Saturday 30 - Sunday 31, August 2014. Edition. by Peoples Media Limited

138Days

‘Marwa, Gundiri PDP waiver cover for Ribadu’ >>PAGE 6

Since over 200 Chibok schoolgirls were abducted

weekend.peoplesdailyng.com

. . . Pu ttin g th e people first Vol. 4 No. 6

SATURDAY — SUNDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2014

THUL-QADAH 5-6 1435 AH

N150

Adamawa Ag. Gov APC member

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2015: Election without voter cards L-R: Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, receiving the resolution of the 27 members of the State House of Assembly from the Speaker, Alhaji Lawali Zaiyana, after passing a vote of confidence on the governor, yesterday in Sokoto

Dog meat: One man’s poison . . . >>PAGE >>PA >> PAGE GE 4

Son testified against dad

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Interview

Why I’m a converted democrat – Buhari

f you become the President today, how will you tackle the myriad of problems of Nigeria and then restore confidence in governance? First, I have to secure the country, because unless you secure the country, nothing can be done properly. So, first it is security and then how to manage the country, that is by resuscitating the economy, the infrastructure, getting the factories reopened, getting employment and goods and services. It is much easier to damage than to rebuild, but everybody agrees that Nigeria is an incredibly resourceful country, both materially and human wise. It is a question of the elite getting their acts together and making sure the country is organized in such a way that it can be secured and managed well. It is not easy because a number of the institutions have being compromised. What do you do with the Nigerian Police in terms of their efficiency? The military itself? The judiciary? The recent happening in our country, especially the abduction of more than 200 girls from their school is unbelievable. For those of us who experienced the civil war, we can’t reconcile how a group like Boko Haram would come and collect from one school more than 200 children and after three months, the Federal Government cannot do anything. So for those of us coming from the 1960s to now, it is unthinkable for any group to emerge in Nigeria to hold everyone to ransom. I mean the so-called Boko Haram. I said this about six months ago. I said no religion advocates hurting the innocent. So the religious toga that Boko Haram is wearing can be exposed. You can’t wrap yourself with explosives and go and kill people in markets, churches, mosques, and motor parks, and also go and slaughter children in their sleep. It’s simply terrorism. This is my clear understanding of it and it is the duty of the Federal Government to stop it. Unfortunately, so far, the Federal Government has failed. You were recently attacked in Kaduna, and then there was an investigation. Has there been any progress concerning that incident? You are asking me of progress. Have you forgotten that over 200 girls are missing for over three months now and nothing has happened? Ok. I know I’m a former Head of State and I decided to be in politics of opposition. Imagine your daughter being among the missing girls. So to come and talk to me about a near-death situation while over 200 children are still missing is insensitive. I do not expect anything to come out of the investigation into the attack

General Muhammadu Buhari, former head of State, and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain recently opened up on several issues not the least his persistence in the race to govern democratic Nigeria. The nononsense soldier turned politician explains the question of leadership and just how to salvage Nigeria from its present malaise. This interview earlier done by Hausa Service of the BBC was translated by Premiumtimes. Here are excerpts…

on me honestly. You did say that Nigeria has the expertise to deal with the insurgency. Do you have an advice? The problem is, as I have said in a few places, I have been in this struggle in Nigeria since 1966 when a certain group decided to wipe out our military and political leadership which led to countercoups, which led to civil war, and which led to all sorts of unsettling instability in the society. I have been in it all and to boot, I too have been detained for more than three years. I tried to develop the capacity to bounce back and to appeal to people, especially the elite to be serious, to participate in politics so that credible people can be representatives and leaders in the country. That’s why I am in it. The National Assembly voted a year ago (or is it 18 months ago?) on the death of NEPA (may its soul rest in peace) after billions of dollars had been spent. What do we have now in terms of electricity? Nothing. In pension funds, in petroleum industry, it’s the same situation…and no single person is being prosecuted. What will you think of this government? The question is if we see a Buhari presidency today, will these things be pursued vigorously? Well, people have to be accountable, but there is a limit to what one can do if one finds himself as the president of this great country today. Earlier on, I talked about institutions being compromised so with who are you going to work? Whoever finds himself as the leader of this country next year, I hope he will not be overwhelmed by the problems and just sit back to watch the decay instead of doing something practical. Are you going to contest the next election or not? Well I have to say that I am a loyal party member. Yes I have my own rights and so on, but being part of the merger, and the merger is not a political accident. I participated in the presidential elections of 2003, 2007 and 2011 so for me to participate in the

General Muhammadu Buhari merger process is not an accident. I realised that my experience in partisan politics from April 2002 to now is the only way I think of in confronting this amorphous ruling party, the PDP. I think the way forward for our country is for the opposition parties that have representations in the state legislatures and in the centre to come together and face the PDP. Unless that is done, we cannot stop the bad system. I have said it often that I am a converted democrat since 1991 when the

Soviet Union, an empire of the 20th century, collapsed without a shot fired. People panicked, left nuclear sites, missile sites and now there are 18 or 19 republics. That was when I came to the conclusion that the democratic system of government is the best form of governance. The picture looks very gloomy. I remember what an elder statesman, Ali Monguno, said “where did we go wrong?” So I ask you General, where did we go

wrong? I am sure you did not miss Obama’s statement in Ghana during his first visit to Africa. I think he came to tell us, especially developing African economies, that what we need to fix our countries are strong institutions, not strong individuals. But if Obama were in Nigeria, he would have arrived at a different conclusion. But we Nigerians know that it is strong individuals that destroyed strong institutions and so, we again need to look for strong personalities to renew these institutions. When the British came, they found some of us in this part of the country with advanced social set up. They found in the north the emirate council system that only required accountability. There was taxation system — cattle and personal — but it was normally put in the pockets of the Emirs. The office of the treasurer was just a name. The British came and instituted accountability, a reform that helped the system already in place. In like manner, going forward, we need to reform this country. So the elite must make sure they participate in electioneering, even if they are not card-carrying members of any party. They must make sure that in their constituencies they participate, even if they don’t want to go and contest election. They must make sure that credible, responsible Nigerians in their constituencies are the ones who become lawmakers, chairmen of local governments, senators, governors and so on. This is the duty of the elite because of what has happened to us between 1999 till now. When I tried to introduce Buba Marwa to his constituency, I said it. Let him go to the local government and know what are the condition of their schools, health care system and security there then and what the situation is now? When you talked about Obama what you are saying is that we need strong personalities to build strong institutions but now in the merger you have individuals who are described as strange bed fellows. How confident are you that from now till 2015, people will remain committed to the change we need? Well, I assume that we have agreed on the reason why we needed to merge. That no single opposition party could defeat the ruling party, so we had to bury our differences to come together. What we did was deliberate and according to the Electoral Act 2010 that when you want to have a party, you have to apply and satisfy certain criteria. We set up a series of committees one of which Contd on Page 15

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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Feature

Marrying off 5-year-olds: Ethiopia’s culture, modernity battle

Growing number of women, often child brides, are now taking control of their reproductive lives

ekdes Murgeta does not remember her actual wedding, but her family told her it happened when she was five. Pointing at her own five-year-old daughter she confirms she was her age. Murgeta lives in Mosebo, a rural village in the Amhara region in central Ethiopia. There, as in the rest of Ethiopia, it is illegal to be married before the age of 18. According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Amhara has some of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. Estimates in 2009 show at least 50 percent of women marrying before they reach 18. Murgeta thinks she is around 28 now, but is unsure. Keeping track of your age is not common here.She is six months pregnant with her second kid. “I want to adequately serve them, adequately feed them. If I have many children, I can’t do that,” she explains. Murgeta is part of a growing number of Ethiopian women, many of them child brides, who are taking control of their reproductive lives. On the 19th of every month, she has an appointment with the village health extension worker. It was the health extension worker that gave her the injection that kept her from getting pregnant for five years. They taught her about spacing her pregnancies. “They teach me everything,” she says. In 2003, Ethiopia launched its health extension worker programme, a large-scale project aimed to teach basic illness prevention methods across the country. Before that, health extension workers did not exist. Now,

there are 38,000 of them around the country. One of their main goals is keeping women healthy. ‘Political priorities’ “The country made maternal health one of the top political priorities,” says Addis Woldemariam with the Ministry of Health. Every week, he says, Ethiopia’s regional presidents are charged with auditing the cause of each maternal death in their region. The effects have proved dramatically benefical in tackling women’s health issues. Save the Children reports that since 2000, Ethiopia has reduced the risk of maternal mortality by two-thirds, the most of any African country. But Woldemariam admits a persisting tragic problem. “The women still dying are very young,” he says, adding: “There is still some practice of early marriage.” Child marriage remains a major health concern. One of the primary causes of death for girls aged 15-19 is pregnancy. Girls, who bear children before the age of 18, are five times more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes compared to older mothers. There is often pressure to consummate new marriages as soon as possible, to prove the bride’s fertility. Murgeta says her parents pressured her to have as many babies as possible, but she sided with the health worker instead. Women, who are married young, also tend to have older husbands. Murgeta is not sure how old her husband is but she says he is much older. In Amhara, the age difference

between husband and bride can be 15 years or more. Older husbands are more likely to be sexually experienced and married couples are less likely to use condoms. That leaves their wives 50 percent more likely to contract HIV, according to a 2004 study by the Population Council.

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The health extension worker that Murgeta sees is just a five-minute walk from her house. She is lucky, as that is not the case for everyone. Child brides tend to live in the poorest, most remote areas of Ethiopia. Poor roads and limited means of transport could mean that some people are several hours, even days, away from any health facility. Some villagers may not know the laws prohibiting child marriage. Some believe that once the marriage ceremony ends, they are no longer breaking the law. Even if the law is enforced, divorced women in Amhara are often stigmatised, prompting them to remain married out of fear. Successful work Annabelle Rokar is the country director for the Population Council in Ethiopia. Her organisation has done some of the most successful work ending child marriage. “We don’t want to reach 500 girls or 600 girls. We have to reach millions of girls at risk of child marriage,” she says. Rokar explains how they have used the goat project to solve the problem. It is actually quite simple. Families who marry their daughters early are typically poor and sometimes early marriage is a way to transfer the burden of one more mouth

Quote When one family gets a goat for not marrying their daughter at a young age, other families want to mirror their success. The goat project worked reasonably well at delaying marriage for a few years, according to the Population Council’s study.

to feed. Giving a family a goat can provide extra income. Peer pressure also goes into effect. When one family gets a goat for not marrying their daughter at a young age, other families want to mirror their success. The goat project worked reasonably well at delaying marriage for a few years, according to the Population Council’s study. But for the Ethiopian government, one goat per family was too expensive. So CARE and the International Centre for Research on Women took a different approach. Rather than try to prevent child marriage, they would work with the brides already married. They provided health care and economic education, even a social network for the girls. Jeff Edmeades was the researcher on the project. When he first arrived in Amhara, he was unsure he would find any child brides. He was told by one government official that the law banning child marriage was so effective, child brides no longer exist. He soon learned that was not the case. He now estimates there are tens of thousands of child brides in Amhara alone. He understands the spirit of the law banning child marriage, but he worries it may be adversely affecting the girls themselves. “It’s harder to do research. Effectively, they become more hidden in communities than they were,” he says. It became his job to draw them out. With help, he taught the girls how to pool their money and invest in small businesses. They also learned about reproductive health. The lessons helped, but Edmeades said putting the girls in an environment where they could listen to each other and be heard was one of the most exciting aspects of the project. In the beginning, the girls were quiet. They would hardly talk. “And by the end of the project,” he said, “these girls were just very active, very vocal, very comfortable talking about a whole range of topics.” IRCW documented 70 child marriages prevented in the year the project took place. But as successful as that project was, it had to end. Many girls, like Ashkalash Thomas, were left behind. Filling out the paperwork at an abortion clinic in Addis Ababa, the capital, she wrote her name and her age, 15. She came from a village in Woliata, south of Ethiopia. The only health care worker she knew was hours away. Thomas’ parents told her she would be married a year ago. She never learned the groom’s name. She did the only thing she thought she could: She ran away. She found a job in a factory and some friends to live with. She even met a boy. He told her he loved her. Three days later, she was pregnant and he was gone. She has not told her parents. “They can kill me,” she said. Instead, she came to get an abortion. She said she felt better and says she was not ready to have a child. She walked out of the building but stopped at the street. Thomas lingered seeming not to know where to go or who to turn to next. Source: Al Jazeera

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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Special Report

Dog meat: One man’s poison . . .

Dog meat hot pot By Lekan Bakare, Calabar

cross the world, dogs are kept as pets. Man’s most domesticated animal, in fact, is known worldwide as man’s best friend because of its perceived loyalty to man. Stories abound of dog’s loyalty to its human owner even in dangerous situations and often at the risk of its life. It is a common thing to see dogs escort their owners and some have even died while protecting their owner’s properties or lives. Dogs as human protectors, have been used to secure, human properties. Security agencies worldwide have relied on dogs as critical elements in the protection of humans and even detection of crimes. Besides, at ordinary level dogs have been deployed for sundry activities all beneficial to humans. So useful are dogs to humans that even farmers use them for hunting and as shepherds, which conducts other animals and they do this effectively with little or no training atimes. But like other animals, created naturally to serve as food for humans, dogs are some persons’ special delicacy. In some places in Nigeria, dogs are not only loyal friends, most domesticated and very useful to the people, but are notable stable delicacy. Zungeru in Jos is one such places as is Kebbi where dog meat is lavishly prepared, served and enjoyed by the people. It is an appreciated delicacy is other areas as well. Asia for example enjoy dog meal and see as an important delicacy. Especially is this so in Calabar, Cross River state where a stranger would hardly

be said to have completed his visit to the sightly city without having a taste of the dog meat delicacy. So popular is the delicacy that the state has become synonymous with dog meat. Though some have mischievously said the consumption of dog meat is typical to the people of the state, the truth is beyond them people across Nigeria enjoy the delicacy especially after being told of its health benefits. The women in particular are most likely to regale one with how the consumption of the delicacy enhances their waist line giving them an attractive shape. And so the common saying that “when

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man bites dogs it is news, but when dog bites man it is no news” just doesn’t hold water here, The reason is not far-fetched, residents and visitors alike regularly bite big chunk of dog, munch them and wash them down with whatever they may choose to do so with. In Calabar and in other parts of the state including of course neighbouring states, eating dog meat as a delicacy in fun-filled places is a common sight. In Calabar, rear is that relaxation spot and even ordinary beer palours and restaurants without dog meat delicacy. In fact, for some, no ceremony is

During the naming ceremony of all my three children there was plenty of dog meat for everyone who wants to eat, but not everyone took it as I have friends and even colleagues from other parts of the country who do not take it.

complete and of high esteem without the presence of dog meat delicacy, the beer palour or relaxation spot would sooner go out of business than thrive. So, dog meat pepper soup: well-spiced and garnished in the most appetizing manner induces compulsory salivating as the scent perceived usually forced one to want to have a taste of the delicacy. Combine that with peppery boiled rice and one is in cloud 7. Or simply add whatever brand of local gin or palm wine then one is transported to a different planet where dreams become a reality and life assumes a new meaning. Popularly known as ‘404’ among the people, dog meat is a delicacy eaten by the Efiks and the other numerous tribes in the state and even in the neighbouring Akwa Ibom, Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa states. But 404 is descriptive as is J5 which describes the speedy nature of man’s best loyal friend: dog. The other nomenclature is Pepperoni that basically described the relaxed nature with which the delicacy is consumed. Most people who eat dog meat claim it has medicinal values. They have asserted that it actually contains more nutrient than beef and mutton, which are commonly eaten by people across the nation. During a chat with Peoples Daily Weekend, Mr. Ubong Udofia, who has been in the dog meat business since 1994, said many people from across different ethnic groups in Nigeria do patronize him. He said the Hausas, Ibos and Yorubas come to savour the rich taste of dog meat in his joint daily. He confessed business is usually at the fullest during the weekends when some travel down from neigbhouring states to enjoy the delicacy in calabar. He disclosed that he has customers from Port Harcourt, Umuahia and Yenegoa, who come in during the weekend to enjoy the spicy delicacy. According to him, one thing they all have in common is the satisfaction they derive from consuming the delicacy, which, he said for some, is everyday thing. “We don’t in this part of the world see it as a taboo like in other places” he said. “In fact, most people here believe it cures malaria and other forms of ailment due to the variety of edible leaves and spices used in preparing it and it works, truly. I and members of my family have not had malaria in a long time” Ubong claimed. According to findings, dogs are actually reared purposely for food in the state and some people sometimes sell their pet dogs to owners of joints like Ubong. Something unsightly though is the inhuman manner dogs are usually killed, by the relaxation spot owners or expert killers of the animal. To the say least, it is brutal something that engenders the sympathy of Animal Rights Group. They are tied to a tree or any other thing that is very firm with a short rope and they are hit with a pestle or metal on the head so that it may lose consciousness before it is slaughtered, butchered and cooked. In the case of Ubong, he does the killing while his wife does the cooking. “It takes approximately two hours to prepare and we add local gin while cooking it so as to bring out the natural oil from the meat because no other oil is used in the

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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Special Report preparation,” Ubong said rolling his tongue. He added that “some like it with plantain while others prefer it with rice using spices and sauce. I sell at least two dogs a day and sometimes four during weekends”. During the two other interviews with dog meat joint owners, Mr. Mbe Akpan popularly known as “Don’t Tie Down My Money” at Big Qua Town in Calabar metropolis and at Mr. Etim Edibe Edibe’s joints it was revealed that dog meat is preferred more than goat meat or beef because of its medicinal values. Akpan explained that people enjoy it more than any kind of meat because of the way it is prepared with plantain andor served boiled rice. Though no testimony from a medical personnel was obtained, the majority of those spoken to including highly educated individuals, all claimed the consumption of dog meat delicacy with palm wine or other spicy foods is antidote to malaria. The delicacy is usually prepared for ladies in the fattening room and the result is usually obvious. The lady in fattening room come out robust, plump, adorable, succulent and healthy. A costumer, who regularly enjoys the delicacy, Ms. Edem Awan who also spoke with Peoples Daily, said she eats dog

Dog meat ready for cooking of the high content of albumin. Chief Okon Ita, an Ekpe title holder, said dog meat is like a traditional meat in Efik land. “For most traditional ceremonies, they are incomplete without it. But there is no voodoo attached to it”. He added that “when someone commits suicide, a dog is used to cleanse the land to prevent reoccurrence of such bad omen”. The dog, he said, is used to drive away the evil spirits responsible for such happenings adding that, it is an age long tradition. “Also

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Dog meat meat everyday because it is very delicious. “I particularly like the liver and head when it is prepared and served cooked with porridge plantain”. Some people also prepare it at home. Mr. John Effiong, a resident of Calabar, said he eats dog meat at home mostly on weekends because he prefers the careful and meticulous way his wife prepares the delicacy. Effiong said that he usually tells her the quantity of gin she should use in preparing the delicacy stressing that he particularly likes the alcohol scent in the meat while eating it. He disclosed he

prefers to slaughter a healthy dog to entertain his important visitors especially during very important festivals or ceremonies like Xmas, New Year, wedding ceremonies and celebration of the death of a very old person. In one such instance, he said he had to kill his own dog when he could not get any other one to purchase to use to entertain his guests. When asked if he kept the dog for five years only to be eaten, he said; “that was not why I kept it, I just felt that day that it was time I ate it”. He said he does not see it as

betrayal of the animal because other people keep goats, chicken and other domestic animals and still kill them and eat them. “During the naming ceremony of all my three children there was plenty of dog meat for everyone who wanted to eat, but not everyone took it as I have friends and even colleagues from other parts of the country who do not like it” he said. Medical experts, however say, there is no proof whatsoever that dog meat cures malaria or any other ailment but it helps maintain osmotic blood pressure done by plasma protein because

when a child is growing up and he or she finds it difficult to walk, there is a concoction we make with the bones of a dog and we use it to massage the leg of the child and within a few weeks, the child will start walking”. Whenever you visit the “nation’s paradise” (as the state is known) make sure you call at a dog meat joint, it is an experience of a lifetime was the message Udofia offered to people who have never been to Calabar.

In fact, most people here believe it cures malaria and other forms of ailment due to the variety of edible leaves and spices used in preparing it, and it works, truly.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

News

ECOWAS staff took Ebola to Rivers

he Rivers state Government has disclosed that the man who evaded surveillance in Lagos and travelled to Port Harcourt after coming in contact with Patrick Sawyer, the Liberian American, who brought the virus to Nigeria, is a personnel of the sub-regional group, the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS]. In a broadcast to the people of Rivers state Thursday, the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, said the ECOWAS diplomat, who he did not name, travelled to Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, after Mr. Sawyer infected him in Lagos. He in turn infected a doctor, Ikechukwu Enemuo, who treated him. Mr. Amaechi said the ECOWAS official travelled to Port Harcourt the day Mr. Sawyer died in Lagos. Mr. Amaechi said, “Our investigations revealed that a staff of the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS], on the day that the late Sawyer died of Ebola, made a trip to Port Harcourt where he went into a hotel and met with Dr. Ike (Enemuo). “About a week after his departure, Dr. Ike (Enemuo) took ill and was rushed to hospital with symptoms of fever and diarrhea. In the course of treatment, the doctor became suspicious and took blood samples for investigation. “In three days, Dr. Ike (Enemuo) died. Dr. Ike’s widow, who is also medical person, and who also took care of him, has taken ill and has been quarantined. Diplomat who was seen by late Dr. Enemuo is alive and well, there is no need to panic.” Mr. Amaechi wouldn’t reveal the identity or nationality of the diplomat just like the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, who while confirming the new Ebola cases in Port Harcourt, failed to disclose the identity of the man who took the disease there. It remains unclear whether Dr. Enemuo knew the diplomat was Ebola-positive before he agreed to treat him. Earlier reports said he “secretly” treated the ECOWAS official, but details of his knowledge of the official’s exact medical condition are unclear. Governor Amaechi did not provide those details in his speech Thursday. The identity of the diplomat also remains unknown with neither the Nigerian government nor ECOWAS agreeing to release the name. It is not also clear whether the ECOWAS official later travelled to Calabar, Cross River State, for a regional conference that initially brought Mr. Sawyer to Nigeria.

‘Marwa, Gundiri PDP waiver cover for Ribadu’ By Lawal Sabo & Lawrence Olaoye

t has been revealed that the waiver granted to Gen Buba Marwa and Markus Gundiri by the PDP yesterday, was only meant to justify the one given to Malam Nuhu Ribadu. A PDP source told Peoples Daily Weekend that the initial arrangement was for the party to give only Ribadu and refuse waiver for both Marwa and Gundiri on the grounds that they were unreliable politicians, before the idea was dropped. According to the source, who prefers to remain anonymous, “the effort to find a way of giving

Ribadu an upper hand over other aspirants through the waiver was even what delayed the decision on the issue.” But Ribadu’s media handler, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz said the claim was a baseless allegation by some disgruntled politicians. In a phone chat with Peoples Daily Weekend, Abdulaziz said: “How can that be when these people have been in the PDP even before Ribadu? It’s just baseless and figment of the imagination of some political traducers.” This is coming when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday granted its contentious waiver to the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Lagos state Military administrator, Gen. Buba Marwa and the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) 2011 governorship candidate in Adamawa, Engr. Marcus Gundiri. Addressing newsmen after the party's National Working Committee (NWC) meeting yesterday, Chief Olisa Metuh, PDP National Publicity Secretary, said the task of selecting the party's flagbearer among the 14 aspirants who obtained the nomination form from the party now rests with the Adamawa state chapter of the party. He however said that contrary to insinuations in certain quarters, there was no division what-

soever in the ranks of members of the PDP NWC over the grant of waiver to the three aspirants who applied. The aspirants, by the waiver, would therefore face the party's Screening Panel today ahead of the state primary scheduled for September 6th. Metuh also pledged that the national leadership of the party would not interfere in the selection process at the primary urging the contestants to go back to the grassroots and solicit for votes. "Consequently, waiver has been granted to General Buba Marwa, Engr. Marcus Gundiri and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to take part in the exercise.

Commission promotes 2 DIGs, 37 CPs

he Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of two Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 30 Commissioners of Police with effect from Aug. 25. A statement announcing the promotion on Friday and signed by commission’s spokesman, Mr Ferdinand Ekpe, also approved the elevation of seven other Commissioners of Police on acting capacity. The spokesman of the force, DCP --, is among the officers promoted to CP on acting capacity. The AIGs are Buhari Tanko and Johnson Ogunsakin. It named the CPs as Pius Imue, Valentine Ntochukwu, Felix Ogundeji, Frederick Lakanu, Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, Micheal Ogbodu, Nwodibo Ekechukwu, Etop James, Ademola Omole and Olushola Amore. Others are Joshak Habila, Adegbuyi Damilola, Rasheed Akintunde, Istifanus Shettima, Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, Ibrahim Lamorde, Ghazalli Mohammed, Peace Abdallah, Victory Menta, Clement Adoda, Austin Iwar and Adekunle Oladunjoye. The statement also named other beneficiaries as Adaji Gabriel, B. T. Sobulo, Mohammed Hussein, Ishaku Barau, Emmanuel Inyang, Olufemi Oyeleye, Gabriel Achong and Ezekiel Zang. The other commissioners of police promoted on acting capacity are Wilson Inalegwu, Mani Usman, Fatai Owoseni, Moses Jitibor, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi and Ibine Emanuel, said the statement. (NAN)

L-R: Experience Centre Manager, Heritage Bank, Mr Jide Dada; Head, Industry collaboration unit, Mrs Timipre Wolo; Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr Femi Ajayi; Manager, Legal and Secretarial Services, Mr Balarabe Ahmed; General Manager, Projects, Mr Jide Adebulehin with participants at a youths for empowerment scheme workshop, yesterday in Abuja .

First case of Ebola reported in Senegal

enegalese Health Minister, Awa Marie Coll-Seck has confirmed the first case of Ebola in the country. According to the Minister, a young Guinean in the country had been tested positive to the killer virus. Earlier on Wednesday, Guinean Health Services had reported “the disappearance of a person infected with Ebola who reportedly traveled to Senegal Coll-Seck said the infected patient was a young Guinean who was immediately quarantined at a Dakar hospital, where he was in a “satisfactory condition”. The Minister said, “Plans are being reinforced to prevent the disease from spreading from this major case”.

Son testifies against father in court

17-year-old boy, Abdulrasaq Amusa, on Friday testified against his father, Tajudeen Amusa, at an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court in a divorce suit filed by his mother, Bosede. The case first came up for mention on June 18. Bosede had sought the court to dissolve her marriage to her husband ( Tajudeen) on grounds of public disgrace, frequent fighting and lack of care for her and the three children. Abdulrasaq told the court that since his father got married to another woman, he has not been performing his duties as a father. He said there was a time his mother asked for upkeep of the house, but instead of responding to their mother's demand, he beat her and was hospitalised. He said that the change of his school by his father forced him (witness) to abandon further education to learn aluminium handwork. Abdulrasaq said before his mother engaged herself in petty trading, she usually borrow money and thereby was indebted to a lot of people. He told the court that he decided to help his mother due to her debt level, which he said was embarrassing with the little he gets from the menial jobs he engaged himself. According to him, the proceeds of their joint efforts were what they use for their upkeep and for the education of his siblings. However, Abdulrasaq urged the court not to dissolve the marriage, but to settle the matter amicably between the two parties. The President of the Court, Mrs Olayinka Akomolede, adjourned the case to Sept. 11 for further hearing after hearing from the witness. (NAN)

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Adamawa Ag gov is an APC member, group alleges By Lawal Sabo, Abuja & Umar Dankano, Yola

petition has been sent to the Adamawa State Governorship Screening Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the acting governor of the state and one of the aspirants, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is a member of the opposition APC. A group, Concerned Youths For Good Governance In Adamawa State, made the allegation in a protest letter sent to the committee, a copy of which was made available to Peoples Daily Weekend. Signed by Ahmed Ya’uba, part of the letter said, the Acting Governor, “like many other officials of the last administration of the state,

had decamped from our party, the PDP, and subscribed to the All Progressives Congress (APC).” Reacting to the petition however, Chief Press Secretary to the Acting Governor, Solomon Kumangar, told Peoples Daily Weekend that “there is no iota of truth that my boss has registered with the APC. All along he has been in the PDP and has never left the party. What is happening about the circulated petition is a handiwork of mischief makers to cause confusion.” The petitioners however said, “Ahmadu Umaru had actually registered with the APC during its membership drive in February at his KIRSHINGA unit of K/WURO NGAYANDI ward of MADAGALI

Local Government, with the following details: NAME: UMORU AHMADU REG NO: 05009281 TEL: 08058536087 GENDER: MALE AGE: 44 YRS,” the petition alleged. Meanwhile, the Acting Governor, has reiterated his constitutional and moral right to contest the slated October 11, 2014 byelection in the state. He was reacting to the recent utterances by the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Malam Nuhu Ribadu and a former Presidential Adviser on Political matters Ahmed Gulak saying that he has no right to partake in the forthcoming elections. Fintiri in a press release signed

and made available to journalists by his Chief Press Secretary, Solomon Kumangar, urged the aspirants who have raised moral questions about his participation in the PDP primaries to disclose their intentions. The release said it was the clamour by the legislators, 21 local council chairmen, market women, civil servants, stakeholders and community leaders across the 3 senatorial zones that spurred him to join the race. The acting governor also ruled out ambition as a motivating factor for his declaration saying that, “it is an Adamawa project which the people are the driving the force.”

