life; love your money.

Savings Pay yourself first.

You're probably inclined to pay everyone else first. You may even still be supporting children or other dependents. But it's vital to start paying yourself first by saving money. It's the only way to ensure your financial longevity and well being. Most banks can automatically transfer funds from your checking account to your savings account, money market, mutual fund and other accounts. Automatic deposit makes the payment a habit you can maintain.

Join retirement savings programme if you do not have one from your employer.

Plan

immediately and max out the amount you can contribute. Also make sure you're setting aside enough to be eligible for any matching funds, extra money for your retirement fund, given by many employers. Saving is so crucial; the government even encourages it if you're a low-income worker. If you qualify, you can get a federal tax credit, depending on your income and how much you put into retirement programs.

Make sure you know the details about your bank's savings account plans.

Delay before you pay This doesn't mean pay bills late.

It means stop yourself before you buy. Online shopping has taken impulse buying to new levels. Give yourself a timeframe before you decide to commit to a purchase.

Think over that new pair of shoes for two weeks. If, after two weeks, you still can't live without them, make room in your budget before you buy.

Once you decide to start saving, you need to determine where you're going to put the money. And remember "under the mattress" doesn't count. Several common savings options include: Savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of Deposit (CDs).

Some of the most important considerations in choosing a savings vehicle include: Access. How quickly can you access your money?; Safety.

How safe is your money? Is it federally insured? Interest. How much money will you earn?; What are the interest rates and terms?

Limitations. Are there minimum balances required? Are there limited checks that can be written per month or penalties for early withdrawals?

Start now: Even if you can only put aside a small amount at first, the sooner you start, the faster your savings will accumulate. For every five years you delay, you may need to double your monthly savings amount to achieve the same income at retirement.

Budgeting Live happily within your means.

You want to love your money, right? Then you've got to live well within your means.

That's important at any age, but it's especially important when planning for retirement, which often demands that you live on a fixed income. Not to mention that many of us are enjoying longer, healthier lives. Living more years means needing more money and stretching our monies. The best way to stretch, save and spend wisely is to build a budget. Only less than 40 percent of Nigerian has been discovered to be using a budget to plan their spending.

A budget's end goal isn't to punish you, keep you from enjoying your golden years or make you miserable. It's to keep your dreams

of the moment and your long-term goals truly alive and golden.

Question your needs and wants What do you want? What do you really need? Evaluate your current financial situation. Take a look at the big picture. Make two lists - one for needs and one for want. As you make the list, ask yourself: Why do I want it? How would things be different if I had it? What other things would change if I had it? (For better or worse); which things are truly important to me? Does this match my values? And what will I need to live happily.

Set guidelines We all have different budgets based on our needs and wants. But this chart shows some guidelines on how much should go toward different expenses. It's especially useful as you plan for retirement and living expenses. You may need to make adjustments for a daily latte fix or visits to children living on the other side of the country, but remember to subtract amounts from other areas if you do. Add up your income: To set a monthly budget, you need to know what's coming in.

Make sure you include all sources of income such as salaries, interest, retirement accounts, Social Security, pensions, and any other income sources. Estimate expenses: The best way to do this is to write down every penny you spend each month. Once you've created your budget, keep records of your actual income and expenses. This keeps you aware of the difference between what you budget and actually spend.

Track, trim and target Once you start tracking, you may be surprised to find you spend a month things that you don't really need or long calls to the grand kids. Some expenses are easily trimmed. Cutting back is usually a better place to start than completely cutting out. Be realistic. It will help you to be better prepared for unexpected costs.

Share your Money Tip: do you have a business/money idea, and you want to share it with our dear readers? Then, send it to: ikabirsule@gmail.com or (text it to 08091904890)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 12

EDIT ORIAL EDITORIAL

I

Oshiomhole’s sparring with Igbinedion

t is now out in the open - the no love lost between Edo state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his erstwhile political benefactor, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who is the father of former governor Lucky and a local PDP kingpin. Two days after the governor's ACN swept the local government council polls in the state, the first in the five years of the Oshiomhole administration, he broke his vow to only "look forward", and not back at the past. He let the very wealthy traditional title holder, the Esama of Benin Kingdom, have it all: "I want to send a warning to Chief Igbinedion that he should take it easy… He walks (about) as if he is above the law. I have not looked back because my mandate is to look forward. I want to put him on notice that if he continues with elderly rascality, I will bring him to justice.

He must never ever underestimate the fact that I have the will and I have the capacity to deploy that will; if he crosses the law he will be cut to size.

Elders must teach the younger ones to behave responsibly."

Tough words coming, not unexpectedly, from a trade unionist turned politician-governor. Last March, we had cause to upbraid him in an editorial because of his ungentlemanly outbursts against the police over what he suspected was an attempt to shield the killers of his senior private secretary, Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde last year. This time, we think his indignation is justified.

It is clear that Chief Igbinedion has not come to terms with his much

reduced political clout in Edo state after his son, Lucky's rather disastrous two terms as governor. Father and son presided over the plunder of the state's wealth, literally turning it into a 16th century fiefdom in a 21st century democratic Nigerian nation. The Esama acquired huge swathes of land across the state, forcing farmers to pay taxes to him.

But he was smart enough to realize

“

The lesson of the Oshimhole/Igbinedion confrontation is when not to take on a political leader that is popular with voters such as Oshiomhole that his PDP was a losing party in Edo after his son's departure and backed the ACN’s Oshiomhole to come to power in 2008. However, if he thought he had the incoming governor in his shadows, he was soon proved wrong. Oshiomhole was to introduce a tax regime that hurt the chief's businesses badly and he complained aloud. The governor's reply was that even the poor of Edo state paid tax, and a stupendously rich Igbinedion would not be an exception. And last Monday, Oshiomhole vowed: "Edo money will never flow to the Igbinedion

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

house any more".

Then Igbinedion made his worse political mistake when he backed the wrong horse - the PDP's governorship candidate Gen. Charles Airhiavbere against a very popular Oshiomole in the July 14, 2012 election. They lost in spite of unrelenting attacks on the Oshomhole campaign by Igbinedion's Independent Television (ITV) station.

The chief's political humiliation was made complete when his son, Charles, lost the ACN ticket for the chair of Ovia North East Council to a former PDP women leader, now an Oshiomhole ally. Before then, the governor had revoked his land titles, those in his home town, Okada, in particular. Things did come to a head during last weekend's council polls when Chief Igbinedion appeared to have forced the governor's hand.

According to the latter, the chief led other PDP leaders to breach a law that banned movement within the state while polling was going on. That they did with the use of armed mobile policemen. The charge was never denied by the chief or PDP. The lesson of the Oshimhole/ Igbinedion confrontation is when not to take on a political leader that is popular with voters such as Oshiomhole. Igbinedion should accept his fate just as did Chief Tony Anineh, the current PDP BoT chairman and Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, two time governor of old Bendel state, now Delta and Edo states. These last two have since reconciled with Oshimhole.

We urge Igbinedion to do the same so that Edo will know peace.

OUR PEOPLE

OUR VISION

CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE DIRECTOR/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF RUFA’I IBRAHIM ACTING EDITOR, DAILY HAMEED M. BELLO

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ALI M. ALI

HEAD, ADVERT/MARKETING HUSSAINI ABDULRAHMAN, CNA

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MANAGER, ADMINISTRATION HASSAN HAMMANYAJI

HEAD, LAGOS BUREAU ADESOJI OYINLOLA

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

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 13

Implications of Supreme Court decision on MASSOB leaders

By Ugochukwu Oguwanyi

T

he Supreme Court, decision delivered over a week ago, giving the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke(SAN), the nod to prosecute the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, and six others for treason has caused quite a big stir in the country. This stir is expedient even as it is largely misunderstood. For one, government is being asked to arraign the key members of MASSOB- a non violent group, when the same government is bargaining an amnesty for members of Boko Haram- an extremist terrorist organisation.

Not only that, government had in the recent past bestowed amnesty on the equally cataclysmic Niger Delta militants. Further, months ago, the government pardoned some corrupt elements certified to have wrought economic and image ruins on the country.

How can a government this generous with clemency shut its doors to an 'offender' who qualifies for it the most? If by any chance we still pride ourselves on being the votaries of meritocracy shouldn't merit demand us granting a privilege to the one most deserving of it? Unless merit, like other worthy virtues,

has suddenly become alien to us.

How I wish it stops as an appeal on government to do what is right in the temple of equity and justice. How I fancy it being that simple. But it is not as there are those threatening fire and brimstone should government go ahead to try the MASSOB elements for treason as directed by the court.

Those giving the threat are members of MASSOB who have threatened to shut down the country if the federal government proceeded to do what it was asked to do. You need not be told what a goat pushed to the wall does. But can government afford what becomes of that after effect? I don't think so! This is because our past experiences have shown that the federal government can only underestimate any group that can turn violent at its own peril.

When government forces were rounding up members of the Boko Haram sect and extra judicially killing many of them in 2009, they never reckoned that the sect they thought had been extinguished would, like a phoenix, resurface to become a real thorn in the nation's flesh.

Even the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike recently declared that his group might be forced to abandon its non-violent approach and go the way of the Boko Haram since it is the language of violence that the

federal government better understands.

But one is appalled at the sheer misunderstanding of those already hurling insults and expletives at the federal government for 'trying to prosecute the accused for treason.' They failed to realise that we have three distinct arms of government and that what is raising dust emanated from the judicial arm with the present executive yet to take a stand on it. Another point of contradiction is that those using this as an opportunity to excoriate the already beleaguered Jonathan presidency do not take cognisance of the fact that the court case that produced the verdict pre-dated his ascension to the throne of the vice president, not to talk of that of president. It, indeed, started even before Boko Haram was made manifest.

It was on November the eight, 2005 that the government of President Obasanjo arraigned the accused persons before the Federal High Court on a four-count criminal charge bordering on treasonable felony. Then it accused those arraigned of belonging to a militant group called MASSOB training with the intent to levy war to overthrow the president as well as the government. If only the government had experienced NDPVF and the Boko Haram sect, it would have chosen a more apt phrase than

the misnomer 'militant group.

The government further claimed that the accused persons who it said were top officials at the MASSOB headquarters between January 2004 and October 2005 at Owerri and other places in Nigeria, "with intent to levy war, overawe and overthrow the legitimate government of Nigeria", conspired to commit felony to wit: treason.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges and through their counsel, Festus Keyamo, urged the trial court to quash it for being incompetent and base, contending that there was no proof of evidence indicting them to the commission of any crime known to law.

Notwithstanding, the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako refused to either quash the charges or release the accused persons on bail. This prompted Keyamo to take the case before the Appeal Court in Abuja which on May the 15, 2008, after so much public outcry, granted them bail but refused to dismiss the charge.

Unfulfilled, the accused persons proceeded with the case to the Supreme Court. There it lingered till we got to the present.

It then becomes clear that so far, President Jonathan has no hand in the case other than that his government has now been asked to prosecute the accused.

But if he went for it, that's when he would have portrayed himself as 'an enemy of the Igbo nation.'

But for now, he is as innocent in the matter as a man in whom no vile is found. Do we then hold the courts responsible? Absolutely not, since they are only doing their job. The pronouncement can be appreciated in the light that they aren't on the executive's beat to know how difficult it is to contain an aggrieved group out to punish the state for a perceived injustice meted out to them.

Beyond the kerfuffle that has permeated the media over the pronouncement are two didactic lessons. First, we have a weak state that appears to have incapacitated the systemic workings of our society.

Terrorism and threats of the use of terror are preventing the state from doing what it is required to do. Indeed, insurgency has become a bargaining chip. Again, we have been made to see the backlash of court cases taking too long before being decided upon. Had the courts finished with this case shortly after it was instituted, there would have been no amnesty for the Niger Delta militants and that proposed for Boko Haram members to have made people allege injustice or marginalisation. This calls for quick dispensation of justice to bar unforeseen bottlenecks such as this.

Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi on ug.ugovester@gmail.com

Baga, the military and new media By 'Sola Fagorusi

L

ast week, the story of the bloodshed in Baga, a fishing community in Borno State rested harshly on our ears. The news darkened our demeanour. It would not be erroneous to have the national flag flown at half mast in honour of the dead. The Joint Task Force took civilians as causalities in what they claim was 'an ambush with members of the Boko Haram sect using civilians as cover.' It was wrong especially given the account of the survivors.

The figures are contentious and the correct figure of the dead may never be known.

Wars would always be fought by people and nations. And 'all is fair in love and in war' goes that old saying. Of the two warring camps - one is ready to fight and die, the other is paid to fight. The Joint Task Force, JTF should throw all at this war. The new media is now a war tool. It's understandable since the internet itself was an initial product by the military. It's high time the JTF and Military in Nigeria also began to engage vigorously with this tool if they aren't already doing so. The US Army understands this hence its recent release of a 52 page social media handbook for soldiers, ditto the Air Force's 41 page document for its personnel.

The war in Iraq and

Afghanistan birthed some transformative Apps compatible with smart phones. One of the apps, in addition to mapping a territory and telling where civilians pass through regularly can detect explosives and also warfare weapons. It is an extensive form of Red Alert app designed by the 13 year old Israeli- Liron Bar. While the Israeli and Hamas war lasted, there were places where the alert siren of the Military was faint. As Hamas rocket continued to be released and vice versa, Israelis were alerted by the app and it allowed them run to the bunkers for safety. It also allowed them to

limit it to a particular geography and send messages to those in areas under attack and encourage them to relocate in some instances. The Defense Military website also had information of bunker locations, underground parks and other protected spaces. Instances of new media use abound globally that the JTF can draw from. In 2006, the U.S and Iraqi Army had successfully raided a location in Iraq - rescued a hostage, killed 16 militants and found a heavy weapon armoury. By the time they got to their base, about 40 minutes after, the images had gone viral.

Except that this time, the bodies

“

Luckily, the army had also used a new media tool - a helmet camera. It showed the true story. The JTF can also benefit from this, knowing well never to engage with the enemy without this switched on. This would have told Baga's true story. You win a war on the offensive. The defensive is not where you should be, which the JTF is now. Having to explain what exactly happened to people.

It is not the right location in the place of war

had been adjusted, the guns removed and they were placed in a pose that seemed as though they were praying in a mosque when they were attacked. It weighed negatively against the Army.

Luckily, the army had also used a new media tool - a helmet camera. It showed the true story. The JTF can also benefit from this, knowing well never to engage with the enemy without this switched on. This would have told Baga's true story. You win a war on the offensive. The defensive is not where you should be, which the JTF is now. Having to explain what exactly happened to people. It is not the right location in the place of war. Our Military needs to thoroughly understand that information is now controlled by everybody.

The recent hacking warfare between USA and China comes to mind to underscore contemporary warfare. Imagine if the people of Baga or members of the Boko Haram sect had managed to get out pictures of the women and children killed, the outrage would be worse and other operations may be compromised.

Remember the Navy Seal's capture of Osama and the tweets

by Sohaib Athar? If the operation had taken longer, it would not have taken long for Al-Qaeda to be in the know and storm that Abottabab resident

in retaliation given information from the tweets. During the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War in Lebanon, Hezbollah used the social media to quickly and consistently report the number and location of Israeli casualties faster. This had a negative effect on Israeli public perception. The military formation in Nigeria has the new media to use so that it is consistently perceived as giving the real information on the insurgency.

The physical war should be waged alongside the psychological war and this can be in form of new media information flow. Same way you can't trust guns to shoot the right people all the time is the same way all you see on new media is not true but then, if the enemy is engaging with it, why not you? What the JTF should do is to share information as quick as they happen. Send mails to reporters, bloggers, social influencers and declassify images with caveats, if need be, so that they have an edge. The JTF should allow soldiers tell their own stories through video posts and interviews where necessary. All that needs to be done is to have social media engagement rules for them. The JTF would do well to read all the social media commentaries and comments on this Baga misadventure. It may learn a thing or two. @SolaFagro on Twitter

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 14

Land swap: Abuja's original inhabitants ungrateful

By Abdulrahman Sade

P

lease, allow me a space to express my personal views on the issue of resettlement and integration of the indigenous inhabitants of the FCT into whatsoever programmes the FCT administration has worked out. Before I go into the main issue, I want to draw attention to what I have observed in the past one or two years concerning the government's constructive engagement with the indigenous inhabitants since 2011.

It was Harold Robins who said "that reciprocracy is a measure of a persons depth of understanding of a critial situation". However, it has been realized that despite the continued effort of the FCT minister, some Abuja indigenes are either not grateful or perhaps do not really understand what is called courtesy. We are now aware that the FCT administration under Sen. Bala Mohammed mobilized human and material resources during the just concluded primaries elections in the six FCT area councils where PDP won with an overwhelming majority and retained the chairmanship of 5 out of the six area councils; those elective positions all went to the indigenous inhabitants. He personally addressed 95 % of the party's electioneering rallies and campaigns, all in support of the indegenious candidates from the FCT so as to encourage democracy dividends at the

By Pius Adesanmi

A

nd it came to pass that on the fiftieth year of the slavery of the tribe of the owners-of-black-gold-buthewers-of-stone in the deep South, God gave ear to their cries and hearkened. And there was a man named Jona, the teacher, who was of the house of Fedora. And God came upon Jona in a dream and saith: "lo, I have seen the affliction of your people whose black gold hath been stolen these past fifty years to build other peoples' tents beyond the river; I have heard the cries of your people on account of their taskmasters from the desert.

"Indeed, I know their sufferings and I have come down to deliver them from bondage and to place on their tongues the milk and honey that floweth out of the abundance of their land for the first time in their lives.

So, come, I will send you to the city by the Rock in the land of the taskmasters of the desert and place you on the great throne from whence cometh all power."

And Jona fell on his face and saith: "my Lord and my God. Be it done to me according to thine will." And the word of the Lord came to pass and Jona the teacher was indeed placed on the throne of power after death hath looked upon King Yarus of the tribe of the desert taskmasters who had gone to

make the grassroots. inhabitants What else do feel that they they want? are actually It is also Peoples Daily welcomes your letters, opinion articles, text being carried public messages and ‘pictures of yesteryears.’ All written along, but knowledge that contributions should be concise. Word limits: Letters - 150 unfortunately the FCT the people minister words, Articles - 750 words. Please include your name and appear not to initiated a a valid location. Letters to the Editor should be addressed be grateful and proposal of 150 to: are even billion Naira engaged in project now The Editor, unwholesome before the Peoples Daily, 1st Floor Peace Plaza, activities Presidency for 35 Ajose Adeogun Street, Utako, Abuja. which border approval. He Email: opinion@peoplesdaily-online.com on discourtesy. did dthat SMS: 08134607052 If one might because he did ask, what did not want to Bala take a kobo appoint a Gbagyi person as Mohammed's predecessors do from the account of the 6 FCT secretary of education and also a for them in the last 30 years or area councils so that they would so? have no excuse not to deliver the coordinator of one of the FCDA projects.

The main forum which divide3nds of democracy to All these were done by the broiught about such dialogue or their people. This is in addition current FCT administration to let me say a round table to the decision of the minister to

WRITE TO US

“

And to come to the issue of resettlement and compensation , I have information that for the first time in the history of the FCT, the minister has directed that all the investors handling mass housing projects will now shoulder the responsibility of paying compensations and the reintegration of the inhabitants in the affected districts. I believe that fairness and courtesy demand that the inhabitants of Abuja reciprocate the minister's good gesture by showing appreciation for what he has done to them and then later on ask for other benefits as is the case in a real democratic dispansation

King Jona's miracle seek healing from the descendants of Ishmael in the land of Arabia.

And there was great rejoicing among the tribe of the owners-of-black-gold-buthewers-of-stone in the deep South for the hour of their redemption is indeed come. And they lifted up their eyes unto the mountains and sang: We have overcome We have overcome We have overcome today Oh deep in our hearts We do believe We have overcome today And their leader, a fiery patriarch called Clarkodemus, saith unto the desert taskmasters of yore: "touch not Jona, my anointed, for who God hath blessed no man can curse!"

And after the new King Jona had burnt a thousand offerings, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and saith: "because thou hast found favour in mine eyes and art now king, ask whatever you want and it shall be granted unto thee."

And King Jona did obeissance and saith: "my Lord and my God, great indeed is thy faithfulness. You have been kind to me your servant by making me king and to my people in the deep south by

giving us dominion over the black gold of our earth that was taken away for fifty years by our taskmasters from the desert. Therefore, I would have asked of thee wisdom and a discerning heart to rule over this 160 million people; I would have asked of thee knowledge to distinguish between right and wrong but, unfortunately, King Solomon already asked for all these things so many years ago before me.

"Grant unto me the wisdom to make merry with the shekels that cometh out of the abundance of black gold in the land of my fathers. Let my mouth sayeth unto my servants: bring forth musicians to play the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music for that which was taken by our taskmasters in the north has been rendered unto us tenfold. King Solomon asked for wisdom. As for me and my household, we have decided to make merry."

And the Lord saith unto Jona, the King: "thou seeketh the shekels of thine inheritance to make merry?" And Jona the King replied: "we shall also buy the best robes for our guests and we shall put rings on their hands and shoes on their feet.

We shall kill the fatted calf and buy the best wine from the bridegroom's store in the land of Cana. And we shall say unto our guests: rejoice and be glad for that which was taken from us hath been restored" And the Lord cast King Jona away from His presence.

Whereupon King Jona's heart hardened. Foolishness and pride took dominion over his mind.

And he sent forth for all the guardian-warriors of the black gold from the land of his fathers and saith: "come thou now into the kingdom of this world and partake of the bounties which hath been added unto our inheritance. Thine bellies shall be the bellies of our people.

Whatever thou eateth shall be considered eaten by our people."

And the guardian-warriors of black gold who hath lived by the sword and by blood in the creeks and the bushes made haste to the city by the rock.

One was called Tompolus, the Mighty and the other was called Asarius, the Ijawmite.

And they came into King Jonah's presence and did obeisance. Whereupon great joy is come unto King Jona's heart upon seeing his brothers.

And the king saith unto the guardian-warriors: "brothers, I

between the authority and the original inhabitants which we all called "town hall meeting" is the first of its kind in the history of Abuja. Who initiated this?

How many FCT ministers before him did that?

Again do the indigenes not remember what happended in the United States of America not too long ago or even here at home in Lagos and Kano where non-indigenes acquired leadership positions despite the presence of indigenous inhabitants? If rwe must ask, what do the inhabitants actually want from the FCT minister after doing what he has done in the past 3 years or so, which is much more than those done by his colleagues in the past 10 years? And to come to the issue of resettlement and compensation , I have information that for the first time in the history of the FCT, the minister has directed that all the investors handling mass housing projects will now shoulder the responsibility of paying compensations and the reintegration of the inhabitants in the affected districts. I believe that fairness and courtesy demand that the inhabitants of Abuja reciprocate the minister's good gesture by showing appreciation for what he has done to them and then later on ask for other benefits as is the case in a real democratic dispansation.

Abdulrahman Sade resides in FCT, Abuja welcome thee into our inheritance. Look at this great city by the rock, look northward and southward, look westward and eastward, all that you see was built with our black gold and upon our backs by our taskmasters of yore.

Now eat and let us make merry for that which was taken from us hath been restored tenfold."

And there was great rejoicing among King Jona and his brothers from the creek, Asarius and Tompolus. And they invited the palace servants to partake of the great feast. One was Orontus and the other was Renokrim, also of the creeks. One was Dokupemus, a moneychanger who hath robbed people in the land of the farmers in the middle lands and the traders in the east before he found favor with King Jona as a trumpeter. The other was Reuben, the Ogunite, a junior trumpeter to Dokupemus.

And nights passed. And mornings came. And life got worse for the tribe of the owners-of-black gold-buthewers-of stone in the deep south even with their son as king; and nothing changed for the other people all over the rest of the land. And when a great famine and pestilence came upon the land, the people of the creeks became agitated and cried up to their son King Jona: "give us bread and shekels."

Pius Adesanmi is on www.facebook.com

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 15

For the sake of Serena, Ronaldo, 'Man U' When a fighter is beaten, everybody who believes in him is beaten too - his family, his friends, his children, the people who cheer him on, who give him their love, their hope, their pride - Muhammed Ali in his book, The Greatest

A

s you read this I am putting finishing touches to a strongly worded petition. Addressed to the chairman of the Economic and Football Crimes Commission, the petition relates to the unwarranted discrimination which I have been enduring for countless years now in the hands (or rather eyes) of a colleague here at 'Peace Plaza', Utako. The said colleague, whose name sounds like Maria, never minds her business whenever Manchester United football club of England are in action.

My only "sin" in the said lady's eye is that I have the audacity to "scream like a bomb blast" any time Man U either score a goal or put some foot wrong. You need to see how she would aim a "killer" look at me, hissing with barely suppressed rage. All because I give my love, hope and pride to my favourite football team. Tired of this inexplicable aggression, I decided to leave the Newsroom for her. And it so happened that when Man U and Aston Villa were in action penultimate Monday, I went to the Computer Section to watch the "do-or-die" match.

Few minutes into the match, Man U scored. Goooaaal! I responded, dancing across the

room. Guess who spoilt my celebration when Van Persie scored that spectacular second goal against Villa? None other than the said woman, who had strolled into the room at that moment. She, as usual, glared at me as if I had committed some abomination. Pray, since when has it become a crime to support your football club? This, fellow countrymen and women, is the million Pound poser which, hopefully, the Economic and Football Crimes Commission will deal with once and for all, following my strongly worded petition.

There was, however, little to celebrate some two days later when Real Madrid and Dortmund locked horns in the UEFA Champions League semi-final. Although I am not a Madrid supporter, I am a die-hard fan of their star man, Ronaldo. In fact, my intense interest in Ronaldo stretches back to those memorable years he had spent with Man U prior to joining Madrid, leading United to several glorious triumphs. Messi may have been crowned by FIFA as the best footballer on earth, but to me Ronaldo is the ultimate; the one and only.

Whether Real Madrid wins a match or not, who cares? As long as Ronaldo shines in that match, my day would be made.

Particularly when you-guessedwho scores. To yours sincerely,

Ronaldo's personal achievement is more meaningful than whatever Madrid achieves or fails to achieve. The team may be more important than an individual player, I agree; but to me, Ronaldo's fortune is more important than Real Madrid's fate.

As it is with Ronaldo, so it is with Venus and Serena

explains why I rarely dance.

When a Venus or Serena or Ronaldo or Man U is in action, however, it's bye-bye to inhibition or shame, and dance, dance, dance all the way.

That is, needless to say, when these beloved players are playing well and/or winning. The reverse is the case whenever they are being beaten. Instead of dancing with ecstasy, one would be drowning in sorrow. One's sadness would know no bounds. One's appetite for food or drink would melt away for some hours or even days or weeks. You would feel helpless and impotent as your asonde@yahoo.com icon is being 0803-2159-249 (SMS only, pls) sport pummelled there on the field; unable to Williams. Once upon a time the do anything about the situation. lawn tennis scene used to be The boxing legend, boring. Until Venus and Serena Muhammed Ali, who himself stepped in, that is. Just as I tasted a number of beatings in his would rarely miss any football otherwise spectacular victorymatch featuring Ronaldo, it laden career, put the whole thing takes something extraordinary eloquently. "When a fighter is to make me miss a tennis match beaten," he writes in his featuring Venus and Serena. autobiography, 'The Greatest', Regardless of the time, be it "everybody who believes in him early in the morning or at an is beaten too - his family, his unholy hour of the night, one friends, his children, the people must "be glued" to the TV from who cheer him on, who give him the beginning to the end of a their love, their hope, their Venus and/or Serena match. pride."

Some of those who have seen Take Serena and Venus, for me dancing usually use exotic instance. One felt thoroughly terms such as "ridiculous" and beaten when, after reigning "awful" and "silly" to describe my supreme for so long, the duo steps. "Your so-called dancing is started succumbing to all like the movement of a crab," a manners of opponents in recent pal once declared. Which partly years. Their brief decline was

SONDE’S DIAR Y DIARY

By Sonde Abbah

largely caused by a series of niggling injuries. Nonetheless, it was quite painful to watch them being beaten. Their defeat was like one's personal loss. Their sadness was like my personal humiliation.

That was then. The double delight (Venus and Serena, who else) have bounced back in recent months with their usual swagger. Serena in particular has been so spectacular lately; so much so that she has regained her position as the world's number one female tennis player.

One heart-warming thing about Man U, Serena, Ronaldo and Venus is their persistence and never-say -die spirit. They never give up even when the going gets tough. Write them off today and they would roar back in style tomorrow, shaming the doubting Thomas. Beat them today and they would overcome you the following day. Above all, their passion for excellence and their audacity, make them my evergreen sport icons.

Will Venus and/or Serena win the next Grand Slam? Win or loss, our affection for them remains indelible. Will Ronaldo win the 2013 World Footballer crown? Whether he clinches this enviable prize or not, the hallowed spot he occupies in our heart remains. Will Manchester United win next season's Champions League and retain their newly won Premier League title. That remains to be seen.

But one thing is guaranteed: come rain, come shine; in defeat and in victory, they shall never regret or rejoice alone.

Why should you be angry at Nigeria's culture of rape?

By Ijeoma Ekoh

A

s an academic and activist, I engage in frank and uncomfortable discussions about topical issues as a part of my everyday existence.

Yet no political issue has been, for me, the source of sustained frustration, anger, and emotional upheaval as much as the crisis of sexual violence and rape in the Nigerian society.

Often while exchanging thoughts and opinions with my Nigerian sisters and brothers on this problem, I find myself too overwhelmed with anger and thus forced, uncharacteristically, into silence. Or I may become so frustrated with the dismissive way that rape and sexual violence is treated that the conversation invariably ends up being unhelpful in the building of awareness and consciousness.

What usually follows then is anger at the unconstructive nature of the dialogue and my inability to persuade the other individual to reflect more critically on the issue.

To be sure, when it comes to the crisis of rape in Nigeria, there are numerous reasons to be angry. There is the matter of those Nigerians who readily dismiss rape as a non-issue despite piles of evidence to the contrary. The resistance that is put up by those who undermine its significance in relation to the structural inequality,

corruption, and massive unemployment that plague the daily lives of most Nigerians.

And then there is this overwhelming tendency to individualize the problem of rape and to separate it from the broader devaluation and oppression of women.

Oftentimes in these discussions, the perpetration of rape and sexual violence against women is not of paramount significance. The issue that is deemed important is the regulation and control of women's bodies and sexualities by the dictates of the state, men and by religious authorities. And so it becomes not unusual to hear those who place the onus of responsibility on women, urging them to morally discipline themselves and pursue a more 'righteous' path to avoid being sexually violated by uncles, fathers, husbands, armed robbers, and so on. And so, reflecting on the current state of affairs, it is no wonder that anger emerges as the overpowering emotion. However, unlike before, I now believe that this anger can become the impetus for concerted political organizing and mobilization for those discerning Nigerians who are outraged at the scourge of sexual violence that threatens the everyday lives of our sisters.

My continued anger is a testament to my commitment toward the eradication of this social plague. Until all women in Nigeria are granted the human

right to determine their sexual and bodily autonomy, I choose to remain angry. And these are three reasons why you should be too! First, the issue of rape and sexual violence is not removed from Nigeria's broader socioeconomic issues but is a part of it.

Studies have shown that rape is more prevalent where women have relatively low economic autonomy. This means that Nigeria's rising poverty rate of over 61 percent (and women make up a large proportion of the poor), would aid the further entrenchment of sexual violence in Nigerian society.

Moreover, it is becoming impossible to divorce Nigeria's culture of corruption from its culture of sexual violence and this is true of all Nigerian institutions. Within Nigeria's corrupt educational system, women's sexual autonomy is daily trampled upon by administrators, instructors and by students themselves. Within the criminal justice system, women are at risk by a legal system that continues to sanction marital rape; that fails to effectively prosecute sexual violence against women; and by political and legal representatives that readily blame the victims of rape. In Nigeria women are unsafe even while in police custody!

What does this all mean? It means that the oppression of women in Nigerian society must be understood as being compatible with the systemic

oppression of all of Nigeria's working-class and peasantry by the political and economic elite. It also means that those who call for radical changes in the current political and economic status quo must adopt a holistic understanding of oppression in which women's gendered oppression is a significant part.

Second, women's rights are human rights. So if you are truly angry at the gross human rights violations so characteristic of Nigerian society then you should also add the violation of women's bodies and sexual autonomy to your list. If you are angered by the denial of our rights as citizens to freely elect representatives without coercion; the militaristic restrictions on our freedom of speech and expression; and the class warfare which leaves the majority of Nigerians vulnerable to exploitation by the kleptocrats then you should be angered by Nigeria's failure to take women's rights seriously.

If you are angry at the disregard for the human rights of the poor by the corrupt law enforcement, judicial and political systems, then you should raise your voice stridently in anger at those who would deny women the human right to engage only in consented sexual activity.A third reason to be angry is the absence of comprehensive and accessible statistical data on rape and sexual violence in the country which doubly injures survivors of rape. Further, the sparse

statistics on reported sexual violence renders the suffering of so many women and girls across the country invisible.

While the gathering of statistics is not something that Nigerian authorities do well, this negligence becomes especially criminal with respect to the issue of rape. This state of affairs is perhaps why so many Nigerians remain ignorant of this crisis and are startled when instances of rape, like the Abia State University incident, are exposed in the open. Yet despite this denial, and its accompanying institutional erasure, Nigerian women know that it exists.

So if your mother, aunt, sister, friend, wife or daughter has been a victim of sexual violence and has seen her experiences of trauma denied and erased by the state, then you too should be angry! Yet our anger is just the beginning. As Audre Lorde reminds us, we should also 'tap that anger as an important source of empowerment' (p. 130), to aid us in envisioning a different future society. This would be a society in which women's bodies are not sites of masculine displays of power, objectification and dehumanization. It would be a just national community in which women are recognized as human beings. The question that remains is how will you and I tap into our anger?

Ijeoma Ekoh is a postgraduate student at York University

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Sellers, buyers in FCT blame high prices of frozen foods on border closure

S

ome sellers and buyers yesterday attributed the high prices of frozen foods in Abuja markets to the closure of borders, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A survey by NAN correspondents in Abuja revealed that the increase in prices of frozen foods had reduced the level of patronage by consumers.

A frozen food seller, Mr Godwin Alex, at Dutse Market, Abuja, blamed the increase in prices on the closure of borders by the Federal Government to stop importation of some items.

He said that one cartoon of Turkey, Chicken, Fish costs N10, 000, N7, 000 and N7, 500, respectively as against the N8, 000, N7, 000, and N6,

000 it used to be before the closure of the border.

“Normally, I do make more profit on my items but because of the border that has been closed everything is not like before.

“The little items I have now in my store are from smugglers and they do influence the prices that can even take away all our profit,’’ he said.

He explained that some of the items they sell in the cold room are from Cotonu, Benin Republic, and that since the border had been closed it would mean scarcity of the items.

Mr Jamiu Daudu, a frozen food seller at Kubwa market, FCT, Abuja, also said that the increase in the prices of frozen food was caused by the border

closure.

He expressed regrets that whenever there was border closure it used to take many days to get the items into the country.

“Some of us selling this frozen food wait for so many days or weeks before getting the items from smugglers because there is no direct sale again.

“All these smugglers added extra money and we also add some money to make profit and to always make it available for our buyers,” Daudu said.

Another frozen food seller, Mr Peter Adeleke at Bwari Market, FCT, Abuja, expressed the same sentiments as he said: “At times I don’t have anything to sell to my customers and it makes me influence the price whenever I have the items

Young Fulani boys set-out for the day’s business, yesterday in Zuba, Abuja.

because there is no direct sales anymore.’’

Mrs Grace Danjuma, a buyer, who confirmed the price increase, said, “the prices are high but I cannot run away from it because I prefer all these frozen food to meat.’’

Another buyer, Mrs Adaeze Okoh, also agreed with other respondents as she said she was shocked when she saw a sudden change in the prices of frozen foods compared to what she bought early last month.

On her own, Miss Dorcas Ibrahim, another buyer said that she was not surprised about the increase because, according to her, “I knew it will affect all imported goods coming into the country from different borders.’’ (NAN)

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Abuja film festival trains youth on vocation in entertainment

By Adeola Tukuru

A

buja Film Village yesterday flagged off youth sensitization programme on vocational training in entertainment in the area councils yesterday.

The Managing Director of Abuja Film Village International, Segun Oyekunle, stated they intend to train and help young people to go to the film industry.

In his words: “We have been working on it with the science and technology and SURE-P is funding and partnering with

us in so many ways.

“The programme is critical because we want the public to be aware of what we are doing, so today becomes very critical in starting the programme.

“We have put processes on ground that will help us recruit the students. We have students in different areas in production, script writing, camera handling, so many areas in entertainment and film recording” Also the General Manager of Abuja Film Village, Mr. Badewa Williams, said, is programme is to empower

them (the youth), to recruit them in any area of entertainment that includes production, music recording, camera handling and costume designing.

She further said, they are reaching out to micro finance bank for funding, we are also raising funds from other corporate bodies and MDA’s, SURE-P is also partnering with us so that at the end of the programme they can actually produce a movie, so that it can be release and this is another avenue to generate funding that they can now use.