The district head of Funtua HRH Sambo Idris Sambo (back row in turban) with patron members of the Funtua Consultative Forum after the inauguration of the FCF Board of Trustees., yesterday .

Community in Oyo state gets light after 30 months of power outage

he people of Ona-Ara Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State yesterday had a lot to smile about after two and a half years of power outage. The formal commencement of electricity supply to the area by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) gave the residents much joy. The power outage was the aftermath of the burning down of the defunct PHCN sub-station at Olorunsogo area by hoodlums during the January 2012 nationwide fuel subsidy protest. The development had paralysed the socio-economic activities in the entire Ona-Ara LGA

and other neighbouring areas, with repeated calls from the residents for the restoration of light. The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, described the rehabilitation of the two 15MVA and 33/11KV as a thing of joy to him and his government. ``Thirty months ago, during the 2012 fuel subsidy crisis, a demonstration against government was capitalised upon by some unscrupulous persons in the society to inflict the pain of darkness on this peace-loving community. ``For the period of this darkness, government was bothered by the various complaints of our

people from Ona-Ara to look into their plight of darkness,’’ he said while speaking at the inauguration of the rehabilitated sub-station by IBEDC. The governor said the state government was helpless in the situation and could not come to the rescue of the people of the area. ``Since power generation and distribution are not in the confines of the powers of a state government, the Oyo State Government could not help other than to constantly appeal to and nudge the then NEPA and the IBEDC to restore power to our people of Ona-Ara,’’ he said.

Ajimobi said the Chairman of the area’s council was consequently directed to constantly dialogue with the community members and the IBEDC in this respect. ``In this regard, I am aware that the Chairman constituted a dialogue body between stakeholders in the community which comprised religious bodies, landlords and other stakeholders in OnaAra. ``The result of this were the several meetings with the IBEDC authorities and the pledge by the latter,’’ he said.(NAN)

News Researchers link Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone to funeral

esearches at Harvard University, U. S.A. yesterday linked the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone to the funeral of one of its traditional healers. The traditional healer was alleged to have been treating Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) patients from neighbouring Guinea before he contacted the disease and later died. According to livescience. com, the first case of Ebola was discovered in May in Sierra Leone, after the death of the healer. The Minister of Health in Sierra Leone released an official statement that linked the death of the healer to Ebola, after investigations by his ministry were concluded. ``Investigators found 13 additional cases of Ebola, all in women who attended the burial,” the minister said. The researchers studied the viruses isolated from the blood of these patients, as well as subsequent Ebola patients, to identify the genetic characteristics of the Ebola virus responsible for the outbreak. ``Understanding how a virus is changing is critical knowledge to the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, as they usually get specific parts of the viral genome that might change both between and within outbreaks, said the researchers. The findings suggest that the virus was brought to the region within past decades, likely by an infected bat traveling from Central Africa. Earlier work suggested that the virus was circulating in animals in West Africa for several decades without having been detected. ``The virus seemed to have made a single jump from an animal to a person, from there continued its journey through human-to-human transmission. ``This finding can guide decisions on whether to focus on human -to -human spread of the virus , or on minimizing contact with animals, for example by banning the consumption of bush meat,” the researchers said.(NAN)

Commissioner’s killers die in gun battle, says Gov. Orji

overnor Theodore Orji of Abia state said those who killed the State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Kenneth Nwosu, had also been killed by security operatives in gun battle near Ikwuano. Orji made this known at the funeral service for the late Nwosu held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Amizi-Olokoro, yesterday.

``Nwosu was shot by kidnappers. He was shot twice for resisting an attempt to kidnap him. ``They shot him in the thigh and later in his abdomen when he resisted attempts by the kidnappers to bundle him into their car’’, he said. He said a medical team, led by Prof. Austin Mbanaso, the Chief Medical Director of State Specialist

and Diagnostic Centre, Umuahia, made frantic efforts to save his life to no avail. Orji said that Nwosu distinguished himself as an agriculture expert and acquitted himself as a commissioner by bringing remarkable transformation to the ministry. He said that the state was beginning to reap from his wealth of experience before death struck.

The governor promised to appoint another person as commissioner from Olokoro. In his sermon, Ugochukwu Ezeoke Ezeoke, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Ecclesiastic Province of Aba, said the deceased lived a life of service to God and humanity. He said those who killed him dashed the hopes and expectations

of the people as he made positive impact on the lives of the people that came across him. Nwosu retired as Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike in Abia before his appointment as commissioner. He was killed by gunmen on July 9 while returning to his home at about 8.30 p.m. (NAN)

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Cover

2015: Election without voter cards By Patrick Andrew

arely six months to the 2015 general elections, one of the basic means of exercising one’s franchise- the voter card- is far from being in the hands of the electorates. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as part of the its preparations for the 2015 general elections, had commenced the issuance of the permanent voter’s card in the third week of August, the exercise turned out to no less Herculean as conducting the entire electoral processes. INEC had scheduled the exercise in phases each expected to last for three days with some flexibility to address untoward forced majeure. And so it scheduled the first batch to kick start on August 20th through August 25th. It had announced rather confidently that, “The distribution of permanent voter’s card will take place in August 22 through August 24. After that the continuous voter registration will commence immediately on August 27 to August 31,” Kayode Idowu the spokesman of the commission said. The exercise expectedly was to allow prospective and eligible voters to register and be qualified to exercise their civic right. It was also meant to allow eligible registrants who were unable to vote in 2011 the opportunity to do so in the coming polls. “Those who have matured into voting age of 18 during the last registration exercise and those whose names are not in the electronic register will also be opportune to register.” Further, the registration would also provide the commission with the opportunity to ascertain authentic voters as well as the cards of those who double-registered would be eliminated and not be printed. INEC made it clear that defaulters would have their names de-registered from the system. He said those who deliberately double registered and those who the commission directed to register the second time would be allowed to re-register. The first phase involved the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and 11 states namely Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kwara, Anambra, Ebonyi, Ondo, Oyo Delta and Cross River. Coming on the heels of INEC’s successes in the conduct of the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial elections, many were enthusiastic that INEC would extend its magic wand to the voter registration and collection of the permanent voter card. Granted! There were hitches in the issuance of the permanent voter card prior to the two Governorship elections. Many had thought that it would be business as usual but INEC made it abundantly clear that un-

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Prof. Jega, INEC chair less a prospective voter was in possession of the voter card he or she would be barred from exercising his or her civic right.

No excuse was tolerated by stern-looking INEC officials who ensured that only the privileged voters with the necessary legal right to participate in the process of mandating candidates of their choice to the lead the state, actually did so. The lesson sunk in. Electorates across the states determined not to be left out in subsequent exercises looked forward to when the collection of the PVC will be conducted. That came to be the lot of the 11 states and the FCT and prospective electorates were rightly enthusiastic. But they went crestfallen when the exercise proved to be an ordeal. There were both technical and man-made hitches. And there were complaints galore across the states. No, the issues raised cut across the parties and therefore not entirely partisan or purely done to disparaged the ruling party –PDP- which rightly has always been on the receiving for all INEC’s shortfalls. Even the complaints were from both the high and the low. Take for instance , Ondo state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, expressed disappointment over the exercise stressing that it was characterised by inadequate capturing machines, archaic and slow working machines and inadequate registration

INEC acknowledged the fact that the exercise was trailed by complaints of inadequate working tools for the officials insisted that those who were complaining were mainly those who had already registered but wanted to be involved in double registration.

units, among others. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guber candidate in the 2011 election in the state, Chief Olusola Oke, also lambasted the INEC for shoddy work noting the exercising was anything but smooth and reassuring. In one of the wards, 375 people had indicated interest in the registration, but the registration apparatus only accommodated 50 people in one day and there were similar complaints from other towns in the state like Owo, Ikare, Ondo, Ifon, among others. Both called for the extension the period for the exercise to accommodate those who were frustrated by failing machine and the inadequacies of INEC staff and other support elements who could manipulate the machine to achieve speedy registration and issuance of the cards. The distribution of permanent voters and registration of fresh electorates ended in Sokoto with similar complaints from many eligible voters. Many lamented that they did not see their names and photographs on display, while others complained of inadequate attestation forms for those without their temporary cards. The development compelled many to insist that INEC should give more days to enable all eligible voters get their cards. They say INEC officials were overwhelmed by the massive turnout of electorates who wanted to collect the PVC as well as those that have come of age. Many could not undergo the process of registration for some technical reasons. It seems that INEC did not envisage the massive turnout. In Sokoto in particular, ‘intensive sensitization campaign’ from the political parties and by the state government worked the magic. The situation was the same in Bauchi where there was some pockets of protest over INEC’s failure to speedy up the issuance of the PVC and later registration of qualified voters. Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State equally expressed serious concern over the various anomalies and irregularities that characterised the ongoing voters’ registration exercise and the collection of Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) in the state.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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Cover The governor personally took the complaint to the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Alhaji Nasiru Ayilara, at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Ibadan. “The purpose of this visit is to express our concern to INEC regarding the ongoing PVC collection as well as new voters’ registration exercise. We found that in many of the areas, particularly in Ibadan axis, that the machines they brought are inadequate to meet the requirements of the voters. We have expressed this concern to INEC and we have been assured that necessary steps would be taken to correct these anomalies.” In the FCT, many were frustrated as they were unable to collect their PVC. The process of identifying people was tedious. Those who came to verify their names had to wait for hours. They were called alphabetically meaning that if one’s surname started with latter A and you came while the caller was on letter F you would have to wait until he gets to letter Z and then start afresh. Piqued by the entire process, many left their queues while others had to succumb to weather and other elements that forced them to abandon the exercise. The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a non-governmental organisation, has called on INEC to quickly find solution to the low turnout for the exercise to ensure that every eligible voter participates in the 2015 general election and other elections thereafter. In a statement issued in Abuja by its Director of Operations, Ben-Chuks Nwosu, TAN bemoaned the situation and stressed the need for the INEC to quickly find lasting solution, suggesting that holders of the temporary cards can still be allowed to obtain the permanent ones during continuous registration of fresh eligible voters. "TAN has observed with dismay the low turn-out that characterised the distribution of permanent voter’s cards (PVCs) in some states and the FCT, and consequently wishes to call on INEC to, as a matter of urgency, find a solution and ensure that the permanent cards get to the electorate so that they can use them for the purpose they are meant for,” TAN said in the statement. INEC acknowledged the fact that the exercise was trailed by complaints of inadequate working tools for the officials, and insisted that those who were complaining were mainly those who had already registered but wanted to be involved in double registration. Defending its stand, INEC, in a statement issued in Abuja, said that much as it is eager to “ensure that all legitimate persons who are yet to register as voters have the opportunity to do so, it is logistically impossible to extend this phase of the CVR beyond its scheduled deadline of August 25, 2014.” It, however, assured that in order to give fair chance to legitimate registrants, the commission will, on a date to be shortly announced, set up registration points at its local council area offices where people who are yet to register can go to do so. It dropped the hint on the low turn-out of holders of temporary voter’s card at polling units to collect the permanent card in Abuja and other parts of the country, pointing out that only about 13 per cent of registered voters with temporary cards came out to collect the permanent ones in the entire Abuja. The assurance did nothing to kill the demand for extension of the collection and registration of the card. Voters in Calabar have continued called on the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) to make official statement respecting the extension. A voter, one Inesit Ukpong said he made several efforts to no avail to get registered at a registration point at Ekpo Abasi but was unsuccessful because of the crowd. “I was here on Wednesday and waited

Residents of Gwagwa in Federal Capital waiting to register for INEC voter cards at one of the collation centre, in Abuja, recently for more than three hours. I came again on Thursday and met the same situation and as you can see today, the situation is worse. I think there should be no time limit; people should be allowed to do their registration whenever they have the time,” he said. Many NGOs and socio-political groups have joined in the call for an extension or an alternative means of obtaining the PVC stressing the registration for newly qualified would-voters should be done in much the same ways as is done by NIMC for the issuance of the National Identity card. That people were eager to participate in the exercise is attested by the large number that turned out. In Sokoto for instance a total of 1.4 million permanent voters’ cards were earmarked for distribution in the state with over 400 ad-hoc staff recruited. INEC confirmed that it has distributed 1,586,448 voter cards in Bauchi State representing 84 per cent of 1,877,124 cards meant for the state, during the exercise. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr Samuel Usman, attributed

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the success of the exercise to the massive awareness campaign carried out by INEC, the media and all major stakeholders in the state. “Our collaboration with stakeholders in educating and mobilizing the electorate to come out and collect their cards yielded fruits, resulting in massive turn out of people. So far, 84 per cent of the total cards received from INEC headquarter in Abuja for distribution in Bauchi state, were successfully distributed within the stipulated period, “he said. The commissioner said that only 290,676 cards were yet to be distributed, adding that the remaining cards would be taken to various INEC offices in the 20 Local Government Areas of the state for collection by owners. The states involved in the second phase of the programme were Yobe, Bauchi (North East), Jigawa, Sokoto (North West), FCT, Kwara (North Central), Anambra, Ebonyi (South East), Ondo, Oyo (South West) and Delta, Cross River (South South).

Many lamented that they did not see their names and photographs on display, while others complained of inadequate attestation forms for those without their temporary cards. The development compelled many to insist that INEC should give more days to enable all eligible voters get their cards.

With the completion of Phase 2 of the programme, new dates will be announced later for Phase 3 involving Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Nasarawa, Niger, Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Edo and Rivers states. It was obvious people had responded to the Commission’s strong appeals that anyone who has previously registered and already has his / her records in the biometric Register of Voters should avoid re-presenting himself / herself at any other place for registration: (i) If a previously registered person has relocated from where he / she registered, he / she should simply apply for transfer of the registration data to the new location, as provided for by the electoral law. (ii) If anyone found his / her name on the register displayed ahead of the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), but was unable to collect his / her PVC during the distribution period, such a person should go to respective LGA office of INEC where the card will be awaiting collection by now. INEC had urged all stakeholders in the electoral process to commit themselves to playing at all times by the rules in the collective quest to enthrone free, fair and credible elections. But it seems rather than the people it was INEC that did not do its home work properly and would have to do so if the 2015 general elections will not throw up voters without voter card especially should the commission insist on not allowing the electorates to use the temporary voter card for the exercise. Considering that INEC committed N2.6 billion into the printing of 40 million cards, one would have expected that equal attention would have been paid to adequate handling of the machine by way of staff training and sundry rehearsals taking into view the amount of time needed to process a card for collection as well as registration and the likely number of persons per day. The commission is yet to make public what number of the 40 million cards has been collected. This is important because no fewer than 80 of the 170 million Nigerians or more are likely to vote come February 2015.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

News

FG cancels suspension of residency 3 sisters die, 8 EKSU programme, recalls over 16,000 sacked doctors students injured F in auto accident By Doyin Ojosipe

From Tope Musowo, Ado-Ekiti

Mazda car carrying eight students of Ekiti State University(EKSU), Ado Ekiti has collided with a Nissan bus carrying cassava flour, killing three sisters inside the bus. The bus was coming from Ora-Ekiti but met its waterloo at place called Ilisa not far from the EKSU campus gate around 4:15am yesterday. The students were said to be coming from the popular night club in town where they had gone to attend a dinner organized by the faculty of management science, scheduled between 5 to 9pm. Narrating the incident, Dean of the faculty, Prof. Oladele I. who attended the dinner was said to have told the students to go back to their campus since the dinner was over around 9pm, but some of them mostly final year students who have just finished the final exam, stayed behind to enjoy the night, after which the boyfriend of one of the ladies gave them a ride in his car to the campus that fateful morning. When Peoples Daily got to the scene of the accident, the vehicles were already being moved away by the police. When our correspondent visited the Iworoko police station to get details of the accident, the officers on duty said the Divisional Police Officer was unavailable for comment while the Police Public Relations Officer could not be reached by our correspondent as the time of filing in this report. Meanwhile, our correspondent visited the Ekiti State University teaching hospital where the wounded students were taken for treatment while the corpses of three sisters and two other traders who instantly died in the bus, were taken to the mortuary. Vice-Chancellor of the School, Professor Oladele Aina who was at the hospital, immediately paid the students’ hospital bill with a warming that students should desist from night outings and focus attention on learning. He said due to the extensive responsibilities of the service, the ministry was committed to supporting it towards being a world class migration management organisation in technologically-driven society. Earlier, the Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mr David Parradang, had called for the recruitment of at least 5,000 new officers annually into the service over the next five years. He expressed concern over the unmanned 1,400 illegal border routes in the country. (NAN)

ollowing the suspension of the national industrial action embarked on by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), The Federal Government has reinstated the sacked resident doctors and lifted the ban on residency programme in federal hospitals. It would be recalled that the NMA, while suspending its strike action had demanded that Fed-

eral government withdraws its circular, which was meant to indefinitely suspend residency programme at government-owned hospitals. The resident doctors who formed about 70% of the doctors working population at government hospitals had earlier gone on a two- week warning strike before joining the NMA on a total national industrial action which lasted for 55 days. The strike which went ahead

despite the outbreak of the Ebola epidermic, had angered the federal government leading to the mass sack of over 16,000 resident doctors in the country. The Federal Ministry of Health ordered the circulation of circulars round the hospitals, while also calling for recruitment of part time resident doctors. It was against this development that the NMA had suspended its national strike, asking the Nigerian doctors to resume work,

while appealing to the federal government to reciprocate by reinstating the sacked resident doctors. In a statement, issued yesterday by Dan Nwomeh, the special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Minister of Health, the federal government called on all Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of all training Centres to allow the doctors resume work with immediate effect.

L-R: Executive Director, International Emergency Management society, Nigeria-West African Chapter, Alhaji Ismaila Sani; Chairman, retired AVM. Mohammed Audu-Bida and National Coordinator, I-Nigeria Initiative, Ms Ada Stella, at an interactive session on security, yesterday in Abuja. Photo: Justin Imo-owo

NFF: FIFA orders Giwa to vacate office by Monday

he World Soccer Ruling Body, FIFA has ordered the newly elected President of Nigeria Football Federation, Chris Giwa to vacate office latest by midnight, Monday, September 1, 2014. In a letter addressed to NFF General Secretary, Musa Amadu and dated August 29, FIFA noted that from the report it received, the election that produced Mr. Chris Giwa is not acceptable. The body also warned of the consequence should he continue to lay claim to the NFF Presidency, saying the secretariat would not hesitate to refer Nigeria’s case to the appropriate FIFA committee for sanction. Find below the letter sent by FIFA and signed by its Scribe, Jerome Valcke. Situation of the Nigeria Football Federation Dear General Secretary, We refer to the enclosed reports we have received from

members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria, as well as to information relayed by the media with regard to the events linked to the general assembly of the NFF on 26 August 2014. We understand from the sequence of events that the general assembly duly convened by the NFF Executive Committee could not start as planned because some NFF members, including the president, were being held by security forces for questioning. We also note that, despite these absences, some members decided to hold an impromptu ‘elective general assembly’ while the delegates were supposed to be deciding on a new roadmap leading to elections for a new NFF Executive Committee. According to the enclosed reports, 39 out of 44 of the delegates then resolved to hold an ad hoc general assembly during which

they decided that elections would be organised for 4 September 2014 and elected new members to the electoral committees. Finally, we have learnt that the persons who claim to have been elected during the so-called ‘elective general assembly’ have come to the NFF offices claiming to be the legitimate president and members of the NFF. It also appears that the Ministry of Sports has recognised them. As stated previously, FIFA deems the general assembly to be the highest decision-making body of any football association and that its decisions are consequently binding, provided that these comply with the member association’s own statutes. According to the facts reported to us, it appears that the vast majority of the NFF members decided to set the elections for 4 September 2014 and we consider this decision to be valid since it was taken by the highest decision-

making body (the NFF general assembly) and conforms to what has been previously reported to FIFA. As a consequence, we will not recognise the outcome of the abovementioned elections and should there still be persons claiming to have been elected and occupying the NFF offices at midnight on Monday 1 September 2014, we will bring the case to the appropriate FIFA body for sanctions, which may include the suspension of the NFF. We ask you to inform all parties concerned accordingly and we thank you in advance for keeping us informed of any developments in the situation. In particular, we would like you to confirm that the date of 4 September 2014 will be met because the timing seems very short. Yours sincerely, FIFA Jérôme Valcke Secretary General

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Al-Makura decries persistent crises, blames disregard for white paper From Gambo Ahmed, Lafia

asarawa state governor, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, yesterday put the blame on the persistent crises in the state on the non-implementation of white paper on the report of the judicial commission of inquiry that probed previous crises. He made the assertion at the

Government House, Lafia, when briefing newsmen after a peace meeting held with traditional rulers of the state on the current violence ravaging some parts of the state in recent times. The governor lamented that “lack of implementation or haphazard implementation of the white paper is the cause of the lingering crises”.

“ But the bottom line we have is that, while the judicial commission of inquiry found a good number of people guilty of the offences that brought about the crises in the state, unfortunately some people that are within the circle went to the court to stagnate and disrupt the process of the implementation”, he said. He added that some people went to court to seek injunction stopping

the implementation of the report. Al-Makura however assured people of the state that the present government would not relent in its efforts at implementing the white paper by interfacing with all relevant authorities on either legal or judicial means of ensuring that the culprits were punished, no matter how highly placed.

News Kaduna schools to screen pupils, students for Ebola From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

I Ms Jummai Luka, receiving a motorcycle from secretary to Bauchi State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, during distribution of gifts to staff of due process office, yesterday in Bauchi, middle is Bauchi State Chairman of due process office, Alhaji Aliyu Jibrin.

Akunyili : Revisit media salary structure , RATTAWU urges FG

he Radio, Television and Theater Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) yesterday appealed to the Federal Government to revisit the Media Salary Structure as a mark of honour for late Prof. Dora Akunyili. President of RATTAWU, Comrade Yemisi Bamgbose, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Agulu, Anambra. Bamgbose was at Agulu with a RATTAWU delegation for the burial Akunyili, a former Information Minister, who initiated the idea of a media salary structure. He said that though Akunyili was not a journalist, her commitment to improved remuneration and other welfare packages for media workers in Nigeria was heroic. ``She was a minister of information that cared about the welfare of journalists in Nigeria; she was one of the best ministers of information ever produced by Nigeria despite her background and qualification. ``RATTAWU and NUJ will not allow the struggle for the media salary scale to go with her; we are in fact, calling on government to revisit the issue to at least, honour this great Nigerian woman,’’ he said. Bamgbose said that RATTAWU had sent a letter to the appropriate authorities, reminding them of the need to restart the process of implementing the special salary for media workers. He said “the union has shown much understanding with government over the matter; it is time for government to reciprocate our good will. ``We would have embarked on strike but for the recent challenges confronting the nation; we did not want to be seen as enemies of our nation’’, he stressed. Bamgbose decried the remuneration discrepancy that existed among workers in the nation’s “so called” critical sectors, decrying that media workers in public establishments were yet to be treated fairly. ``Other professionals are placed on special salary structures. For instance, those in education, health and other sectors enjoy special attention. ``Unfortunately, media workers are still left on the civil service structure which is not commensurate with the kind of work they do or hazards they are exposed to’’ he said. (NAN)

Over 57% of West Africans lack access to electricity - AfDB

frican Development Bank (AfDB) has said that more than 57 per cent of the people in West Africa were without access to electricity. The bank stated this in its “West Africa Monitor Quarterly”, for the second quarter of 2014 report, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja. It said that the percentage approximated the average for sub-Saharan Africa,” but extremely low compared with 23 per cent in the developing world and 18 per cent globally.” According to the report, with inadequate generation capacity, low electrification, and sporadic, unreliable and expensive service, energy is at the top of questions requiring adequate policy intervention. It explained that access rates varied from country to country, with eight per cent in Niger and 15 per cent in Burkina Faso, Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau. The report added that about 70 per cent of the population in Ghana had access to electricity while 87 per cent were hooked to supply in Cape Verde. It also said that there were disparities in access to electricity between rural areas and urban centres in the subregion, with urban dwellers having more access than rural people. According to the bank, the trend is more glaring in Ghana where 87 per cent of urban dwellers have access to

electricity, compared with the five per cent in rural areas. It disclosed that West African countries had joined the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative towards achieving universal energy access by 2030, with renewable energy shared improvement and efficiency. It pointed out that the sub-region had great potential to expand its use of renewable energy sources, which included modern biomass, hydropower, solar, and wind and had remained untapped. “Using such sources would help to expand access while reducing reliance on traditional biomass, increase reliability and affordability, and contribute to climate change mitigation. “Hydropower in West Africa has an estimated potential of 25,000 megawatts, yet only 16 per cent has been exploited and despite its wealth in waterways, it only holds 214 dams out of 1,282 dams in Africa. “In addition, several in-country lakes and dams hold promise for renewable energy development,” it said. The report said that the Volta River held great potential for Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Togo while Lake Chad could be used to serve Niger, Nigeria, Cameroun and Chad. It acknowledged that solar power projects were spreading across the sub-region, including the 155 MW Nzema solar power plants in Ghana, one of the largest in Africa. (NAN)

n its bid to keep the state Ebola-free, the Kaduna State Government has directed all primary and secondary schools in the state to screen all pupils and students before allowing them into school premises on the resumption date of October 13. The State Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali gave the directive yesterday while addressing the head of both private and public schools in Kaduna yesterday. He however disclosed that, the state government had concluded arrangement to distribute Ebola testing machines to schools before the resumption date. According to the Commissioner, two machines are to be given to any school with population of 500 students and below, while schools with population of 1,000 students are to get four machines each. On school fees, Alhaji Ali warned private schools to desist from arbitrary increases without following the laid down principles and equally warned public school principals to stop using their personal bank accounts to save school fees. “All public schools must make frantic efforts to remit school fees to the government coffers in due time and as a matter of urgency open school accounts, in case you don’t have an active school account”, he said. On the recently increased annual dues of private schools, which the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) is already contesting in court, the Commissioner said, the association should not expect to defeat government legally. However, in his reaction, the Kaduna State President of NAPPS, Dr. Vincent Ogini appealed to the state government to look into harmonisation of the taxes paid by private schools, adding that, they were not objecting to payment of tax but were presently confronted with multiple taxes. According to him, “presently, we pay about 13 taxes. We want these taxes to be harmonized. All of a sudden, the ministry of education just increased annual dues of private schools by 1,000 per cent; schools that were paying N50,000 before are now asked to pay N500,000.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Photosplash

Note the difference: US President Barrack Obama and British Prime Minister, David Cameron carrying their own umbrella (left) but Nigeria’s military chiefs prefer their orderlies in the rain (right)

Corps members at the 2014 Emerging Leaders conference, yesterday in Abuja

First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan (L), receiving certificate of credence from the President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr Yinka Gbadebo, during a courtesy visit by NANS officials to the presidential villa, on thursday in Abuja

(L-R): Father of the groom, Mr. Olalekan Soyombo, Mother of the bride, Mrs. Alice Otuyemi, Groom, Leke Soyombo his wife, Taiwo Soyombo, Bride’s father, Mr. Josiah Otuyemi and groom’s Mother, Mrs Mercy Oyeleye Soyombo during the Solemnization of Holy Matrimony between Taiwo and Leke Soyombo at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Abule-Egba, recently Lagos

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE 13

Why I killed Yoruba community leader in Kano – Suspect T

he suspect in the assassination of late Chief Ganiyu Akambi Bello, the grand patron of the Yoruba community in Kano State, has confessed that his mission to the home of the deceased on the night of June 5, 2014 was not to assassinate him. Abubakar Abdulrahaman, 26, who made the confession at the Bompai headquarters of the Nigeria Police, Kano, where he was paraded before journalists, said he rather wanted to steal his money. The suspect, who was arrested at about 10 p.m. on August 25, 2014, at his residence at Badawa

Quarters, Kano, by police detectives, expressed regret over the murder. He explained that when he jumped the fence into the structure, he was not expecting to meet him awake inside the building at that time. Abdulrahaman, who was sacked years ago from the company of the deceased for stealing, admitted that he stabbed his former boss with a knife. Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderenle Shinaba explained that when the suspect arrived, he had expected that the

deceased would have gone to bed on that day and at that time, but added that, “unfortunately the man had not.” “He (the suspects) scaled the fence into the premises and found the door ajar. And he entered. And when he discovered that the man was still awake, and realizing that at that point if he runs away, his identity was already known, because he was his former employee, so he had no option but to kill him.” Shinaba further said, “He felt that since the cat had been let out of the bag, the best thing was to do away with the man.”

The CP added that during interrogation, the suspect maintained that he had no other motive, beside the intention to go to the residence and steal some money. He also confessed that he worked alone on the plot and was not sponsored by anybody to kill the chief . The late Chief Ganiyu Akambi Bello, aged 86, was assassinated on the night of June 5th , 2015, by the suspect , who stabbed him several times, abandoning him in the pool of his own blood and locked him up to die inside his own room.

Hajj: Group commends FG on Ebola, foreign airline From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

s airlift of pilgrims is scheduled to commence on September 6 in Nigeria, Independent Hajj Reporters, yesterday commended the Federal Government for containing Ebola crisis and for approving a Saudi airline for the 2014 airlift of Nigerian pilgrims. The group said FG’s proactive measures helped in curtailing the epidemic in the country. This was contained in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad and publicity secretary Abubakar Mahmoud made available to newsmen in the state. “We commend the Federal Government’s proactive measures in tackling the Ebola crisis which made it possible for Saudi authorities to allow Nigerian pilgrims to participate in 2014 Hajj,” the statement said. The statement lauded President Goodluck Jonathan’s involvement of young professionals into the Hajj Medical Team,adding that there was need to replicate same in other issues facing the nation. On Saudi airline, the civil society said: “The introduction of a Saudi- based airline by the Federal Government will no doubt create a healthy competition among hajj air carriers". The statement also commended “the Sultan of Sokoto and the Permanent National Amirul Hajj His Eminence Abubakar Sa’ad for delegating HRH Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu of Lagos as 2014 National Amirul Hajj; adding that such action will cement and unify Muslims and create sense of patriotism.”

L-R: Vice Chancellor Commonwealth University London, Prof. Michael Addison, Deputy Chancellor, Bruce Duncan and Member House of Representatives representing Emure/Gbonyin, Ekiti State, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, during the conferment of Doctorate Degree on Faparusi, at the University, recently in London.

Yobe takes delivery of relief materials from Halal Foundation. From Uche Uche, Damaturu

he Halal foundation, proprietor of Halal Islamic bank has donated relief materials to victims of the ongoing insurgency in Yobe state. The items include 400 bags of rice; 800 bags each of maize and millet respectively, 606 jerry cans of cooking oil,1800 pieces of wrappers. Speaking during the occasion, the team leader of the Halal foundation, Dr. Kola Shettima said

they were in the state to commiserate with the government and people of Yobe state over the difficulties they are going through as a result of the incessant attacks by insurgents in the state. He added that the foundation also considered it a duty to send some relief materials to the victims of the insurgency especially those displaced from their houses and now refugees in Damaturu, the state capital and other places. Receiving the items on behalf of the state governor, Ibra-

him Gaidam, the deputy, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu, thanked the foundation delegates for the kind gesture while requesting for the establishment of some branches of the bank in the state starting with the state capital. He used the opportunity to call on the federal government to compensate the Yobe state government on the huge expenses it makes supporting the operations of security forces deployed to the state by the federal government.

Faka Jonathan, expressed their support at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The delegation, which passed a vote of confidence on Jonathan, also presented a certificate of credence to Dame Jonathan for her pursuit of peace and empowerment of women and the youth. “As pragmatic and visionary Nigerians, we can see through the

veil of distraction and boldly applaud the Goodluck administration for infrastructural and social transformation. “We have unflinchingly determined to put all political detractors and evil geniuses to shame in 2015 by giving Mr President the singular and total support of all Nigerian students.

NANS endorse Jonathan for second term

espite challenges in the education sector, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan to run for a second term in office. The President of NANS, Mr Yinka Gbadebo, who led the National Executive members of the association on a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Dame Patience

News Security agents are after my life –Zakzaky

opular Muslim scholar and Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has alleged that some Nigerian security agents are threatening to kill him. The Muslim cleric stated this at the end of a weekly Tafsir held at the Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria, on Wednesday. Zakzaky claimed that he had uncovered a plot to attack his group during the forthcoming fortieth day prayer session for members of the movement recently killed by soldiers in Zaria. According to him, “The fact is that they have killed three of my sons; specifically, they still want more; it is my life they are after now at all costs. “These days, we pass by pre-planned security ambushes whenever we go to or come back from Hussainiyyah. On Monday, they ignited a false flag chaos at one filling station with the full intention to shoot. We don’t know why they stationed soldiers there. They are still there since after the incident occurred. “The government has its own “Shia” among the security, whom they use to ignite and instigate chaos. They were told to be on red alert, as they were going to be attacked,” he said. According to the Sheik, “A group of snipers in suits, headed by one professional sniper called Nyam, was on standby. Nyam and his team were seen passing along Hussainiyyah to where they were lodged. They were specially brought here to kill.” He further alleged that the sole aim of the authorities was to cause chaos and anarchy in the country, not minding the consequences. “We have information that they planned to detonate bombs during the fortieth day prayer congregation. They have also produced many red and black flags with Ya Husain inscription. The flags are there in the barracks right now. It is possible they will unleash an offensive, then place a flag there and attribute it to Shi’a. They may also use the flags to infiltrate the fortieth day prayer session, and be part of it. “We also learnt that they are going to receive a delivery of dangerous weapons that would be used for the first time on us,” Sheik Zakzaky told his congregation.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Crime Cycle

Stanley Onyekwere pmlcrimecycle@gmail.com 08138559513

3 hotel attendants in trouble for recording customer’s sexual escapade

hree hotel attendants, who allegedly recorded a customer’s sexual affair and demanded a ransom of N10 million, have been charged before an Ogudu Chief Magistrates’ court in Lagos state. The employees had used the hotel’s CCTV to record the guest’s sexual exploit with his girlfriend. The accused: Sunday Okon, 23; Rita Emmanuel, 28; and Goodness Akpan, 24, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a four-count charge of fraud, demanding property with menace, conspiracy and indecent practices. Prosecutor Uche Simon told the court that the accused had on August 13 at a hotel in Ogudu area of Lagos conspired to record a guest while sleeping with his girlfriend. According to him, the accused produced a VCD on it which they circulated to residents of the area. He alleged that they also demanded a N10 million ransom and

threatened to post it on the facebook if the man failed to part with the money. According to him; “The accused actually posted it on the facebook between August 13 and 23.’’ Simon said the offences contravened Sections 136, 166 (d), 299 and 409 of Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused may be sentenced to a minimum of three years each on conviction. The three men pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N100, 000 each with two sureties each in like sum. NAN also reports that the three attendants were taken to Kirikiri Prisons pending the fulfillment of their bail conditions. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O. J. Awope, adjourned the case to September 19 for continuation of hearing.

Sulaiman Abba Ispector General of Police, Nigeria

Salesman docked for diverting employer’s money Mobile court convicts 30 he police have arraigned matter at the Utako Police Station, of (NAN), if convicted, the accused is liable to five years a 28-year-old sales man, Abuja, on April 25. motorists for Ibrahim said Fidelis entrusted imprisonment or an option of fine Femi Olubode, in a Kado traffic offences Upper Area court, in Abuja, for his mobile phone recharge cards or both. The presiding judge, Mr. allegedly misappropriating N849, worth N849, 000 with the accused in Ekiti to sell and pay the money into his Abubakar Sadiq, admitted the 000, belonging to his employer.

mobile court sitting in Ekiti state’s capital, Ado-Ekiti, has convicted 30 motorists for various road traffic offences. The offenders were apprehended by officials of the Ekiti Sector Command of the FRSC during a special exercise on some roads in the state. Records made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the special court session indicated that 30 offenders were convicted while four others were cautioned and discharged. The convicts were, however, given option of fines before their impounded vehicles were released to them. According to the records, the most common traffic offences were seat belt use violation and riding motorcycle without crash helmet. The presiding magistrate, Olusola Ademilua, who counseled the offenders, also advised intending applicants for Driver’s Licence to go through authorised channels.

Oubode, who resides in Durumi Village, Abuja, is charged with criminal misappropriation and cheating. The prosecutor, Simon Ibrahim, told the court that Jonathan Fidelis of Suite No. 3 Busy Mart Plaza, Jabi, Abuja, reported the

business account but he did not. He said the accused sold all the recharge cards and diverted the money to his personal use, an offence which contravened the provisions of sections 309 and 322 of the Penal code respectively. According to the News Agency

accused to bail in the sum of N50, 000 and a surety in like sum. Sadiq said the surety must have a fixed address and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court and adjourned the matter until a later date for continuation of hearing.

2 docked over unlawful possession of firearms

keja, Aug. 28, 2014 (NAN) Two men, Kayode Aweninuola, 29, and Azeez Adebayo, 28,on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court, charged with unlawful possession of firearms. Aweninuola, a land speculator and Adebayo, a commercial motorcyclist, were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit robbery and unlawful possession of firearms. They reside at No. 13, Ire Akari St., Oke Eletu, Ikorodu, Lagos, and No. 6, Iyana Coker Road, Ifo,

Ogun State, respectively. The Prosecutor, Insp. Chinalo Uwadione, told the court that the accused committed the offences on July 20, at 8.15 p.m., at Meiran, Lagos. He said that the accused unlawfully had in their possession a pistol without authority to carry such. The prosecutor said, “The accused concealed the pistol in a video machine to deceive the police and evade arrest.” According to Uwadione, the offences contravene Sections 51

and 297 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the law prescribes between 14 and 20 years imprisonment for anyone found liable of being in unlawful possession of firearms. However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them. The Magistrate, Mrs Margaret Dan-Oni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 each with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the hearing on hearing to a later date. (NAN)

Court dissolves 7-yr-old marriage over infidelity

Mohammed Bello Adoke, AGF.

A Mapo Customary court in Ibadan has dissolved a sevenyear-old marriage between one Waheed Suara and his wife, Omowumi, over alleged infidelity on the part of the latter. The court, presided over by Mr. Ademola Odunade, held that love was no longer existent in the

Man bags 7 months jail term for stealing building items

relationship which had produced a child, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “The court took every necessary step to resolve the matter amicably, but nothing came out of this. `` In the interest of peace and orderliness, both of you

are no more husband and wife from today on and Omowumi shall forfeit the container in her custody,” Odunade stated. Suara had earlier told the court that Omowumi had been engaging in extra-marital affairs inspite of his commitment to the relationship.

n Upper Area court in Zuba, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has sentenced a trader, Awwal Babaji, 20, of Dei Dei junctionAbuja, to seven months in prison for stealing from a building site. Babaji, who resides in DeiDei, is charged with theft, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). The presiding judge, Malam Aminu Sa’ad, sentenced Babaji, after he had pleaded guilty. Sa’ad, however, gave the convict an option of N40,000 fine. Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl. Momoh Ibrahim, told the court that on April 18, Malam Haruna Abubakar of Kubwa, FCT, lodged complaints at the Zuba Police Station. Ibrahim said Babaji went to the complainant’s building site at Shagari Quarters and stole two wheel barrows, one bathroom basin, two toilet W.C., 10 pieces of burglary fence, 15 planks and seven flush doors. He said the total value of the stolen property is N228,500. The prosecutor said during police investigation, Babaji admitted to committing the crime. He said the offence contravened the provision of Section 288 of the penal code. “Omowumi is the third of my wives and I deliberately gave her a very comfortable apartment elsewhere, being a young lady. “ I never starved her of sexual intercourse because she enjoys three times of it every week. “I also met her requests, including establishing a container fully furnished with clothing and shoe materials for sale on my plot of land. “ Friends, family members and even neighbors began telling me that anytime I leave her apartment, she also moves around with her concubines. “For a long time, I tried all I could to make her change her bad ways, but she saw no reason in this,’’ Suara said. Omowumi, who did not deny the allegations made against her by Suara, merely pleaded with the court to retain the container given to her by Suara. “Please, I don’t have any means of livelihood, I will starve without it,” Omowumi had said.

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PAGE 15

Interview Why I’m a converted democrat – Buhari Contd from Page 2 identified five political parties that should merge — ACN, ANPP, CPC, DPP, and APGA. And we graded ACN first, CPC second, ANPP third, APGA fourth and DPP fifth. But we had to ask DPP and APGA to wait until after the merger because they had court cases and those could have been used to either delay or forestall our registration. Three of us – ACN, CPC and ANPP – decided to merge. We had to convene a convention, dissolve ourselves with the intention of registering a new political party. We did it successfully. We asked the three leading members of the parties-chairmen, secretaries and treasurers to apply but INEC corrected us, saying we needed 25 to 30 people, so we had to go to all geo-political zones and put in place interim management at the top until the convention where elected members formally took over. We had to put the structure on ground from local government to states. After all that, the registration became successful. To do that, we needed card-carrying members to complete the process. So in every INEC-recognized polling unit, we registered at least 100 card-carrying members. Then we moved on with the convention. Now there is a party and we are looking forward to primaries and then to general elections. No doubt you have achieved a milestone because this is the first merger in the history of Nigeria. You have organised a convention. How satisfied are you with the results of the convention? What role do you envisage for yourself in the primaries? The most important thing is to remove self if one is serious. That’s what I call stabilisation of the system. As I said, we realised that no single opposition party could do it, so we came together. You can’t always have it your way. We insisted on having the registration because when we registered under the same party we can come together and discuss our differences. This is what we are doing. Differences exist and will continue to exist, but being in the same party, we have to find a way of getting over our differences. For example, we had to do what is called harmonization committee and especially when we were joined by five PDP governors with their structures. Naturally, they crushed my poor grassroots supporters. This is the reality on the ground. Forget about me. I convinced our colleagues that the first thing to do is to have the party on the ground; the party needs to be on the ground. Let us go and start from the grassroots. That’s where we are now. We are trying to kill the delegates system, we are going to do direct primaries. We will start from the ward and come up. The convention will just be to ratify it. So even for those who have so much money, there will be no delegates to buy, the people will have their way. And that is how our candidates, including that for the presidency, will emerge. Your mantra during your

General Muhammadu Buhari first outing in 1983 was to fight corruption. How different was the Nigeria you met in 1983 and the Nigeria of today? Secondly, What is your vision? It is how it was. As I said before, now my attention is on the elite. Let them search their consciences. Let them go to their local government areas and see the infrastructure there and its quality –schools, medical care, the provision of water, security and let them find out, what was the situation then and the amount of money allocated? Look at the money this country earned between 2003 and 2011. Nigeria has never realised so much money in its history. I give example of the National Assembly hearings on some institutions — banks, petroleum industry, NEPA and so on. Look at the billions of Naira that are missing. Just look at it. Even in Abuja there are areas where you can stay for weeks without light. Where are the billions of Naira spent? The Nigerian educational system is in shambles. Recently, results released by WAEC shows 70 percent failure in Maths and English. ASUU went on strike for many months; polytechnics just resumed after many months of strike; How will

“

you react to the situation? Yes, as I said, the damage is done. We mentioned infrastructure and social services, including education, healthcare and water provision. But one has to start somewhere. For example, if APC forms the government, there will be no National Conference, that N7billion they said they spent would have been used to fund education and ASUU strike wouldn’t have taken place. Polytechnics would not have gone on strike for 11 months. Our children would have been in school instead of on the streets. So which kind of government is this? Do we have to go and tell them their priorities? That we have to keep our children in school? Do we have to tell them to keep the standard of education high? Are they not aware that 90 percent or 70 percent of our children do not have the opportunity to go to tertiary institutions because they couldn’t pay? Don’t they know that teachers don’t have the equipment they need to teach? I will give you an example which I mentioned to someone recently. It’s a result of a research I commissioned. The study found that the late Ahmadu Bello was spending about 43 percent of the whole northern budget on education. Awolowo was spending more than

55 per cent. Go and check in the South-west, there is only one or two states that are spending about 20 per cent on education. We have to get a much more serious type of leadership. This is where we are and it is the responsibility of the elite to push for a change. Do you think we should hold Jonathan responsible for the serious malaise we find ourselves in. Is his government incompetent or in your view? Do you talk to him or offer any advice? The normal thing is that the leadership is held responsible for whatever goes wrong. If things go wrong in your house, who is responsible? Is it not you Mai Gida? It’s the same thing. It’s the leadership. Now when I talked about our past leaders — the Sardauna and Awolowo — and the most serious issue was provision of education. If you educate people qualitatively and properly, you don’t have to bother too much really. There is a level below which they will not agree to live. They will look after themselves and their environment but when you ignore education, and people can’t educate their children you are gradually killing the whole country, not only your own community. This is very obvious. There is a kind of campaign out there that your party, the APC is so insensitive that it is contemplating the so-called Muslim/Muslim ticket. Is this a rumour or a possibility? Well, when I started first in APP in 2002, who did I pick as my running mate? Was it not late Okadigbo? A Christian and Igbo. Who did I pick in 2007? Umezuoke a Roman Catholic Christian and Igbo. Who did I choose in 2011? Pastor Tunde Bakare. Is he not a pastor? So, what was the pattern of the voting? It was not based on religion. Anyway as I said, I am a loyal party member. My party will decide. Your party doesn’t seem to be lamenting the exit of certain people like the former governors of Sokoto and Kano states. Is it a case of good riddance or a case of indifference? I told you that when we wanted to fill the interim management positions, we gave ACN the chairmanship position. CPC was recommended for national secretary. ANPP had three governors -Borno, Yobe and Zamfara. CPC had only one. But it is known in the political circle that if ANPP were to face PDP alone, they would have been buried out of existence. They knew that CPC

We Nigerians know that it is strong individuals that destroyed strong institutions and so, we again need to look for strong personalities to renew these institutions.

was more on the ground since we were sharing the same base in the northern part of the country. Some of the leadership said they did not agree and that they must have the national secretary. They are the people that have left the party. We know whom they are working for. Their first objective was to scuttle the registration and to ensure that the merger did not materialize. Their second objective, which they are still working on, although they have gone back to where they belong, is to make sure that at every step, they make things difficult. This is partisan politics. Who are those you consider your likes either among the Nigerian elite or the political leadership? No, I won’t answer that question. I will rather keep my genuine supporters because they are making sacrifices to make sure that people vote for us. I am going to give you one example. In 2010, having floated a new party (CPC), we realized that we had to do registration, congresses, primaries and convention before the general election and the Electoral Act 2010 for the 2011 election only came five months to general elections, and we weren’t allowed to go out to campaign so I said I was going to start to establish our offices so I started from Kano Senatorial districts. From Southern Kano to central and end up in Bichi, which is the northern Kano senatorial district. Do you know that from the southern senatorial zone, the vehicles that came to meet me were from there almost to Kano bumper to bumper and each vehicle was decorated with at least five of my posters? When I came to open the office in Kano, I couldn’t come down from my car. They only brought the string and scissors for me to do the ceremony because the security there could not stop the surging crowd. And do you know that people were making posters free. When somebody asked me about the crowd, I told him that the only money that came out from my pocket was the one used in fueling my cars. People got round themselves to finance that. Why is Gen. Muhammadu Buhari not giving up on Nigeria? I answered that question about 30 years ago that I remain committed to this country because I have nowhere else to go. I have been a governor in six states, I have been petroleum minister, head of state for 20 months, chairman of PTF for five years — at a stage we had fifty three billion naira in the banking system and all parts of Nigeria saw what we did. After serving this country at those levels, where do I go? The only time I operated an account was when I was in training in the UK, India and the United States and when I came back I closed all the accounts. I don’t have a property even in Niger, so where do I go? What’s your last word for your supporters? Let them remain steadfast and be prepared for Nigeria next year.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Politics

I will not resign from Al-makura government, says commissioner By Ali Abare Abubaka

ontrary to media report suggesting that some commissioners in Nasarawa state are set to resign from the Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura administration, one of the five alleged to be on the verge of leaving the All Progressives Change (APC) government, Hamza Mohammed Elayo, has debunked the story, describing it as a sponsored campaign aimed at maligning him

towards achieving cheap political goals. Elayo, in a statement issued to journalists yesterday, emphasized that he has no intension of resigning his appointment as mischievously reported by a national daily recently, stressing that he has absolute confidence, respect and loyalty to the Al-makura administration. Elayo, who is the Commissioner for Information and Ethical Re-orientation, while affirm-

ing that he has gained much from the style, character and achievements of the APC government and will continue to be proudly associated with its ideals and successes, further described the said report as a figment of the imagination of the reporter. Part of the statement reads: “The reporter along with his sponsors has been on a mission to disparage this administration and foist discord among its hardworking ranks for quite some time now

without success, the latest being a continuation of their distractive stratagem. This is the reporter that sought to cause panic in the state by reporting an outbreak of Ebola when it was just a hoax. This same reporter had in the past misrepresented facts in the various ethnic crises that bedeviled the state by randing victims as aggressors and labeling the attackers as victims. “Whatever the agenda of this reporter and his sponsors are,

ZMHA assures development partners support

L-R: Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon Micah Jibah, Peoples Democratic Party Chairman (AMAC) Hon. Mamuda Mohammed and Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Sen. Philip Aduda, during Senator Aduda’s flags- off of this year Empowerment programme for AMAC, yesterday in Abuja

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

he former gubernatorial aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Murtala Safana has said the Federal Government has not demonstrated a strong political will and commitment to fight and defeat the Boko Haram insurgents bedeviling the nation. He stated this while speaking to the media in Kaduna yesterday after receiving an award as: “An Icon of Hope” given to him by the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Northern Zone. According to Alhaji Safana, this is not the first time Nigeria is having a problem of insurgency and other uprisings but the leadership then has a strong political will and are committed; that is why they were able to subdue the uprising. Alhaji Safana said when the Maitatsine rose up the Nigerian military then were well motivated and committed, so they easily crush the uprising. In the same vein, during the Civil War the leadership then showed a strong will and commitment and that’s why you have a united Nigeria today.

they will fail in their misadventure as the state and this government will remain focused and united in its pursuit for a development and peaceful coexistence. Let me use this opportunity to alert the management of the Guardian newspaper of the dangers of their continued support to this reporter and his jaundiced reports. He is on a paid mission to destroy the hard earned reputation of the newspaper and a hireling for promoting discord and violence.”

From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau

FG lacks political will to fight Boko Haram “I don’t want to believe that insurgents are over powering our military but rather the leadership is not committed to end their activities. The episode has been turn into political drama and people in high places are reaping from the insurgency at the detriment of the blood of innocent Nigerians. “I believe that Boko Haram can be defeated in matters of months if our leaders want to do

so. Look at our neighbor Cameroon, two senior military officers were dismissed when the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister was kidnapped and in a short time the woman was rescued. But today, over two hundred girls are spending their 136 days in captivity and nobody is bordered about it,” he said. Speaking on the education sector, Alhaji Safana who said he’s eying Katsina Government

House in 2015 promised that education will be one of his priorities because there’s no development without education. On the award given to him, he said it meant so much to him and will ginger him to do more for the down trodden in the society. He also said that the award has shown that Nigerian students are not all about cultism and exam malpractices; but rather majority of them has the capabilities to be

he Zamfara state Deputy Speaker House of Assembly, Hon Muhammad Abubakar Gummi, has expressed the readiness of the state legislature to partner with any developmental organisations to accelerate the development of the state. Speaking while receiving GEMS3 Regional Manager, Mr Kevin Conray who paid a courtesy visit to the state House of assembly said, the legislature was ever ready to support interventions aimed at improving the living standard of the people in the state. He stressed that, the main focus of the lawmakers was, to improve the socio-economic standard of the people across the 14 local government areas of the state. Gummi described the GEMS intervention in land and tax administration as yardstick of economic development in the state. Earlier, GEMS3 Regional Manager, Mr Kevin Conray has virtually solicited the support and cooperation of the lawmakers towards GEMS activities in the state.

APC stakeholders assure aspirants fairness, consensus From Ahmed Idris

ll Progressives Congress [APC] Kebbi State Stakeholders Consensus Forum, has assured aspirants for elective posts of fairplaystresing efforts would be made the emergence of a consensus candidates in all the positions. Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Usman Dalibi Kangiwa, said the consensus arrangements have been concluded to ensure the party presents the candidate with the best possible chance of victory.

Accordingly, he said the party will field the best candidate in each position throughout the different wards across the state come 2015 general election in the state. A press statement signed by the chairman, said that the decision was reached at the end of a consensus building meeting held in kebbi, which was attended by the key aspirants and other major stakeholders of the party. It added that the party was working had to ensured that amicable platforms that will produce the best flag bearers to various

elective offices across the state are being created for that purpose. Speaking at the end of the meeting, the former Deputy Governor of Kebbi State Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad Arugungu said that they believes that if all hands are placed on deck APC will emerge victorious in the 2015 general elections in the state and Nigeria as a all. ‘’we will be achieved by promoting Unity, Understanding and cohesion among the party leaders within and outside the state, with the new development APC

in kebbi state has lessen problems generated by last congress in kebbi state. “This will enable us to strategize preparatory to the forthcoming state and national conventions which will produce APC flag bearers for the various elective positions with minimal hitches,’’ he said. He then appealed to the all APC members to remain steadfast, focused, law abiding and orderly in readiness for the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE17

More defection Reps Diary underway in the House Reps make A With Umar Mohammed Puma

s the 2015 general election draws nearer, there are indications that some members of the opposition All Progressives Congress APC in the House of Representatives may likely dump their party upon resumption for plenary for the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP. Peoples Daily Weekend reliably gathered from an impeccable source at the PDP headquarters in Abuja that many members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), who have no hope of clinching their party's ticket to return to the House, are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to decamp to the PDP. While some members of the APC, according to the sources, are planning to dump their party for the PDP, some PDP lawmakers too are said to be perfecting their plans to join the APC, all with aims of actualizing their return to the House. “Do not be surprised if you see many APC members decamp to the PDP, while some PDP members as well willdecamp to the APC very shortly, because the plan is already in motion. Our reliable source further informed that, “I believe that most of the members who call themselves progressives will be humbled when they get an offer from the PDP from their various banks indicating that some millions is already in their bank accounts”. If the reports from the top

case for Nigeria students in Russia

Speaker Tambuwal source are anything to go by, the defection may includes top principal officers occupying top position from APC to the PDP. Though, the source refused to mentioned names of those principal officers, but only said they are key figure at the APC, investigation by this medium indicated that those planning to decamp are those whose plans of becoming

states governors in their respective states were truncated by either the incumbent governors or the party. While APC may be reeling from the likely effects of the members’ defection, the party on the other hand is leaving no stones unturned to lure some progressives minded members of the PDP into it shore.

sion is barred by law from funding registered political parties. Jega stated this shortly after declaring open a three-day train

the trainers’ workshop in the House of Representatives which focused on the role and responsibilities of political party agents on election day. The workshop was organised by INEC, in collaboration with the Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGD ) of the UNDP. The INEC chairman also recommended for an extension of the seven days for a run-off election for the offices of the president and governors as provided in the Electoral Act, 2010 to at least 21 days, "because it is technically impossible to do a run-off in seven days." He equally requested for an extension of the days for the transfer of voters from the approved 45 by the lawmakers to 60 days due to the technicalities involved, even though the Electoral Act, 2010 provides 35 days. He said an amendment to Section 25 which provides for by-election whenever there is vacancy in a position would be appropriate so that all by-elections would be done twice every year instead of the regular ones. The commission also supported the amendment to Section 29 (8) on the deployment of "the Nigerian Armed Forces only for the purpose of securing the distribution and delivery of election materials."

INEC can't fund political parties - Jega T he Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega, has said the commis-

INEC chair, Attahiru Jega

he Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Rep Abike Dabiri-Erewa has asked the federal government to pay overdue monthly stipends of 322 Nigerian students on federal government scholarship in Russia. A release issued by Rep. Abike said the House Committee on Diaspora Affairs recently received with a deep sense of pain, incessant sad tales and complaints of about 322 Nigerian students on Scholarship from the Federal Government of Nigeria now begging for food in Russia. “The Committee on Diaspora Affairs continues to receive numerous cries for help for our students in Russia through several channels; both at home and abroad. For over eight months (and counting) our students are yet to receive their monthly stipends. This act of unpaid student stipends is highly reprehensible and is beyond human justification. The haphazard manner of payment of BEA scholarship awardees needs to be addressed immediately with a view to implementing a permanent and long term solution”, the statement reads. The lawmaker also called on the minister of education to intervene in the matter. “I would thus like to appeal to the Minister of Education through the Federal Ministry of Education to look into the above matter and ensure that it is resolved with immediate effect whilst striving to implement a system which is sustainable and capable of operating with little or no human interference. My dad use to say, "this too shall pass."