“We don’t just want to empower them but they will also have the capacity to empower others. So if you make one movie, a 100 people is hired. So we are trying to reach out to the teeming youth of FCT,” she said.

The sensitisation train took the awareness campaign to the Karu area.

The traditional ruler of Karu, HRH Emmanuel Kyanta Yepwi, commend the trainers , adding that the initiative will help to discipline the children, “ because an idle mind is the devils workshop.”

Gbagyi indigenes celebrate cultural festival in Gwagwalada

By Usman Shuaibu

G

bagyi indigenes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) recently celebrated annual Gbagyi cultural festival in a grand style in Gwagwalada area council.

The colorful occasion which attracted Gbagyi indigenes within and outside the FCT was not attended by the chairmen of the six area councils.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the ceremony, Ambassador Ayuba who was represented by Mr. Bala Inyang, urged Gbagyi people in the FCT t o continue to live in peace with one another irrespective of their political and religious inclinations.

He also called on the entire residents of Gwagwalada as well as the indigenes of Abuja to come together to work for the socioeconomic development in the territory.

Commenting on the politics, Ngbako urged Gbagyi people in the FCT to shun politics of bitterness while advising them to always elect leaders that would improve the socio-economic growth of Abuja and the country as a whole.

Responding, the second class chief of Gwagwalada (Aguma), Alhaji Mohammadu magaji who was represented by the Waziri Gwagwalada, Alhaji Garba Idohanu, said that his leadership would continue to co-operate with Gbagyi people for the overall progress of Gwagwalada and its environs.

The Aguma of Gwagwalada commended the Gbgayi people for organizing this year’s annual cultural festival to identify with their cultural heritage in the area.

On his part, the Chairman of Gbagyi Association in Gwagwalada and environs, Elder Danjuma Dabanya urged the Gbagyi people to love one another in order to pave way for the peace to reign in the association.

He urged them to always gear towards the progress of the association, saying that his administration would carry every member along in the scheme of things.

Dabanya, assured the members that his leadership would continue to fight for the welfare of the members.

He appealed to the Gbagyi leaders in the FCT to provide a purposeful leadership capable of satisfying the aspirations of their people and called for mutual understanding among Gbagyi communities in the territory.

He also called on the leadership of the National Assembly to amend the constitution to pave way for the smooth running of the country’s administration.Koce, however, advised the parents to deem it necessary to teach their children Africa cultural values for the betterment of the society.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

INSIDE FCT COURTS

Court orders tenant to pay landlord N750,000

A

n Abuja High Court yes terday ordered a tenant, Sanni Yahaya, to pay his landlord, Mr Yunusa Shuaibu, N750,000.

Shuaibu had sued Yahaya for refusing to pay his rent which expired since Dec. 31, 2011.

He also alleged that Yahaya issued him a dud cheque of N750,000.

In her judgment, Justice An-

gela Otaluka, also ordered Yahaya to with immediate effect, vacate Flat 1, Plot 635, 21 Road, Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe.

Otaluka also ordered him to pay the arrears of rent of N550,000 from April 1, 2011 to Dec. 31, 2012, as well as out-ofpocket expenses of N20,000 to his landlord immediately.

She also ordered him to pay a monthly `mense profit' of

N45,000 from January 2013 to date.

Mense profit refers to the money that the plaintiff would have profited from his property during the period of default in rent payment by the tenant.

“By the evidence before this court, which is incontrovertible, the defendant’s tenancy expired as claimed by the plaintiff and the defendant admitted

Old women spinning wool, yesterday in Bwari, Abuja.

to issuing a dud cheque to his landlord.

“The defendant was given ample opportunity to appear in court by the several adjournments and hearing notices issued and served on him but he failed to appear.

“The court is, therefore, convinced that the plaintiff is entitled to judgment in his favour,'' Otaluka said. (NAN)

Photo: Justin Imo-Owo

Police arraign man, 24, for alleged joint act, cheating

T

he Police yesterday ar raigned one Lazarus Ejima, 24, of Kado Village, Abuja, before an Abuja Grade 2 Area Court sitting in Kado over alleged joint act and cheating.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Christopher Roko, told the court that one Peter Igira of Anthony Enahoro Street, Utako, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on April 12.

Roko said that the accused, with one other now at large, told the complainant that he had laptop computers and cell phones to send from overseas.

He also said the accused collected N75,000 from the complainant to clear the goods after which he converted the money to his own personal use.

According to him, the offences contravened sections 79 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Section 79 states that when a criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all, each of such persons is liable for that act in the same manner as if it were done by him alone.

Section 322 stipulates that whoever cheats shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or be fined or both.

The Presiding Judge, Mr Ahmed Ado, granted the accused bail in the sum of N40,000 with one surety in like sum.

Ado said the surety must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

He adjourned the case to May 1,2013 for further hearing. (NAN)

Court remands man in prison for allegedly duping tenants of N13.7m A

n Abuja Senior Magis trates Court yesterday ordered one Darlington Nwoke, 36, of plot 309, Dawaki Extension, Gwarinpa, Abuja to be remanded in prison for allegedly duping prospective tenants of 13.7 million.

Nwoke is standing trial before Senior Magistrate Idaiyat Akanni on a three-count charge of joint act, criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Philips Apollos, told the court that one Subedatu Obomedhie of Setraco Nig.

Ltd. Abuja and six others reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station Abuja, on Apirl 20.

Apollos alleged that the accused and one Bayo Salawu of no traceable address, now at large, jointly and deceitfully collected N13.7 million from the six complainants as house rent on April 5.

He said the accused claimed to be rightful owners of a three-story building at No.14 Stella Maris College, Life Camp, Abuja.

Apollos said Nwoke and his accomplice presented fake documents

of the house to the six prospective tenants to convince them that they owned the house, following which they paid for the rent.

The prosecutor said the tenants were later ejected from the building by the landlord when he discovered the fraud.

Apollos said after confirming the authenticity of the ownership of the house, the accused was then arrested and asked to refund the money to the victims, which he refused.

The prosecutor said the accused should not be granted bail because

investigation by the police was ongoing.

“Granting him bail would tamper with the investigation.’’

The accused pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

Senior Magistrate Idaiyat Akanni ordered the accused to be remanded in prison until May 16,2013 for further hearing. (NAN) Man, 36, bags 6 months imprisonment for stealing T-shirts An Abuja Senior Magistrates Court have sentenced one Thomson Ola, 36, of Gwagwa, Abuja, to six

Man remanded in prison custody over alleged car theft

A

n Upper Area Court in Gudu, Abuja, has or dered that one Amos Yaro of no fixed address, be remanded in Kuje prison, for allegedly stealing a car.

The presiding judge, MrAdamuWakili, made the order, after Yaro was arraigned by the Police for allegedly stealing a Honda Civic car belonging to one ASP Egbede Thomas.

Wakili, who adjourned further hearing in the case to June 3, said

the long adjournment was to enable the accused engage the services of a counsel.

He also ordered the accused to tell his counsel, if he gets one, to ensure that he files an application for his bail on the adjourned date.

“Cases of car thefts are now rampant. The accused should be remanded in prison custody, while application for his bail should be filed in writing by way of a motion on notice, to be determined on its merit,’’ he said.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Mr Christian Munonye, had told the court that the accused was arrested at the premises of the Army Headquarters in Abuja while attempting to steal the car.

He said the accused was arrested by one Staff Sgt. OkparaChuks and brought to the Garki Divisional Police Station on Feb. 25.

“On further investigations, we found out that the accused had stolen two vehicles from the same pre-

mises before.

“We found out that he had stolen a black and blue Honda Hala brand with the intention of selling the cars but the police later recovered the vehicles from him,’’ Munonye said.

He said the offence is punishable under Section 287 of the Penal Code, but the accused pleaded not guilty.

If convicted under Section 287, the accused will serve a maximum of five years imprisonment with a fine. (NAN)

months imprisonment for stealing five T-shirts from a shop.

Senior Magistrate Aminu Eri, who handed down the sentence, said he was tempted to temper justice with mercy although the offence committed by the convict was a serious one.

Eri, however, gave the convict an option of N2,000 fine.

The convict, who pleaded guilty to the offence, had begged the court for leniency.

“I am a family man and this is the first time I have committed such act, I am begging the court to forgive me.’’

Earlier, the prosecutor, Monday Akor, told the court that Augustine Chukwu of Oti Carpets, Wuse 2, Abuja, reported the case at the Maitama Police Station on April 19.

Akor said the convict went to Chukwu’s shop and stole five T-shirts valued N14,500.

He said during police investigation, the shirts were recovered from the convict and returned to the owner.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 288 of the Penal Code which stipulated up to seven years imprisonment or fine for an offender. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 17

Parents of 2-year-old baby seek help to save her life

By Adeola Tukuru

P

arents of Baby Ezenne Favour Eze, Mr and Mrs. Eze Okeke have called on well meaning Nigerians and the Federal Government to assist their 2 year old daughter with sum of N645, 000 to undergo immediate surgery to help her regain her health.

The baby, who was said to be suffering from Cerebrum Meningitis for many months now, has been in an immovable and rigid position.

Peoples Daily observed that apart from looking so frail and unusually slight in frame, the sickly aura around the infant pulls at the heartstrings of many.

Propped gently against a small cotton pad which has served as her resting point for many months now, her tale is a sad one.

Her father, Mr Eze Okeke explained that when she was a little over a year old she was an energetic kid who was known for her boisterous nature. But all that came to an end a few months after her first birthday. Since then she has been in this position that has

brought untold pain and hardship on every other member of the family.

In his words: “I want Nigerians to come to my aid. I have spent all I have. I have even borrowed. I need their prayers and financial support. My daughter’s head is getting bigger by the day due to accumulation of fluid to the brain.

She needs urgent help so that the fluid can be evacuated and surgery done so she can live a normal life”, he said.

She explained that: ‘One day when she was just a few months into her first birthday, she collapsed and then lost consciousness. We rushed her to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital where we met a student doctor who told us it was just a slight fever. He then gave us some drugs which he told us to give her.

According to the parents the young girl goes constantly goes into a coma for days.

In a copy of the official cost estimate from Wellington Clinic, the 2 year old Ezenne needs a sum of N645, 000 to undergo immediate surgery to help her regain her health. The cash which

Baby Ezenne Favour Eze will take care of a shunt implant, anaesthesia, laboratory testing, accommodation for ten days, drugs, nursing and the main surgery is what now stands

Photo: Adeola Tukuru between life and certain death for the baby.

For those who may wish to see Ezenne’s young life saved,you may wish to assist by contacting

Mr Eze on 08060130245 or send a free will donation for the surgery via Account Number 5330684242 (Eze Okeke- Fidelity Bank).

FCT area councils received N2bn revenue allocation for March - Akinjide

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he Minister of State for FCT, Ms Olajumoke Akinjide, has confirmed that the Area councils received N2 billion revenue allocation for March 2013 from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of State for FCT, Mr Oluyinka Akintunde.

According to the statement, Abuja Municipal Area Council

(AMAC), Gwagwalada Area Council and Bwari Area Council topped the revenue allocation distributed by the FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) for the month of March 2013.

It gave the breakdown of the distribution as follows: AMAC received N228.44 million; Gwagwalada got N179.23 million and Bwari area council received N173.44 million.

Others are Abaji area council,

N157.22 million; Kuje area council, N155.12 million and Kwali area council with N137.33 million.

It stated that in the preceding month (February 2013), a net allocation of N319.58 million was paid to AMAC while N233.77 million and N218.94 million were disbursed to Gwagwalada and Bwari area councils, respectively.

Kuje Area Council received N205.91 million; Kwali Area Council got N194.79 million and Abaji Area Council received

N193.92 million.

The minister was quoted as giving the breakdown of the N2.021 billion from FAAC to include: statutory allocation, N810.26 million; Value Added Tax, N932.21 million and Subsidy Reinvestment Programme, N56.77 million.

Others are refund by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, N25.54 million and Budget Augmentation, N196.92 million.

Onions: A remedy for many ailments, says dietician

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Dietician at the Garki Hospital, Abuja, Miss Yemisi Olowookere, on Monday recommended the consumption of onions as a remedy for many ailments.

Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that consumption of onions was important because of its therapeutic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and other

beneficial properties.

According to her, onions is a vegetable that gives an excellent taste to dishes and can be found in different colours such as yellow, red and white.

Olowookere said: ``It also has low calorie, while proteins are present in small portions with negligible fat content. ``Onions help prevent

thrombosis, a formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. ``This is because they have antiplatelet adhesiveness both in fresh onions as well as cooked onions.''

She said that onions had been found to be very good for people suffering from high blood pressure, adding that onions were diuretic as

FCTA in to combat Malaria, says Secretary

By Usman Shuaibu

T

he FCT secretary of Health and Human Services Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Dr. Ademola Onakomaiya, has assured that the FCTA would remain committed in the fight against malaria in the territory.

Onakomaiya, who was represented by the Director in charge

of public health, Dr. Folasade O. Momoh stated this during the World Malaria Day in Kuje, also said that the FCTA would continue to spend the counterpart funds made for the FCT malaria control programme wisely for the benefit of the residents.

He further pointed out that the FCTA had introduced free Ante-Natal care services as well as the free mobile health care services to improve the health services of the FCT residents.

The secretary, therefore, called

on the stakeholders in the health sector to partner with the FCT Administration in order to invest in the future of Nigerian children.

In an interview at the occasion, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Danladi Etsu Zhin, who was represented by the Vice chairman, Hon. Dogo said that the administration would not hesitate to clean the environment to prevent the children from contacting the malaria.

they could increase secretion of urine, as well as alkalise foods. ``They help reduce inflammation and are beneficial for those suffering from neuritis; vertigo and bronchitis as regular consumption of onions also prevents colon cancer. ``They contain essential oils that are responsible for onions typical odour,'' she said.

Olowookere explained that the vegetable fibre diminished the absorption of cholesterol and antidiabetic action which delayed the passage of sugar into the blood stream.

She said onions were also good for people who had diabetes and would improve the hair, finger, toe nails and the eyes. ``They have anti-allergy properties; they are slight laxatives and help the body in destroying worms and other parasites.

Researchers have revealed that onions prolong longevity,'' she said.

(NAN)

The statement disclosed that out of the N2.021 billion revenue allocation, JAAC transferred N875.66 million to the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) for payment of the primary school teachers’ salaries in the area councils.

FCT Area Councils Pension Board was given N95.04 million being 15 per cent pension fund as statutorily required and N20.21 million was transferred to FCT Area Councils Service Commission being one per cent training fund as statutorily required.

On SURE-P funds, AMAC got the highest allocation of N16.77 million; Bwari, N9.28 million; Gwagwalada, N8.50 million; Kwali, N7.79 million; Kuje, N7.45 million and Abaji, N6.96 million.

The minister called for aggressive sensitisation of the public on the Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative.

“The Clean and Green Greater Abuja Initiative should be sustained and we need to intensify all efforts in the clearing of drains as we enter into the rainy season.

“There is need for an audit of the schools and markets in the area councils to ascertain which ones have water and toilets.

“It is imperative that our schools and markets have water and toilet facilities,’’ she said.

According to the statement, the minister directed that a monthly report on the performance of the area councils be presented at the JAAC meeting by the Inspectorate and Monitoring Department of the Area Council Service Secretariat.

(NAN)

BUSINESS

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Email: aminuimam@yahoo.co.uk

Mob: 08033644990

PAGE 19

INSIDE

- Pg 21

Indian creates first ever Smartphone for the blind

SON begins review of standards for LPG cylinders From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Standards Organisation of Nigeria has said that it would pursue the requalification exercise for Liquefied Petroleum Gas cylinders in the country The Director General, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, who disclosed this in Lagos said that it has become imperative to

Enterprise Bank grows by 316.6 per cent From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

tackle the menace associated with the LPG cylinders.

According to him, aside enhancing safety of lives and property in the industry, revalidation of cylinders would also boost the LPG business as well as create more confidence in the minds of users on safety.

Odumodu noted that part of SON statutory mandate is to protect lives and property through standards.

He said the requalification exercise would also eliminate most of the sub-standard cylinders from circulation and also lead to the scrapping of old cylinders.

He said, “We have be meeting

with key sectors of the economy and the operators in the LPG sector especially for industrial safety by ensuring that imported LPG cylinders and those produced in Nigeria meet the requirements of NIS 69: 2006,” while seeking all the collaboration of the stakeholders’ to ensure quality gas is also dispense to the consumers.

According to him, a current situation whereby cylinders were imported or produced in Nigeria and sold to users without any programme for requalification and none for maintenance is no longer acceptable.

He said that SON would soon

flag up a campaign to remove old cylinder from circulation “Cylinders above 15 years, which is the agreed period for their revalidation, would be affected,” the SON added.

He said that all the stakeholders need to join hands with the SON to start doing something to safeguard the sector.

According to him, some of the things SON would be seeking to do, going forward, are to ensure that all importers of LPG cylinders have a defined programme for the maintenance of cylinders.

In addition he said operator would have trained personnel on

how to inspect and re-qualify LPG cylinders.

Other prequalification condition are the expiry dates of cylinders shall be engraved or embossed on all cylinders, adding that there was need to start setting the right standards in the sector.

According to him, a Technical Committee comprising members from all sectors should had met to develop a framework for the workability of the scheme.

The SON Chief noted that the exercise was a core of the organisation campaign of zero tolerance to substandard products in the country.

E

nterprise Bank Limited has recorded an impressive performance for the financial year ended 31st December, 2012 as its profit before tax grew to N11.3 billion.

This represents 316.6 per cent increase when compared with a loss of N5.2billion for the fivemonth period it operated as at December 2011.

Gross earnings grew by 283.9 per cent to 40.4billion from N10.5billion achieved in the five-month period ended 2011.

The bank’s deposit also grew from N162.6billion to N208.4billion between the year ended 2011 and 2012 respectively. This represents a growth of about 28.2 per cent.

Total assets also experienced a growth of 31 per cent between the periods from N198.5billion as at end of 2011 to N261.1billion as at the end of 2012.

Speaking during the banks first Annual General Meeting in Lagos, the banks Chairman, Mr. Emeka Onwuka, attributed the achievement by the bank to a sustained growth in quality risk asset creation, which equally engendered growth in interest income.

The Chairman stated that in addition to “improvements in our other banking income items such as commissions, fees, electronic banking income, significant improvements in trade-related transactions, facilitated through our strategic focus on Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) helped in boosting our fees and commission income.”

Onwuka declared that by this sterling performance, “a solid foundation has been built by the bank to ensure a sustainable growth in its business activities.”