Group endorses Tajudeen Yusuf for re-election

s the 2015 election draws nearer, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Leaders Forum in Kabba-Bunu Local Government has endorsed re-election bid of Vice Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Information and Communication Technology, Tajudeen Yusuf, for second term of four years in office. The lawmaker, who represents Kabba – Bunu / Ijumu Federal Constituency, Kogi State, was endorsed by the PDP leaders in the area at an enlarged meeting. The PDP leaders in Ijumu Local Government area, it was also gathered, has equally endorsed the lawmaker for second term in office. It was gathered that the PDP Leaders took the decision during the week after comprehensive review of the lawmaker's performance scorecard. It was further learnt that the Leaders were particularly impressed with the lawmaker's legislative records, constituency outreach initiatives, and his empowerment and community development programmes. The PDP leaders that were present at the meeting where the lawmaker was endorsed include: Chairman Kogi State Health Management Board, Dr Steven Olorunfemi; Hon. Nathaniel Taiwo who represents KabbaBunu constituency at Kogi State

Tajudeen Yusuf House of Assembly; Chairman Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Funsho Otu; Chairman PDP, Kabba-Bunu Local Government, Johnson Eniolorunda and Financial Secretary, Kogi State PDP, Hon. Segun Ogbonikan. Others include: Adviser to the Kogi Governor, Idris Wada on Higher Education, Prof Mathew Ajibero; Senior Aide to Kogi Governor and Former Chairman Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Hon Joseph Dada; former Member Kogi State House of Assembly, Honourable Alfred Bello; Engineer Solomon Bello among others.

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Political News

Front runners and pretenders for Adamawa Govt House

Ag. Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri

Gen. Buba Marwa

Malam Nuhu Ribadu

Dr. Ahmed Modibbo

By Umar Dankano, Yola

party was being run, Marwa again dumped the APC for PDP, the party he co-founded. The retired general, who is highly respected as a political strategist, has since commenced consultations as he gears up for his struggle to Adamawa government house. General Buba Marwa’s inability to remain in one party might affect his ambition but he is a dogged fighter who does not give up fight until it is over.

nomination and appointment as minister.

DR. Ahmed, husband to Aihsatu Ahmed, popularly known as Binani, a serving member of the House of Representatives, is rallying on the political might of his wife to clinch the governorship ticket. But political observers in Adamawa believed that he lacks the charisma and acceptability to lead a state like Adamawa. ENGINEER MARKUS GUNDIRI: Engineer Gundiri, who until very recently was in APC, will be relying on the massive support he got when he flew the flag of the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) against PDP’s Murtala Nyako in 2011. Engineer Gundiri also have so many factors that may work against him. One of which is that of just joining the party few months before the primary is held. This may work against him as a former member of the PDP, even as a party elder, his return after a sojourn in an opposition party may have taintted his loyalty as a party stalwart.

ollowing pronouncement by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that the Adamawa State governorship by-election will hold on the 11th October, 2014 after the 15thJuly 2014 impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako for alleged gross misconduct politicians in the state have continued to warm up through rigorous mobilization and strategizing with a view to emerging as candidates of their political platforms. The Peoples Democratic Party in the state has fourteen(14) aspirants and All Progressives Congress (APC) has six (6) while Peoples Party of Nigeria, (PPN) has one aspirant that has declared interest to vie for the Governorship ticket of party enroute the primaries and possibly the real election. Some of the aspirants, among them presently in service have at a point or the other contested for the position. These included serving and former political office holders: senators, ministers, Deputy Governor, former aspirants, among others. Our correspondent in Yola, Mallam Umar Dankano looks at the potential aspirants and their chances.

GENERAL MOHAMMED BUBA MARWA (rtd) A one-time Military Administrator of Borno and Lagos states, Marwa was one of the founding fathers of the ruling PDP. He contested the 2007 presidential primaries on the platform of the party. He lost out in the primaries and after the emergence of late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua as the President, Buba Marwa was compensated with an ambassadorial appointment, where he served in South Africa. Marwa returned home late 2010 to try his luck again in 2011 general election, but this time around as a governorship aspirant in Adamawa state. He lost out in the primaries and decamped to the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) where he emerged as the party flag bearer. He equally lost out in the election to Governor Murtala Nyako. Buba Marwa the opposition CPC, CAN and ANPP to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). Not comfortable with the way and manner the

ALHAJI AWWAL D. TUKUR: Awwal, Eldest son of the immediate past National Chairman ofthe ruling Peoples Democratic Party has not dropped his intention to follow his father’s footsteps of becoming the governor of the state. Auwal Tukur, a former House of Representative member is believed to be the big stick that broke the proverbial camel’s back in the fight between his father and governor Nyako, even though they are in-laws. The older Tukur wanted his son to succeed Nyako while Nyako also had his candidate in his son, Abdulazzez. His father’s closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan and as a former PDP leader, he can influence the emergence of his son to govern Adamawa state. A source told Peoples Daily Weekend that the present Minister of Youths Development Mr. Boni Haruna, is seriously lobbying for Awwal’s emergence as flag bearer of the PDP as a way to reciprocate the effort Bamanga Tukur made in his

Dr. UMAR ARDO: Ardo is an erudite politician with great determination who is ready to go the whole hog particularly when he is undermined. Ardo, an outspoken politician, is believed to be among the favourite candidate for the ticket, but because of his resolve to take on anybody, including the leadership of the party, he is said to be making leaders of the party to have a second thought about him. Yet, the doctor of political science is a never say die person. He is ready to spend his hard earned resources and deplore his intellect to fight a just course. And the governorship ticket is one such. DR. MOHAMMED AHMED MODIBBO: Ahmed, the immediate past executive secretary of Universal Basic Education Board, has also being eyeing the number one job in the state on the PDP platform. Modibbo, who is rumoured to be rich, has vowed to use his finances to ensure for his emergence as the PDP flag bearer. Political pundits in the state were shocked at the declaration of Modibbo’s intention to contest on Saturday 23rdAugust 2014 at the PDP secretariat where he donated 27.4 million to the party. He said his experience in the federal civil service and the education sector has groomed him to govern the state.

Hong, who is seen as a graduate of Professor Jibrill Aminu’s political school “ Dr. of thought, has contributed immensely in building the Peoples Democratic Party, in the state especially when he served as the state secretary of the party between 2007-2008 where he was believed to be a catalyst whose strategies assisted in taking the party to a high level.

DR. ALIYU IDI HONG: A former Minister of the Federal Republic also declared his intentions to vie for the ticket. Idi Hong is the political son of Professor Jibril Aminu, a well-known politician in the state and the country at large. He may use Jibril Aminu to gather supporters. Political analysts in the state describe his declaration to vie for the exalted office as one of the best things that happened in the history of Adamawa state considering his pedigree in both public and private lives. Dr. Hong, who is seen as a graduate of Professor Jibrill Aminu’s political school of thought, has contributed immensely in building the Peoples Democratic Party, in the state especially when he served as the state secretary of the party between 20072008 where he was believed to be a catalyst whose strategies assisted in taking the party to a high level. During the occasion of submission of his expression of intent and Nomination forms to the party leadership in the state at the party secretariat on Thursday 21. August 2014, a mammoth crown defied the heavy down pour to cheer him and it explained the character Dr. Idi Hong as he is fondly called. Contd on Page 43

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE 19

Tourism

Olumo Rock: The breathtaking O

lumo rock, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nigeria, West Africa, sits in the ancient city center of Abeokuta – a name which means “Under the rock”. Abeokuta was originally inhabited by the egba people who found refuge at the Olumo rock during inter-tribal wars in the 19th century. The rock provided sanctuary to the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance leading to eventual triumph in war. The town of Abeokuta eventually grew as these new settlers spread out from this location. Abeokuta is just about an hour’s drive from the bustling metropolitan city of Lagos providing convenient access to an array of hotels, restaurants, clubs, casinos and various nightlife activities. Lagos is also home to the closest airport to Abeokuta, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Hotels in Abeokuta within minutes drive from the rock include Gateway Hotel and Olumo Guest House. Tourists to Africa definitely need to consider putting Olumo rock on their travel plans. New renovations completed early 2006 upgraded the infrastructure of the site to include a new museum, restaurants, water fountain and an

elevator that will provide even the climbing-challenged a wonderful view of the surrounding city. he ancient Itoku market where local artisans and traders enjoy to haggle over price just as much as the customers like to find a bargain ies just outside the Olumo rock premises and is a must-see. The market is the center of the indigenous Abeokuta industry of tie-and-dye, locally known as adire. Adire crafters, usually women, both old and young show off their designs in sheds alongside the roads. Behind these sheds are buildings where many of these crafters live and work and their parents before them. In places where the plaster has cracked off the walls, you may see traces of the mud bricks used in the original construction. The locals are very friendly and if asked, will often give tourists and visitors informal tours of the dyeing processes. Other popular items to watch out for include local beads, bracelets, sculptures and musical instruments like the sekere and talking drum. trip to Olumo rock usually commences with a climb up the man-made stairs carved into the rock. While this sounds easy enough, it leaves many breathless

tourist destination

The h gateway t to t Ol Olumo rock k ttourist i t complex l and ready to take a break to rest on the benches under the trees growing from the rock and enjoy some clean breeze. The journey continues with climbs on irregularly sized rocks (or ladders which are now thankfully provided) through a narrow corridor that leads to the top of

the rock. All along the way, catch sights of carvings in the rock, cowrie-studded statues and the ancient abode of the priestesses who live in huts on the rock. And yes, it is not uncommon to catch a sight of the very aged women who live there and mutter greetings or blessings as people make their

The Olumo rock standing solid

Panoramic view of Abeokuta town from Olumo rock way through. t is often helpful to enlist the services of a guide who possess vast knowledge of the history of the rock and the culture of the people. This makes for an interesting climb as every twist and turn will reveal a significant story making the trip a

Stairway to Olumo rock

truly memorable one. n the way back down the rock, the sight of the Ogun river running like a silver chain amidst a forest of aged red corrugated roofs bordered by thick green forests which melt into the horizon is breathtaking.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Homes By Miriam Humbe

ou can achieve a lovely atmosphere in the home by decorating with lace curtains. This is an example of a Lace Valance and Tier combination used in the simplest way inside the window jambs. It could just as well be mounted on rods outside of the window jams. In this picture we used a bolder Macrame Ring Lace. This type of look can also be accomplished with Lace Curtain fabric purchased by the yard.

Sheer curtains such as these are can be used where privacy in not important. In addition to this idea you could even bend a metal rod to the shape of the crescent window on top for the Swag Pair and in between Valance so that it would follow the

Another more formal look would be to use a Swag Pair on the sides with a Valance between the Swag sides and a pair of Lace Panels. An Insert Valance is not necessary if you have a narrower window. Two Insert Valancaes can even be used to span a wider window. By using your imagination the same treatment can be used in a completely different way depending on the configuration of the window.

Panels either permanently tied back or hanging straight. These are fairly sheer lace curtains. This is a good way to make two windows look like one. As a matter of fact, if these two windows were in a corner with each on a separate wall you could do the same thing making the whole corner wider looking, lighter and brighter. A three window bay as lace kithcen

curtains could be treated similarly. You could still, of course, treat each as a separate window and hang two or three separate Lace Curtains.The treatment using a one piece Lace Swag is limited to a fairly narrow window because there is no way to insert a Valance in the middle. It is a very effective treatment either with a short Tier as in this picture or with a full length Panel.

A Festoon Valance along with lace curtain panels are also used on a fairly narrow window but you could create an entirely different look on a wider window by using two Festoons side by side. A Festoon in this case or a straight Valance can be used over two Lace Panels criss-crossed and tied back to each side for a totally different and beautiful effect called a Pricilla. This treatment involves three rods. You can really enjoy creating your

very own professional looking decor by stretching your imagination. The above pictures of various window coverings are just a start. You can probably think of many other attractive ways to arrive at your own personal choices of Lace Curtain treatments. In fact, you could even vary the treatments by purchasing Lace Yardage and sewing your own version of a window treatment. Houzz.com

curve of the window. As you can see, by tying back the Panels you gain a view of the outside but lose the privacy. Because the Lace Panels generally wrinkle where they are tied back you should decide which way you prefer and leave the

e n i z a g a M

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

d n e k e e W ment Entertain

Hajiya Amina Mohammed: Achiever par excellence PG 23

What you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about ace actor Ali Nuhu >>PG 34

Fashion

s Beauty Tip

od Kannywo

Make fashion statement with the clutch bag

PG 28

d Hollywoo

PAGE 21

d Bollywoo

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Your Body, Image & U

Ebola - Sanitise

Procastination & your body image With Jacqui Iwu bwreforms@gmail.com 08184825606 (sms only)

Stressed lady1

will...I will..but you never get to take any actions till it is very late. Does this sound like you? Most life sorrows,pains, tragedies would not have occured if people who are involved took early precautions by preventing them in the first place. Most people always find excuses not to have taken precautions early but no excuse is good enough when someone clearly knows and understand pretty much what will happen in future if precautions are not taken early. A young lady of 20 years notices that her weight is getting out of order, she is growing fatter than her age, she has been having ill health signs/symptoms caused by her voracious –unhealthy eating habit but you know what, she keeps quiet. She understands pretty well that her entire body system is sick and she is also unhappy about it but she keeps quiet, keeps delaying getting treatment year after year even when the resources to watch her weight and get medical attention are there. Years later maybe when she gets to her 30s, she must have overblown to a size of a ‘’hippo’’, looking too large for her own comprehension and confusion that she drifts into depression and deep sorrows just by looking at herself in the mirror. At this stage, she starts looking out for a quick fix, a fire bridgade approach to her weight and health problems. The sad point is that, it could be that she must have been diagonised of some deadly ill-health caused by her overweight or she is married and could not get pregnant.

Stressed lady2 For such a woman, anything goes when it comes to solution to her problems. She is no more talking of treating just her weight probem but also the health problems created by her neglecting her weight problem while she was in her 20s. Again, her weight at this stage could be very, very difficult to tackle unless she goes for a surgery. Of course we all know that such surgery is not cheap in this part of the world and there are more tight measures to be taken if one finishes the surgery. Imagine what the life of such a woman could look like. Filled with pains, regrets, fraustrations, bitterness, depression,confusion and ugliness. What if she does not survive the complications of her overweight? Would she have prevented getting to this sad end? Perfectly yes!! Infact at the onset of her weight problems her body was very, very healthy and in a bet-

“

ter condition to fight obesity and any disease what ever due to her young age then but she decided to delay working on her weight . All she needed that time was to get a bodyimage coach/ expert reform her eating habit and transform her life style activities knowing that she was pretty young and still have lots of years ahead of her. I have counseled most of them and each time i explain to them the dangers of not taking immediate actions, it looks like it’s all about the money they got to pay me. That is one crappy mindset most people have in this Country. Ok.. you have got to pay for services rendered to you but such people also forget that the expert cares more about their future life and that is the major reason, they are being advised to take immediate actions. Same individuals who also complain of not affording the cost will years later pay more than they are being charged at the on-

set of their problem. Most times, they will have the full money to pay but the cure will elude them. So who is biting who here? Again due to the accumulation of too much weight over the years, the duration/procedures of her losing the weight will be more than the onset. Let us look at the area of Skincare. I give credit to whoever invented makeups! To be honest, it would have been an eyesore seeing most women who have skin damages step out without any trace of makeup. A good brand of makeup with good application can do wonders to a damaged skin. The question is, how did such damaged skin come about? No one was born with, Stretchmarks, Cellulite, Sun burns, Pimples, Acne, Freckles, Black/Blue eye, Eye bags etc. Majority of women will notice that the soaps, cleanser, creams/ lotion they are using are not good

Like weight gain, skin problems get worse if one persist in using the products causing the problems. It gets to a stage that minor skin rashes that started in the early use of a product aggravates into big pimples,

for their skin, the products are causing burns, itching, spots but they continue using them rather than throw them away. Like weight gain, skin problems get worse if one persist in using the products causing the problems. It gets to a stage that minor skin rashes that started in the early use of a product aggravates into big pimples, black spots and scaly face,freckles. At ths stage, the face is totally damaged and will need more time, money and products to heal and look fresh again. Such skin damage would have been prevented if the products causing the problems were discontinued when the rashes started. In Africa, women deliberately scrape off the dark layers of their skin to be fair with harsh skin products and Chemicals. They are warned about the dangers of skin bleaching especially with the kind of hot climate we have but they refused to hear. Sadly enough the increase in the sun harshness is giving such skin bleachers a good run for their money. It is obvious Nigerian women love fair skin so much but they go about having a fair skin the wrong ways. There are very genuine healthy skin lightening products to use but they are not so cheap like the open market bleaching products most Nigerian women patronize. Cheap products will lighten some parts of your body within weeks and creates years of skin damage that will cost you much money and time to treat. Most women at the point of early skin damage will be told what it takes to treat the early signs and prevent future damage but they will complain about the cost of treatment but by the time, you calculate the quantity of cheap/fake products they buy, it will be more than the cost they are complaining about. At the end, rather than getting good results, they damage their skin more getting back to square one..miserably!! Be warned folks, no act of delay helps. Take actions when you have the opportunity to do so and prevent your problems from getting to a sad end that at times, your money can’t even help. It’s your call!!! Delay can ruin your entire bodyImage!! Jacqui IWU is a BodyImage, Life &Career Coach A Stress Management Expert &Conference Speaker Media Relations Personnel BLOG: http://bluntjacqui. blogspot.com FB: http://facebook.com/ beautifulwoman.column

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Womanhood

Hajiya Amina Mohammed: Achiever par excellence

rs. Amina Az Zubair Mohammed is the former Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While working in the presidency, she was charged with the coordination of the achievement of the MDGs in Nigeria through the establishment and implementation of a Virtual Poverty Fund. Her position required her to advice on pertinent issues regarding poverty, macro-economic issues and sustainable development. Hajiya Amina’s position built on her former role as national coordinator for Education for All (EFA) at the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja. In this capacity she coordinated the development of a National Action Plan that included such cross-cutting areas as HIV/AIDS and macroeconomic strategies for poverty reduction as proposed in the World Bank Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. Prior to this, she led a national coalition of 124 civil organizations working on education issues, and participated in the establishment of the Africa Network Campaign on EFA (ANCEFA) to advocate for free, quality education in sub-Saharan Africa. She has variously served as coordinator of the Task Force on Gender and Education for the U.N. Millennium Project. At the moment, she is a member of the advisory panel of the global development programme of the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation as well as the advisory panel of the rights to education project co-funded by Action aid International, Amnesty International and the Global Campaign for Education. She also sits on the board of the International Development Research Centre in Canada. Mrs. Amina Az-Zubair, only very recently, stepped down as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) after serving three Presidents over a period of six years. She is currently teaching at Columbia University as Adjunct Professor on a Master’s Course for Development Practice. Mrs Az-Zubair was recently appointed as a pioneer Board Member of Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme, SURE P, (the government Socio-economic program, set up to manage the proceeds of the oil subsidy that was recently removed from Petroleum products in January 2013). Her career as a development practitioner

“

Mrs. Amina Az Zubair Mohammed has spanned over 30 years in the public and private sectors as well as civil society.

In 2005 she was charged with the coordination of the Debt Relief Funds to the

She strongly believes in the need to have in place strong institutions in order to safe guard the rights of the citizens. “The other area that we have to take cognizance of is in governance; that whatever we say, without building strong institutions and capacities to deliver on the rights of the people will not work. Governance is important and we say let’s build institutions

tune of (US $1bn per annum) towards the achievement MDGs in Nigeria. Her mandate included designing a Virtual Poverty Fund (VPF) with innovative approaches to poverty reduction, budget coordination and monitoring as well as providing advice on pertinent issues regarding poverty, public sector reform and sustainable development. She was an integral part of the design team in 2009 for the Amnesty program in the Niger-Delta of Nigeria that covered the re-integration of 21,192 ex-militants. Mrs. Az-Zubair’s current position is simply a build up on her former role as National Coordinator for Education for All (EFA) at the Federal Ministry of Education in Nigeria (2001-2005). In this capacity, she coordinated the development of the National Action Plan for EFA. Mrs. Az-Zubair has also served as coordinator of the Task Force on Gender and Education for the U.N. Millennium Project under the leadership of Prof Jeff Sachs (2002-05). Hajiya Amina is a success story all the way. An achiever par excellence, her early career which spans well over 20 years from 1981 was in Project Management in the Health and Education sectors where for 11 years, she served as founder and Executive Director of Afri-Projects Consortium, a multi-disciplinary firm of Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (1991-2001). Before this, she spent 10 years in Kaduna with the architectural/engineering firm of Archcon Nigeria in association with Norman and Dawbarn UK (1981-1991) Mrs. Az–Zubair currently serves on numerous International advisory panels and boards including the Global Development Program of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the UN Secretary General’s Global Sustainability Panel, the Hewlett Foundation on Education, African Women’s Millennium Initiative (AWOMI), the Action-Aid International “Right To Education Project”, the Millennium Promise Initiative, The Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China and a Governor of the International Development Research Centre in Canada. Mrs. Az–Zubair also currently chairs the Advisory Board of the UNESCO Global Monitoring Report on Education. Hajiya Amina is an Honorary Advisor to the Borno State governor and Chairperson of the Youth Committee in Gombe State, north-east Nigeria. Mrs. Az-Zubair is the CEO of the Center for Development Policy Research Solutions, a newly established Think-Tank to address the policy and knowledge gaps within the government, parliament and private sector in development and civil society for robust advocacy materials. Hajiya Amina received the National Honors Award of OFR in 2006 and was inducted in the Nigerian Women’s Hall of Fame in 2007. She is married with four children. Born in 1961, Hajiya Amina Mohammed is the United Nations SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon's Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning. She was appointed to this position on 7 June 2012. She strongly believes in the need to have in place strong institutions in order to safe guard the rights of the citizens. “The other area that we have to take cognizance of is in governance; that whatever we say, without building strong institutions and capacities to deliver on the rights of the people will not work. Governance is important and we say let’s build institutions”, she said. www.un.org

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE 24

World Kiddies

With Miriam

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS Lord Lugard Hall, Kaduna

ugard Hall was named after Sir, Lord Fredrick Lugard - the first Governor General of Northern Protectorate (1900 - 1908). The building was used as the House of Assembly and House of Chiefs during the First Republic. During the second

Humbe

HIS AND HERS CORNER

Republic (from 1979 - 1983), the hall still retained its administrative status where it was also used as the House of Legislature. In the current administration, the Lugard Hall is still used as the Kaduna State House of Assembly Chambers.

Playing out on the dry leaves The Lord Lugard Hall houses, Kaduna State House of Assembly

aduna State occupies part of the central position of the Northern part of Nigeria. Kaduna, which is the plural of Kada, got its name from the reptile crocodile, which abounded in the River Kaduna in the early days. Kaduna State is historically the home of Queen Amina of Zazzau who was noted for stepping where men dared not. As the ruler of Zauzzau she made conquest and waged battles against her neighbours. The southern part of the state is home of our ancient civilization known as the Nok culture which dates back to between 90BC500AD. This is an archelogical discovery around Nok town in Jaba local government area of the state and one of the most significant and best known culture in the black African region today. The capital Kaduna served as the capital of colonial master, Fredrick Luggard when he moved from Zungeru , capital of Northern Nigeria , North central state and now Kaduna. The entire land structure consists of an undulating Plateau with major rivers in the State including river Kaduna, river wonderful in Kafanchan, River Kagom, river Gurara and Galma. The State is mostly populated by the Hausas, Gwari Katab and Bajjuu ethnic

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

communities, with other up to 36 indigenous ethnic groups found in different parts of the State. About 80 percent of the State population is engaged in peasant farming both food and cash crops. The crops produced in the State include, Cotton, Groundnut, Tobacco, Maize, Yam, Beans, Guinea corn, Millet, Ginger, Rice, Cassava, Sugarcane, Shea nuts, Cowpea, Mango, Kenaf, Cocoyam, Timber, Palm kennel, Banana, Soya bean, Corn, Onions, Sorghum and Potatoes. Another important aspect of agriculture engaged by the people is the rearing of cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs and Poultry Farming. Since the late 1950s, kaduna has become a major industrial, commercial and financial centre of the Northern States of Nigeria. It has a branch of the Nigeria Stock Exchange. Kaduna state is blessed with minerals which include clay, serpentine, asbestos, amethyst, kyannite, gold, graphite and siltimanite graphite, which is found in Sabon Birnin Gwari, in the Birnin Gwari local government. This is an important raw material used in the manufacture of pencils, crucibles, electrodes, generator brushes and other sundry parts.

Kaduna state is blessed with minerals which include clay, serpentine, asbestos, amethyst, kyannite, gold, graphite and siltimanite graphite, which is found in Sabon Birnin Gwari, in the Birnin Gwari local government. This is an important raw material used in the manufacture of pencils, crucibles, electrodes, generator brushes and other sundry parts.

ABCDE

CARTOON

Tom and Jerry with baby cat

Mickey and Minnie Mouse

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

World Kiddies

PAGE 25

With Miriam

Humbe

ABCDE

MODEL OF THE WEEK

AFRICAN TALES

How Tortoise got revenge on the cunning Lizard

Tortoise and the lizard

nce upon a time, Tortoise had used up all his salt and he found his meals so tasteless without it that he decided to call on his brother and ask him if he had any to spare. His brother had plenty. “How will you get it back to your home?” he asked Tortoise. “If you will wrap the salt in a piece of bark cloth, and tie it up with string, then I can put the string over my shoulder and drag the parcel along the ground behind me,” said Tortoise. “A splendid idea!” exclaimed his brother, and between them they made a tidy package of the salt. Then Tortoise set off for his long, slow journey home, with the bundle going bump, bump, and bump, along the ground behind him. Suddenly he was pulled up short and turning round, he saw that a large lizard had jumped on to the parcel of salt and was sitting there, staring at him. “Get off my salt!” exclaimed Tortoise. “How do you expect me to drag it home with you on top of it?” “It’s not your salt!’ replied the lizard.”I was just walking along the path when I found this bundle lying there, so I took possession of it and now it belongs to me.” “You know well it is mine, for I am holding the string that ties it”, said Tortoise. But the lizard still insisted that he had found the parcel lying in the road, and he refused to get off unless Tortoise went with him to the elders, to have their case tried in court. Tortoise had to agree and together they went before the old men at the court. First Tortoise put his case, explaining that as his arms and legs were so short he always had to carry bundles by dragging them along behind him. Then the lizard put his side of the matter, saying that he had found the bundle lying in the road. ‘”Surely anything that is picked up on the road belongs to the one who picks it up?” cried the lizard. The old men discussed the matter seriously for some time; but many of them were related to the lizard and thought that they might perhaps get a share of the salt, so eventually they decreed that the bundle should be cut into two, each animal taking half. Tortoise was disappointed, because he knew it really was his salt, but he sighed with resignation and let them divide the parcel. The lizard immediately seized the half that was covered with the biggest piece of cloth, leaving poor Tortoise with most of his salt escaping from his half of the parcel, and spilling out on to the ground. In vain did Tortoise try to gather his salt together? His hands were too small and there was too little cloth to wrap round it properly. Finally he departed for home, with only a fraction of his share, wrapped up in leaves and what remained of the bark

Ameerah Bello cloth, while the elders scraped up all that had been spilled, dirty though it was, and took it back to their wives. Tortoise’s wife was very disappointed when she saw how little salt he had brought with him, and when he told her the whole story she was most indignant at the way he had been treated. The long, slow journey had tired him, and he had to rest for several days. But although Tortoise was so slow, he was very cunning and eventually thought up a plan to get even with the lizard. So, saying good-bye to his wife, he plodded along the road towards the lizard’s home with a gleam in his eye, and after some time he saw the lizard, who was enjoying a solitary meal of flying ants. Slowly and silently Tortoise came upon him from behind and put his hands on the middle of the lizard’s body. “See what I’ve found!” called Tortoise loudly. “What are you doing?” asked the perplexed lizard. “I was just walking along the path when I found something lying there,” explained Tortoise. “So I picked it up and now it belongs to me, just as you picked up my salt the other day.” When the lizard continued to wriggle and demanded that Tortoise set him free, Tortoise insisted that they go to the court and get the elders to judge. The old men listened attentively to both sides of the story, and then one said: “If we are to be perfectly fair, we must give the same judgment that we gave concerning the salt.” “Yes,” said the others, nodding their white heads, “and we had the bag of salt cut in two. Therefore we must cut the lizard in two, and Tortoise shall have half.” “That is fair,” replied Tortoise, and before the lizard could escape, he seized a knife from an elder’s belt and sliced him in half, and that was the end of the greedy lizard.

ACTIVITIES Using the right materials, colour the image below. Show your work to your parents or teacher for correction. Cheers!