Enterprise Bank is one of the bridge banks that emerged on August 5, 2011 following the takeover by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) of the defunct Spring Bank Plc and its subsequent recapitalization and ownership by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

L-R: Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engineer Emeka Ezeh, Director of Compliance of BPP, Mr. Ayo Aderibigbe, Mr. Shina Mukuolu, and Media Consultant of BPP, Dr. Abiodun Adeniyi, during an investigative hearing organised by House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, yesterday at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

N120bn over-the-counter securities market ready for take-off From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

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he planned Over-theCounter (OTC) market which has been on a test run since February, is ready for takeoff as four banks –Access Bank plc, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Sterling Bank plc, and United Bank for Africa plc – have been confirmed to settle deals at the market,

overseen by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).

The OTC market is a trading network which seeks to ease secondary market trading of all non-quoted securities in the West African region, thereby stimulating growth through more efficient capital raising processes.

It was learnt that out of the seven banks that were preconfirmed, these four banks qualified for this role of settling trading, estimated about N10billion monthly, approximately a N120 billion annual turnover.

The NASD Plc has already leased some trading platforms from the Nigerian Stock Exchange

Management Tip of the Day

T

3 elements of great communication

o make it in any job, you need to be able to convey ideas clearly and effectively. There are three things the best communicators employ to deliver their message: Credibility. Prove your authority by demonstrating technical expertise in a specific area, which helps convince people that you know what you’re talking about. If you can’t

do that, display integrity and character, which convinces them that you’re not going to lie to them.

E m o t i o n a l connection. People need to believe that what you’re saying will matter to them. Connect by giving them your undivided attention and linking your message to something they care about.

Logic. All the authority and empathy in the world won’t help you if people don’t understand your basic idea or how you came to your conclusions. Make a clear argument that people can follow and use data and analysis to back up your points.

Source: Harvard Business Review

(NSE), and hopes to have the first cash-backed trade by middle of May 2013.

In addition to the four banks,14 broker/dealers and seven issuing houses have registered to operate in this market whose clearing transfer will be through the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS).

The 14 broker/dealers that have registered to operate in this market are Anchoria Investment & Securities Limited; BGL Securities Limited; Capital Assets Limited; Capital Bancorp plc, Chapel Hill Denham Securities Limited, Equity Solution Capital Limited, FCSL Asset Management Company Limited, Greenwich Securities Limited, GTI Securities, Icon Stockbrokers, Lead Securities & Investments Limited, Marina Securities Stockbroking Services, Partnership Investment Company Plc, and Signet Investments& Securities Limited.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 20

COMPANY NEWS Mouka Limited

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ouka Limited, market player in the household and industrial foam market in Nigeria and the ECOWAS sub-region has announced the extension of its Mattress Swap Initiative introduced recently within Lagos metropolis to other parts of the country.

The scheme, which allows numerous customers to replace their old mattresses with new ones at discounted rate, has now been extended to Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Rivers states.

Mouka ‘Mattress Swap’ initiative, which was introduced in March 8, 2013 as part of activities to mark the 2013 World Sleep Day 2013 is the first of its kind in the Foam manufacturing industry in Nigeria. With this extension, residents in major cities in Nigeria now have reasons to experience comfort in their sleep with this initiative.

Zenith Bank Plc

S

hareholders at the 22nd annual general meeting (AGM) of Zenith Bank Plc held Wednesday in Lagos approved that the bank should go ahead and pay N1.60 kobo dividend for every share of 50 kobo for the financial year ended December 31, 2012.

Zenith Bank plc recorded a profit before tax (PBT) of N102.10 billion for the financial year ended December 2012, up by 51.4 percent from the N67.44 billion recorded in 2011.

The bank’s profit after tax (PAT) for the period was N100.68 billion, which represents a 106.7 percent increase from the N48.70 billion recorded in the corresponding period in 2011.

Dangote Cement

D

angote Cement, Africa’s biggest producer of the building material, said it plans to more than double annual total output to 55 million metric tons by 2015, more than the 51 million it forecast last year.

The target, up from current output of 20 million tons, is based on “visible projects in Africa,” Chief Executive Officer Devakumar Edwin said last week on a conference call from Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

The company, owned by billionaire Chairman Aliko Dangote, plans to start output in Cameroon, Zambia and South Africa in 2014, while it expects to produce in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo in 2015, Edwin said.

DPR closes four petrol stations in Abia

By Etuka Sunday with agency reports

T

he Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR)in Abia state has sealed-off four petrol stations in the state for various offences.

The offences ranged from selling fuel above the

government approved pump price of N97 per litre, operating without license and under delivery of products.

Two of the petrol stations were closed in Aba and two in Umuahia.

The two filling stations sealed closed in Umuahia belongs to Masters Energy. The one located

on Akanu Ibiam Avenue, Umuahia was sealed for operating without license and under delivery of products while the another branch on Aba Road, Umahia, was shut down for operating without license.

In Aba, Universal Oil on AbaOwerri Road was sealed for selling fuel above N97 per litre

Oil coy assures host communities of keeping to agreements

F

rontier Oil Company Ltd., an indigenous oil firm operating in Akwa Ibom, has assured host communities that it will abide with agreements made with them.

The Managing Director of the firm, Mr Dada Thomas, affirmed this in reaction to threats of communities in the area to disrupt its oil prospecting activities over alleged reneging on the agreement.

Thomas, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Eket, said that in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the communities, the company was already implementing employment clause.

He said that the company had ensured that its contractors employed staff from the communities, adding that most of the contractors were indigenes of the area.

He said that the firm would publish the list of indigenous contractors working for and the jobs they had done so far, including the money paid to them.

“We are going to publish every single person in these communities who have taken contracts from us so that this accusation that we are not doing the right thing may stop.

“We will publish every name, every contract and every Naira paid for the contracts so that you

can see that we are trying our best to do what is right in line with the MOU,’’ he said.

It could be recalled that the MoU between the company and the host communities was signed on Feb. 8, 2011.

Thomas admitted that there were certain aspects of the agreement that the company was yet to be addressed but advised the communities to adopt dialogue in pursuing their demands.

He called for the intervention of stakeholders in the area on the issues affecting companies operating in the neighbourhood and the communities, saying that development of the area should be everyone’s concern.

On employment, he promised that indigenes of host communities and other people of the state would be given priority, adding that it was easier for the company to hire Nigerians than foreign workers.

Power crisis responsible for Nigerians’ dependence on foreign goods - Entrepreneur

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n entrepreneur, Hon. Ebikekeme Ere, has said the power crisis in the country was responsible for the influx of foreign goods to the detriment of the local manufacturing sector.

Ere, who runs Eresoft, a Yenagoa-based technology firm, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the exorbitant cost of generating electricity has made manufacturing in Nigeria unattractive.

“The poor power situation is a major obstacle to direct foreign investment, a situation that has compelled some multinationals to relocate to other countries in the west African sub-region,’’ he said.

Ere said his firm spends over two million Naira monthly to generate its own electricity to develop software applications in

Nigeria.

“This increases our operational cost and it has made imported alternatives cheaper,’’ he said.

Ere said the near total dependence on imported information technology products would continue because of the unfavourable business climate occasioned by the power problem in the country.

“With the kind of money private business owners spend on powering their businesses, their products cannot sell.

“We cannot compete internationally, and that is why people have turned Nigeria into a dumping ground.

“We spend almost the same amount on power and wages. So, if the public power is available, we can expand our workforce and

improve staff strength comfortably.

“But, as things stand, you can only think of downsizing the workforce to remain afloat,” he said The former legislator explained that some entrepreneurs had suspended the development of production for the importation of foreign alternatives to their products.

He said the importation of such products from countries with lower production costs was for survival purposes.

“In this situation, I will recommend a review of the laws to make the sabotage of power infrastructure a capital offence.

“Government should also hasten the full deregulation and privatisation of the sector,’’ Ere said.

and under delivery of products to customers while AP filling station also on Aba-Owerri road was partially sealed as one pump was isolated for under delivery of gas.

At Charles Ben Moore filling station at Ubakala, Umuahia, where fuel was sold for N100, the manager, one David Erugo was ordered to revert to the N97 pump price or risked having the place closed down. He complied immediately.

Erugo however defended his high price, claiming his station bought the product from major independent marketers at higher price as the filling station is yet to get delivery from the NNPC depot.

Commenting on the action, the operational controller of DPR, Aba office, Engr. Patrick Orji, regretted that some marketers of petroleum products still engaged in acts of sabotage against the federal government by shortchanging their customers.

Orji vowed that DPR would no longer fold its arms and watch oil marketers perpetrate all forms of anomalies in the form of doing business, and warned that government guidelines as it concerns the sale of petroleum products must be implemented to the later.

He warned those whose filling stations were sealed not to re-open, until DPR verifies the pumps and sees that they are functioning accurately.

Nigeria’s June crude exports drop to 3-yr low

N

igeria will ship no cargoes of Bonny Light crude in June, leaving a gap in its loading plans that will reduce the country’s exports to the lowest in three years, people with knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified as the information is confidential.

Brent for June settlement traded at $103.11 a barrel on the ICE Futures Europe exchange at the close of the window, compared with $102.51 in the previous session.

The July contract was at $102.88 at the same time today, a discount of 23 cents to June.

Benchmark Nigerian Qua Iboe blend rose 5 cents to $3.21 a barrel more than Dated Brent, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Nigeria will export 61 cargoes in June totaling 54.7 million barrels, or 1.82 million a day, according to loading plans obtained by Bloomberg News. That compares with 76 shipments, or 2.1 million barrels a day, scheduled to be exported next month and is the lowest since March 2010, when daily exports were 1.81 million barrels, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

PAGE 21

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Indian creates first ever Smartphone for the blind

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or the first time ever, a team of researchers in India have created a Smartphone prototype for the visually impaired people. It took about three years for the innovators to create this masterpiece which converts all the texts into the Braille patterns. This new invention would enable and help the blind people to read SMSes and even emails on the phone, reports Times Of India.

Sumit Dagar, innovator of this first of its kind Smartphone was very pleased with its success has told, “We have created the world’s first Braille smartphone, this product is based on an innovative ‘touch screen’ which is capable of elevating and depressing the contents it receives to transform them into ‘touchable’ patterns.” He also added, “The response during the test has been immense. It comes out as a companion more than a phone to the user. We plan to do more advanced versions of the phone in the future.”

The innovative Smartphone would use Shape Memory Alloy Technology; it is based on the concept that metal should retain its original shape after its expansion and contraction. The

grid has a Braille display making the phone’s screen with grid pins which represents a character or letter. So when the user receives an incoming text the little pins elevates or depress and gets auto translated in Braille, thereby enabling the visually impaired people to understand the text message.

Earlier, there was no actual Braille interface available on Smartphones. There were a couple of cool apps which did impressive things like reading the text loud, determine the denomination of currency and others which in turn made Braille unnecessary for some tasks.

However, it is not clear on what operating system the phone would run on, which the inventors should decide on. The company is currently being incubated at the Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship, located in IIM Ahmedabad campus.

The team led by Sumit Dagar, expects to launch this new innovative Smartphone by end of 2013 and may put a price tag around 10,000 or as per Indian market conditions.

(Soure: CNN)

App alerts Israelis if they’re about to drive into trouble spots

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new app for Android is designed to alert Israelis when their car is approaching an a dangerous zone.

The app is called “Occupied” and currently available in the Google Play store.

The app gives real-time voice warning to those approaching an area where stone-throwing occurs or there are Molotov cocktails, or any other dangerous event as reported by other users.

It is also possible to receive a warning when you enter the Palestinian Authority areas.

The app uses an aggregate of

news reports to identify possible danger areas, and then outlines those areas on a color-coded map.

The app looks like any other smart-phone map, and it also lists possible isolated incidents, along with the source of the news (if the source is available).

The website sites a few incidents involving innocent people who inadvertently got caught in a maelstrom of violence.

At the time of the posting of this article the app-creator had not yet responded to email.

(Source: HTour.com)

Samsung Galaxy S4 has best Smartphone camera

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or most people, there are only three phones you should consider buying right now: The Samsung Galaxy S4, the HTC One, or the iPhone 5. All three are great phones.

And all three make a big deal out of how great their cameras are, especially HTC, which invented a whole new marketing term for the One’s camera. HTC calls its camera an “Ultrapixel” camera.

Practically, that means the One’s camera sensor uses largerthan-normal pixels to draw in more light and provide a better image, especially in dark settings. The trade-off is the pictures are a bit smaller than those taken with cameras that have a high megapixel count.

Samsung and Apple are a bit more conventional in the way they measure camera quality.

The Galaxy S4 has a 13 megapixel camera and the iPhone 5 has an 8 megapixel camera.

But megapixel count is a relatively meaningless spec nowadays, especially on mobile phones. Megapixels only refer to the size of the image the camera produces, so unless you plan on printing out a giant poster of all your smartphone photos, you should be fine.

What’s more important in a smartphone camera is how its sensor handles different environments and integrates all that with its software.

(Source: BusinessInsider)

Indian engineer Sumit Dagar is creating the world’s first smartphone for the blind.

Researchers create tiny QWERTY keyboard for smart watches

Z

oomBoard, a tiny touchscreen QWERTY keyboard, has been developed by a group of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, United States of America.

The ZoomBoard, a pennysized touchscreen keyboard has been created by a group of researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, to solve the issue of text input on the tiny screens that come with smart watches.

An upsurge in smart watch development started earlier this year, with Pebble’s Kickstarter campaign, followed by Samsung confirming its development of a model and word of Apple and

Microsoft creating their own versions hit the rumour mill.

A paper published online explains the ZoomBoard aims to fill the gap where the Sony SmartWatch and Apple iPod Nano lack in terms of text entry.

It explains that text entry experiments have taken place on the soft 16 x 6mm keyboard and that, “After eight practice trials, users achieved an average of 9.3 words per minute, with accuracy comparable to a fullsized physical keyboard.”

The ZoomBoard allows “iterative zooming until keys are sufficiently enlarged that they can be comfortably and accurately pressed.”

The

keyboard also has a built-in space boar, the ability to swipe right to insert a space or left to delete.

Swiping upward reveals symbols.

According to MIT Technology Review, Chris Harrison co-author of the paper says, “the group doesn’t plan to commercialize Zoomboard, but he says the source code - which is only about 100 lines - is available online for anyone to use.”

The ZoomBoard will be presented at the Computer Human Interaction conference in Paris next weeek.

(Source: http://www.t3.com/)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 22

Samsung Electronics profits boosted by Smartphone sales S amsung Electronics has posted a record quarterly profit, boosted mainly by growing sales of its smartphones.

It made a net profit of N1.024 trillion ($6.4bn) during the period. Profits also rose from the previous quarter.

The Korean firm’s results are in sharp contrast with rival Apple, which this week reported a drop in quarterly profits for the first time in a decade.

Samsung displaced Apple as the world’s biggest smartphone maker last year. According to the latest figures, profits there rose more than 55% to 6.51tn won

during the first three months of the year, from a year earlier.

With everything that we have seen from Samsung in the past few months, and more importantly going forward, they are the competitor to beat.

Analysts said that a key factor behind Samsung’s success is that it offers a much broader range of models than its rival, Apple, which sells only the iPhone.

However, Samsung warned that growth in the lower-end smartphone market may slow in the coming months, not least because other manufacturers

are also looking to enter the sector.

“We may experience stiffer competition in the mobile business due to expansion of the mid-to-low end smartphone market,” said Robert Yi, head of investor relations at Samsung Electronics.

Samsung’s latest smartphone offering, the Galaxy S4, is expected to have hit stores at the weekend.

The smartphone, launched earlier this year, allows users to control its screen using only their eyes and has the ability to take two different pictures at

once.Despite mixed reviews from critics, analysts expect it to generate robust sales. Some have even forecast sales of almost 22 million units in just the second quarter.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s biggest rival, Apple, is not expected to introduce a new iPhone model at least till the latter half of the year.

Many analysts have said that should give Samsung an opportunity to further consolidate its position in the sector.

(Source: BBC)

…. empowers young and unknown designers in Nigeria’s fashion industry

I

n furtherance of its commitment to facilitating economic growth and development in Nigeria, the world’s largest maker of mobile handsets, Samsung Electronics, is offering five young, ‘up-andcoming’ Nigerian fashion designers an opportunity to showcase their designs at the upcoming launch of its flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone.

Through its ‘Galaxy S4 Design for Life’ initiative, a programme aimed at harnessing and promoting local talent in the fashion industry, Samsung is providing young talents access to skills, training and support that are pivotal to ensuring that they achieve both commercial and creative success.

Participants in the programme were required to submit evening wear design proposals for Samsung Brand Ambassadors, Kate Henshaw and Banky W via Samsung’s website.

Of the submissions received, 18 entries were initially chosen by a panel of fashion experts including brand ambassador, Kate Henshaw, Chief Executive Officer of Beth Model Management Africa, Mrs. Elohor Aisien; Creative Director of CLAN, Ms. Teni Sagoe and Hakeem Balogun of Kimono Kollection.

A second and final selection process took place in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Saturday, April 20, 2013, with five lucky designers emerging as winners of the competition.

The five finalists will be given the opportunity to present their collections to buyers, consumers, the media and the general public at the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 in Lagos on Friday, May 10, 2013.

The “Galaxy S4 Design for

Life” initiative is one of several community development projects undertaken by Samsung Electronics West Africa over the past few years, as part of its corporate social investment initiatives.

Other projects include the Samsung-Chelsea FC ‘Dream the Blues’ Youth Football Clinic, an expansion of Samsung - Chelsea FC Youth Football Camp programme, which has already benefitted more than 5,000

children across the world and the company’s construction of its Engineering Academy in Lagos and Ekiti States, with a view to developing 10,000 electronics engineers across the continent by 2015.

FG appoints Engr. Mohd Sani Haruna, CEO NASENI

By Abdulwahab Isa

T

he Federal Government has appointed Engr. Dr. Mohammed Sani Haruna as Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, National Agency for Science and Engineering

Infrastructure (NASENI).

Before this appointment, Engr. Haruna has been at the helm of affairs in the Agency since March, 2012 in acting capacity as Director General/ Chief Executive, a statement issued over the weekend by the agency’s Chief Information

Officer (Media and Protocol) Segun Ayeoyenikan announced.

Engr. Haruna, an indigene of Nasarawa state was one time Director, Power Equipment and Electrical Machinery Development Institute (PEEMADI),Okene, one of the

Institutes of the Agency and also Director of Engineering Infrastructure (DEI) at the Agency’s headquarters.

He is a Fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers (FNSE), Fellow of Institutions of Engineering and Technology (FIET),Uk among others.