CREATIVITY

How to make a paper hand fan

oday’s creativity object is a simple hand fan that will let you have some fresh air when it gets hot. This fan is made with simple wooden sticks and decorative paper although some fans can be made with wood or ivory, intricate silk and lace and even hand jewels, mirrors and feathers. Needed items: k • 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper • Wooden craft sticks • Sewing pins • Scissors • Ruler • Craft glue/glue gun • Embroidery thread • Hammer and pliers (not pictured) Steps: Mark seven sticks, one inch from the end. Using a pin and a hammer (like you would do a hammer and a nail), make a hole in the center of the stick at the one inch mark. Repeat for all seven sticks. Push all of the sticks on to one needle. With your pliers, close the sharp edge of the pin, by making a loop. Take your paper and make a mark five inches diagonally from a corner. Draw a line connecting the corner to the point. Draw a line six inches in each direction from your point, closest to the edge. This should make a 160 degree angle. Cut along the angle. Start folding! Make ½ inch accordion folds, making sure that the apex of each fold is in the same spot. Fold very crisp folds. Fold the fan and cut 2 inches off of the bottom (apex). Count 14 triangles. There should be a pocket for each of the sticks to fit in. If you have more, you should cut them off. Lay the sticks down into the folds. Don’t glue yet, just make sure that the sticks fit and it makes sense when you open and close the fan. Glue the sticks down into the folds and let dry for about 10 minutes. Fold the fan and cut the top so the edge is straight. You’re done! To add a little tassel: Loop the embroidery thread around three fingers, about 10 times. Make sure there is a tail where you stared looping. Take the loop off your fingers. Squeeze the top 1/3 of the loop and wrap around. Cut the end and tie this end to the first loose end that you had. Thread a piece of thread through the small loop and tie onto the back on the fan (where you bent the pin in step 4).

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE 26

Focus

Vision 20:2020: Can Nigeria deliver science and technology? By Mohammed Usman, with agency report

etting a vision that will take a movement or action to the next progressive level which would in turn ensure comfort at individual,group or societal level cannot be over-emphasised. Recognition of thishas made government of various countries in the world to set a vision, and today some have made it while some are still working towards it. For instance, China did it, and today the country is among the most talk about today. Of course, they made it because of good commitment, both in the area of finance and human resources. From the basic, History has shown that the success recorded today by developed countries is as a result of commitment made to science and technology advancement. Nigeria set a vision of becoming one of the most industrialise countries in the year 2020. The implication of this is that there has to be extensive financial backing for science and technology. One of the government ministries that this enamors task rest on it shoulder is federal ministry of science and technology. The ministry was existence as a council in 1970, and then became a full-fledged ministry in 1980, adding the ministry’s activities are aided by its Research Institutes, and government parastatals. The ministry’s institutes and agencies through which it goes about its mandate of science and technology are Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN),The Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT),Nigerian Institute For Trypanosomiasis And Onchocerciasis (NITR),National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA),National Centre For Technology Management (NACETEM), National Office For Technology Acquisition And Promotion (NOTAP),Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA),National Space Research & Development Agency (NARSDA),Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Abuja, Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBBRI),National Institute of Leather Science and Technology (NILEST), Zaria,National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT), Zaria,Sheda Science and Technology Complex (SHESTCO), Abuja,Project Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO),National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Abuja. Speaking during the national conference of school of sciences, in Okene, Kogi State, Dr. Iyala Ajayi, the provost of Federal College of Education Okene, said

Mrs Omobola Johnson, Min. of Science and technology Science today is the most potent tool in the hands of man to unveil the many secret shrouding in our universe. Also, in his welcome address, during the opening ceremony of a one day workshop on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) and its Parastatals, organized by the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) at the Reiz Continental hotel, Abuja, the Director General of NOTAP Engr. Umar Buba Bindir said that no nation of the world can be globally competitive without a well articulated and workable science, technology and innovation policy. During a visit to Nassarawa state Polytechnic, The Minister of science and technology, Abdu Bulama, stated that there is need for collective efforts to take science, technology and innovation to the next level, stating that the new STI Policy signed by the President is anchored on synergy between research institutes and industries for the rapid development of the country. He added that the products

“

of Science and Technology must be demand-driven; adding that closer collaboration with research institutes and the industries will lead to the commercialization of research and development products. The Minister went further that the aspiration of President towards achieving Vision 20:2020 through science and technology is apt because of its leading role in the development of every nation. He called on Nigerians to imbibe the culture of science and technology because the world today is governed by it. In a swift remark, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Shettima Abdulkadir Saidu solicited for intervention from the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure that the institution’s concept of incubation becomes a reality. Bulama stated that there should be a linkage between research institutes and industries, while stressing the need for collaboration between polytechnics, research institutes and the industrial sector. At the inauguration of the National Space Council, President

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, said that “we must evolve clear cut initiatives that will not only fast-track our industrialization process, but one that will also see us, within the shortest possible period, able to build our own motor vehicles, our own boats, and our own aircraft; and of course, launch our own satellite manufactured in Nigeria from a launch site in Nigeria on a launch vehicle made in Nigeria” He added that this is a challenge not only to the members of the Council, but to all Nigerians. “We should rededicate ourselves to building a better, technologically advanced, stable and prosperous Nigeria for our children.” Continuing, he said “I refer in particular to the mandate to develop satellite technology for various applications; operationalise indigenous space systems for providing space services; and the launch of satellites.” Jonathan said given the critical place of space technology in the areas of national security, communications, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development, the critical need to properly structure and drive our national space programme cannot be overemphasised, adding that this informs why the Administration has constituted this Council with high calibre membership. While congratulating the council members, he charged them to work hard to justify the confidence which the nation has invested in them by bringing all their worthy attributes to bear on the discharge of this national assignment. Further, he assured them of the full support of the Federal Government at all times. These above have shown that Nigeria want advancement in the areas of Agriculture, Transportation, Health, Medicine, Defence, Education, etcetera, in year 2020 and science and technology is a key to it and these rest on the shoulder of Federal ministry of science and technology. But the efficiency of delivering this enormous task, holding other things constant on minimal basis, needs financial commitment. In this corridor, can the ministry of science and technology meet the

I don’t think that, we are serious; talking about less than one per cent of the 2014 budget for such an important sector, it is very frustrating.

target of Nigeria’s vision 20:2020. Appearing, in supervisory capacity, before the National Conference Committee on Science, Technology and Development, the minister of science and technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Winifred Eyo-Ita, said that less than one percent of National Budget for Science and Tech is inadequate. She said the sector should be given topmost priority by government, if the country is to realise its aspiration of becoming one of the most industrialised countries by 2020. She said “of the budgetary allocation, only N35 billion is allocated to the 17 agencies under the ministry, while N1 billion is for the ministry. “The 2014 budget that has been passed by the National Assembly for Mr President’s assent is N4.9 trillion, but only N36 billion is for science and technology. Continuing she added “The amount may sound much to a layman, but when you look at it, that is less than one per cent of the national budget. I don’t think that, we are serious; talking about less than one per cent of the 2014 budget for such an important sector, it is very frustrating, ”she said. The minister who was accompanied by 11 DirectorsGeneral said the Asian Tigers got to where they are due to diligent investment in science, engineering and technology. “Nothing can be achieved if there is no serious determination of government to improve and streamline the issue of science and technology funds”. Other members of the committee, who spoke at the interactive session, condemned the neglect of science, engineering and technology in the country. They also, regretted the inability of the NigComSat-X, the country’s satellite in the orbit to identify the location of the abducted Chibok girls. Suggesting the way out, the minister called for the establishment of a pool of funds for the sector to enable Nigeria to transform into an industrialised country and realise the Vision 20: 2020, adding there should be dedicated funds, which draws its sources from strategic avenues and this dedicated fund should be managed. Going further, she said “We want to appeal to the committee that the National Policy on Science, Technology, Innovation, Research and Development should be captured as a constitutional matter. “It should not just be a policy that has been passed or discussed at the Federal Executive Council; it should be captured in our constitution. “Such that, it is not changed by any subsequent government or at the whims and caprices of some personal issues,” she expressed.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE 27

Leisure Compiled By Doyin Ojosipe

Laugh out loud (lol)! Corpse sharing

wo young boys were plucking oranges from a tree belonging to an old man, they heard him coming their way and ran away with the ones they had. While the boys tried to run into the cemetery, they found that the gate was locked and they decided to jump over the fence. While jumping, two oranges fell from their bag and they left them. When they were safely inside the cemetery, they began to share the oranges. The boys started counting: One for you, one for me. A drunkard passing behind

Akpos has ebola!

the cemetery heard their voices and ran as fast as he could to the church to tell the priest that he has heard God and Satan sharing Corpses. Then the priest came with the drunkard to the entrance of the cemetery to hear for himself. The boys were still busy counting: One for you, one for me. After they had shared the ones they had, one of the boys asked the other, “What about the two at the gate?” Immediately the drunkard and the priest heard this, they took to their heels.

kpos was abducted by kidnappers and taken to an unknown location. The kidnappers beat him for a while and asked him, “Which of your family members should we call to pay the ransom.” A surprised Akpos replied: “I don’t have a family now. All my family members ran away after I was suddenly bugged down with fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This was followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash… Akpos did not even finish speaking before all the kidnappers jumped out of windows and fled

The lawyer, the banker and the Rolls-Royce efore going promptly had the car a check and started to Help the soccer player find the goal!

to Europe on business, a lawyer drove his RollsRoyce to a downtown NY City bank and went in to ask for an immediate loan of $5,000. The loan officer, taken aback, requested collateral. “Well, then, here are the keys to my Rolls-Royce”, the lawyer said. The loan officer

driven into the bank’s underground parking for safe keeping, and gave him $5,000. Two weeks later, the lawyer walked through the bank’s doors, and asked to settle up his loan and get his car back. “That will be $5,000 in principal, and $20.30 in Interest”, the loan officer said. The lawyer wrote out

walk away. “Wait sir”, the loan officer said, “While you were gone, I found out you are a millionaire. Why in the world would you need to borrow $5,000?” The lawyer smiled. “Where else could I park my Rolls-Royce in Manhattan for two weeks and pay only $20.30?

The Hypocritical Cat

nce upon a time, there was a chieftain of a company of mice who had a retinue of five hundred mice. And there was also a cat named Agnija. In his youth he had been wont to kill all the mice in the neighbourhood of his dwelling place. But afterward, when he had grown old, and no longer had the power of catching mice, he thought, “In former times, when I was young, I was able to catch mice by force. But now that I can do so no more, I must use some trick in order to make a meal off them.” So he began to watch the mice by stealth. By means of such watching he found out that there were five hundred mice in the troop. At a spot not far distant from the mouse hole, he took to performing fictitious acts of

penance, and the mice, as they ran to and fro, saw him standing there with pious mien. So they cried out to him from a distance, “Uncle, what are you doing?” The cat replied, “As in my youth I have perpetrated many vicious actions, I am now doing penance in order to make up for them.” The mice fancied that he had given up his sinful life, and there grew up within them confidence nourished by faith. Now as they returned into their hole every day after making their rounds, the cat always seized on and devoured the mouse which came last. Seeing that the troop was constantly dwindling, the chief thought, “There must be some cause for the fact that my mice are diminishing in number, and this cat is thriving apace.”

So he began t observe the cat closely. And when he saw that the cat was fat and well covered with hair, he thought, “There is no doubt that this cat has killed the mice. Therefore must I bring the matter to the light of day.” Now as he kept careful watch from a hiding place, he saw how

the cat ate up the mouse which went last. Then from afar off he pronounced this verse: As the uncle’s body waxes bigger, but my troop on the contrary becomes smaller, and as he who eats roots and berries

will not become fat and well covered with hair, this is not a genuine penance, but one performed only for the sake of gain. Because the number of the mice diminished, have you, O Agnija, thrived.

PAGE 28

Make fashion statement with the clutch bag W

earing a clutch during the day is a great way to make a fashion statement, since there are so many bold colors and designs to choose from. They serve as an accent piece to an outfit, but a simple style is good for creating a minimalistic style. The key is balance between colors, prints, and shapes. All designers have their own take on the classic clutch bag design, some relying on brand allegiance to sell their clutches while others create outlandish and creative variations. Since there are many designer clutch bags on the market, it is a good idea to peruse through the top designer clutches to get an idea of what oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ideal purse is. With so many different styles for every occasion, clutch bags are no longer just for formal affairs. A good rule of thumb to remember when choosing a clutch bag is to try to maintain balance. For example, if one is wearing a busy pattern it is best to carry a clutch in solid colors and clean lines; if one is wearing a simple outfit, then an ornate or printed clutch can create a piece of interest. Clutch bags are available in retail and boutique shops and even online from retail sites, such as eBay. The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a clutch bag is to have fun with creating a personal expression. Bold clutches, modern backpacks, embellished totes: This season was all about a statement accessory. Here, we present you all the stylish and cute bags to arouse your fashion sense.

COMPILED BY MIRIAM HUMBE

Fashion

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Red-heart design clutch handbag

Beautiful Turquoise Pearl and Crystal Clutch Bag Diamante Clutch bag

New maroon clutch bag

Uche Jombo

Braided Clutch Purse

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

TIPS

PAGE 29

COMPILED BY MASHEUMARU GWAMNA

t is always embarrassing when a lady constantly scratches her head scalp. Well, it is embarrassing because it is not only uncomfortable but a clear indication that something is wrong. Not a few ladies experience this today and it is a huge challenge. Apart from the embarrassment associated with constant scratching of one’s scalp, those going through this find that the experience is always characterized by itching and flaking of the scalp. Of course, it’s dandruff. According to researchers, Dandruff is caused by a fungus called malassezia; a fat-eating fungus, which lives on the scalp of most healthy adults. While it does not cause problems for most people, malassezia can sometimes grow out of control and begin feeding on the oil on your scalp. The result is increased cell turnover and a large number of dead skin cells. These cells, combined with dirt and oil from your hair and scalp, form flaky white scales lack of oiling the hair attributes to dryness of the scalp, while some said lack of washing of the hair scalp regularly contributes to the situation at hand. The common symptoms of dandruff include itching and white, oily flakes. There are several conditions, including psoriasis, dry skin, seborrheadermatitis, or

the dandruff shampoo loses its effectiveness, switch to another type of shampoo or try alternating between types. Be sure to follow directions carefully. Should over the counter treatments fail, see your dermatologist. Stronger treatments are available by prescription. In addition to using the proper shampoo, other steps can be taken to control dandruff, including: eating right, exfoliating the scalp with a facial scrub, managing stress, and reducing the amount of styling products used. Consistently following a dandruff control routine should keep your hair and scalp looking healthy and flake free. * Tea tree oil is an anti-fungal agent and it can treat malassezia furfur, the most common cause of dandruff. Wash the hair with tea tree oil treat it is like your scalp has been reborn. It is so refreshing and your

Dandruff infested hair contact dermatitis, which present similar symptoms. Hair dandruff may not be a life threatening condition, but the presence of an irritated and flaking scalp can be uncomfortable and bothersome. For this reason, people suffering with dandruff will often take steps to control the situation. Dandruff isn’t contagious and dandruff control and treatment is fairly easily. There

Greasy hair with home remedies using vinegar

Dandruff infested curl

are a number of ways to go about reducing hair dandruff, including some strategies that involve using products found in shopping mall, market and those that are already found around the house. Let’s checks the treatment for dandruff which will make us comfortable anywhere we are. Tips * Shampoo: use the use of anti - dandruff shampoo two or three times a week, alternatively with a good moisturizing shampoo. If

dry itchy scalp will thank you by not producing or drastically reducing the amount of dandruff (just remember a small amount of dandruff is normal and is just your body renewing itself) *Hot oil treatments once a week or once a month depending on how dry and itchy your scalp is can really help nourish a dry itchy scalp. * Coconut oil is nourishing, moisturizing oil for a dry itchy scalp and therefore works wonderfully as dandruff treatment. It will help soften and moisturize your parched scalp *Use lime. Squeeze the juice from 1 to 2 limes. Apply it to the dandruff zone. Scratch into the scalp area and leave for about 3 minutes. Then rinse out. Repeat each day over 2 to 3 days; the dandruff should start to retreat. *Limit your use of hair styling products. Hairspray, mousse, and gel may contribute to dandruff in some people. They may also cause excessive drying of the skin, which can cause flaking - or trigger allergic reactions. If you notice dandruff soon after you begin to use a new product, chances are the product is to blame. The exception to this would be using a therapeutic styling gel or spray formulated with tea tree oil. You can apply readymade remedies like Soothing Scalp Remedy as a powerful dandruff treatment for flaky, dry scalp conditions. Taking care of the hair scalp is very essential, giving it a luxury this weekend, leaves the hair scalp revitalized, glossy and slickly with a beautiful hairdo without your fingers scalp itching to be scratch.

Dandruff hair cause discomfort

PAGE 30

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Pots & Pans

With Miriam Hum,be

Grilled tilapia and banku The tilapia and banku dish is a great Ghanaian meal enjoyed by the affluent especially during special family events and weddings. We serve you this lovely recipe to ensure you have the best of a fun filled weekend. Savour........

What you need: Three large whole tilapias (About a pound each). Three large peppers. This is what is commonly referred to as sweet peppers. The more colors you have, the better. You should look for green, yellow and red ones. A good mix is better. Two large vidalia onions. Use white or Spanish onions if vidalia is not available. White onions are juicier and have milder taste than the red onions. One Teaspoonful of ginger or garlic. Three or four spoonfuls of olive or groundnut (peanut) oil. Half teaspoonful of cayenne, black, or white pepper. (How spicy you like your food, determines your choice here).

Preparation:

Serving:

Crush the ginger or garlic and mash to a paste. In a small bowl, mix half of the ginger or garlic, two spoonfuls of oil, one spoonful of vinegar, a ¼ teaspoonful of salt, and two spoonfuls of water. Lightly brush the tilapia with this mix from (a) and start grilling. This should not take any more than 10 minutes. Tilapia cooks quickly. Brush periodically with mix. Whatever is left over can be used to sautee the vegetables later. While the grilling is going on, julienne slice the onions and peppers. Presentation helps a bit here, so try and even out the slicing. Long thin slices of onions and peppers should look about the same. In a large frying pan over medium heat, put two to three spoonfuls of oil. When it is warm enough, drop the other half of the garlic or ginger paste and stir. Immediately add the peppers and some marinade mix from (a) and cook for two minutes. Add the onions to the mix and cook another two to three minutes. You want the mix to remain slightly crisp and firm. Remember this is sautéed, and it should not come out looking like stewed vegetables.

This is enough for six people. In a large oval serving plate, arrange cross-wise, and dish the sautéed vegetables around the fish. In between the fish, arrange the fried yams (sweet potatoes). Fish should be flaky enough to lift right off the bones. Enjoy with some fresh juice. To cook grilled Tilapia Lay out sheets of aluminum foil large enough to wrap around each piece of fish, Squirt lemon juice on the fish or brush on olive oil. Add sliced vegetables such as peppers and onions. Seal the foil loosely around each serving of fish and vegetables by pinching the ends together and cook on heated grill for 10 min. Banku is an indigenous fermented meal of maize or cassava. It is cooked by four cups of White Maize gridded into powder. This is mixed with half a cup of water this mixture is fermented for about 3 -4 days. It’s then kneaded with the hand until very smooth dough is obtained. It is then cut into small dumplings, water is added and it is boiled for an hour in a pot, this banku is served with grilled tilapia.

Make homemade refreshing pineapple juice

ineapple juice is a delicious and healthy drink. It contains bromelain, which aids digestion, making it ideal for finishing a meal. Pineapple juice is also filled with vitamin C. When you make juice yourself, you do not have to put in so much sugar. Your juice will be free of preservatives, but most importantly, the juice will be fresh and nutritious.

Ingredients: • A large pineapple, freshly purchased, unblemished • 2 tsp (10 grams) of sugar Steps: Cut the leaf top off from the pineapple, then trim the skin from the sides. Cut the pineapple into small pieces, discarding the core. Dice to approximately the size of sugar cubes.

Put the small pieces of pineapple into the blender/juicer. Add 2 teaspoons of sugar. This step is optional, but a little sweetness helps to offset the slight tartness of the pineapple. Blend for about 1-3 minutes. The time spent blending depends on how chunky you want it to be. Pour the blended pineapple juice in the glass. Stop filling the glass before it overflows. Serve and enjoy.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Relationship “The One I Love” a smart relationship crowd-pleaser

or a change we present something different from the usual relationship pieces. It’s a film about love or rather falling in love. Here the cast is presented and some details in respect of the behind the scene works and the rituals needed to produce and exciting movie. Please enjoy an excursion into the incredible world of two lovers whose relationship was at the brink. A pleasure to watch but a challenge to discuss without spoiling a good deal of the fun, “The One I Love” marries Mark Duplass’ skill for incisive relationship comedies with a high concept any Hollywood studio would covet. Boasting spectacular performances from Duplass and Elisabeth Moss as a husband and wife on the brink of separation, this incredibly assured directorial debut of Charlie McDowell essentially turns a relationship story upside down and inside out. The movie opens with Ethan (Duplass) and Sophie (Moss) seemingly at the end of their rope in couples therapy. The spark they once had is gone; they can’t remember the last time they had sex and; as Sophie shares with their therapist (Ted Danson), happiness has become something they have to re-create from memories of a better past. But even these early scenes hint at something strange at work, as the therapy sessions alternate between what appear to be two different timelines, complete with different wardrobes and slightly different hairstyles for Ethan and Sophie. The story really kicks in when the two drive to a nearby vacation home at the urging of their therapist. He swears that struggling couples have had great success rekindling their romance in the secluded locale, and it intially looks like a break from society is exactly what the pair needs. Sophie cooks dinner, they smoke pot and have great conversation. Sophie later wanders over to the quaint guesthouse, where Ethan meets her and they make love. Returning to the main house, Sophie finds Ethan asleep on the couch with no memory of what happened between them. The surreal twists only increase from there, as Ethan and Sophie face reminders of why they originally fell in love and surprising temptations to split up for good. Throughout its brisk 90-minute running time, “The One I Love” reinvigorates the romantic-comedy genre with an infusion of sci-fi/fantasy elements and sharp scripting. It’s no coincidence the film features onscreen references to both “The Twilight Zone” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” But it is surprising to learn that screenwriter Justin Lader supplied only a 50-page script and suggested dialogue, leaving Duplass and Moss to improvise a large percentage of the lines.

Couple relationship at a brink Thanks to collaborative rehearsals involving McDowell, Lader, producer Mel Eslyn and the actors, their delivery bares none of the telltale signs of performers making it up on the fly (pregnant pauses, fumbling delivery, awkward repetition), and the storytelling is witty, sophisticated and emotionally authentic all the way. It’s tough to unpack the

“

brilliant work the two stars do here without disclosing plot details better left vague; suffice it to say they both create dazzlingly specific characters with great depth and (important) humanity. Although audiences may associate Duplass more readily with comedy and Moss with drama — especially given their work on the smallscreen — “The One I Love” breaks down genre

barriers and gives both actors plenty of space to showcase substantial comedic and dramatic chops. The film also reps a minor triumph of low-budget ingenuity, as McDowell oversees an impressive tech package. Jennifer Lilly’s editing is perhaps most crucial to making the increasingly complex narrative succeed, while the score by Danny Bensi and

It’s tough to unpack the brilliant work the two stars do here without disclosing plot details better left vague; suffice it to say they both create dazzlingly specific characters with great depth and (important) humanity.

Saunder Jurriaans supplies an eerie undercurrent to the action, growing richer as the story unfolds. Theresa Guleserian’s production design plays a key role in differentiating among the minimal locations (basically the main house, the guesthouse and the therapist’s office), and Bree Daniel’s costuming is similarly sly. Visual-effects supervisor Stefan Scherperel scores with the film’s most surreal imagery and director of photography Doug Emmett does a solid job of giving the film a dreamlike sheen without revealing too much too soon. The closing-credits song, “Dedicated to the One I Love” by the Mamas and the Papas, ends things on a pitch-perfect note. Provided by Radius-TWC

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Fiction

Birth of the last Sultan

n their way to their huts from Waheed’s hut Zainab broke the silence to ask Asabe if she had any quarrel with their husband and she shook her head slowly. “I don’t understand our husband he seems to be worried over something. Did he tell you of anything that is troubling his mind?” Zainab asked her again. She did not say a word but shook her head again. She felt Zainab was playing pranks on her because she knows how close and dear she is to their husband. She believed that there was no way that Waheed would have taken such a decision without speaking to Zainab about it. When Waheed was still courting her, he had told her about his first wife and the reason he was taking another wife. He also reminded her about this again on her first night in the house. Waheed had pleaded with her to live in peace with her senior wife. A friend spoke to her and insisted that Waheed loved only Zainab and that she was only a baby making factory to both Waheed and his beloved wife. Asabe was blinded by this advice and had forgotten that Waheed had treated both she and Zainab with equal love and respect as he had promised her. She decided to play along with the trick since Zainab is claiming not to have prior knowledge of Waheed’s plan until today. “I am surprised myself because he has never mentioned it to me. You are the first wife I thought he should have mentioned it to you,” Asabe replied her. Zainab still maintained that she was ignorant of the plan. “Let’s go and ask him together,” She suggested but Asabe refused. “I am sure that he will speak to his first wife,” Asabe said and laughed hysterically to show to Zainab that she was aware of the mockery. Zainab did not read any meaning to the laughter. Waheed was basking outside his hut that night. He was silently asking God what he needs to do to help Zainab give birth again. It was one of those full moon nights when darkness will have no effect on the earth. Waheed heard footsteps approaching him. He knew it would be no one but Zainab. He was expecting her to come out here and meet him that is why he had not gone to bed despite the fact that time had far gone. “What is the Crown Prince of Dadin Kowa doing here all alone in the middle of the night?” Zainab asked as he was approaching him. Waheed smiled as he heard Zainab’s voice. “I can tell your gait even if it is millions miles away from me,” he said to her as she took her seat beside him. “I am not in the mood for this hailing and flattering. Please go straight to the point because I know that you are pregnant with many questions,” he said to her as Zainab continued hailing him by his title. “What happened to our rule?

You did not tell me about this new plan before you finally took the decision. Is anything troubling you my Prince? Waheed sighed loudly before he started talking. “I know you too well; I already know you have so many questions for me. There is no way that the eyes can see the nose. The eyes also cannot see the back of the head. The eyes also cannot see the ears. But all these body parts are there and are functioning well. All what the eyes can do is to learn to trust these body parts. I just want you to do one thing for me.” “What is it my prince? Zainab asked almost immediately. “TRUST…!” Waheed echoed before stating clearly that, “I want you and Asabe to trust me because I know what I am doing.” “Okay my crown prince. That is never going to be a problem because I have learnt to trust and live by your judgment ever since I said yes to you when you first engaged me with this ring,” Zainab said as she stretched forth her fingers for Waheed to see the ring he gave her when he engaged her. “I am bound to that vow until death do us part,” Zainab added. aheed was very happy that she understood he wanted to keep his plan to himself for the mean time. “Goodnight,” Zainab finally announced and left his place. She went to Asabe’s hut to tell her what their husband had said but discovered that she was asleep. She let her be and promised to reveal her findings from Waheed first thing tomorrow morning after prayers. When Zainab told Asabe of her findings the next morning, she concluded that both Waheed and Zainab had planned to frustrate her in the house with the new wife. “I am not stupid and I will not be intimidated with your plans,” she said in her heart. The new wife came and Asabe tried to lure her to her side so that they could frustrate Zainab. She felt it would be good for her to speak first to the wife before Zainab. Amina refused to listen because Waheed had personally pleaded with her to help him unite his family. He pleaded with her to treat Zainab with respect as an elder sister and a mother too. Since Amina was Godfearing, she refused to listen to Asabe when she approached her with her plans frustrate Zainab. When Asabe had exhausted all her tricks in getting Amina to form an ally with her against Zainab, she repented. She knew that it won’t be easy for her to fight two people who were good friends. She went up to Zainab and asked for her forgiveness. She equally asked for forgiveness from her husband for betraying his words to her. She blamed it upon the devil and that friend of hers who had advised her. Waheed and Zainab forgave her and they all started living happily ever after then. My father told me that he personally thanked Amina

for her help. I didn’t know what to say to him at that time. Presently, I would have a thousand and one words for him because my level of comprehension has greatlyy improved. The people of Dadin Kowa already knew that Waheed was going to be a great Sultan because of the way he handled issues as the crown prince. He was authoritative when it came to performing his duties but he was also friendly to his people. As the crown prince, some of his father’s duties like; passing judgment over dispute of family lands, properties and inheritance had already been shifted to him. Waheed performed these tasks with great zeal. My mother was still childless when Waheed became Sultan. It was twenty-eight years after their marriage that Sultan Tahid died and Waheed was crowned Sultan. Exactly one month after Waheed became Sultan, Zainab fell sick. She was confused because her monthly flow was supposed to have started because it has been exactly twenty-nine days since she finished her last period. Amina had advised her that the delay in her menstrual flow might have resulted from some irregularities that women normally experience during their cycle and she agreed. She gave no regards to the earlyy morning sickness. One night as she was about to go to bed, she started feeling sharp pains in her lower abdomen. After exhausting all the first aid treatment, the pains kept on persistently, she gave out a loud scream and slumped. Waheed and the other two wives rushed to Zainab’s hut and they found her lying on the ground. Waheed rushed her to the hospital and the doctor on duty that night admitted her into the female ward. She regained consciousness after thirty minutes. The doctor insisted that pregnancy test should be carried out on her. She told him that she has just attained menopause. Even Waheed insisted that pregnancy test should not be carried out on her. He felt that Zainab was actually refusing a pregnancy test because the news might break her heart. The doctor wanted to yell at Waheed but immediately recalled that Waheed was the Sultan. Zainab was rooted to the spot when the doctor announced

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The Sultan with emerald chain to her that she was pregnant. “Are you sure doctor?” Zainab asked again to make sure the doctor was not kidding her. Even Waheed was surprised too. Zainab was very happy that at last she will be carrying her own child. The other wives too were very happy for her. Zainab gave birth to his son nine months later. Waheed’s joy knew no bound when the boy arrived. He was astounded as to why God has decided to bless him with a child from Zainab only when he became Sultan. “Maybe he is destined to become my successor,” he said in his heart. Waheed named the boy Ahmad; the first son born to

Okay my crown prince. That is never going to be a problem because I have learnt to trust and live by your judgment ever since I said yes to you when you first engaged me with this ring

the first parents of Dadin Kowa, Sultan Shaban and Nana Aisha. “That is the reason I named you Ahmad. You came into my life only when I became Sultan,” my father said to me. “I can still recall the look on his face as he was making this statement to me,” Ahmad said as he opened his eyes. Zuliya was surprised. She wondered if closing eyes could make one see a loved. She closed her eyes and remembered the look on her mother’s face as she was making her last wish for Zuliya. Her eyes were still closed when Ahmad spoke and she quickly opened them to hear him continue his tale. “That is all I can remember about the story my father had told me about my birth. I was his favorite son. I used to sit with him in the throne room at all time and he kept on telling me stories upon stories of how the Kingdom grew, how he married my mum and his other wives and so many other tales of Dadin Kowa,” Ahmad said as he wiped the tears in his eyes with the back of his palm. “I can’t believe that I am sobbing. How did I change all of a sudden,” he said with a faint smile. Zuliya smiled back at him and responded that, “God will never notify anybody before He arrests him. Naijastories.com

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Romance

The pains of losing her

Flashback; ate looked down at the dialyser that had taken over the functionality of Jude’s kidneys. As she raised her head up, she could read the pain that he felt from his gentle sighs. He’d been knocked down by life, but definitely not out, at least for now. He was her brother in law and somehow, she was holding the key that would determine if he was going to make it through the next three days. He was just too young to say goodbye to time, it was also too early to see him as just a memory. Jude was her younger sister Michelle’s newlywed husband; they’d been the youngest of couples at just less than three months old. A month ago after series of tests, he was diagnosed of oedema which developed into total kidney breakdown in which case both kidneys could no longer maintain water and electrolyte balance and filter waste products from his blood. He’d had the dialyser take over this role for over two weeks while they’d combed the city for donor whose kidney was a match. They were ready to pay as much as was needed to see Jude back on his feet again. All search proved abortive. It was at the point of giving up that a match was found; Kate. Maybe this just went to prove the saying that- ‘we tend to go to Sokoto in search of a thing we have right in our sokoto’.‘Please sis, do this for me, for Jude, for our unborn child’ Michelle had pleaded with her during her last visit. Kate had quite felt the pain in her sister’s plea; she noticed how depressed her sister looked which was bad for a pregnant woman and could result in eclampsia. Everyone who mattered to her had come around to plead with her. The final decision was down to her to make. Kate had spent the next two days locked up in her room ruminating a decision to take. All she wanted was the best for her only sister. They’d been so close during childhood. Looking through their family photo album, she knew there was only a decision to take. The doctor was explicit when he’d told her how much of a normal life she could live even on just a kidney; he was an example. As she looked at him in the hospital bed wrapped with pipes and wires she wished she’d made her decision earlier. He opened his eyes gently, his mouth was dry he could hardly work up enough spit to speak, his words came out in dry whispers like bursts of sand blown against a desert stone. All he wanted to say to his ‘savior’ was ‘thank you in advance’. He knew how quite hard a decision she’d had to make. Like she could read through his mind, she touched him lightly and forced a smile. ‘It would be fine Jude’ she said and watched him nod in affirmation like a child who was compelled to carry out a chore. Two days later, the surgery was done which was followed with five days of close monitoring after which the duo were discharged

after a day of counseling. ‘I will never forget your kindness. I am indebted to you. Even though I may never get to pay you back, I promise never to forget this act throughout my life time. May God send your helper at every time you are in need. Welcome home dear sister’ these were the thankful words of Michelle. Kate felt happy she could help her sister and could see how happy Michelle was. A slice of tears ran down her cheeks as she hugged Michelle; they were no longer tears of pain but this time tears of joy. The tighter the embrace of her sister the more the tears flowed. She could imagine how close Michelle was to losing the only man she’d loved. Present… awrence held tightly to Kate’s hand. He could see how much strength she was losing. Her breath was slow and her chest rise was rhythmic. He knew he was losing her and so tightened his grip, he wanted to pump in joules of energy into her. She needed so much energy to fight the ghost of death. He’d known her to be strong but she now seemed to be losing the battle, she was looking so vulnerable. He was ready to fight for her if it got to that. She was the sweetest person he’d ever known, a sister, a friend, a mother since he’d lost his mom four months back. She was just two weeks away from being his wife, mother of his unborn children, one he would grow old with. He never knew fate had been somewhere laughing cruelly at them while they’d been sending wedding invites to friends and relatives. He’d tasted the cruelty of fate first hand when he’d lost both parents in a car crash just four months back. He’d had to force himself to accept them and had needed the care, inspiration and times he’d had with Kate. Looking at the once lively Kate he’d known, he felt the embrace of pain and just couldn’t control the tears that rolled down his cheeks. He needed whatever it demanded to ensure she pulled through. She’d been diagnosed of kidney complications and the doctor had told him she was only surviving on a kidney. He remembered how funny it had seemed when the doctor told him. But she confirmed what the doctor said, but refused to say whom it

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Has she find Mr. Right? was she gave her other kidney to. ‘To whom did you give your other kidney?’ he remembered asking her. She’d refused to give any answer or even a hint. This was the second of the four days the doctor had given them to either get back her kidney or find a compatible one. He was surprised at how tightly he held her hands. All he wanted was for her to say a word, he wanted desperately to know where her other kidney was. he search for a donor with compatible kidney had been fruitless. Kate could see the tears in his eyes as he tightened his hold of her. She wished she could change things for his sake. He’d told her things no one ever did, they’d had the best moments together and they’d hoped to build a home. She could see fear in his eyes and pain across his unshaved face. Even in the face of all things, there were some questions she couldn’t answer. Her other kidney had been a sacrifice to Michelle. Michelle had called the previous night from Las Vegas to ask her if she could be her bestir. Poor Michelle didn’t

quite know how much things had changed from the last time they’d spoken, Michelle didn’t seem to know she was only two days away from being a memory. ‘How is junior?’ Kate had inquired. ‘He is doing fine, he owes you his life. Thank you sis again, I pray life treats you fairly. My regards to Lawrence’ Michelle had replied before the line went dead. Kate had felt so happy she’d had a last chance to hear from her sister. She’d fought the urge to tell her sister how unfair life seemed to be treating her. She couldn’t imagine how her sis would have felt if she’d told her she had just two days to live. Maybe there were things in life that shouldn’t be, things like she building a home with Lawrence or living the life she’d dreamt of. He could feel her hand getting cold, her eyes diming and her lips moving gently even though he couldn’t hear anything she was saying. He knew she was giving up and loosened his grip a little. e needed a little more time to draft questions he wanted to ask God;

Happiness didn’t just mean being joyous, but more so it meant lending a hand to someone in need. It meant sacrifice.

was there really any God in the first place? Did he really have a heart? Was his own definition of joy all irony? Were the preaching at churches all lies? Kate knew all she had left to do was to pray for the few people she held dear to her. She could feel his grip of her loosen and tried to tighten her own grip of him; but there wasn’t the faintest of strength to do so. She muttered a silent prayer to God. She knew she was seconds away from paradise. She needed as much solace as she could get from heaven, her eyes were diming, her voice fading, she could hear unfamiliar sounds, they were scary and her lips were moving fast. All she wanted to say to Lawrence was that he should stay strong and move on with life without her and to Michelle, she had no regrets giving her kidney to Jude and would still do it over again in the afterlife if need be. Everyone had their own definition of a fulfilled life; hers was that the only fulfillment in life was to be happy, and happiness to her was best expressed in kindness. Happiness didn’t just mean being joyous, but more so it meant lending a hand to someone in need. It meant sacrifice. She closed her eyes slowly and felt a man in all whites beckon her. ‘Come home, you don’t belong to the world. You own the most beautiful of the crowns here.’ He said holding her arms gently as she suddenly began to shine like he’d passed his glamour to her. As she walked down the narrow gate she could for once see herself smile. She could see faces of people she’d once known on earth, but one thing was different, they looked more perfect, younger and more beautiful than she could remember. Naijastories.com

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

No N o lly ll y wo wood od Genevieve not my friend – Omoni Oboli O

moniOboli has opened up on her supposed “beef” with fellow actress, Genevieve Nnaji. The producer, who just premiered her movie ‘Being Mrs. Elliott’ in Aso Rock, told iCampus Newspaper: “I can’t place my fingers on when the supposed “beef “started but one thing I know is that, there is no problem between Genevieve and I. We did not have any issue or problem whatsoever. We are neither enemies nor friends. We are colleagues, a senior one at that, we greet each other when we see; it is not like we visit each other at home.” Meanwhile, director LonzoNzekwe in another interview said OmoniOboli is the best actress in Nigeria. Some bloggers lashed on it.

Omoni Oboli

Genevieve

Kannywood movie review: Zeenat

Reason why Banky Dropped Skales

Zeenat

S D

irector: Mu’azzam Idi Yari

Starring: Aisha AliyuTsamiya, Hadiza Mohammed, Adam Zango, TanimuAkawo and Aisha Kano Genre: Drama Year: 2014 Duration: 120 minutes Zeenat, played by Aisha Tsamiya, grew up pampered by her rich father. Her father’s elder brother, AlhajiLawalTanimuAkawu -is jealous that his younger brother is richer than him. Along with his wife, Larai -Aisha Kano – Lawal plots to make life miserable for Zeenat’s father, AlhajiSani. They criticiseAlhajiSani of been too subjective to his wife and not properly taking care of AlhajiLawal. Eventually, Zeenat’s father and her mother, Amina – Hadiza Mohammed – died. While Amina die of heart attack,

AlhajiSani could not bear the lost of his wife, he also fell terribly sick and later he died in the hospital, leaving their only daughter, Zeenat in the hands of her uncle. AlhajiLawal took over his brother’s wealth and turned Zeenat into his house help. He also married her out to Ali -Adam Zango, who used to be the house’s gateman employed by late AlhajiSani. Unknown to AlhajiLawal, Ali is a prince who ran away from his kingdom after his father died. I can categorically say that this movie has all it takes to be a classic. The cast was beautifully matched. Kano and Akawu, known for their villainous roles, also gave their best in this movie. Tsamiya was equally enchanting in the role. The choice of location is commendable and continuity was well done. I can safely say, at the moment, this is the best movie so far from Kannywood in 2014 .

uperstar singer and CEO of Empire Mates Entertainment, Banky W, has revealed the real reason why he dropped Skales. Skales (Raoul John NjengNjeng) was signed to EME in 2010, on a 3-year contract, and amidst a number of hit songs such as Mukulu, Take Care Of Me, and Komole, he had not truly risen to the top of mainstream Nigerian music, which made EME refuse to offer him a new contract after his previous one had expired. Banky W has revealed that he had creative differences, as well as a conviction, that Skales needed a new spark in his career, that was why he was let go.

He told Pulse: “My disclaimer is that people tend to make things a lot more negative than they are. “I have to say that we are very proud to have discovered Skales and his talent, and to have given him a foundation to begin to express himself as an artiste, and also the platform to release that music to the world. “Recording deals are based on the number of albums or the number of years. The years have passed, and we haven’t gotten to the point where we could release his first album, but we built a bit of a buzz, but we just haven’t gotten to the album. He continued. “And then I looked at it. Some of the greatest

artistes you know, had to go through 2 or 3 different labels to really figure out what it is that they wanted to do. 50 Cent was famously on Columbia, then he eventually moved from there and went down to DrDre, and then to Interscope. And Alicia Keys was on 3, 4 different labels, Lady Gaga same thing. “So sometimes an artiste, just for their own creative purposes, needs a new environment. And I think with Skales, when we found him, we said it’s like finding a young M.I. He’s a rapper, we are going to make this great rapping artiste, and he creatively decided to start changing that direction. And that’s fine, because we can never force an artiste to do something. We just try to make the best with what the artiste brings. “But there were those kind of creative differences and I just felt like, ‘You know what, this guy needs a new environment, he needs a new story. We got to the point where we said, if we had just kept him there, he’ll just be like Jay Z and the Rockefellas. There was nothing new to the story, so they kinda just remained there, and we never saw Skales like that. Skales had gone on to release a new song, ‘Shake Body’, which received massive acceptance from the Nigerian public, with a video to go with it. With an eye on business, Skales opened up his personal recording label, OHK Music which has producer Drey Sticks. Banky believes these good moves would have occurred if Skales wasn’t given the nudge, and released. “We felt like, if Skales was going to be successful, it had to be a different story, there had to be something new, a new background, just a different story that will give him the freedom to do what he wants to do. Banky added. Currently, Skales is signed to Baseline Music too, on a N200 million recording deal, which will see him record and release an undisclosed amount of songs. Banky W feels proud that good things are occurring in his life, and will always be proud of Skales. “I’m proud of him. I’m really happy for him, and I hope he has a million more big singles, and goes on to have a fantastic career. And if it does, it justifies why we signed him up in the first place, because we thought he could be a successful artiste. Big ups to Skales.” Source: Pulse.com

Chidinma, Awilo have the best voices in Africa -Dumelo

ooks like ChidinmaEkile and AwiloLongomba have been declared the best voices in Africa, this is according to Ghanaian actor, John Dumelo. The visibly excited actor who was spotted in London with the duo posted an image of all three celebrities on Instagram with the caption: “With the best voices in Africa!” Chidinma, Awilo and Iyanya are currently in London and have been spotted at Iyanya’s ongoing concert. Do you agree with John Dumelo though, are Chidinma and Awilo the best voices in Africa?

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Ho l l y wo o d / B o l l y h o o d

amzinOuthwaite has said she would have done “anything” to save her marriage to Tom Ellis. The New Tricks actress and the Miranda actor - who have two daughters, Florence, six, and two-year-old Marnie - separated in August last year after seven years of marriage.

Tamzin, 43, told the Daily Telegraph: “I’m the sort of person who makes the best of things. I will always find a way to make things work, if I can. All I can say is that I believe I would have done anything to keep us together as a family but that wasn’t what happened.” The actress has never spoken about the details of the split. She said: “I can’t talk about it. Of course, there’s a part of me that wants to set the record straight, but I don’t want to put any more stuff out there onto the internet for my children to end up reading. If the price for that is being seen in an unflattering light now, then it’s one I’m prepared to pay.” The former EastEnders star - who is set to appear in West End show Breeders with former Corrie actress Angela Griffin admitted being a single working mum was not easy. She said: “It’s tough working as a single parent, but I’m lucky enough to have chunks of time when I’m at home and a huge circle of friends and family, although my biggest extravagance is child care. “It’s not as if I’m struggling financially... my hat goes off to those who have that burden of worry as well.”

ollywood actors HrithikRoshan and Katrina Kaif are reportedly shooting a special ‘MJ style’ video for their upcoming action thriller, Bang Bang. It is said to be the title track, choreographed by BoscoCeaser, which will be on air by mid-September. “I won’t call it a tribute or a copy. But it definitely has the trademark Michael Jackson moves, Once the song was ready, we played it to Hrithik and he quipped, ‘Hey, this is typical MJ!’ That’s exactly the kind of reaction I was looking for. It’s a first for him and Katrina too. We are not doing the moonwalk but it will still be a treat,” says director SiddharthAnand. The MJ track was Siddharth’s brainchild and he has been working closely with music directors, Vishal-Shekhar, on it for the last few months. He says that the reference to his idol is unmistakable but the choreography does not include any copied steps.

rince will release two new albums in September. Art Official Age, a “classic” solo album by the Purple Rain star, and Plectrumelectrum - featuring the musician and his new band3RDEYEGIRL - will both be unveiled on September 29. They mark his first new music since 2010’s20Ten. The 56-year-old rocker took over New York’s Times Square to make the announcement, while his bandmates Donna Grantis, Hannah Ford Welton and Ida Nielsen appeared on Good Morning America to discuss the simultaneous releases.

“It’s so awesome because it’s actually a double surprise. One of them is a Prince solo album called Art Official Age and the other is the one we play on called Plectrumelectrum,” revealed drummer Hannah. Bassist Ida said: “It’s such an incredible learning experience. Everyone knows the genius of Prince, so to be able to be hands-on on a daily basis, playing with the best musicians in the world and becoming a family. We’re really tight and it makes the music that much better.” The releases mark a historic return to Warner Bros Records, Prince’s original label home.

Warner Bros Records chairman and CEO Cameron Strang said: “Prince is one of just a handful of visionary artists who have truly reshaped and redefined modern music and culture. For the past 35 years, he has never stopped evolving, challenging himself, reinventing his sound, and pushing boundaries. “In true Prince fashion, he has just given us not one, but two extraordinary albums that express the incredible range and depth of his talent. All of us at WBR are immensely proud to be working with Prince to bring this brilliant new music to his legions of fans around the world.”

S Produced by Fox Star Studios, Bang Bang has been directed by SiddharthAnand. The film is being hailed as the action romance of the year. Bang Bang is releasing on the 2nd of October. It would be a treat to see Hrithik and Katrina doing some MJ moves... isn’t it?

Superman Holy Grail comic becomes most expensive comic book with $3.2 million sale

he original copy of the very first Superman comic, Action Comics #1, which launched the superhero in 1938 and has been considered the finest preserved copy, has now earned the record of ‘most expensive’ American comic book. It has been sold for $3,207,852 in an eBbay auction and bleeding Cool’s Mark Seifert reported that the winning bidder was the dealer Metropolitan/ComicConnect, who was possibly bidding for an unknown client, the Hollywood Reporter reported. Before the appearance of this newly sold copy of Action Comics No. 1, Nicolas Cage’s copy of Action Comics No. 1 was considered the finest surviving copy. But the new copy has been considered even nicer, featuring startlingly white pages for a 76-year-old comic.

teve Martin is in talks to star in Disney family comedy Magic Camp. The 69-year-old funnyman is said to be in final negotiations to return to the studio where he first started his career, according to the Hollywood Reporter. News of his involvement came after it was revealed that the Father Of The Bride star had already written the most recent draft of the film’s script with Stu Zicherman. It was originally written by Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah. Magic Camp tells the story of a strait-laced banker who returns to the camp where he spent his youth as a shy kid. This time around, he’s a counsellor who aims to improve the lives of the children while trying to triumph in the Golden Wand competition. No director is on board yet. Steve worked at Magic Shop at Disneyland when he was younger, and was a magician in his early days as a comedian. He last worked with Disney with the studio’s Touchstone label on Shopgirl in 2005. His previous big-screen outings with the studio include 2003 comedy Bringing Down The House and Father Of The Bride

The actor’s last film role was in 2011’s comedy The Big Year with Jack Black and Owen Wilson, and he will next be heard in DreamWorks 3D animated film, Home, alongside Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and The Big Bang Theory’s Jim Parsons.

Sheeran, Blige join iTunes line-up

d Sheeran and Mary J Blige are amongst the latest additions for the 2014 iTunes festival. Singer-songwriter Ed, whose latest album X topped the UK charts, will take to the stage at Camden’s Roundhouse on September 29. “I’m very happy to be playing my third iTunes festival next month. I first played supporting Bruno Mars in 2011 and then came back the next year for my own,” he said.

Soul star Mary will make her debut on September 25 at the month-long event, which kicks off on September 1 and runs throughout the month. “I’m so happy to be playing for my first time at iTunes festival. I’ve always loved visiting London and I can’t wait to be back to see my UK fans next month,” she said. Other acts who have joined the bill include Jessie J, Tony Bennett, Placebo, Ben Howard and Nicola Benedetti, with Canadian musician Deadmau5 opening the festival.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Kannywood

The much you don’t know about ace actor Ali Nuhu H andsome kannywood actor, Ali Nuhu has achieved so much in his very youthful age as an actor both in the kannywood and nolywood industry. Born in Maiduguri town, Borno State on the 15th of March 1974, his father, Senator Nuhu Poloma, was then a Customs Officer while his late mother Hajia Fatima Karderam Digema was a caterer. He started his education in Riga Special Primary School, No Man’s Land, Kano from 19791985 and obtained his Junior Secondary School Leaving Certificate in Government Secondary Commercial School Airport Road Kano from 1986-1988. He concluded his Secondary School Education in Science Secondary School Dawakin Tofa, Kano from 1989-1991. He moved on to acquire a Bsc in Geography from the University of Jos from 1992-1997. He did his Youth Corp in Ibadan, Oyo State in the year 1998 where he participated actively in the Dance and Drama troupe finally representing the State in the NYSC National Dance and Drama Competition after some rigorous training of Bata Dance and the Stage Play titled AYOLE OLOKIKI. CAREER HISTORY In the year 1999 he entered the Hausa Movie Industry where he got a break with a movie titled “ABIN SIRRI NE” after that came other blockbusters like DIJANGALA, DANADAM BUTULU, WASILA, SANGAYA, MUJADALA etc which re established him as a force to reckon with in the Hausa Movie Industry (KANNYWOOD) where he is now a house hold name. As the most celebrated Hausa Actor ever, ALI NUHU recently ventured into Nollywood with the Amstel Malta sponsored movie SITANDA which became such a huge success and earned him Africa’s most prestigious award, ‘The African Movie Academy Award’ (AMAA). Presently he is one of the most sought after Actors in Nollywood with about 30 unreleased movies to his credit. ACHIEVEMENTS/ AWARDS Best Actor Fina finan Hausa @ yahoo groups award in the years: • 2002 with the movie YANAYI • 2003 with the movie SUTURA • 2004 with the movie RUHI • Best Actor AREWA FIMS AWARD 2005 with the movie RAZANI

• Best Actor Hausa THE AFROHOLLYWOOD AWARD in London • Best Upcoming Actor AMAA 2007 with the movie SITANDA • Actor of the year Award THE FUTURE AWARD 2008 • STARS in the movie Award 2008 • ZAFAA AWARD coming Up in October this year in London Presently ALI NUHU has 200 Hausa and 35 English movies to his credit and has featured in two widely acclaimed TV Series namely “WETIN DEY” and “FINDING AISHA”. He has done a series of concerts in countries like NIGER REPUBLIC,GABON, CHAD and some parts of CAMEROUN where he has a large fan following. He has participated in a couple Film festivals like The ZUMA FILM FESTIVAL, ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL and THE PYONGYANG FIM FESTIVAL in North Korea. He has widely travelled to NIGER, BENIN REPUBLIC, CAMEROUN, TCHAD, SUDAN, GABON, SAUDI ARABIA, DUBAI, CHINA, NORTH KOREA, ENGLAND and CONGO BRAZZAVILLE. He speaks HAUSA, ENGLISH and HINDI Languages fluently. Ali is not a man controversy. He is famous for his prolific acting and numerous awards, but not for scandals, unlike some of his colleagues in the industry. A great actor, brand ambassador and one of the most good looking stars both in Kannywood and in Nollywood. Hausafilms.com

Nuhu displaying his award

Cast members of Last Flight to Abuja: Ali Nuhu, Uru Eke, Anthony Monjaro on stage at London premiere

The celebrity showed off his wonderful family, which consists of his adorable wife and two children; a boy and a girl.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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Entertainment Xtra Mistress tears movie director’s home apart

hanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, has pleaded with social media personnel and other rumour mongers not to deprive her of potential suitors. The actress, whose marriage end sometime ago and has been desirous of a new relationship, has been in and out of relationship controversies lately. Her marriage had broken up rather controversially but she was embroiled allege relationship status with her allege ex-lover, IK Ogbonna. The latest in the controversy is that she is dating the former Mr. Nigeria, Bryan Okwara. Their rumored relationship came up when she posted playful pictures of her, Byran and Mofe Duncan. The actress has responded to reports saying the media wants her off the market; she also stated that she wants to enjoy single life and warned the media not to chase away her potential suitors. “So the media wants me off the market abi! Abeg let me enjoy my Single life oh please! Don't drive my potential suitors away just yet! This one that every other month they will find me new boyfriend. Shake my head." Bryan also supported her course by denying any dating rumor between him and the actress. "Ok..So Sources say that we are dating... does this mean Mofe Duncan is losing this battle abi? "Rumours Ko, Rmours Night Club Ni" - said Bryan Okwara. Bryan Okwara and Juliet Ibrahim are just friends. Over the week, reports went viral that the two actors are “dating”. The report stated that The couple are still keeping the romance under the radar but were recently spotted at stylist/publicist Ifan Ifeanyi Michael‘s birthday party. It was following this that they took to their Instagram pages to crush the rumours. The posts simple reads: "So the media wants me off market abi! abeg let me enjoy my single life oh. Please don't drive my potential suitors away just yet. This one that every other month dey will Juliet Ibrahim and Bryan-Okwara find me new bf. smh."