Winner emerges in Amila Painting Challenge From Ngozi Onyeakusi, Lagos

M

aster Daniel Bankole, a basic six pupil of JointHeirs Primary School in Shomolu Local Government Area Lagos State has emerged as the winner of the Amila Painting Challenge at the grand finale of the competition held at the University of Lagos, recently.

The panel of four judges made of two artists, an arts teacher and an arts journalists unanimously adjudged Bankole’s work as the overall best, followed by Master Chukwudi Kosi, a 13-year-old Basic six pupil of Subuola Nursery and Primary School, Lawanson in Surulere Local Government of Lagos state and Master Daniel Iwajomo, of St. Dominic Primary School, Yaba, Lagos.

Daniel smiled home with a cheque of N250, while the first runner up N150,000 while the second runner up got N100,000.

The other 12 contestants got consolation prizes of N30,000 each while arts teachers of the three best pupils got cash reward of N25,000 each and also the winning schools will get art materials worth N250,000 among others.

About 15 pupils, representing 15 local government areas out of the 20 local government areas in Lagos state participated in the final stage of the competition which lasted for over one hour.

Earlier, in her welcome address, Dairy Category and Food Enhancement Manager, Promasidor makers of Amila, Mrs. Abiola Inawo, said the competition which was all about making the children to have fun started with giving children opportunity to paint anything of their choices.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Amila powdered soft drink, had last November flagged off the challenge in about 200 primary schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos State under the first stage of the competition.

Under the first stage, an art teacher in each of the selected schools conducted a general painting competition among the pupils of the school to determine the best 10 pupils that would participate on the Amila Day, that is, the day of the activation from where an overall best winner emerged to represent the school at each local government level. At the second stage, the overall winner from the local government level got a branded Amila bicycle and Promasidor goody bag.

PEOSPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Report as at Monday, April 29, 2013

PAGE 23

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 24

PAGE 25

Boko Haram insurgency: Appraising FG’s amnesty option

By Obike Ukoh

T

he constructive engagement option, recently adopted by the Federal Government to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency, has generated a lot of controversy.

While some citizens welcome the option, others consider it incongruous to dialogue with a group earlier described as faceless.

However some analysts want the Federal Government to go ahead, saying that the dialogue option is not a “ surrender or capitulation but a bold step in conflict resolution’’.

President Goodluck Jonathan on April 17 approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, to constructively engage key members of the Boko Haram sect in a dialogue.

The 26-member committee was inaugurated

by Jonathan on Wednesday, April 24.

The analysts urge the president to go ahead with

the programme, even though a faction of the Boko Haram sect said that they had committed no offence to warrant the need for an amnesty.

Supporting the president’s action, Mr Olýsa Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), said it was in the interest of the citizenry to make the country safe.

“Some say, why should the government go through all this trouble, in view of Boko Haram’s record. But I disagree.

“It is in our enlightened interest to make Nigeria stable. You sometimes stoop to gain,” he stated.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) also hailed the decision of the president to set up a committee to dialogue with members of the sect.

Mr Anthony Sani, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, said that the forum’s consistent position had always been that the insurgents be given amnesty to prepare grounds for negotiations with the group.

He said that it was only logical for the Federal Government to explore other

Boko Haram's Shekau and lieutenants

options to tackle the Boko Haram issue since the use of force had so far failed.

“This is what we have been canvassing; we have been saying that since the use of force has failed, why not use other options, the option of amnesty,’’ he said.

Sani, however, called on the government to put in place a mechanism to guarantee the security of the insurgents, saying that without due assurance about their protection, the insurgents might be afraid to come out.

“ACF is fully aware of the fact that amnesty may not automatically end terrorism, especially when we know that some hard liners may not accept the offer.

“But it will most likely mark the beginning of a process that holds the promise of bringing the tragic situation to an end,” he added.

Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, who also supported the amnesty programme, called on the 19 Northern states to support the programme.

“President Goodluck Jonathan needs to be supported and encouraged by all Nigerians to succeed in the

efforts aimed at finding solutions to the insecurity challenges, “ he said.

Aliyu, who said that the proposed amnesty was a good step toward resolving the problem of insecurity, however, underscored the need to explore other avenues.

He noted that there might be some international dimensions to the Boko Haram issue, urging the relevant authorities to look into that aspect.

However, some stakeholders are not happy about the Federal Government’s decision to dialogue with members of the Boko Haram sect.

For instance, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is not particularly happy about the amnesty option of the Federal Government in efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

Mr Sunny Oibe, the Public Relations Officer of CAN (Northern states and Abuja), condemned the government’s dialogue option.

“If the government has decided to set up a committee to consider granting amnesty to Boko Haram under the watchful eyes of the National

Security Adviser without compensating the families of those who were killed, it then goes to show that something is fundamentally wrong with our society and government.

“How can President Goodluck Jonathan, who, not long ago said that he could not grant amnesty to ghosts, now decides to set up a committee for amnesty?

“During the administration of his boss, the late Umar Yar’Adua, he did not go about chasing the Niger Delta militants.

“Rather, the citizens from the South-South region went and talked to their boys to lay down their arms and engage the government constructively.

“If the government is not careful, this amnesty for Boko Haram will encourage insurgencies throughout the country,’’ Oibe noted Also, Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the former Archbishop of Lagos, advised the government to be cautious in handling the country’s security problems, stressing the need to allow justice to prevail.

Okogie, who condemned the wanton destruction of lives and property by members of the Boko Haram sect, advised the president not to rush into granting amnesty to the sect’s members without considering the implications of the action.

“I am not against considering amnesty if the situation warrants it. But as it is, on what basis are we calling for amnesty for Boko Haram?

“We have to be cautious about the way we go about it.

I have continued to ask these questions: Who are the members of this sect who thrive on human blood? Are they truly Nigerians? What exactly do they want?

“Besides, how do we compensate all those who have lost their loved ones in the over two years of carnage? These are issues we need to address,” he stressed.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Felix Omobude, the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), advised President Jonathan to apply great caution in handling the amnesty

President Goodluck Jonathan (5th ), Vice-President Mohammed Namadi Sambo (middle), Minister of Special Duties and Chairman Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenge in the North, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (5th right), with other members of the committee, after their inauguration, recently at the State House, in Abuja. option.

He said that government should be wary of giving the impression that “it is honouring criminals and criminality’’, adding that victims of Boko Haram should also be compensated.

“The Federal Government should be more concerned with ways of compensating the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency; so as to mitigate their grief and demonstrate that the government also cares about them,” he added.

Afenifere, the Yoruba sociopolitical group, has also expressed some reservations on the

government’s approach in tackling the insurgency.

A leader of the group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, said that the group’s stand was based on the fallout of the amnesty that was earlier granted to the Niger Delta militants.

“For instance, we agree that granting amnesty in the Niger Delta region per se is in order. However, we find it hard to defend the monumental abuse going on, especially among the elite managers of the scheme.

“We are disturbed as to whether the scheme will bring a lasting peace, giving

episodic restlessness still being experienced there.

“Yet, we have created a set of emergency billionaires from the amnesty programme, while the conditions in the creeks virtually remain the same.

“It is with this at the back of our mind that we have been so sceptical over the so-called amnesty for Boko Haram, which is a much more dangerous group than the Niger Delta insurgents who were known and whose demands were clear,” he said.

Fasoranti insisted that it would amount to a tragedy for the country to embark on

another money-sharing spree, all in the name of granting amnesty to another group “with all the blood that has been shed’’.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan, on whose table the buck stops, has reiterated his determination to stop the excesses of the Boko Haram sect.

He gave the assurance when he inaugurated the presidential committee mandated to facilitate a constructive engagement with members of the Boko Haram Sect “Nigerians are expecting this committee to perform

magic and we pray that Allah should give you the wisdom to do so. This is because without peace, we cannot develop no matter how committed we are,’’ he said.

The president charged members of the committee to establish a link with members of the Boko Haram sect, while developing a framework through which disarmament would take place.

Jonathan also enjoined the committee to work out ways of granting amnesty to members of the sect, while developing a comprehensive victims’ support programme.

“And as we try to address the issue of the Boko Haram, we must also comprehensively address the issues directly affecting the people,’’ he added.

As there is no known alternative to peace; analysts stress the need for every Nigerian to join hands with the government in efforts to restore peace to the troubled parts of the country.

“Government should also not take any action that will promote criminality and lawlessness,’’ they, however, warn.

Source: NAN

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Clenching fists 'can improve memory'

By Helen Briggs

M

emory can be improved simply by clenching the fists, a study suggests.

Clenching the right hand for 90 seconds helps in memory formation, while the same movement in the left improves memory recall, say US psychologists.

In an experiment, 50 adults performed better at remembering words from a long list when they carried out these movements.

The researchers think clenching a fist activates specific brain regions that are associated with memory processing.

Lead scientist Ruth Propper, of Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, said the research suggests simple body movements can improve memory by temporarily changing the way the brain functions.

"Clenching your right hand immediately prior to learning

By Lucy Osborne

C

utting the umbilical cord too early is putting babies' health at risk, childbirth experts have warned.

Mounting evidence suggests that clamping the cord within seconds of the baby's arrival deprives it of vital blood from the placenta - which can lead to iron deficiency and anaemia in later life.

Medical bodies, senior doctors and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) want maternity staff to instead leave the umbilical cord untouched for anything from 30 seconds to whenever it stops pulsating naturally - usually within two to five minutes.

They believe that infants may be at risk of becoming anaemic by being denied the chance to receive as much as a third of their blood volume from the placenta through the cord.

Anaemia - a disorder which means you have a less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood - can later be associated with brain development and can affect cognitive ability.

It is estimated that around 10 per cent of toddlers in the UK are iron-deficient.

The NHS policy for the past 50 years has been early clamping and the delivery of the majority of the 800,000 babies born each year in the UK uses this method.

The procedure is backed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), which advises the NHS in England on what medical practice it should follow.

Nice's guidance recommends 'early clamping and cutting of the cord' to health professionals as a key element of the 'active management' of the third stage of labour, just after the birth.

Women are able to request for the placenta to be cut later or to deliver it naturally, but only if

Clenching the fist temporarily changes brain function information and clenching your left hand immediately before recalling it would be helpful to improve memory," Dr Propper told BBC News.

Past research has shown that right hand clenching activates

the left hemisphere of the brain, while left hand clenching activates the right hemisphere.

This has been associated with emotions - for example right hand clenching with happiness or anger, and left hand clenching

with sadness or anxiety.

Memory processing is thought to use both sides of the brain - the left for encoding memories and the right for retrieving them.

Future research will examine whether hand clenching can also

improve other mental processes, for example verbal or spatial abilities, and memory of pictures and places, as well as words.

However, more work needs to be done in more subjects to be certain of the results.

Prof Neil Burgess, of University College London Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, said a larger study was needed to be certain of a specific effect on memory.

This should include brain scans to look at blood flow to the left or right hemispheres of the brain.

Commenting on the study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, he said: "Ideally replication would use a more powerful design (i.e. more people or a within-subjects design) and include fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging to measures brain activity) verification of the effect on blood flow."

Source: BBCNews.com

Childbirth Umbilical cords should not be cut for up to five minutes, experts warn the woman has a low-risk pregnancy.

But this advice, originally published in 2007, is now under review, as a growing number of hospitals are switching from immediate clamping to delaying it.

Doctors hope its new advice, due in June 2014, will lead to delayed clamping replacing immediate

Experts say mounting evidence suggests that clamping the cord within seconds of the baby's arrival deprives it of vital blood from the placenta clamping as the NHS's standard procedure.

Dr Andrew Gallagher, a consultant paediatrician at the Worcestershire royal hospital in Worcester, which adopted delayed cord-clamping in 2009, says that every healthy mother should have delayed clamping in their birth plan.

'Mothers should have as natural a birth plan as possible.

'Iron deficiency can cause serious problems. It affects the brain and learning capacity of toddlers ... [who] are going to be slower to learn, for example to speak and to understand.

'It's time for the NHS to sweep away an outdated and

potentially harmful and thoughtless practice that we have been doing for decades.'

Other hospitals have followed suit more recently, such as Liverpool women's hospital - the UK's largest maternity unit with 8,100 births a year - last May and, at the start of 2013, Bradford royal infirmary, which now delays clamping for a minute for full-term babies and 30 seconds for pre-term newborns, who may need medical help.

Dr Gallagher estimates that around 30 to 50 per cent of hospitals now delay the cutting of the placenta.

Belinda Phipps, chief executive of the NCT, said: 'When a baby is born, about a third of the baby's blood is still in his/her cord and placenta.

'With no good evidence to support it, it is accepted practice to accelerate the arrival of the placenta with an injection and clamp and cut the cord immediately, depriving the baby of this blood.'

Prompted by uncertainty among doctors about when to clamp, the National Institute for Health Research has decided to fund the UK's first trial comparing the pros and cons of immediate versus delayed

clamping in more than 100 births of babies born before 32 weeks at eight hospitals.

Influential bodies such as the World Health Organisation now urge delay, while research published by medical journals such as the British Medical Journal (BMJ) have helped prompt a move away from immediate clamping.

A Swedish study published in the BMJ in 2011 found that infants who had had delayed cord-clamping at birth had larger than usual iron stores at four months and were less likely to be anaemic.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 37

CPC deserves proper focus in Kogi, says chieftain From Sam Egwu, lokoja

A

L-R: Chairman Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'I, and Chairman, Governing Council of Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Alhaji Abba Anas Adamu, during the inauguration of Federal Polytechnics Governing Councils, yesterday in Abuja.

Photo Justin Imo-Owo

Adamawa: PDP hails reconciliation, commends Jonathan, Lamido

By Lawrence Olaoye

T

he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Governor Sule Lamido-led PDP ad-hoc committee on Adamawa as well as elders and leaders of the party in the speedy resolution of all disagreements in the Adamawa State chapter of the party.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh in

a statement yesterday said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has received the report of the Governor Lamido-led committee and endorsed its recommendations.

According to the statement, the committee recommended that the Executive Committee at the Ward and Local Government levels should remain as per the NWC ratification of 29th August, 2012.

The committee also recommended that the State

Working Committee of the party should be harmonized to accommodate all interests.

In the same vein, it recommended that stakeholders, including the National Chairman and the Governor should, in the interest of the Party and progress of the State, soft-pedal on their previous positions, and work towards ensuring harmony among all PDP members in the State.

The party leadership described the speedy resolution

of the Adamawa crisis as “a product of the forthrightness of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as a testament to the ability of the PDP, as a truly democratic party to accommodate the interest of all in the handling of its issues”.

It therefore called on all members of the party in Adamawa State to rally round the PDP candidate in the rescheduled State Assembly election so as to ensure that the party retains its pre-eminent position in the State.

Accord tasks Oyo govt. on workers’ welfare

T

he Accord Party in Oyo State yesterday urged the state government to pay its workers their full monthly entitlements as a mark of its sincerity to their welfare .

The party said this in a statement issued in Ibadan to mark the Workers’ Day celebrations on Wednesday.

It accused the state government of being hypocritical in its treatment of workers.

The party said civil servants in the state had nothing to celebrate as government “ has denied the state workers, particularly teachers, their benefits” The party said in a

statement by its Media Director, Dotun Oyelade, that there was nothing to celebrate as government had not fully implemented the National Minimum Wage and the 27.5 percent Teachers’ Enhanced Salary (TES).

“There is nothing to celebrate in a state that has refused to pay 27.5% Teachers’ Enhanced Salary (TES) and N18, 000 minimum wage.

“It has not been paid despite the stupendous amount of money raked in from federal allocation monthly, excess crude oil proceeds and Internally Generated Revenue,’’ it said.

The statement alleged that the state realised N37.6billion from statutory allocation alone

between January and December 2012 while it realised half of the sum from the same source as at Easter this year.

Mr Bashir Olanrewaju, the Oyo NLC Chairman, however, urged the workers in the state to brace up and contribute to the development of the state.

Olanrewaju said this at a news conference to herald the May Day celebration in Ibadan.

He urged workers to ensure “that unalloyed loyalty, punctuality and diligence remained their watchwords. “ To whom much is given, much is expected. So, workers should ensure that they give their best and also contribute their quota to the development of the state.’’

He said efforts were in top gear to ensure the payment of enhanced salaries for workers.

Olanrewaju commended the state government over the regular payment of worker’s salaries on the 25th of every month and the payment of the 13th month allowance.

He said that those who made the N18, 000 minimum wage law were not worker -friendly, adding that the wage was targeted at improving the salaries of the least paid workers.

“We have met the state government on the issue of salary improvement and we are very optimistic that our salaries would be enhanced in the state soon,’’ he said. (NAN)

chieftain of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in Kogi state, Alhaji Idris Meyanga has stressed that people should reposition the party for effective change that was needed in the state.

Alhaji Idris who was speaking to journalists in Lokoja yesterday noted that from observation those parading themselves as leaders of the party are Peoples Democratic Party, PDP stooges in the state.

He alleged that facts are on ground to prove that most of them after losing ticket in PDP crossed over to mess up the already stabilised CPC in Kogi state.

He further maintained that imposition of candidate which nearly drowned the CPC the state in the past election were rearing its ugly head again, urging the leadership at the top echelon to intervene before further damages were done to the party.

“The paper which addressed the issue of imposition of friends and non members of CPC should be made public and discouraged before late, otherwise it would cause a colossal damage to the party”, Alhaji Idris said.

Ondo to invest in ICT

T

he Ondo State Government yesterday said it would continue to invest in Information Communication Technology (ICT) to ensure the development of human resources in schools.

Gov. Olusegun Mimiko said this in Akure while inaugurating a mobile Solar Computer Laboratory donated to St. Peter’s Unity Secondary School by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation.

Mimiko said government’s investment in ICT in the past had helped students of the state to excel in national and international competitions, particularly in science-based subjects.

“We are giving students the knowledge with a view to enhancing their productivity and making them self-reliant,’’ Mimiko said.

He expressed gratitude to the foundation for keying into the vision of his administration on ICT revolution.

The governor added that the equipment would enhance the state’s preparation for future competitions. (NAN)

PAGE 38

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PDP supporters protest Edo council polls results

H

L-R: Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, Speaker House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Emir of Borgu, Dr. (Sen.) Alh.Haliru Dantoro Kitoro, and Chairman, House Committee on Defence, Hon. Bashir Adamu, during their visit to the Emir, recently in Borgu, Niger state.

Lawmaker urges women to contest for elective positions in 2015

H

on. Lynda Ikpeazu, a member of the House of Representatives representing Onitsha NorthSouth Federal Constituency, has urged Nigerian women to redouble their efforts to contest for elective positions in 2015.

Ikpeazu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday that women should make themselves more relevant in Nigeria politics beyond 2015 general elections.

“Women should determine what they want and how to achieve it, there is urgent need for significant political revolution among Nigerian women to ensure political relevance beyond 2015.