I always beg God for forgiveness after singing ‘Ukwu’

‘U

Timaya

kwu’ crooner, Timaya, has disclosed that the reason his songs are banned on television and radio stations is because he gives his fans what they want to listen to. According to the singer, he never wanted to stay long in the secular music because of his role in the Living Gospel Mission choir while growing, but that people made him change to who he is today. Timaya narrated that he actually started with music about God before singing about envies, which many lambasted him for. The singer said he then decided to do something new, which was why he took off his dreadlocks. He further revealed that what people don’t know that he never for once left God, adding that he sang the ‘Ukwu’ song to make a living for himself. Timaya disclosed that he still goes back to pray for forgiveness.

nother scandal is currently raging in Nollywood. And this time, it involves an elderly movie director who cannot put his two legs in one place. The director, who hails from the South South geo-political zone and has fair complexion, and whose first name has the 5th alphabet beginning his name, can sleep with anything in skirt. The latest one that has set his home on fire is an office romance with one of his staffers. The lady in question has alphabet D beginning her name. A big time schemer, she came in as an office assistant, but is currently in charge of the director’s life and office. YES INTERNATIONAL! even gathered that not even the man’s official wife can’t contain her. Reason being that she’s become so powerful that she now determines whether the man goes home or not; who to see him or not; businesses he should get involved in or not. The whole thing is now so inexplicable that talks of using black power on the man is now all over the industry. Even the lady’s friend who used to be an item with the man has also been uprooted, leaving this new Delilah in total control. As a last resort, the director’s wife and concerned family members have begun praying daily for his freedom from the firm grip and obviously remotecontrolled influence of the lady. -YES International! Culled from Nigerifilms

Nothing wrong to sleep with producers for movie roles, says Nollywood actress

Nollywood actress, Tessy Oragwa, has spoken on the widely talked about affair for movie roles in Nollywood. The gap-toothed actress said it is a personal decision and should not be opened to criticism. According to her, the issue happens in all sectors, but more pronounced in the entertainment industry because celebrities are in the eyes of many. Tessy pointed out that as far as a woman is concerned, she will always be approached by guys and it will be left for her to make a choice of what to do. “There is no discrimination about that, but don’t make it look like you are being harassed or forced to do what you do not want to do. You have a mind of your own and you are mature enough to take decisions,” she said. The actress also denied ever having such experience, but admitted that any producer approaches her and he is good, she could agree just for fun. “No, I don’t think anybody would want to do such a thing to me. When you approach me and you are good, I might decide to take a decision and have my fun,” she declared. Tessy Oragwa

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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LETTERS

NMA’s selfish demands By Olukayode Philips

igerian Medical Association (NMA), executives should be ashamed of themselves and stop giving us a bad image. Myself and some others never supported their demands. I am also a doctor but I saw the demand to be selfish and not for the progress and interest of Nigerians. For the first time, I PRAISE AND declared my SUPPORT President Jonathan. The decision he has taken to sack the striking doctors is welcome. Since the resident doctors are tired of working they should be relieved of their jobs. Their jobs should be given to other people who will bring fresh blood into the system. I see the NMA’s insistence that the Federal Government must create a new political office called the Surgeon General of the Federation just because there is the Office of the Attorney General of the federation for the legal profession, is rather selfish. I think they should go and read the responsibilities of Attorney General

of the Federation before making such demand. Besides, there is no place in the world where a government introduces such office just because some think they can compel the government to do so. If there is no such office yet there are many contentions and controversies in the health sector among health workers what then will

happen when this new office is created? At the moment, some doctors see pharmacies, laboratory attendants, nurses as less important and irrelevant. But it is clear none is less important and relevant than the other in work of saving life. Two, I think the demand was unnecessary, greedy request from selfish doctors

WRITE TO US

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who have been accused of running down the public hospital just to promote their private clinics. What is more they earn salaries from two places at the same time. How can people employed to serve the public and paid from public coffers opted to maltreat the same public, hold the people to ransom yet continue to pretend to represent the people? No, public service doctors are selfish, unpatriotic. Asking for extra N100,000 allowance excluding the many allowances allocated to them clearly showed where their interests in. Imagine demanding that the doctors must skip level 12 as a starting point when we know that in other professions, BSc holders are placed on level 8 as starting point while P.hds are on level as starting block. The NMA want to create the impression that they are more important than other professioinals. Hmmmmm, I guess somebody should please talk some sense into the NMA National President, Dr. Kayode Obembe and his executive members to come down from their high horse and be truly patriotic. Philips writes from Abuja

Why Boko Haram is getting bolder and stronger By Bakane

igeria is today an uncertain country with an equally an uncertain future. Only the Almighty Allah holds the key to what may become of her tomorrow. Where yesterday is better than today and tomorrow appears gloomy on the horizon, the future remains predictably uncertain and very worrisome. The worse is that many have never had hope in the country. Where some insist that their tribal identity comes first before their national identity, and this is being preached by the well informed. You do not need to be told that Nigeria has no patriots but are trib-

alists. When those who influence public opinion are the choir masters of such ethnic doctrine, as a political philosophical belief, then we don’t need to be told who have been systematically working against our national interest. In a pluralistic society such as ours, such preachments have been making it impossible to accept the concept of consensus. On account of the foundation of this wrong philosophical belief, today in Nigeria, virtually every tribe, if not clan, is a ‘nation,’ so we have the Igbo nation, the Yoruba nation, the Ijaw nation, the Gwari nation and several others. The attachment to these “nations” is greater than the attachment to the true

Nigerian nation. Indeed, with the high tech propaganda attached to the birth of these ethnic nations, we have been killing ourselves more on their behalf than on behalf of Nigeria. Such therefore has the rising tide of ethnic and clanish nationalism been killing Nigeria and her people. And this is the greater danger we face now and in the years ahead. The masters of this ethnic gospel are perhaps in position to withstand the vigours of ethnic nationalism. Not so others particularly here in the North. According to a study, there are about 240 ethnic groups in Nigeria, with as many as 400 clans of various colours. Bakane writes from Abuja

“

When those who influence public opinion are the choir masters of such ethnic doctrine, as a political philosophical belief, then we don’t need to be told who have been systematically working against our national interest.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Opinion Nigeria’s war against Boko Haram By Dr. Ijabla Raymond

do not believe that the government fully understands the nature or the gravity of the problem that confronts it. There appears to be greater preoccupation with winning next year’s elections than with fighting Boko Haram. This is unfortunate because more northern Nigerian towns and villages are falling under the control of jihadist terrorists by the day. In the last two months the world has been preoccupied with events in the Middle East, namely the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the Islamic State in Iraq & Syria (ISIS). The stories and pictures emanating from these places are absolutely gruesome and the world is right to focus on them. But I do not understand why the genocide and displacement of communities in northern Nigeria by Boko Haram has escaped the attention of the world, even though the situation there is arguably on a similar scale to what we are seeing in the Middle East right now. In the last week alone, Boko Haram has captured three towns - Gwoza, Limankara and Madagali - in the northeastern states of Borno and Adamawa. In the style of ISIS fighters, the group has captured military bases, seized military hardware, burnt down entire villages, killed the inhabitants in the process, executed soldiers and civilians by beheading them, and caused the displacements of communities. We all recall the abduction of nearly 250 girls and the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Since then there have been more reports of abductions, attacks on schools and the murder of innocent students. I do not mean to trivialise the IsraeliPalestinian conflict but no one needs to be reminded about the degree of global news coverage that followed the abduction and murder of three Israeli teenagers and the conflict that ensued. Nigeria is a regional power and has taken part in many successful peacekeeping missions in Africa and around the world. Unfortunately, this giant is now confronted with a type of problem that it seems incapable of solving on its own. Only last week, a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary entitled “Nigeria’s Hidden War” revealed

damning footages of unprofessional behaviour and gross human rights abuses by Nigerian soldiers in their attempt to contain Boko Haram. Their methods were indistinguishable from those employed by the insurgents and have been rightly condemned by Amnesty International. Quite why the largest army in Africa with its impressive record of successful international peacekeeping missions cannot defeat a domestic terrorist organisation is everybody’s guess. Why was this organisation even allowed to grow when it could have been nipped in the bud? The failure of the army to defeat Boko Haram has been attributed to corruption, unprofessionalism, under-resourcefulness, lack of equipment, poor motivation, the deliberate crippling of the military by successive military governments to prevent coups, and the infiltration of the army’s rank and file by BH sympathisers and saboteurs. But there is a more important reason - poor understanding of BH’s mission or a denial of it. Jihadist terrorism is arguably the biggest threat to world peace in the 21st century. There is only one correct way to view Boko Haram, and that is, as jihadist terrorists. It is a serious error of judgement to presume that Boko Haram is a political tool put in place to humiliate a Christian president or to topple his government or to re-establish northern hegemony or that it is even a political party of some description. I suspect this is the advice that President Jonathan has received, and this may explain his apparent indecisiveness in dealing with Boko Haram. Lest we forget, Boko Haram started its violent campaigns during the presidency of Yar’Adua who was a Muslim from northern Nigeria. If Boko Haram wants to re-establish northern hegemony, then attempting to assassinate respected Northern leaders such as the Emir of Kano and the Shehu of Borno would seem like a stupid, counterintuitive and counterproductive thing to do. Boko Haram is an islamo-fascist organisation whose only objective is to create an Islamic caliphate in Nigeria. It does not respect Nigeria’s internal borders, and like other islamo-fascist groups such as ISIS, the ultimate goal is the establishment

of a worldwide caliphate. Shekau has repeatedly told us that his targets are Christians. The Quran refers to Christians and Jews as “people of the BOOK. It is the way of life of these people (of the book) that Boko Haram refers to as “haram” or forbidden. There are no Jews in Nigeria and this jihad is directed against Christians, Non-islamic education, democracy, civic institutions such as the police, military, judiciary are synonymous with Western civilisation and by implication Christianity. This is why Boko Haram wants to destroy these institutions and replace them with Sharia. Shekau has also repeatedly said that any Muslim who does not subscribe to the ideology of Boko Haram or its version of Islam is a legitimate target for attack. This includes Muslims who participate in any process that is considered un-Islamic or non-compliant with Sharia e.g. politicians, democrats, policemen, military personnel, school students or university students. This is why Boko Haram sought to kill those respected emirs. It is why Shekau referred to the late but respected Muslim

“

President Jonathan and his advisers must change their tactic - we are a country at war against jihadist terrorists. It is regrettable that our president did not make a public statement on the Chibok abductions until he was forced to do so (many weeks after the abductions) by international pressure from the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

politicians, Sir Balewa and Mallam Aminu Kano, as infidels. He even called the king and princes of Saudi Arabia infidels. Otherwise, the death of any Muslim during Boko Haram campaigns is unintended and is purely collateral damage. This is an accurate assessment of the mindset of Boko Haram and is not designed to stir up hatred between Christians and Muslims. All peace-loving Nigerians, whether they be Christians or Muslims, must rise and fight this ideology. There needs to be urgent action to address the problem of Almajiri destitution and to regulate what the Almajiris are being taught in Koranic schools. We can no longer afford to let fundamentalist preachers (whether native or invited from foreign countries) to continue running wild without some form of censorship. President Jonathan and his advisers must change their tactic - we are a country at war against jihadist terrorists. It is regrettable that our president did not make a public statement on the Chibok abductions until he was forced to do so (many weeks after the abductions) by international pressure from the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Until now, the president has yet to visit these troubled spots. It was Malala Yusuf who finally managed to convince him fairly recently to meet the family of the abducted girls. The president must be advised that this is not a war by a group of enemies to topple his government and he must, from now on, fight this war with all the will, power and resources at his disposal. As experience has shown in Rwanda, Bosnia, Somalia and with ISIS fighters in Iraq, situations like ours can degenerate very rapidly, but lives can be saved if the international community acts decisively and timely. Nigeria needs urgent help with training, intelligence gathering and reconnaissance. We need to put the focus back on Nigeria. With a population of nearly 170 million people, nobody should want to see a refugee crisis situation develop in Nigeria! Raymond, a medical doctor of Nigerian heritage writes from the UK. He can be reached via Ijabla. Raymond@facebook.com

The real threat to Islamic State is not the West By Sunny Hundal

“I

was like any other regular Canadian. I watched hockey, I went to the cottage in the summertime, I loved to fish, I wanted to go hunting… I was a regular person,” said Abu Muslim in the last video he recorded before his death. And then came his pitch: “Everyone can contribute something to the Islamic State, as it is obligatory on us ... If you have knowledge on how to build roads and houses, you can be of use here.” Andre Poulin, as he was named at birth, was confirmed dead in January of this year and one of the first known Canadians fighting for the Islamic State group in Syria. The recruitment video, released in July as the Islamic State gathered strength, took many experts by surprise for how “slick” it was. But more than that, it played on the paranoia of governments around the world that their citizens could be heading in the same direction. The establishment of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria poses a far greater threat to Muslims than it does to the west. Western government may worry sleeper cells at home or radicalised Muslims travelling back from Iraq, but it is Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere who have most to worry about from the Islamic State. Even the brutal and horrifying decapitation of the journalist James Foley doesn’t change anything - the number of Iraqis executed by

Islamic State fighters is far, far more. Inside Story - Islamic State ‘beheading’: A challenge to US? In many ways it is perhaps the worst development in recent Muslim history since 9/11. There are two reasons for this: First, it is likely to cause even greater unrest in countries where Muslims aren’t a majority, and second, the Islamic State group could tear apart the Middle East and cause further unrest for generations. In a very short time the Islamic State has become the most compelling and attractive organisation for Muslim fighters around the world, more so than al-Qaeda ever was. India, which has the world’s second-largest Muslim population, is especially in shock after Islamic State sympathisers have turned up from Kashmir in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south. There is not one recorded instance of an Indian Muslim having fought for al-Qaeda, but already four are suspected of having joined the group. Now Indians worry that more will follow. The impact of this phenomenon on community relations - in Canada, India, the US, and Europe - could be devastating. Once again, suspicions will easily be raised by Islamophobes about Islamic State sympathisers in the west and whether they pose a threat. One pollster has found support for the group to be as high as 16 percent in France. The news media will undoubtedly report on American or

European Muslims joining the group or calling for violence in videos, further raising tensions and besmirching the Muslim faith. Secondly and more importantly, the Islamic State has sparked political and theological instability across the Middle East, and if they continue expanding, could plunge the region into even greater chaos. The group has prompted bomb blasts and fighting in Lebanon, and in Jordan and Kuwait the governments are worried that sleeper cells may attack at any moment. But it is Saudi Arabia that is on high alert, worried that the Islamic State group will come after them with force. In a recent interview, a senior Islamic State defector said their next stop would be Saudi Arabia, which includes Mecca and Medina. Its rulers are now in full panic, sending money to the Lebanese army, funding UN counterterrorism efforts, and even getting senior Muftis to condemn the group. And there is a reason for this panic. The Islamic State is a direct descendant of al-Qaeda, but there is one key difference: Its leaders believe fighting “apostates” is more important than fighting non-Muslims for now. They want to unite the Middle East under their banner before truly turning their sights on the US and Europe. Their caliphate, say its fighters, will never be truly powerful unless apostates and “fake” Muslims are first weeded out - and their definition of “apostate” expands to include anyone who stands against them.

Al-Qaeda has always seen this as a bad strategy, as it risks alienating Muslims worldwide. But the astonishing growth of the Islamic State, despite their enthusiasm for killing Shia Muslims and other socalled “apostates” - such as the Yazidis has turned that thinking on its head. In fact the Islamic State declaration has split the jihadi world, with many angry at the upstarts for being so daring while others enthusiastically pledging support. AlQaeda itself has been criticised by affiliates in Syria for not condemning Islamic State, most likely because its worried such a move would lose it support. In the eyes of many jihadis, the Islamic State has established the most successful and feared caliphate in recent history. That in itself has spurred many to join it. The immediate goal of the Islamic State is to forcefully take over other Arab states and bring their subjects under their own banner. The murder of Americans such as James Foley is meant to shock the world, to bring attention and attract more support. But make no mistake: The real threat from the Islamic State is to other Muslims in the Middle East. Sooner or later people across the Middle East will have to face up to this threat. Hundal is the author of the recently released e-book, India Dishonoured: Behind a Nation’s War on Women.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Opinion

A pack of crayons for Jonathan By Jaafar Jaafar

ince the government of Nigeria employed the services of international public relations firm, Levick, to bring back its lost image, there is a general outcry among Nigerians as to why the firm would be given the sum of $1.2 million for the PR sinecure. Not just the enormity of the amount Nigerians keep haggling about but the logic behind FG’s decision. What is the rationale behind dismissing calls from local activists long before the situation went out of hand? Why should the FG raise doubt over the issue in the first place? Why or how will the opposition party kidnap the girls in order to make the president unpopular? Why shouldn’t the FG take action until the global catcall? In the past few months, the traditional media and the new media focused their attention on Nigeria over the Chibok girls, who were abducted three months ago while sitting for secondary school certificate examinations. Chibok kidnaping obviously stirred up the hornet’s nest, letting the world to see the many shortcomings of the Jonathan presidency. Nigeria’s problems are worsening by the day. The attacks have become a daily recurrence — competing in the realm of certainty with sunset. Under emergency rule and Jonathan’s inept government, the terrorists are gaining grounds, kidnapping hundreds, getting more arms, capturing more towns and declaring an Islamic state. Much as I do not believe the pedestrian theory that Jonathan’s government is behind Boko Haram terrorism, I also do not

believe the vague notion that the opposition party is sponsoring the terrorists. I can only blame the president for lack of commitment, much as I will accuse the opposition of wanting to exploit his failures in this regard for political gains. President Jonathan’s inability to show commitment to fight against terrorism made him suffer a huge image crisis, blighting almost beyond recognition his local and international outlook. I suppose redeeming an image so tarred is perhaps the most difficult PR drudgery Levick has ever attempted. What lies will Levick tell the world about 480 defecting Nigerian troops? The underlying factors that led to their action clearly indicate failure of Janathan’s government either to provide them the required motivation or firepower. It will surely motivate our troops at the battle line and increase Jonathan’s image rating if he spares some hours off his frequent Europe junkets to visit and motivate them. Perhaps if this proactive measure was taken, there wouldn’t be any crossover, mutiny or desertion. Levick must also made the president understand that blame game doesn’t solve a problem. It rather lowers the estimation of the Jonathan administration in the eyes of Nigerians and international community. The more he blames without taking action, the more he is seen as a weakling. Rather than blame the opposition or Northern elders of sabotage, the president should expose the ‘perceived saboteurs’ and bring them to book. Shortly after Malala Yousafzai’s plea and the president’s consent to see the Chibok girls’ parents, Jonathan’s publicists

blamed the opposition for stopping the Chibok community from seeing the president. The opposition queried back: Who stopped the president from seeing the distraught parents and community leaders for three months? You see the response blame game elicits? Levick should also caution the president against the use of religion to gain political capital from a section of the country. Jonathan should ask his party and it’s spokesmen to refrain from accusing the opposition party of religious bias. As a PR strategy, if I were President Jonathan, I will have a number of people from a religion different from mine to be my image handlers. An average Muslim in the North sees Jonathan’s government as having ethnic and religious bias. Nigeria’s dichotomy and division is no longer the issue of the South versus the North. The chasm created by religious differences is now the in-thing, and has become a mine where votes can be ploughed out easily. Despite some implied actions and inactions denoting use of religious card, the ruling PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Oliseh Metuh, first fired the salvo in January, saying the APC exco was brim with Muslims. Rising in defense, APC’s all-time spokesman Lai Mohammed says his party’s 35-man exco was evenly divided between Christians and Muslims. Why all this? In the first instance, invoking religion into political war is defeatist. Already, a division has been created. What is now needed is the remedy. The rattling lot of Labaran Maku, Reuben Abati, Doyin Okupe, Reno Omokri, Mike Omiri, Frank Mba (now Emmanuel Ojukwu),

Chris Olukolade, Marilyn Ogar, who are directly or indirectly the spin masters of Jonathan administration, should not be all Christians. I say this not because I am a Muslim but as the ideal way to shore up the president’s image rating in the North. It’ll be a good PR gimmick at this moment. I have a screenshot of a tweet from the President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr Reno Omokri, in which he said the North is parasitic. No action was taken by the president over this insult. The same person also once sent an article with his infamous nom de plume, Wendell Simlin, linking the present emir of Kano to Boko Haram. The presidency didn’t take action. As a way to disassociate itself from Omokri’s action, the president should have relieved him of his appointment immediately. Levick should tell Mr President that refusal to do so signifies approval of the presidency. A few days ago, Mike Omeri blamed Borno State government for missing Chibok girls. Forget the fact Borno State is under state of emergency, protection of lives and property of the people is the primary responsibility of the Commander in Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Only recently, the spokesperson of Department of State Service (DSS) Marilyn Ogar also went partisan, saying when APC wins election, Boko Haram doesn’t detonate bombs. Statements like these do harm mainly on the president’s image. By and large, Jonathan is the architect of his own image problems. Levick can help him redraw the image, using the locally made crayons highlighted above. Jaafar send this piece from Kano

Alhaji Adamu Ahmed Mu’azu- A man of history By George Udoh

mong makers of history, in Nigeria, Alhaji Adamu Ahmed Mu’azu, the current National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, must stand high. He is the first democratically elected governor ever to head the PDP. Founded almost 16 years ago, things appear to be looking up for the party and Mu’azu, assumed office in January, 19, 2014 as the Chairman of PDP. Eight months since he was saddled with the headship of the party, Alhaji Mu’azu has made significant achievements that has led to the transformation of the party. Mu’azu’s achievements as a bridge-builder may not be unconnected to his posture as a moderate who has discarded the toga of hardliner and clothed himself with the garment of social pragmatism. This has manifested in his desire and commitment to take the PDP to the desired heights The leadership style of Alh Mu’azu is motivational coupled with his accommodating personality and humility .He is a man who is ready to listen and act on matters concerning the party and its members. He is always ready to attend to the needs of whoever comes his way and he makes himself accessible to all members of the party. Mu’azu’s indelible marks as Governor of Bauchi state cover a wide range of sectors that include infrastructure and economic development , poverty alleviation ,health education, and , women’s and youth empowerment,, sport among others Tourism is one of the key sector where Bauchi State has relative advantage over other states in Nigeria, and in the West African sub-region, for that matter. At inception, the Mu’azu administration initiated policies and programs aimed at harnessing some of the state’s rich

endowments. Today ,eight months in office as PDP chairman, Mu’azu has once more brought to bear his visionary leadership on the party .Having looked back and diagnosed accurately , where the rains started drenching the party under its great umbrella ,Mu’azu paved a smooth road ,launching PDP skywards and returning it to the totem pole of contemporary world history. In his unrelenting pursuit of this, the party under Mu’azu watch has erected significant milestones on this new road to the future. These milestones which are the cardinal bases of PDP’S present and projected successes are legion but suffice me to itemize the following feats recorded by this man of history .Those gifted with hindsight of reckoning would recall that PDP witnessed a major crack with the formation of Baraje-led PDP which almost left the party in tatters. Since Alhaji Ahmed Mu’azu mounted the saddle as the Chairman of the party,, he has been the change factor around which the fortunes of the ruling party have so far revolved. Ahead of discharging his task, upon assumption of office, Muazu moved to reconciling aggrieved members of the party by doing the largely unthinkable in certain cases. For instance apologized publicly to the five governors, lawmakers and other stakeholders who dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying the party was sorry over what happened. The governors were those of Jigawa, Kano, Niger, Rivers and Sokoto states. Mu’azu also pleaded with the G5 governors to return to PDP in the spirit of patriotism, against the backdrop that the party had helped them get to where they are stressing that the doors were open for

the former party members in the PDP. He spoke when he received Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, who was at the National Secretariat on a solidarity visit. Muazu noted that his leadership would continue to strengthen and deepen the nation’s democracy, adding that plans had been concluded to set up a very high powered reconciliation committee that would comprise major stakeholders and leaders to reach out to everyone especially those who defected. Muazu specifically pleaded with Governor Lamido to help reach out to his colleagues who left the party to create an enabling environment as the leadership planned to meet and beg them to come back. As keeping faith with the essence of leadership responsibility, the Adamu Mu’azu- led PDP succeeded in bring back some aggrieved decampee party members .Furthermore the party under Mu’azu’s watch succeeded in halting APC momentum and stopping their almost successful takeover of NASS. In addition recorded another giant feat at bringing hitherto members of the opposition party to PDP like former Governor Ibrahim Shekaru of Kano State and General Buba Marwa (rtd) Mu’azu has also proven his mettle as a leader that stands for fair play. Muazu, whom his associates love to call The Game Changer, continues to live true to the goal of positively changing the image, fortunes and character of the PDP. For instance, unlike in the past years of acrimony on all fronts, Mu’azu, so full of energy, has been able to pilot the affairs of PDP away from controversies that could adversely affect its image. When at the end of Anambra governorship poll, PDP lost to APGA, he caused the party to congratulate not only the APGA candidate, Chief Obiano,

but the party too under his leadership we are seeing a party that is purposeful and accountable. His ingenuous and innovative programmes and matchless achievements are now being celebrated with pomp and pageantry. The laudable stability and reconciliation in the party have also restored the confidence of members in the party. Undeniably, Mu’azu has brought succour to PDP with the strong bond of camaraderie that now exists between the party and the President Goodluck Jonathan as well as among its leadership and members. This should serve as a strong statement to the opposition that they are up for an uphill task as they try to wrest power from PDP come 2015. More importantly, recently, the ruling party underscored this point when Ekiti electorate returned the so-called underdog, Ayodele Fayose as its Governor-elect. Instructively, when most PDP leaders felt that Fayose would not deliver at the poll, the Game Changer put his bet on him, ensure he got the party’s flag. Today, PDP has reclaimed Ekiti state, making a massive in-road into the South West geo-political zone ahead of the 2015 general elections, with all these developments, this man of history has taken a quantum leap by returning the party to the glorious path of its founding fathers, and recreating the winning streak for which the party is noted. This may of history is not resting on his oars as he seriously re-strategizing ahead of 2015 general elections to re-capture more states for the ruling party, PDP in spite of the outcome of the just concluded governorship election of Osun State. Udoh, a political commentator wrote in from Abuja.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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Online Comments NMA strike: Zamfara doctors shun hospitals Yin $ Yang says: The Federal Government was supposed to hold the bull (NMA/NARD) by the horn but they decided to hold it by the tail so the bull is still actively destroying the crops (healthcare) in FG’s farm. We need people that understand the system and who are sincerely interested in working for Nigeria, whoever advised suspension of residency training did not love Nigerians.

Nasarawa: Scores feared killed in fresh communal clash Laminu says: Nasarawa state was peaceful but things changed when Al Makura became governor.

Niger east by-election: APC crisis deepens, chieftains to defect to PDP Cbarlesbank C says: Without being partisan, I agree the APC and the states it controlled have the machinery to impoverish the citizen/ residents. It seems the APC is anti people. Their states are buried in both high and low profile corruption. Their leaders are experts in peddling propaganda. APC cries more than the bereaved just to curry favour from non-discerning electorates. Unfortunately, it seems some in the PDP cannot read the hand writing on the wall. APC members are a bunch of political harlots, people mostly seeking cheap political relevance.

Adamawa: Jonathan meets PDP governors, officials Innocent Maduka Okoro says: The president should order the immediate reinstatement to office of Mr Onyebuchi the Enugu state deputy governor whose i8mpeachment Governor Sullivan Chime sponsored. He was impeached simply because is nursing to ambition to represent Enugu East in the Senate in 2015 against Chime’s candidate Ify Nwobodo. President Goodluck should ensure that Chime never gets the PDP ticket to contest the senatorial election in 2015 because he has failed to deliver the dividends of democracy to Enugu people.

2015: I’ll tackle insecurity headlong – Buhari

Goodman says: MUNAFUKI MUTUM (HYPOCRITE),,,, Engr Ben says: My General, this is not the era of War Against Indiscipline, a fight that was chiefly indiscipline and corruption that you adopted through your military discipline. Then it was military era but this is democracy where the voice of the people and not one man’s dictorial influence, supersedes. Dan Duku says: Well, he should have the answer after all he is a military man. But it seems curious considering that he had promised to make Nigeria ungovernable in 2011. However, one wonders how many true democrats will really give their votes to Buhari, a known conservative and dictator. Buhari should grow up Nigeria has outgrown his likes. Goodman says: Well, only the politically naïve and those who vote purely on tribal and religious sentiments would line up for Buhari. Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Whatever anyone chooses to say you are the man that we will support come 2015. We know only the South East and South South people who are benefitting

Gov. Tanko Almakura

Atiku Abubakar

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

from Jonathan’s government will vote for him. Dear general whatever names they call you does not matter, what will matter will be our decision to vote for you.

DEMOCRACY. With this system I do not believe the APC have DEMOCRATIC elements within itself. It will make them lose their good members to their oppositions.

unemployment

Big Seg says: Of course, who didn’t know that you will able to wrap up what was started. Please let us remember that Boko Haram nominated Buhari to negotiate with the federal government, on their behalf sometimes ago. Of course, this did not take awhile to sink in, but it took a quite awhile before Buhari opted to turn it down. It means Boko Haram were trying to let the cat out of the bag. But that offer to tackle insurgence will not give you the ticket, unfortunately.

Ebola: FG postpones schools resumption to October 13 Jj says: Another means to loot the treasury.

Fintiri not qualified contest – Gulak

In ADAMAWA, APC will defeat PDP come October 11 Bi-Election. Tyler says: It’s my Prediction. Soon our CEREMONIAL PRESIDENT will come to ADAMAWA to campaign for his UNDEMOCRATIC PEOPLEs PARTY in other to deceitfully influence and to promise them HEAVEN AND EARTH as usual if voted his party into power. But ADAMAWANS will reject him and his gangs of undemocratic persons pretending to represent his interests in the forthcoming Adamawa re-run election.

Nigerian Army and Boko to Haram onslaught

Engr Ben says: When a man carries two things on his hands and attempts to climb a tree, he will not only fall off the tree but those things will slip off his palms. Further, he would end up achieving nothing at all. Well, by his actions, the Acting Governor, Fintiri, has shown that he is a greedy politician. He believes impeaching will open the way for him to become governor of Adamawa state. Well, he should know that his days are numbered.

Struck with paralysis, the pathetic story of Zahardeen Sulaiman Muhammad Ayagi says: Good article and a sign of thorough investigative reporting. However, PEOPLES’ DAILY should sponsor an Appeal Fund for this young chap to enable Nigerians to contribute to his health condition. May Allah heal him through good Samaritans and philanthropists that may likely come across this article. Kindly consider an APPEAL FUND FOR ZAHRADDEEN. It is not late yet – and can be sponsored abroad for better health care.

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: Federal government has no defense on these allegations. Using equipment manufactured in1972 to fight Boko-Haram that boast of the latest military equipment, mostly those manufactured in 2013, clearly shows what we have all suspected: Nigeria Army is ill-equipped. If the Defence Headquarter say they bought modern equipment, yet the equipment are not there it could only means that they are the one supplying Boko-Haram the equipment to fight Nigerians. Sometime ago, some from the North East had alleged that helicopter belonging to Nigerian government was seen dropping equipment for the Boko-Haram. Federal government and Ministry of Defence failed to deny this allegation, but now the matters on ground has proved the allegation to be correct.