“Women have to do it by themselves because political parties in Nigeria will never be affirmative in creating concerted efforts to support women to win elective positions,’’ she said.

She said that women were not giving equal participation in politics as men in Nigeria due to discrimination against women.

Ikpeazu said that there

could not be a sustainable political development and adequate security without adequate representation of women in the Nigerian politics.

She advised women to fashion out a proper identity for themselves in order to achieve political relevance in Nigeria political landscape.

The lawmaker attributed discrimination from male counterpart as one of the factors militating against women in contesting for elective positions in Nigeria.

“Other factors include unfavourable social, cultural and religious beliefs in our society which relegate women to the background as well as problem of finance.

“A lot of women are interested in politics, because they don’t have the financial capability, they choose to remain as party supporters,’’ she said.

Ikpeazu advised women to fashion out means of raising funds to finance their political ambition.

She urged women organisations to always give

their support to women to achieve their political objectives in order to enhance political development of women.

In a related development, the Country Director of the International Republican Institute, Mrs Robina Namusisi, advised Nigerian women not to give up because they had roles to play to ensure the political stability of the country.

“Over 215 constituencies voted against inclusion of women issues in the on-going constitution review exercise, this is not encouraging, but that is not the end,’’ she said.

Namusisi said it was time for government to bring to bear the 1985 convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, signed and ratified by Federal Government.

The country director said that the time had come to influence the political parties to support gender democracy and give support to women in political participation.

“Also the time has come for

women’s enthusiasm and skills to be translated into supporting gender mainstreaming within parties.

Namusisi said that as the nation was preparing for the 2015 general elections, women must continue with their advocacy, and urged them to learn from the Kenyans.

Namusisi challenged Nigerian women to do like their foreign counterparts that applied different mechanisms to achieve their goals.

The Head of Directorate Research, Planning and Programmes of PDP, Mrs Chinwe Nnorowomuha, said the fight for women to hold elective positions was a continuous fight and women would not give up.

Nnorowomuha said most of the issues that men were using to disqualifying women from holding elective positions were now becoming a thing of the past.

She said that some of the barriers such as lack of education, finance, and religious beliefs were now fading away. (NAN)

undred of PDP supporters in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo yesterday embarked on protest against the outcome of the April 20, local government elections in the area.

The PDP supporters marched through the major streets of Auchi the headquarters of the local government, chanting war songs for several hours.

The protesters armed with placards with different inscriptions were not allowed by soldiers to gain entrance to the local government secretariat.

They demanded for among others, the outright cancellation of the elections held throughout the state, because the elections were alleged to be characterised with malpractice.

The Chairman of PDP in the area, Mr Baba-Sheriff Idenebomhe, and Mr Sule Asemokhai, spoke on behalf of the protesters.

According to the duo, we decide to take to the streets to let Nigerians and indeed the world at large, know that no election took place in the local government area.

They said that those, who were sworn-in as chairmen and councillors were not the representatives of the people, because they did not win the elections.

Idenebomhe called for the outright cancellation of the elections that took place on April 20, due to manipulation of the entire electoral process.

“We want Nigerians to prevail on the state government to conduct a fresh election that will be free and fair to the people of Edo,” he said.

However, in his reaction, the Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Estako West, Mr Abubakar Akokhia, debunked the allegation that there was no election in the local government.

“We conducted elections and we defeated them, this time around they are calling for the cancellation of the elections, it simply means that they are not on the ground,” he said. (NAN)

INEC will always do right in regulating political processes – Official

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he Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday in Abuja denied reports that it has rejected a bid by some political parties to merge with the name All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Kayode Idowu, Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, made the denial in a press statement

issued on Monday.

According to him, the reports in some newspapers are false and unfounded.

“The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to reports in some newspapers today, Monday, April 29, that it has rejected a bid by some

political parties to merge as the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.

He said the commission had not written to the affected parties to stop their bid to merge under a new name .

Idowu explained that the commission only turned down an application by another political

association seeking registration under the name the “All Progressives Congress of Nigeria (APCN).”

The commission’s position is contained in a letter dated April 23, and signed by its Secretary.

He further explained that the reason for the commission’s action is simply that the acronym

proposed by the political association shared a similarity with another already seeking registration.

“The commission hereby reassures Nigerians that it will always do the right thing as a dispassionate and impartial regulator of the political process,” he said. (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 39

2015: Admawa CPC inaugurates contact committee From Umar Dankano, Yola

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he National Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change(CPC), Chief Tony Momoh, yesterday set up a six man Contact and Mobilisation Committee mandated to educate the people at the grass roots on the merger of the party with other political parties ahead of 2015 general elections in Adamawa State.

Momoh, who inaugurated the committee through his representative, Alhaji Musa Kamale, one time commissioner for Information in the state, said that CPC owes its teaming supporters explanation on why it resolved to merge with one political parties in the country in

order to rescue the nation from the hands of the ruling People’s Democratic Party(PDP) who he accused of gross maladministration.

He said that the aggrieved members of CPC, who are not fully participating in party affairs should be given responsibility so as to give them a sense of belonging for the betterment of the party.

According to Momoh, the committee needed to identify with retired civil servants and professionals in the state in order to bring them into the fold so that their wealth of experience could be tapped in order to move the nation forward.

He added that the committee

needed to explained the meaning of merger to Nigerians stressing that merger is hand work of God aimed at taking the country to the promise land. He explained that as it is now, things have gone so bad to extent that nobody can tell the actual direction of the PDP. Membs of the committee include Mr. Alphosius Njobdi as the state coordinator, Alh. Bello Zuberu, Secretary of the Committee, Engr. Sheriff Rilwan Member, Engr. Illyasu Mohammed, Engr. B.B. Lawan Member and Alh. Ibrahim Bappah Waziri Member respectively.

Responding on behalf of the committee, the State coordinator of the Njobdi said the mega party

will surely win 2015 presidential polls stressing that all efforts by the ruling party to retain power will be resisted.

Njobdi expressed delight over their apportionment and promise to do every humanly possible in achieving the desired goal of their committee.

However, commenting on the development, the secretary, Zubeiru, said the composition of the committee membership was carefully done as he said they are all dedicated members of the party in the state.

He therefore, appealed to all and sundry to accord the committee maximum cooperation so as to deliver fruitful results at the end of the exercise.

L-R: Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Bello Kawuje, Chairman, House Committee on Special Duties, Hon. Nadu Karibo, and Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions, Hon. Uzo Azubuike, during an investigating hearing organised by the Public Petition Committee, yesterday at the National Assembly, Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

Lawmaker urges politicians to support FG

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lawmaker representing Ikwerre/ Emohua constituency in Rivers, Andrew Uchendu, has called on political leaders to support the federal government in ensuring a peaceful environment in the country.

Uchendu made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt recently.

He said the country had had enough crises in recent times, adding that only an unpatriotic Nigerian would want to increase the magnitude of problems in the country.

“We have had so many problems in the country, and to

generate more will be too bad.

Already, the whole of the northern area has a very serious insecurity problem.

“There’s also an insecurity problem everywhere in the country and whoever would want to increase the magnitude of the problem in this country must be the most unpatriotic Nigerian,” Uchendu said.

The lawmaker described political differences in some parts of the country as a peculiar transitional process.

He enjoined politicians not to be distracted by their political ambitions but to ensure that they deliver democratic dividends to the citizens.

Uchendu said the issue of 10 per cent compensation by oil companies to the host communities was a welcome development but warned that it should not be converted to cash.

“It is important that a multidimensional approach be adopted in administering the compensation, or else the compensation would be another loophole to exploit for more crises in the region.

“We all know that cash has not helped anybody, but only to bring crisis in matters like this.

“So, government should take up the responsibility of providing social amenities in those communities in the form of the

compensation rather than giving the communities cash.

“If government gives us good roads, schools, power, security and those basic facilities that will make small-scale business to thrive, then it has done enough for us,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the Niger Delta communities’ agitation for their share of the oil compensation was because they felt that government had failed them.

Uchendu, therefore, enjoined the federal government to channel the 10 per cent compensation to developmental projects in the region so as to forestall further crises.(NAN)

Presidential system best for Nigeria, says Balarabe Musa

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he National Chairman, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has said that the presidential system of government is the best for Nigeria.

Musa made this known yesterday in a telephone interview with the News of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He was reacting to calls by some Nigerians for a change from the presidential system of government to the parliamentary model.

A parliamentary system is a system of democratic governance of a state in which the executive branch derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is held accountable to the legislature (parliament).

Musa said, “We are worried about the negative state of the nation, particularly the level of corruption, killings and criminal waste of resources, failure to have free, fair and transparent elections.”

According to him, these are the most important problems for Nigeria which cannot be corrected by merely returning to the parliamentary system of government simply because the parliamentary system is cheaper.

“We should do something about the high level of corruption in Nigeria, if this is done we will achieve peace and progress.

“The presidential system should continue because it gives sufficient power to those who can deal with the problems of the country,” he said.

The CNPP’s National chairman explained that during Nigeria’s second republic, issues were argued out before the change from parliamentary to presidential system.

He said one the most important issue then was that the parliamentary government did not give the president and the regional premier’s sufficient power to deal with the problem of the country, particularly national unity.

Musa said, “The present level of insecurity in the country was easier dealt with under the presidential system of government than under the parliamentary system.”

On Nigeria’s democracy, Musa said that “the country was not practising true democracy but civil rule”.

According to him, the level of dictatorship we are experiencing in the country is not to be expected under a participatory democratic system of government.

He, however, said, “We cannot improve on governance until we have free, fair and transparent election leading to a legitimate government.’’ (NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 40

ACN condemns grounding of Gov. Amaechi's plane, calls it political witch-hunt From Ayodele Samuel, Lagos

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he Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has described the grounding of the Rivers State Government's private aircraft by the regulatory Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as a glaring case of political witch-hunt, despite the tepid denial of all concerned.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the action also amounts to gross abuse of national institutions, and a pointer to what lies ahead for all perceived enemies of the Jonathan Administration.

It said the worst part of the whole issue is the fact that a body

like NCAA, which is supposed to carry out its all-important duties without political interference, but in accordance with stipulated global standards, has now become a tool in the hands of vindictive politicians.

ACN said the inconsistent reasons given for grounding the plane have exposed the shenanigans of those who feel they could easily pool the wool over the eyes of Nigerians. ''First, the plane was ostensibly grounded in Akure because the pilot did not declare the flight's manifest to the appropriate authorities. Then it was said that the plane's clearance certificate has expired, hence it was banned from flying in the Nigerian airspace.

How low can a government sink

just to get at a perceived enemy? ''The questions that arise, therefore, are: Has the clearance certificate for the plane really expired? When did it expire? Was this communicated to the Rivers State Government before the plane was grounded? If so, when, and if not, why not? In any case, would the NCAA have acted with so much alacrity if the plane had belonged to a State whose Governor has no political differences with President Jonathan? ''While the NCAA must be free to carry out its regulatory duties without hindrance, it must be careful not to be seen to be acting on the orders of politicians. If this is the new modus operandi of the NCAA, then the nation is in trouble, and must be ready to see

the reversal of the positive strides recorded in the aviation sector in the past few years,'' the party warned.

It said while the political crisis that has torn apart the PDP and turned the President against his fellow party men is not the business of anyone outside the party, it (ACN) is compelled to speak out when national institutions are now being dragged into what is essentially an ugly ego-fight.

ACN warned those who are in position of authority to realize that any abuse of national institutions in their quest to settle political scores could bring the house crashing down on all, including those behind such abuses.

L-R: Chairman Enugu state Traditional Rulers, Igwe Osisi Itodo Agu, President Goodluck Jonathan, Chairman South East Traditional Rulers, Chief Cletus Ilomuanya, and Chairman Abia state Traditional Rulers, Eze Nwata Mbakwe, during a solidarity visit to the president, yesterday at the State House, in Abuja.

Photo: Joe Oroye

Tribunal upholds enumeration figure for Kusada LGA of Katsina

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he Census Tribunal sitting in Abuja yesterday upheld the 2006 population figures as declared by the National Population Commission (NPC) for Kusada Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The council had earlier challenged the 318,132 population figure declared for it by the commission at the Census Tribunal `A'.

It alleged that some of its localities were not enumerated, adding that people in enumerated areas were not completely counted, and attributed the failure to insufficient census materials.

Ruling on the matter, the tribunal said it upheld the figure based on the failure of the complainant to tender material evidence to substantiate its allegation of

insufficient census materials.

The chairman, Mr Abraham Yisa, held that the tribunal depended on material proof placed before it.

He said that the complainant failed to contradict the exhibits tendered by the respondent in proof of the fact that there was actual enumeration in the places it alleged were not enumerated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission had tendered some samples of certified copies of NPC 01 household questionnaires used for the contested localities.

Yisa further rejected the arguments of the complainant that the testimonies of respondent's witness were `hearsay', stressing that the witness

acted in supervisory capacity and was a member of the enumeration team.

“The tribunal is obliged to agree with the respondent's submission that the totality of the complainant's evidence does not amount to the standard of proof required by Section 131-133 of the Evidence Act. “It states that the party that will lose where no proof is tendered is under obligation to affirm by credible proof the fact it asserts.

“In the totality of evidence tendered by the complainant, the standard of proof has not been met and the tribunal therefore holds that it has failed to discharge the burden of proving its case on a preponderance of evidence.

“Based on the foregoing

therefore, the tribunal enters judgment in the respondent's favour and upholds as valid the census figure of 318,132 in respect of Kusada LGA of Katsina State,'' Yisa said. (NAN)

APC, a time bomb that will soon explode – PDP

E

kiti state chapter of the PDP yesterday described the APC, the mega party formed by some opposition parties in the country, as a `` time bomb'' that would soon explode.

The Chairman of the party in Ekiti State, Mr Makanjuola Ogundipe, said this in AdoEkiti while receiving a letter of intent to contest the governorship poll in the state from Mr Dayo Adeyeye.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adeyeye was the former Chairman of Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board.

Ogundipe, who accused APC leaders of selfishness, warned Nigerians to steer clear of the proposed party.

The PDP boss also said his party was not disturbed by the increasing number of aspirants in the state, saying it was a manifestation of democracy at play.

“That is democracy in action and that is the best way to allow for openness and transparency in the congress of any serious political party.

“PDP believes in crowd and participatory democracy; there won't be any imposition and there will not be a favoured candidate among them all.

“It will be our joy even if the figure rises to 50, " he said.

Submitting his letter, Adeyeye said that he joined the race to rescue the state from those he called `` usurpers.''

He said lack of tolerance on the part of the state government led to the destruction of bill boards and campaign posters of opposition figures.

“The ACN government in Ekiti lacks tolerance and could not accommodate the opposition.

“It embarked on the destruction of bill boards erected in strategic locations in the state capital.

“The bill boards belong to all PDP aspirants, including myself, and this was done despite paying the heavy bills charged by the government, " he said. (NAN)

Osun govt. committed to implementing action plan – Ige

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dekunle Ige, the Special Adviser to Osun Governor on Rural and Community Development, has reiterated the state government's commitment to implementing its Six Integral Action Plan.

Ige told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Monday that government recently concluded the execution of 61 priority projects in 61 communities under the first phase of its replication programme.

He said 183 Community

Resource Persons on key household practices had also under gone various training to check child and maternal mortality.

Ige also said that no fewer than 122 hand pump boreholes had been provided for 61 communities in the second phase of the programme.

He also said government had made available N30 million as the 2012 self help grant for community self help projects spread across the 30 local governments and Ife Area Office.

(NAN)

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 41

IG deploys anti-bomb squad to Okpekpe

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he Inspector General of Police (IG) MD Abubakar has challenged members of the police’s sports squad to win the maiden edition of the Okpekpe 10km marathon race even as he deploys anti-bomb squad to the venue.

Disclosing this to select journalists in Abuja, the IG shocked everyone when he signed the register to participate in the Very Important Personality (VIP) race along with the executive governor of Edo state Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The IG also used the signing ceremony to deploy the former security officer of the Super Eagles ACP Gideon Akinsola to the Edo state capital Benin City where he is expected to work with the state police commissioner in ensuring that the lives and properties in Okpekpe and its environments are free of crimes.

Interestingly, the IG sent signals to Benin urging the state police commissioner to deploy anti-bomb squad to provide the security network to forestall any untoward act from criminals and terrorists, in the wake of what happened during the Boston Marathon race in the United States of America (USA).

Already, the hitherto sleepy town called Okpekpe is buzzing with life with reports rife that the indigenes are elated that visitors are coming to participate in the 10km race including the IG and the state executive governor.

The race is slated to be held next weekend, precisely on May 4.

Mohammed Abubakar, IG of Police

Golden Eaglets

NFF glows in spite of Eaglets’ loss as team return today

By Patrick Andrew

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he Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has said that the performances of the national teams in recent times were indicators of the hard work of the present leadership of the football federation.

The CAN 10th U-17 runners-

up as expected to arrive in Lagos today to a rousing reception in spite of not winning the trophy.

Musa Amadu, the General Secretary of NFF, made the assertion while reacting to the Golden Eaglets’ last weekend failure to clinch the CAN 10th U-17 trophy in spite being the most talented side.

Amadu appealed to Nigerians to focus more on what it had achieved since it assumed office barely three years ago instead bemoaning the situation stressing that such disposition was imperative as the Golden Eaglets finished the African U17 championship as runners-up against the expectation of many

Nigerians.

T h e Eaglets were forced to 1-1 draw at full time but slumped 4-5 on penalties to the Baby Elephants of Cote d’ Ivoire, a development that did not go down well with the country’s football fans.

However, Amadu said that the N F F ’ s achievements should not be based only on the eventual outcome of competitions noting that r e c e n t performances of the country’s national teams in competitions were also part of the achievements of the current NFF leadership.

“It actually shows that the Federation is working. Not only have we been able to win the African Cup of Nation with the senior national team, it shows that our young teams can also be reckoned with.

“We are the only African nation to have qualified for all these continental competitions.

I just want people to look at the achievements and know that we are working hard,’’ Amadu said.

Finally, Warri Wolves clear Mba for Rangers’ Champions League clash

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arri Wolves have finally released AFCON hero Sunday Mba to lace boots for Rangers’ in this weekend’s CAF Champions League clash with Angola’s Recreativo Libolo “in national interest”.

Mba, one of the two domestic league players that excelled at the Nations Cup fiesta in South Africa two months ago (the other was Godfrey Oboabana), has been at the centre of ownership saga between Wolves and Rangers.

Though the NFF investigative panel declared Warri Wolves the bonafide owners of Mba,

Rangers had resisted the decision until the football federation threatened to fix a transfer fee on the player.

Wolves though placed a price tag of N12m then moved it forward to N100m something the Rangers camp believed was outrageous but may have eventually agreed on a figure.

Yesterday, Rangers general manager Ozor Paul revealed to a wire service that Mba was part of the coal city’s squad to Angola after they club reached an agreement with the player’s former club Warri Wolves because

he is on “a national duty”.

Mba has yet to debut for Rangers after Warri Wolves demanded for a staggering transfer fee for the star forward who dazzled at the Nations Cup in South Africa, where the scored two tournament-defining goals against Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.

“He has been cleared to play for us in Angola in the Champions league this weekend,” Ozor disclosed. “And once we are back we will hope to finalise on his transfer.”

Rangers’ technical director

Innocent Obiekwo also confirmed the 24-year-old Mba will be on the trip to Angola.

Rangers have already agreed a fee of N8m for the transfer of goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim and this allowed the Eagles goalkeeper to make his debut against Recreativo in the goalless draw in Enugu about a fortnight ago.

‘The Flying Antelopes’ are the only surviving Nigerian club on the continent this year after kano Pillars crashed out of the Champions league and both Lobi Stars and Heartland were ousted from the CAF Confederation Cup.

CAF U-17 Championship: Amun, Amao, Hamilton praise Eaglets

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hree former national teams coaches have hailed the Golden Eaglets performances in spite the team’s failure to clinch the CAN U-17 trophy in Morocco last Sunday.

The coaches were delighted with sterling performance of the Eaglets at the competition, stressing that the players had raised the bar through their

delectable display and athleticism.

Paul Hamilton, a former Green Eagles, Flying Eagles and Super Falcons coach, praised the team’s performed adding that they were just out of luck.

“Well, the boys have tried their best; everyone will attest to this, they lost to their opponents not because of laxity

but that luck ran against them,’’ Hamilton said.

Fatai Amao, a former Super Eagles Assistant Coach, said that the Eaglets were determined in their quest to win the cup.

“The Elephants were spoilers because the Eaglets were determined but you know penalties cannot be predicted but in all, they did well,’’ Amao

said.

Fanny Amun, a 1993 U-17 World Cup winning coach, said that the Eaglets displayed high technical abilities and regretted that their efforts were not crowned.

“The technical crew of the team did a good job only that their efforts were not crowned,’’ Amun said.

Seyi Akinwunmi, Chairman, Lagos State Football Association, praised football lovers for supporting the Eaglets throughout the competition.

They urged the Manu Garbaled team to go back to the drawing board and work on modalities for improved performance in subsequent engagements.

PAGE 42

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Brahmer, two other veterans beat opponents to stay tops

T David Haye

Haye to fight Charr June 29

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fter stalling for more than 20 months David Haye has finally accepted Manuel Charr’s challenge for a fight.

Haye, who lost his WBA heavyweight title to Wladimir Klitschko announced on Sunday that he would fight the Lebanon-born German, who also has Syrian heritage.

The will be Charr’s comeback fight and is billed for June 29, according to the controversial British heavyweight.

Charr has twice challenged Haye to a fight after both lost “world” title bouts to one of the Klitschko brothers over the past 18 months.

Haymaker Boxing released a statement on Sunday saying that the former WBA heavyweight champion would go head-to-head with Charr.

They will clash in Manchester on June 29. The showdown will be televised live and promoted as part of a new relationship between Adam Booth of Hayemaker and Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport.

It will be Haye’s first fight since he knocked out Dereck Chisora in July 2012.

Haye is looking for another shot at one of the Ukrainian Klitschko brothers and believes a victory over Charr could put him back in line for a title fight.

WBA, IBF and WBO champion Wladimir beat Haye on points in July 2011. His older brother Vitali, the WBC champion, stopped Charr in September last year.

It was the only loss on Charr’s record.

Haye, 32, has lost twice in a 26-fight professional career that has had its fair share of controversy.

The brash former undisputed cruiserweight champion had previously claimed he would retire once he turned 31 but he has fought once since, beating Chisora in five rounds last year.

Charr has picked up two knockout victories since his fourth-round loss to Vitali Klitschko. Last month he pledged to donate half his purse to Syrian peace funds if Haye agreed to fight him.

Charr was born Mahmoud Omeirat Charr in Beirut to a Syrian father but has lived most of his life in Germany.

hree veterans with the experience of nearly 160 professional bouts behind them, stopped good opponents at the weekend to stay tops.

Jürgen Brähmer retained his European light-heavyweight title when he beat Tony Averlant in the second round in Hamburg on Saturday night.

In Mexico City, Jhonny Gonzales beat Akihiko Katagiri in the fourth, and in Thailand Kompayak Porpramook won in the sixth round against Jean Piero Perez.

Brähmer improved his professional record to 402, including 31 victories inside the distance, when he felled Averlant (18-8-2; 4) with a body shot that finished the bout at the

Alsterdorf Sporthalle 2 minutes 36 seconds into the second round.

Gonzales, who has held titles in three weight divisions, moved his record to 54-8, with 45 knockouts, when he made short work of Katagiri (127-1; 4). The fight ended 78 seconds into the fourth round after Katagiri had been down twice.

On the same card, superfeatherweight Dante Jardon stopped Akinori Kanai in the eighth round.

Kompayak, a former WBC light flyweight champion, now boasts a record of 50-5, with 35 knockouts, after his victory in Khon Kaen over Perez, a Venezuelan with a record of 20-5-1. The stoppage came 1 minute 48 seconds into the sixth round.

In AUSTIN, Texas, Raymundo Beltran had to go ten rounds to beat Alejandro Rodriquez on points – 99-91 on two cards and 97-93 – in a tenround lightweight bout.

Beltran, ranked No 4 by the IBF, improved to 28-6, with 17 knockouts.

Rodriguez dropped to 1810; 11.

Also, in Ontario, California, Bermane Stiverne won a WBC heavyweight title fight eliminator when he beat Chris Arreola on points: 117-110 on two cards and 118-109.

Stiverne, No 2 on the WBC rankings list, knocked the more experienced Arreola down in the third round but had to go the full 12 rounds to improve his record to 221-1; 20. Arreola, rated No

Female boxers beg sponsors, NSC for competitions S ome female boxers in the country over the weekend appealed to stakeholders to organise competitions to promote female boxing in the country and encourage them to make their careers out of it.

They made the appeal at the 41st edition of the Lagos “Saturday Boxing Show’’ which held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they decried the lack of encouragement to them and stressed that if they are given similar opportunities like their male counterparts, they

would excel even, at the international stage.

Kate Peters, a 54kg boxer of Champion Boxing Club,said that women were not given the desired encouragement to pick careers in boxing.

Peters, who won a gold medal for Lagos State at the 2012 18 th National Sports Festival in Lagos, said that if the females were encouraged, they would do well in the sport.

“Many females who have the skills and the zeal are there. I appeal to promoters to organise female boxing competitions for more boxers to be discovered and nurtured to stardom,’’ she said.

Tawa Awise, a 45kg boxer from No Shaking Club, said that organisers of the “Saturday Boxing Show’’ should increase the female bouts from two to four, for more boxers to develop their skills.

“I thank Wale Edun for promoting amateur boxing through the monthly show, but the female bouts should be increased for more female boxers to also enjoy the benefits,’’ Awise said.

Olayemi Mustapha, a 54kg boxer from Smart Club, said that the male boxers were doing well in the world because they were given more encouragement to participate in boxing

1 by the WBC, dropped to 35-2; 30.

And inn New York, Nick Brinson (14-1; 6) retained his state middleweight title when he beat Joe Medina (17-13-1; 7) on points.

Elsewhere in Bristol, England, Lee Haskins (263; 11) stopped Martin Ward (16-1; 4) in the fifth round to claim the vacant British bantamweight title. The stoppage time was 2 minutes 38 seconds.

In another interesting duel in Petchaboon, Thailand, Bualuang Onesongchaigym retained his WBC Asia featherweight title by beating Rodynie Rafol 115114 on each of the three cards. Bualuang improved to 11-0; 4 and his opponents now stands at 10-4-2; 4. competitions.

Mustapha, who defeated her Ilupeju Grammar School counterpart, Mistura Olalere in the only female bout of the show, said that she would take to boxing as a career. In the other eight-bout competition, Tunde Shokunbi of KSA High School, Ipaja, defeated Afolabi Shittu of Orile Iganmu High School in the 29kg exhibition bout for students.

Taiwo Abiodun of No Shaking Club, Yaba and Lateef Fadipe of Champion Club, Oshodi, defeated Dare Ogunyanju of Smart Club, Ikorodu and Sodiq Olabanji of Striker Club, Yaba in the 49kg and 60kg, respectively.

In the 64kg, Adetunji Adeniyi of Faleke Club, Yaba lost to Lekan Akinola of Folawiyo Club, Surulere.

Fatai Adeshina of Champion Club, Oshodi out-punched Richard Ebowa of Hard Punch Club, Badagry in the 75kg.

NFF meets over sundry issues today

T

Manuel Charr

he Executive committee of the NFF will hold its maiden meeting for the year today in Abuja where salient sundry matters are to be deliberated upon.

Some the matters agitating the minds of the board members include the downsizing of the technical crew and backroom staff of the national teams, which has been contentious

since most members say they were never consulted nor was any meeting held where such major decision was taken.

Also, the recommendation of the appointment of a technical director and assistants which also generated hiccoups following the said appointment of the Shuaibu Amodu and the duo of James Peters and Kashimawo Laloko

respectively as his assistants.

The head coach of the Super Falcons, Falconents and Flamingoes are equally to be put to rest in addition to issues patterning to the Super Eagles' participation in the FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil.

The NFF will equally review the performances of the Goldden Eaglets in the just ended CAN 10th U-17 Championship in Morocco

where the team narrowly missed the prestigeous trophy after losing on penalties to Baby Elephants, the only that have beaten in 32 matches.

It is also likely that the certain committees that were dissolved may be reconstituted. Peoples Daily Sports recalls that almost all the coaches have had issues with leadership of the technical committee headed by Chris Green.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 43

Real Madrid vs Borusia Dortmund

Mourinho goes philosophical, says nothing is impossible J ose Mourinho let off brash self and went philosophical ahead of today’s crucial return

leg encounter in which Real Madrid will attempt a miraculous redemption of their UEFA Champions

Robert Lewandowski, the four-goal hero in the first leg

League race.

The la Liga champions, who are currently out of contention for the Spainish league title, were drubbed 4-1 in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final by their German opponents.

Tonight, Real, under Mourinho, need an incredible comeback to harbour hope of playing in the final on May 21.

Robert Lewandowski had helped the Germans romp to a 4-1 victory in the first-leg last week and Mourinho thinks that picking up the pieces and revenging that denting defeat is possible.

The “Only One” believes his side have to perform with the type of aggression they did in the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday. He thought the team ere rather too casual in the first as they did allow Lewandowski easy access

to romp through their vital without being obstructed.

“The team was naive.

We played against a player that scored four goals and wasn’t fouled in the whole game, whilst Cristiano (Ronaldo) was fouled five times and the game had barely begun.

“It was like we were playing a friendly.

Mentally and physically we need to be stronger. At the Calderon on Saturday I saw a team that knew how to suffer and defend: A team that was compact, united, aggressive and worked towards an objective.”

However, Mourinho insisted that the outcome of the second-leg would not have an effect on his future at the club. “My future won’t depend on that. At practically all clubs, not just Madrid, the success is thanks to the players and the

failure is that of the manager.

“We have 90 minutes to play and we are 4-1 down.

What I am concerned with is analysing what happened in Dortmund and what we have to do tomorrow (today). The game in Dortmund was so bad that I am not concerned about them. I am concerned about what we have to do better.

“No player is hiding, we are all in the same boat and all of them want to play, which gives me confidence and hope for the game. In football everything is possible.”

So Mourinho has demanded some aggression from the players and hopes that with the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo no longer a concern they should rise to the challenge of upturning the table in their favour.

However, it is expected the Germans would not relent efforts to finish off Real in front of their fans.

Sebastian kehl c o m m a n d i n g proceedings from the defend and building a compact, combative approach to the game, Dortmund are sure to return fire for fire.

Predator Robert Lewandowski as usual should be strong in the attack along with Mario Goetze, coach Juergen Klopp should plot a tactical formation that would be too hot for Real to handle.

Ramos appeals for aggressive support from fans

S

kipper Sergio Ramos has called of fans to intimidate their opponents today with vociferous cheering of every move Real Madrid would make.

According to him, strong support would ginger them and put in extra-effort to overwhelm their visitors and rescue the Champions League final ticket from their possession.

The player, who says he feels a lot more comfortable playing in centre-back is willing to fill in any role provided he has the opportunity to feature in the game.

“In the past few years I have played as a centreback, it gives me more control of the game. Due to the circumstances I had to play at full-back and it wasn’t a problem.

I have won the European Championships and the

T

Bale is PFA, young player of 2013

ottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale became only the third man to be named the English Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) player of the year and young player of the year in the same season.

The 23-year-old Wales international, who also won the main award in 2011, has scored 19 Premier League goals this season - a tally bettered

only by Manchester United striker Robin van Persie with 25 and controversial Liverpool forward Luis Suarez (23).

“It’s a massive honour.

To be voted by your peers is one of the biggest things in the game. It’s great to win it and I am delighted,” Bale said.

World Cup playing there.

The manager will look at what is best for the team to decide where I should play.”

Ramos had criticised Madrid’s attitude in the wake of the match last week and he echoed Mourinho’s sentiments that they need to be more aggressive on home soil.

“The other day when I spoke of attitude I meant our intensity, aggression and rhythm of our game

His frightening pace, agility and clinical finishing have marked

CHANGE OF NAME I, FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AWUESE MICHELLE ADEKAA, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS AWUESE MICHELLE SHAWON.ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS LIMITED AND GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

Gareth Bale

wasn’t as it should have been. If we have greater intensity and rhythm it will be less of a problem but it is still a very negative result to overturn and will be very difficult.

“We can’t take away the credit from Dortmund, they played a great game and deserved to win but the other day we didn’t win personal duels that we normally do,” he said.

him out again this term and his successful switch from left wing to a roving central midfield role has also helped fifth-placed Spurs in their pursuit of a Champions League spot.

He took the main award - presented at a glittering ceremony - ahead of second-placed Suarez, last year’s winner Van Persie and fellow nominees Manchester United’s Michael Carrick and Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Juan Mata.

Bale joins Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry,

Cristiano Ronaldo, whose solitary goal could be vital if Real are able to score three un-replied goals today

Alan Shearer and Mark Hughes in earning the main award twice. Ronaldo in 2007 and Andy Gray in 1977 won both awards in the same year.

Flying Bale’s form has made him one of the most feared players in the Premier and Europa League and manager Andre Villas-Boas has said the Welshman’s ability to take free kicks compares favourably with the likes of Real Madrid’s Ronaldo.

Spurs may now expect a flurry of big-money bids for the player, especially if

they fail to land a Champions League berth, but an estimated valuation of over 40 million pounds ($61.97 million) could put off suitors.

Liverpool contender Suarez was given a 10match ban on Wednesday for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic when the sides met at Anfield last weekend and served an eight-game suspension last season for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

PAGE 44

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Ethiopian double in Düsseldorf as Debele breaks course record

E

thiopians Dereje Debele and Melkam Gizaw took the 11th edition of the Metro Group Marathon Düsseldorf on Sunday as the men’s course record was smashed in the IAAF Bronze Label Road Race.

For the first time at the Dusseldorf Marathon, five men broke 2:10 as Debele achieved the first sub-2:08 performance in Düsseldorf, while second-place Pius Ondoro was also under the previous course record with his 2:08:17.

Duncan Koech of Kenya finished third in 2:09:10, while Ethiopians Shengo Kebede (2:09:53) and Asmare Workneh (2:09:56) were the other finishers under 2:10

in fourth and fifth, both setting big PBs. Pre-race favourite Gizaw was the women’s winner with a personal best of 2:26:24, the second-fastest women’s performance in the history of the race and just 35 seconds behind the course record. Kenyan Marathon debutant Rebecca Chesire ran a fine 2:27:52 for second place, while Poland’s Agnieszka Ciolek-Mierzejewska was a distant third in 2:33:36.

Like Debele, the women’s winner is also from Addis Ababa. 22 year-old Melkam Gizaw, who was third in Düsseldorf last year and had a personal best of 2:26:52, passed half way in 1:13:11, running alongside Marathon

debutant Rebecca Chesire.

The Kenyan held on well and only began to fade slightly after 36km, but the Ethiopian was not concerned and went on to win in 2:26:24, running almost exactly even splits (1:13:11 and 1:13:13).

Across all the events, 14,000 runners took to the streets today in Düsseldorf, with 4,250 of them taking part in the Marathon.

LEADING RESULTS Men 1 Dereje Debele (ETH) 2:07:48 2 Pius Ondoro (KEN) 2:08:17 3 Duncan Koech (KEN) 2:09:10 4 Shengo Kebede (ETH) 2:09:53 5 Asmare Workneh (ETH) 2:09:56 Women 1 Melkam Gizaw (ETH) 2:26:24 2 Rebecca Chesire (KEN) 2:27:52 3 Agnieszka Ciolek-Mierzejewska (POL) 2:33:36 4 Remalda Kergyte (LTU) 2:36:00 5 Nastassia Dashkevich (BLR) 2:41:51

Nesiama says AFN aims at performancebased result

By Patrick Andrew David Rushida

Asbel Kiprop

Ten Olympic, 14 World champions set for Doha IAAF Diamond League

T

en reigning Olympic champions and 14 current World champions are to feature in the opening leg of the IAAF Diamond League in Doha, on May 10.

Among the leading lights that have already signed up to take part in the championships are David Rushida, Asbel Kiprop, Christian Taylor, Bershawn Jackson are some of the male champions, while the likes of Allyson Felix, Amantle Montsho, Brittney Reese, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Genzebe Dibaba are equally listed in the females.

Rushida, who is the 800m World recordholder, will lead a pack of five male London winners that also includes Triple Jump talent Christian Taylor from the USA, who will pay his first ever visit to Doha, two-time Olympic

Amantle Montsho

Shot champion Tomasz Majewski from Poland, and Nesta Carter, a member of the great Jamaican 4x100m squad which smashed the World Record with a time of 36.84.

London’s golden quintet is rounded off by surprise Javelin winner, Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad & Tobago. Walcott was still a junior when he upset the event’s top names to earn an unexpected Olympic title for a nation mainly known for its world-class sprinters.

In the women’s events Allyson Felix, the IAAF female athlete of 2012, returns to Doha to aim for an 11th win in the Qatari capital. The American will contest the 400m, an event she has not raced since taking silver at the 2011 IAAF World Championships, and she will face the winner from

that occasion, Amantle Montsho, 2008 Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu and Francena McCorory.

Also opting to skip on her speciality event will be two-time Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who will line up in the 200m.

Last year in London, long jumper Brittney Reese secured the only major title she was missing. In Doha, she will aim to maintain her unbeaten run on Qatar soil, after two clear victories in as many appearances indoors and outdoors.

The Olympic champions’ roster is complemented by Sandra Perkovic, the 22-year-old discus thrower from Croatia who will this year be looking to add the World title to her tally, after

Genzebe Dibaba

capturing Olympic gold in 2012, two European senior titles (2010, 2012) and one European junior crown in 2009.

Aside from Rudisha, Carter and Taylor, the list of reigning male World champions set to compete in Doha also includes Kenyan 1500m runner Asbel Kiprop, German javelin thrower Matthias de Zordo, high jumper Jesse Williams, and American 400m hurdlers Bershawn Jackson and Angelo Taylor.

The Doha 2013 line-up also includes several reigning World indoor champions, including US sprinter Justin Gatlin, who will run the 100m in Doha, Morocco’s Abdelaati Iguider in the 1500m, USA’s Ryan Whiting in the Shot, and Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba in the 1500m.

T

he Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, has revealed that the federation earns at performance-based result in every of its competition as directed by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Accordingly he says it was what influenced the decision to high standard the AFN set for athletes at the 2nd Golden League staged at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin on April 26 to April 27.

But some athletes were alleged to have instigated a boycott of the events on the grounds that the standard set for them was too high. Accordingly the alleged spearhead of the boycott: Saheed Osanyande, Afeez Imama and Lekan Soetan, have been banned for three years.

“We already outlined at the beginning of the year that all our leagues will be performance based and was communicated to all. There is nowhere in the world that athletes dictate to Meet organisers the conditions on which the meet should be run,’’ he said.

“We have chosen to do something different from what we were doing in the past, in order to get better results, ‘’ he said noting that the federation was surprised that rather than appreciate the new direction, some athletes opted to rebel.

“They want to discourage those putting in their best, including the AFN Management and athletes alike, but we will not be discouraged and also do not expect the serious athletes to be discouraged.

“It is observed that it is those that do not mean well for the athletes that are tele-guiding them negatively.

“The unruly athletes do not know what it takes to put together a Meet of that magnitude, in terms of raising finances and other ancillary structures,’’ he said.

“The three athletes that instigated the boycott of the event have been suspended from participating in AFN-organised activities for three years. “This is totally unacceptable to the federation,’’ he said.

Nesiama noted that the suspension was invoked because they had also demanded that AFN review downwards the standard of the competition; in order extend award of prizes to the top eight in each Golden League event.

Further, he said indiscipline and unruly behaviour, which was noticed, negates the AFN Code of Conduct promulgated in 2010, under his direction as Chairman, Security and Discipline.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

PAGE 45

1

PICTORIAL 1] MesutOzil and Mario Gotze are the creative No10s at their club sides, ahead of the pair facing off in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.

2] Sergio Busquets is Barcelona's main fitness concern for Wednesday's Champions League semifinal second leg at home to Bayern Munich, after Lionel Messi confirmed his return to form with a scintillating goal in Saturday's 2-2 La Liga draw at Athletic Bilbao.

2

3] Tottenham's Gareth Bale becomes the third man to be named PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year in the same season.

4] Former world lightwelterweight champion Amir Khan is targeting a world title fight next in the United States in December.

5] Laura Robson suffers her sixth first-round defeat of the year as she loses to Japan's Ayumi Morita at the Portugal Open.

4

3

6] Alistair Brownlee finishes second in a 10,000m race in the US in his bid to qualify for the Commonwealth Games at the distance.

5

6

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Nadal set to confront Federer at Swiss Indoors

R

afael Nadal is scheduled to play at Roger Federer’s hometown tournament for the first time in nine years, according to the organisers of the Swiss Indoors, who announced their star attractions for the October 19-27 event in Basle.

The field is headed by five-time champion Federer, Nadal and defending champion Juan Martin del Potro.

Nadal last played in Basle in 2004, losing in the first round to Rainer Schuettler of Germany.

The Spaniard also lost early to compatriot Feliciano Lopez in 2003, the only year he and Federer both played at Basle. The Swiss Indoors, played on carpet then, is now a hard-court

tournament.

Nadal has a 19-10 career record against Federer, including a quarterfinal win last month at the Masters event at Indian Wells, California.

Rafael Nadal

E

mmanuel Emenike’s “sweet” return has turned sour after he suffered a knee injury on Sunday and will now be out for at least two months.

This means that the 2013 AFCON Goal King will miss Nigeria’s hectic June schedule that will see the Super Eagles play two 2014 World Cup qualifiers as well as feature at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

Spartak Moscow striker Emenike, who was sidelined for over eight weeks by a hamstring injury he suffered at the recent AFCON, he is devastated he has again been sidelined.

“I felt bad that I have to go back to the sidelines immediately I returned to action, but I have accepted it as another fear to conquer.

My club has also supported me to bounce back next season after I was told I will be out for two months,” Emenike told a wire service.

Again, Emenike sustains injury, out for 2 months The power-playing striker gave more details as regards his latest injury woes in Sunday’s league match against Anzhi, which Spartak won 2-0. ”I actually wanted to take a shot before an opponent put his leg and that happened to be on my knee. I was hurt but sometimes such things happen but the most important thing is focus. I wouldn’t blame the player for the tackle, that is football,” he lamented.

“As it is now, I will be out of national assignments, it hurts but I have no choice. I have to focus on my recovery for next season.”

“It is frustrating but I am learning from the injury problems.

I will be back and I am spurred for success when I return.”

Emenike has backed his club to

Sen Ibrahim urges NSC to encourage all sports

S

Bolaji Abdullahi, Sports Minister

enator Bukar Ibrahim has decried government’s concentration of resources and efforts in only one game: football and stated that it has been detrimental not only to the country but sports in general.

According to the lawmaker and former Governor of Yobe state, a big country like Nigeria should put in resources to develop all sports, and not just football, because talents are available in all sports.

Speaking at the National Open Hockey Championship finals in Abuja, which took place at the Hockey pitch of the National

Stadium Package ‘B’, Ibrahim decried the deliberate neglect of other sports by the government.

“Ordinarily, people should be participating in all sports, but government doesn’t seem to be encouraging that at all.

“Imagine the government of Nigeria spending money on football alone, as if other sports are not important; this is not how it should be.

“Sports generally is a good thing for any country. We have healthy young people in this country who are potential sports men. It is a matter of encouraging them by providing the necessary facilities. “ I am appealing to the Federal, State and local governments to do more. But I am also appealing to individuals to s p o n s o r various games all over the country.

“It doesn’t cost too much to sponsor a tournament.

This is my 7th year of doing this thing, even though I took a little break. I intend to sponsor it every year from now onwards.’’

The former appealed to the NSC to ensure that the astroturf hockey pitches in the country are adequately utilised to forestal their detoriation for lack of use.

“We have an AstroTurf pitch in Damaturu, the second of its kind in Nigeria.

Now we have these two b e a u t i f u l facilities in Abuja and people are not making good use of it. “ T h e

Ministry of Sports should allow people in the evenings to come and play hockey on both pitches so they can make good use of these state of the art facilities.’’

Bukar said the Federal Government should encourage people to play all sports adding, “after all, sport is a very big unifying factor in Nigeria. Each time Nigeria is playing some other countries, you will find the country most united.

According to the federal lawmaker, the standard of hockey has improved a bit, but there is still a lot that needs to be done especially in a huge country with such abundant resources like Nigeria. “ I am appealing to the Federal, State and local governments to do more. But I am also appealing to individuals to sponsor various

book a UEFA Europa League ticket in his absence.

“I believe they can win the remaining four fixtures and book a place in the Europa League. They have been wonderful in my absence and I believe they will keep the momentum again,” he said.

Emmanuel Emenike games all over the country.

“It doesn’t cost too much to sponsor a tournament. This is my 7th year of doing this thing, even though I took a little break. I intend to sponsor it every year from now onwards.’’

Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim

... As HFN names him patron of Nigeria hockey

I

n recognition of his contribution to the development and spread of hockey in the country, the Hockey Federation of Nigeria (HFN) has bestowed Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim the honour of the ‘patron of Nigeria hockey’.

Mr Patrick Ukah, President, Nigeria Hockey Federation said the honour was in appreciation of Ibrahim’s selfless efforts at ensuring that the game takes root in the consciousness of Nigerians.

He stressed that he was pleased to see the return of one of the hockey’s most prestigious tournaments Bukar Abba Ibrahim Open Hockey Championship adding that it had in the past contributed in no small measure to create awareness for the and growth of the game.

Reacting to the honour, the recepient said, “I started playing hockey since 1965, about 48 years ago and have always been attached to hockey emotionally.’’ adding that his love for the game earned him the nick-name ``BukarHocker” when he was a second year student.

With this appointment, he formed El-Kanemi Flickers Hockey team of Borno in 1987 and led the team thrice to J.F Kennedy tournament in the United State of America in 1989, 1990 and 1991.

Bukar led El-Kanemi Flickers team to Morocco for the 6th African Cup for Clubs Championship in 1990.

Mr Patrick Ukah, President, Nigeria Hockey Federation said

that he was pleased to see the return of one of the hockey’s most prestigious tournaments –Bukar Abba Ibrahim Open Hockey Championship.

“It has been the dream of the current Board of Nigeria Hockey Federation to revive tournaments of this nature.

“You all are aware that this tournament started since 2002 and ran without any break for six years until 2007. It is a thing of joy to see this tournament back after the break.

Ukah said his objective was to develop the game of hockey from the grassroots. We intend to approach philanthropists and financial institutions to support our course.

“Also, we will reach out to the National Sports Commission under the grassroots development of sports to donate 10,000 hockey sticks and balls.

“My dream is to go and revive the game of hockey in all the secondary schools in the 36 states of the Federation. This is actually where we would focus our attention.’’

Union Bank beat Plateau Tigers 2-0 in the men’s final match, while Yobe Desert Warriors defeated Delta Force 2-1 in the third place match.

In the women’s final match, Team Delta defeated Yobe Desert Queens 2-1, while Plateau Queens won Team Ogun 2-1 in a penalty shoot-out after the third place match ended 0-0 at regulation time.

PEOPLES DAILY, TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

Strange Life Facts

PAGE 47

Say what?

•The most common addiction in the world is the draw of comfort. It wrecks dreams and breaks people.

•If what you're doing feels perfectly safe, there is probably a better course of action.

•The greatest innovation in the history of humankind is language.

•Blame is the favorite pastime of those who dislike responsibility.

•Everyone you meet is better than you at something.

•Proof is nothing but a collection of opinions that match your own.

•Knowledge is belief, nothing more.

•Self-examination is the only path out of misery.

•Whoever you are, you will die. To know and understand that means you are alive.

•Revenge is for the petty and irresponsible.

•Getting truly organized can vastly improve anyone's life.

•Almost every cliché contains a truth so profound that people have been compelled to repeat it until it makes you roll your eyes. But the wisdom is still in there.

SUDOKU

•What makes human beings different from animals is that animals can be themselves with ease.

Last edition’s solution

•Indulging your desires is not self-love.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

•People cause suffering when they are suffering themselves. Alleviating their suffering will help them not hurt others.

•High quality is worth any quantity, in possessions, friends and experiences.

•The world would be a better place if everyone read National Geographic.

•If you aren't happy single, you won't be happy in a relationship.

•Even if it costs no money, nothing is free if it takes time.

•Emotions exist to make us strongly biased towards or against something.

This hinders as often as it helps.

•Addiction is a much greater problem in society than it's made out to be. It's present in every person in various forms, but usually we call it something else.

•”Gut feeling" is not just a euphemism.

Tension in the abdomen speaks volumes about how you truly feel about something, beyond all arguments and rationales.

•Posture and dress change profoundly how you feel about yourself and how others feel about you, like it or not.

The South American alligator spent 15 minutes trying to break the turtle's shell but failed.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

www.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . putting the people first

TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2013

SPORTS LA TEST LATEST

FIFA’s task force against racism and discrimination meet on May 6

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he newly created FIFA Task Force against Racism and Discrimination will hold its first meeting next Monday, 6 May, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

The creation of the task force was announced by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter in early March, following a meeting of the FIFA Strategic Committee, as part of a series of measures to tackle the pressing issue of racism and discrimination in football.

Chaired by FIFA VicePresident and CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb, the task force will include representatives from the different stakeholders of the football community as well as a broad panel of experts in the fight against racism and discrimination.

Aiming for a “zero tolerance” policy towards any acts of racism and discrimination, the group has been tasked with identifying tougher disciplinary sanctions on the one hand, and initiatives in the area of education and prevention on the other, in order to eradicate this scourge from the beautiful game.

An update on the work of the task force will be presented at the FIFA Congress in Mauritius on 30-31 May. “We have to work on two fronts,” said the FIFA President.

“First on education and for that FIFA has a fantastic network through its 209 member associations.

But besides that, we also need to have stronger sanctions. We have seen that fines achieve little, but point deductions and exclusion from competitions could be more effective measures.

We will now have a task force with experts in this area who I am sure will help us achieve our objective of kicking discrimination and racism out of football”.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter ADVERT: BUSINESS: NEWS: LAGOS:

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QUO TABLE Q UO TE UOT QUO UOTE The Muslim world we live in today is indeed in a state of flux, with competing trends and ideas, both internal and external, for the control of the destiny of the Ummah.

— Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III

Amnesty as a double-edged sword T

he war appears almost won and lost. For months on end, advocates and opponents of amnesty for members of the Boko Haram sect have made strong submissions to press their case.

After consistently balking at the idea, Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, yielded ground; a look at the political capital involved is too juicy to be ignored by an incumbent with his eyes on the 2015 presidential election. The 26member committee set up by his government to work out the modality for the amnesty will soon turn in a report in which the main recommendation is predictable.

One can only hope that being his first major decision in deference to public outcry, granting amnesty to Boko Haram turns out to be the best decision taken by a president whose greatest strength is not taking popular decisions.

This is one occasion for Nigerians to disregard the clumsiness of their country's leadership and rally around the embodiment of that leadership the president - who genuinely deserves the sympathy of his struggling countrymen and women. Granting amnesty to Boko Haram will take a great deal of political engineering, another weakness of this presidency, to handle. The issue has been divisive and it appears the president, more because of the exigencies of 2015, has allowed himself to be wheedled into taking a second look at it. Those who clamoured for it genuinely believe amnesty will dam the flood of security challenges in northern Nigeria; others suggested, preposterously, that amnesty for Boko Haram would balance a similar amnesty granted to militants in the Niger Delta! If it succeeds, this will be the second time in five years that insurgents will be so treated. Of course, it is too early to hope and wish that Nigerians are about to witness the last amnesty for insurgents! There are many Nigerians who believe that this impending amnesty is a repetition of an error; an action that may, in the immediate future and in the long run, prove to be harmful to the country! Amnesty is a double-edged sword; it is as much a tonic as it is an elixir! Risk it and it could become a tonic for some starry-eyed individuals elsewhere to take up arms; refuse it and risk being dubbed a sectional leader with an agenda to decimate

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GUEST COLUMNIST Abdulrazaq Magaji

President Jonathan one section of the country!

Unlike the first one, the impending amnesty is full of drama. The amnesty was spurned by its potential beneficiaries even before it was granted when a leader of the group claimed his fighters did nothing wrong in the three years of targeted killings and bombings that the group claimed responsibility for and which have widowed many and orphaned many more. Such careless talk lends credence to the position of those who oppose a blanket amnesty. As defenders of the Islamic faith, which members of Boko Haram claim to be, they

should know that there are steps, prescribed by the Shari'a, which they need to take if they genuinely seek the faces of God and man. If and when they realize they are in error, become repentant, and wish to be accepted and integrated, it should not be asking for too much to demand that ask follow the strict ways prescribed by the Shari'a by asking for forgiveness from those people, Muslims and non-Muslims, they have orphaned and widowed.

This step is simple: the killers among them should approach the families of those they have killed, confess their sins, and ask to be forgiven. It is left for surviving family members to forgive and let go, otherwise, the Qur'an is clear on the fate of these killers: they too must be killed or made to pay bloodmoney for taking lives they neither created nor can restore to life. This is in addition to the mandatory and unbroken twomonth long fasting prescribed for taking a life, be it that of a Muslim or non-Muslim. After all these requirements, it is the prerogative of God to decide the fate of a killer.

For the avoidance of doubt, passing the death sentence, in strict Muslim societies, is not the prerogative of bandits and criminals but by a recognised body of leaders who must be unanimous in their verdict. God

“

Amnesty is a double-edged sword; it is as much a tonic as it is an elixir!

Risk it and it could become a tonic for some starry-eyed individuals elsewhere to take up arms; refuse it and risk being dubbed a sectional leader with an agenda to decimate one section of the country

knows man has the capacity to be animalistic and perpetrate jungle justice and that is why He prescribed ways to regulate societies; otherwise man will not be different from wild animals.

Let the government announce an amnesty for Boko Haram. Let it also announce a package of compensation for individuals and organizations that suffered injustice at the hands of Boko Haram. But more importantly, the government should capture the whole country for an urgent and comprehensive rehabilitation drive rather than falling for the ever-present temptation of appeasing insurgents! And for this urgent rehabilitation drive to make sense, the odious practice of slapping the hands of treasuryhijackers should be jettisoned.

This new-found fad of judges asking self-confessed criminals to forfeit an insignificant fraction of looted public funds and granting amnesty to criminals who have confessed to hijacking state treasuries, weird and obnoxious as it is, has become unbearable for the most patient among straightthinking Nigerians. In a way, the practice is like appeasing repentant bandits because it sends wrong signals and emboldens potential criminals who may see nothing wrong with taking up arms to do what treasuryhijackers do with their pens.

Today, those who kicked against the amnesty of the late President Umaru MusaYar'adua for the militants in the Niger Delta are sneering because it has created more problems than it was meant to solve. Sadly, many Nigerians now consider former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, a saint and not a man who perpetrated atrocities in the region, while Yar'adua, the man who opted for dialogue, is ironically made to look like a horned, black-faced devil! If truth be told, the idea of throwing money at the Niger Delta crisis was a brilliant idea; the snag, however, was the failure on the part of authorities to capture the whole country for a rehabilitation programme. This failure largely explains the poverty-driven violence in parts of the north of the country. Let no one be fooled.

Abdulrazaq Magaji is a former university lecturer based in Abuja

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Kano office: Plot 3, Zaria Road, Opposite Kano State House of Assembly. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos. Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 7007 759. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail.com ISSN: 2141– 6141