Boko Haram takes over Gamboru – Ngala Jj says: If the troops are on a tactical mission why then should they return to the Barracks in Nigeria.

55 days after. . . Doctors 2014: APC and battle for suspend strike LABAN WEKESA says: the soul of Adamawa I really appreciate the great job you are Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: The big wings (god fathers) that are picking their favourites for elective posts are holding back the progress of the APC . They are playing ADEDIBU SYSTEM of party control, which is not good for

doing. I do write stories for young people. With due respect can i submit them for young people to read on your Newspaper? Thank you.

Enough of lies on youth

Moses Ola-Olu Famuyiwa says: This is well written article, Ochiaka Ugwu,the problems of unemployment among Nigerian Youth is delibrate actions by the Federal and State governments, ministry of Finance knows, but all the agencies they have created are used to syphin money . They are making use of most of these youth as their political thugs, nothing more. But they failed to know as you have said that these jobless youths are taking to crimes just to occupy themselves and of course will ultimately attack them subsequently. The best solution is to find way to wipe out corruption both in the Federal and State governments levels before any programme to solve the problems of unemployment, hence, they will just be saying the spend billion of dollars in SURE-P to SURE-Z. Garba says:

@Moses. I disagree with your assertion. The rate of unemployment in Nigeria has always being on the high side. What the minister of finance and the federal government are doing is laudable. We must find ways to commend them for those initiatives. Garba says: I have seen several people who have escaped the burden of unemployment as a result of the federal government’s initiative. And these people have gone ahead to become employers of labor.

Adamawa bye-election: Stakeholders canvass for Atiku’s intervention SirOscie. says: Atiku has always been on the side of the people and will do his best to help his state as he has always done. So we know he will allow the party primaries in his home state go through total democratic setting and for the people’s choice and the best candidate to emerge as the party’s candidate. APC is not PDP where the rule of law and the people are not considered. APC is the people’s party and we will all see that in Adamawa State, because the election is not about Atiku Abubakar at all but about the people of ADAMAWA STATE and them alone Mr. Abdin says: Atiku has always committed himself to the success and promotion of democracy in the country. I believe that Turaki will give everyone a level playing ground to participate in the APC primaries.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Interview

Confab cannot create states, says ex-Deputy Gov. Chief Sule Iyaji was the Deputy Governor of the old Benue state (before Kogi state was created) and a delegate to the just concluded sixth National Conference. He took time off to speak on few recommendations including state creation and the essence of the conference noting that the Confab lacks the legal authority to create states. He believes the president is not barred by the constitution to do anything that would promote the corporate unity of Nigeria including engineering a referendum, where necessary. He spoke with Assistant Editor, Patrick Andrew and sundry other matters. Here are excerpts….

hat were the most remarkable recommendations of the 2014 conference? Well, many were pessimistic that the conference was not going to be a success. No matter how laudable an idea is pessimists will object but I am happy to say that such pessimism has been proved wrong. The conference was a great success as you could see the 494 delegates became closer, were more patriotic and had greater determination to form one strong country. So by and large, I will say it was a grand success. On the most outstanding achievements of the conference, I will say one: All across the zones of the country, delegates expressed the desire for the oneness of the country which is very important and critical. There was no tendency towards disuniting this country, no tendency towards reshaping in a way that there will be a long term drift towards separation. What we noticed was a lot of commitment towards forming a viable union. The recommendations that I consider very important was the indivisibility of the entity called Nigeria. Secondly, all recommendations, if you examine them closely, are focused on bringing about a more harmonious, more workable structure for this country and for ensuring that structural developments for this country. There were areas where the recommendations tend to be legislative that’s for implementation there is the need for them to go through an arm of government that has the power which is the National Assembly. I do believe that by the President either a referendum or through handling the document to the NASS for deliberation, it is my hope that all persons that shall be involved will be patriotic enough to pursue what is good and progressive for Nigeria. Sir, but referendum has no constitutional provision and besides many are afraid that the members of the NASS may be opposed to the recommendations considering the conference as usurpation of their functions? Yes, if you go through the constitution, there is no specific provision for a referendum. But if you look at the functions of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is at liberty to do anything that will promote the corporate existence of this country, promote the unity of this country. So if he deems it appropriate to call for a referendum, there is no specific provision in the constitution that bars him from doing so. So he can do this and that and like I said earlier it is only the recommendations of the conference that has to do with changing the constitution that he cannot pursue because he leads one arms of the government. Hence, aside from the strict matters of constitution amendment which rests with the NASS others are recommendations which border on executive implementation, not requiring making a new law, in such areas the president is at liberty to, in consultation with his cabinet and the Council of State to go ahead and implement these recommendations.

Chief Sule Iyaji , former Deputy Governor Towards the end of the life of the sixth National Conference, there were some agitations especially with the emergence of a new draft constitution, some thought that it was indirect introduction of a third term agenda. Could shade light on this agitation and the suspicion therein? Third term agenda simply borders on speculation. It was clearly speculative. There was no inkling towards third term. As a delegate, I did not see any inkling towards a third term agenda in the whole thing. Some were suspicious though and the example which they implied was that there had been in our judicial system a declaration that if somebody had held an office during a particular dispensation, he can count what he is enjoying now as the first since it is outside of what he enjoyed during an earlier dispensation. This analysis was drawn from the case of Prince Abubakar Audu, the former Executive Governor of Kogi state. He had operated as governor from 1991 to 1993 but

“

that administration ended and then came another administration from 1999 to 2003 and he wanted to contest again in 2003 but some people said that will amount to a third term counting from the 1991-1993, 1999 to 2003 and likely from 2003 to 2007, it would meant his enjoying three tenures. Those who were championing that say we were preparing ground for president and some governors to enjoy third term. I call it speculative because the situation are not exactly the same in that Abubakar did his first tenure under a military regime but you can’t add that to a civilian democratic dispensation, they did not tarry. I want to say that anybody who is vying for a position in 2015 either a first tenure or a second tenure and at no point in our history shall we regard the period from 1999 to 2003, then from 2007 and from then to 2011 and down to 2015 as these are conducting a civilian administration. It means then that you cannot liken them to the situation that people are speculating. The conference was meant to strengthen bond but it seems there were disconnect because of dominant regional positions during debates? It is true that some sections of the country prior to the convocation of the conference had sectional agendas. That is expected because people in any union regard themselves as one and at such forum leanings are expected because they would want to draw up programme that would be of benefit to them. But the important is this when the aggregate of Nigerians gathered to discuss issues it is the consensus of the generality of the people that would form the major decision. For instance, some people may have decided to canvass for the excision of two or three states out of Nigeria to form a new country, but when they are swallowed by the conference and they discovered that their voice can only constitute seven percent that idea will die automatic death. So in essence, anybody was free to conceive of how he wanted Nigeria to be restructured but the issue is when all meet to consider options proffered will that stand the test of time? Yes, before the conference people had various ideas and agenda but on the floor of the conference sectional interests never carried the day, even anybody that wanted to tow a line that will dismember the country was cut down within seconds because that was not our objective. So the

Each time an election year approaches people are used to postulating that it is going to be hell, it is going to controversial, it is going to be war. But experience has shown that it will come and it will go and it will be peaceful. I belong to the group that believes that 2015 will come, elections will be held, winners will emerged and Nigeria will continue.

unity we came up with in the conference reflected the desire of Nigerians to stay together as one body. Though some wanted regionalism, others wanted confederation or this and that but it never sailed through. Anybody pocket of people can come with wishful thinking but the question is this, when tabled on a platform like the conference can they carry the day? Some have said that the conference did not benefit them in any way in areas like state creation, the Igalas for example, what is your reaction to this? Firstly, delegates from that part of Nigeria first operated as Kogi state delegates and of course it was only natural that we had a briefing from the state and in fact, we had some chat with the Executive Governor, Captain Idris Wada. Kogi state definitely had a stand on national issues and pointed out what could be the highlight of what we should strive for but there was no directive to divide Kogi state rather we had a mandate to unite the state. Secondly, before you can succeed in such a venture as state creation, you needed absolute unity. If you were talking about a state you would have settled what should constitute a state, would known the capital of the state, and also the desire on the reasonable percentage of the people concern to have a state. So since these were not in place attaining it would have been difficult. Similarly, there was this condition that a community from a state that desired to form would be should such a portion become a state the remaining portion can it constitute a state? Would it be viable? It is important because there is the need for reciprocal viability. The issue of agitation for state creation will continue to be there in the polity. During the civilian administration, we don’t have record of civilian government creating state, all the states were created by the military. Will this administration creates states, well that will be left for history. I want to say that the creation of state cannot be done by a batch of unelected forum- the National Conference, it cannot be done. You will have to resort to the more precise procedure for the creation of state, you have to resort to it implying that you go to the National Assembly. The National Conference couldn’t have finalized on state creation. Whatever recommendations the conference had made are subject to procedures laid down in the constitution. Don’t forget please. 2015 is fast approaching, what is your word to politicians? 2015 is designated as an election year in this country. Each time an election year approaches people are used to postulating that it is going to be hell, it is going to be controversial, it is going to be war. But experience has shown that it will come and it will go and it will be peaceful. I belong to the group that believes that 2015 will come, elections will be held, winners will emerged and Nigeria will continue. However, one would caution that we are hoping that distractions like the Boko Haram should abate. Politicians need to be more patriotic in carrying out their electioneering campaigns and they should learn to accept both defeat and victory as the case may be. I do believe that we will surmount the intricacies and associated problems of elections in 2015. We have the capacity to do that and we will do it.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Political News

... many jostle to replace Nyako Contd from Page 18 On that day, the vehicular traffic of his supporters from the Yola International Airport was indeed unprecedented as people from walks of life were on hand to welcome their gubernatorial hopeful and by 3:00 pm when his plane landed the train moved to the Peoples Democratic Party secretariat along Galadima Aminu way in style. BARRISTER AHMED ALIYU GULAK: Ahmed Gulak, who, until recently was one of the most powerful Abuja-based politicians from Adamawa state, had set up machinery to achieve his governorship aspiration, and has even look beyond the party primaries, until he was unceremoniously sent packing from the presidency. The celebration of his exit by youths across the state may have sent a big message to him. With the difference, between him and the presidency, it is obvious that the once powerful politician may have ended. But Ahmed as a person was quick to say that he was relieved of his position to enable him focus on his governorship ambition. Gulak said Adamawa has been left behind and needs a man like him to salvage the state from total collapse because of the neglect of the past administration. BARRISTER JERRY KUNDISI: Barrister Jerry Kundisi, a serving member of the state House of Assembly, who will be banking on his vast experience in the state House of Assembly to pick the ticket but keen watchers of Adamawa politics say the man popularly known as “Uncle Senior Bachelor” has no justification to contest for the exalted office. That appellation conveys some light heartedness with which he is regarded. MALLAM NUHU RIBADU: The former chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC was formerly in All Progressives Congress until recently when he decamped to PDP and has declared his intention to contest for the Dougirei Government House . Although his departure was not without protest from old members of the party because to them their party constitution has spelt out that newcomers can only contest if given waiver by the NWC of the party. But political watchers in the state believe that Ribadu’s body language connotes that he may likely be an anointed candidate

Dr. Idi Hong

backed by the national leadership of the party and the presidency. RT. HON. AHMADU UMARU FINTIRI: the Acting governor Adamawa state has also joined the guber race which many people described as taking the right step in the right direction because some people see him as God sent. Fintiri, until his emergence as acting governor was the Speaker House Assembly and played major role in removing former governor Nyako and his deputy, Barrister Ngillari, from office for alleged gross misconduct. He told the party leadership while submitting his intent expression/ nomination forms that the people pressurised him contesty in order to correct the anomalies in governance. “We are in a competitive world presently and the pace must be set so that posterity would accord them good judgement.” Fintiri’s modest achievements in office for the little period like payment of outstanding salary arrears to civil servants, rehabilitation of street lights and repairs on road networks in the metropolitan endears him to the people of the state. GEN. ALIYU KAMA: is also part of the struggle for the governorship seat in Adamawa State. Even though political analysts see him as a stakeholder in the political arena but observed that he is unpopular because he does not feature in political activities in the state. However on the other divide, All Progressives Party (APC) has the following aspirants: SENATOR JIBRILLA MUHAMMADU BINDOW: Bindow is believed to be a major contender in the race because of his achievements in his Senatorial District where his popularity and acceptability knows no bound. Senator Bindow as a young, vibrant and enterprising politician, said at his declaration that the elders have governed for a very long time in the state, that it is only fair for the youth to be tested in governance. Political pundits are of the opinion that Senator Bindow is a candidates to beat. SENATOR AHMAD HASSAN BARATA: Is a serving member of the national assembly and is also a grassroots politician and the people believe his vast experience as a legislature will give him an

Engr. Markus Gundiri

edge over the rest of the aspirants. HON. IBRAHIM MIJINYAWA YAYAJI: Is the immediate past party chairman of Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM and former Executive Chairman of Yola North Local Government Area in Adamawa State, declared his interest to aspire for the Governorship of Adamawa state under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). While declaring his aspiration at the state party secretariat in Yola Adamawa State capital, Mijinyawa said he was motivated to join the race by the public who appreciates of his selfless service as a former councilor and local government chairman of Yola North metropolis. He said he has what it takes and would bring his experience to bear in transforming the state stressing that his pedigree as a former council boss will serve as an agent of change. “I will not disappoint you. You voted me a councilor 24 years ago and I delivered. You voted me Local Government chairman of Yola North metropolis 11 years ago and I delivered, if by the grace of God you vote me in as Governor of Adamawa state I will not disappoint you”, Mijinyawa said. MR. YAKUBU TSALLA: Tsalla is former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s associate and a defendable confident especially in his business world. A gubernatorial hopeful in the forth coming by-election in Adamawa State Tsalla, under the platform of All Progressives Congress, has vowed that if given the mandate he will ensure party supremacy and vibrancy so that the party can grow from strength to strength.

“When elected I will ensure party supremacy in any decision including appointments to be taken by my administration. “There will be no more appointments or awarding of contracts without consultation with the party leadership. Politicians must carry the party along”, Tsalla said. Tsalla said at the APC secretariat in Yola while submitting his intent expression and nomination forms to the leadership of the party that Adamawa has been neglected for many years and it was time for good hands to salvage the state. ALHAJI DAHIRU BOBBO: Is also another close ally to Atiku and has contested in the previous governorship elections in the state and many described him as a humble and dedicated man who can use his wealth of experience as a retired civil servant and educationist to govern Adamawa if given the mandate. DR. SIMON BAWA: Dr. Bawa is a sole aspirant under the platform of the PDP. Bawa has observed that the major political parties (PDP and APC) have polluted the political atmosphere in the state by using money to bribe the electorates. Political analysts in the state said Bawa is a young politician who is still growing. He has expressed boldness by showing interest to govern the state but some were quick to describe him as a new comer into politics and should wait and learn how it is played. As the situation is with all the above gladiators showing their interests in occupying the exalted seat of the Dougirei government House Yola, only time can tell.

modest achievements “ Fintiri’s in office for the little period like payment of outstanding

salary arrears to civil servants, rehabilitation of street lights and repairs on road networks in the metropolitan endears him to the people of the state.

Sen. Hassan Barata

Sen. Jibrilla Bindaw

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Archive

Libya:

Gaddafi’s Last Testament

By Muammar Gaddafi, April 17, 2011. In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful…

or 40 years, or was it longer, I can’t remember, I did all I could to give people houses, hospitals, schools, and when they were hungry, I gave them food. I even made Benghazi into farmland from the desert. I stood up to attacks from that cowboy Ronald Reagan, when he killed my adopted orphaned daughter, he was trying to kill me, instead he killed that poor innocent child. Then I helped my brothers and sisters from Africa with money for the African Union. I did all I could to help people Understand the concept of real democracy, where people’s committees ran our country. But that was never enough, as some told me, even people who had 10 room homes, new suits and furniture, were never satisfied, as selfish as they were they wanted more. They told Americans and other visitors, that they needed “democracy” and “freedom” never realizing it was a cut throat system where “the biggest dog eats the rest”, but they were enchanted with those words, never realizing that in America, there was no free medicine, no free hospitals, no free housing, no free education and no free food, except when people had to beg or go to long lines to get soup. No matter what I did, it was never enough for some, but for others, they knew I was the son of Gamal Abdel Nasser, the only true Arab and Muslim leader we’ve had since Salahal-Deen, when he claimed the Suez Canal for his people, as I claimed

Late Col. Muammar Gaddafi Libya, for my people, it was his footsteps I tried to follow, to keep my people free from colonial domination

– from thieves who would steal from us. Now, I am under attack by the

biggest force in military history, my little African son, Obama wants to kill me, to take away the freedom of our country, to take away our free housing, our free medicine, our free education, our free food, and replace it with American style thievery called “capitalism”, but all of us in the Third World know what that means, it means corporations run the countries, run the world, and the people suffer. So, there is no alternative for me, I must make my stand, and if Allah wishes, I shall die by following His path, the path that has made our country rich with farmland, with food and health, and even allowed us to help our African and Arab brothers and sisters. I do not wish to die, but if it comes to that, to save this land, my people, all the thousands who are all my children, then so be it. Let this testament be my voice to the world, that I stood up to crusader attacks of NATO, stood up to cruelty, stoop up to betrayal, stood up to the West and its colonialist ambitions, and that I stood with my African brothers, my true Arab and Muslim brothers, as a beacon of light. When others were building castles, I lived in a modest house, and in a tent. I never forgot my youth in Sirte, I did not spend our national treasury foolishly, and like Salah-alDeen, our great Muslim leader, who rescued Jerusalem for Islam, I took little for myself… In the West, some have called me “mad”, “crazy”, but they know the truth yet continue to lie, they know that our land is independent and free, not in the colonial grip, that my vision, my path, is, and has been clear and for my people and that I will fight to my last breath to keep us free, may Allah almighty help us to remain faithful and free – Mu’ammar Qaddafi. Facts about Libya under Muammar Gaddafi • There was no electricity bills in Libya; electricity is free … for all its citizens. • There was no interest on loans, banks in Libya are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law.

“ Malik Obama with the President

• If a Libyan is unable to find employment after graduation, the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found. • Should Libyans want to take up a farming career, they receive farm land, a house, equipment, seed and livestock to kick start their farms – this was all for free. • Gaddafi carried out the world’s largest irrigation project, known as the Great Man-Made River project, to make water readily available throughout the desert country. • A home was considered a human right in Libya. (In Qaddafi’s Green Book it states: “The house is a basic need of both the individual and the family, therefore it should not be owned by others.”) • All newlyweds in Libya would receive 60,000 Dinar (US$ 50,000 ) by the government to buy their first apartment so to help start a family. • A portion of Libyan oil sales is or was credited directly to the bank accounts of all Libyan citizens. • A mother who gives birth to a child would receive US $5,000. • When a Libyan buys a car, the government would subsidize 50% of the price. • The price of petrol in Libya was $0.14 per liter. • For $ 0.15, a Libyan local could purchase 40 loaves of bread. • Education and medical treatments was all free in Libya. Libya can boast one of the finest health care systems in the Arab and African World. All people have access to doctors, hospitals, clinics and medicines, completely free of charge. • If Libyans cannot find the education or medical facilities they need in Libya, the government would fund them to go abroad for it – not only free but they get US $2,300/ month accommodation and car allowance. • 25% of Libyans have a university degree. Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans were literate. Today the figure is 87%. • Libya had no external debt and its reserves amount to $150 billion – though much of this is now frozen globally. newsrescue.com/

I never forgot my youth in Sirte, I did not spend our national treasury foolishly, and like Salahal-Deen, our great Muslim leader, who rescued Jerusalem for Islam, I took little for myself…

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

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Digest What do you eat every day? doctors, nutritionists, and personal trainers weigh in By K. Aleisha Fetters

here’s a reason online grocery stores come with a “favorites” list: Because no matter how much our taste buds love variety, we’re creatures of habit. Just take a look into your fridge. It probably packs the same foods it did last week and the week before that. So we polled the experts—from nutritionists and personal trainers to physicians—on the foods they eat as often as possible. You might want to consider adding them to your healthy-eating routine. “The food I find myself most frequently eating is Quest Protein Bars. It’s like the only constant in my life. With clients and meetings and everything else going on, I pack several in my backpack, so when I know I need to eat I just have one of those to hold me over. They have 20 grams of protein, are high in fiber, have no added sugars, and they taste amazing. My favorite flavor is Cinnamon Roll.” Mike Donavanik, C.S.C.S., C.P.T., a Beverly Hills-based personal trainer: My favorite all-around food is grass-fed beef. Leaner cuts such as strip, top round, and flank have less saturated fat and cholesterol, but grass-fed beef is lower in fat anyway and has high amounts of omega 3s, conjugated linoleic acid, and carnitine. Grass-fed beef is delicious and very satisfying,

Dan Wake, a traditional Hausa delicacy triggering satiety hormones in the gut. No wonder our early ancestors thrived on grass fed beef!” Sue Decotiis, M.D., a medical weight-loss physician in NYC: “I think almond butter is the perfect food, providing essential fats, fiber, and protein. Plus, it goes with all the other food groups—at least for me. I put it on bananas, celery, whole-grain bread, and even in

my yogurt. My only problem is that it’s hard to stay with the twotablespoons serving size!” Jim White, R.D., a health and fitness-certified specialist and owner of Jim White Fitness & Nutrition Studios: “It’s cliche but I try to get a salad in every day at lunch, mostly because dinners are either social activities or grab-and-go items in-between clients. If I get a big salad at lunch, at least I know

I got a few servings of vegetables in! My favorite dressing: curry hummus! Take regular hummus and thin it with a bit of water or lemon juice. Add a pinch of curry powder and whisk together. Not only is this low fat, but the added curry spice packs in extra antioxidants!” Alexandra Caspero, R.D., owner of weightmanagement and sportsnutrition service Delicious-

Knowledge.com: “I have somehow been able to fit in either almond butter or peanut butter every day… whether that’s on toast or off of a small spoon. I also usually eat a plate of arugula with olive oil at least once a day! I just love it! I top it with chickpeas or gorgonzola cheese depending on my mood.” Jaime Mass, R.D.N., L.D.N., owner of Jaime Mass Nutritionals LLC: “Granted I’m mostly Italian, but all my friends all love this too when I make it for them. I go nuts over this flatbread sweet pepper pepperoni pizza I make that’s crazy healthy and delicious at the same time. It is relatively low in calories, saturated fat, carbohydrates and glycemic load. At the same time, it’s high in protein so it makes me feel fuller, helps build muscle and helps preserve lean mass if I’m trying to lose weight. And, yes, it is possible to eat delicious pepperoni pizza every day and lose weight!” Christopher Ochner, Ph.D., obesity researcher at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai: “Although not necessarily a food, I can always be seen sipping tea. Black and green teas offer me a caffeine fix in the morning, while herbal teas throughout the day help keep my hydrated. Plus, they are quite tasty!” yahoo.com

The truth about the food additive MSG F By Keith Mulvihill

or years, consumers in the United States have shunned the food additive monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is used as a flavor enhancer in a wide variety of foods around the world. Most consumers know that it may turn up in Chinese food, but the additive may also be found in products including canned vegetables and processed meats. This week, the American Chemical Society (ACS) attempted to change minds with a video that claims to debunk the longstanding notion that MSG is unhealthy. “Few ingredients come with as much baggage as monosodium glutamate,” writes the ACS in a press release. “More commonly known as MSG, the compound has had a bad reputation for nearly 50 years. In this week’s video, we debunk MSG myths and explain why the scientific consensus is that this flavor enhancer, known for its savory umami flavor, is perfectly safe for the vast majority of people.” So what do the experts have to say? The Food and Drug Administration “considers the addition of MSG to foods to be ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS). Although many people identify themselves as sensitive to MSG, in studies with such individuals given MSG or a placebo, scientists have not

been able to consistently trigger reactions,” according to the agency’s website. The FDA also offers a fact sheet on the additive, in which the agency helpfully points out that “glutamate or glutamic acid have nothing to do with gluten.” A 2008 study published in the journal Obesity, however, came to the conclusion that MSG may increase the likelihood of being overweight. The study evaluated 752 men and women living in villages located in northern and southern China, where the use of MSG in cooking is common. The researchers found that those that used the most MSG in cooking were also more likely to be overweight. However, it should be noted that the researchers were able to establish an association between MSG and being overweight, a clear cause and effect was not established. “MSG is not toxic,” the lead author Dr. Ka He told the New York Times at the time. “But now the question is: Is it healthy? This study is a warning that we should be cautious,” added Dr. "MSG isn’t a concern for most people, but some people are sensitive to large amounts of MSG, and careful studies exist that back this up,” said Lisa Lefferts, a senior scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in an interview with Yahoo Health. > Lefferts said that researchers

lack studies that show that smaller, or low doses, of MSG cause problems. “But that doesn’t mean the people who claim to be sensitive to low doses are crazy or are lying,” she added. When Katherine Zeratsky, a nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic took on the subject in a blog post

on the organization’s website, she noted that there have been anecdotes about adverse health reactions including headache, flushing, sweating, fluttering heartbeats (heart palpitations), and nausea, among others. “However, researchers have found no definitive evidence of

a link between MSG and these symptoms,” wrote Zeratsky. “Researchers acknowledge, though, that a small percentage of people may have short-term reactions to MSG.” Zeratsky notes that “symptoms are usually mild and don’t require treatment,” but adds, “The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid foods containing MSG.” The good news for anyone who is concerned about MSG is that it is fairly easy to avoid. The FDA requires that foods containing MSG must list the ingredient on the packaging as monosodium glutamate. But, be warned: The agency also points out that “MSG occurs naturally in ingredients such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed yeast, yeast extract, soy extracts, and protein isolate, as well as in tomatoes and cheeses.” > In those cases, while the FDA requires “that these products be listed on the ingredient panel, the agency does not require the label to also specify that they naturally contain MSG,” it notes in its fact sheet. However, foods with any ingredient that naturally contains MSG cannot make the claim of “No MSG” or “No added MSG” on the packaging. Also, per FDA regulations, MSG can’t be included under the mysterious “spices and flavoring” category either. yahoo.com

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE 46

International UN says Syrian refugees hit 3 million

he civil war in Syria has forced a record 3 million people out of the country as more than a million people fled in the past year, the UN refugee agency said yesterday. The tragic milestone means that about one of every eight Syrians has fled across the border, and 6.5 million others have been displaced within Syria since the conflict began in March 2011, the Geneva-based agency said. More than half of all those uprooted are children, it said. “The Syria crisis has become the biggest humanitarian emergency of our era, yet the world is failing to meet the needs of refugees and the countries hosting them,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. The commission investigating potential war crimes in Syria said on Wednesday that the Syrian government of President Bashar Assad likely used chlorine gas to attack civilians, who are bearing the brunt of a civil war that has killed more than 190,000 people and destabilized the region. The massive numbers of Syrians fleeing the civil war

Malaysia Airlines to cut 6,000 staff after disasters

alaysia Airlines is to cut 6,000 staff as part of recovery plan after being hit by two disasters this year. The reduction in staff numbers represents around 30% of its workforce of 20,000. The airline will become completely state owned, and a new chief executive will eventually be put in place. Investigators continue to hunt for flight MH370, the Kuala Lumpur to Beijing flight which went missing in March. The MH17 air crash in eastern Ukraine is also under investigation. The plane was shot down on 17 July, with the loss of all 298 people on board. The recovery plan will cost about 6 billion Malaysian ringgit (£1.1bn, $1.9bn). Khazanah Nasional, the state investment company that owns a 69% stake in the troubled firm, will take 100% ownership. “The combination of measures announced today will enable our national airline to be revived,” said Khazanah’s managing director Azman Mokhtar. “Success is by no means guaranteed - while it is imperative that MAS [Malaysia Airlines] as a critical enabler in national development is revived, public accountability for the use of the funds mean that it cannot be renewed at any cost,” he added. Long-haul routes will be

has stretched the resources of neighbouring countries and raised fears of violence spreading in the region. The UN estimates there are nearly 35,000 people awaiting registration as refugees, and hundreds of thousands who are not registered. International Rescue Committee President David Miliband said the Syrian refugee crisis represents “3 million indictments of government brutality, opposition violence and international failure.” “This appalling milestone needs to generate action as well as anger,” he said, calling for more aid to Syria’s overburdened neighbours and for civilians still in the country. Also, Forty-three UN peacekeepers are being held by an “armed group” in the Syrian Golan Heights, a UN spokesperson says. The UN Disengagement Observer Force (Undof) personnel, from Fiji, were detained near Quneitra, during fighting between rebels and government forces. Another 81 Filipino peacekeepers are being restricted

Nato chief urges Russia to halt ‘illegal military actions’ in Ukraine

N Syrian refugees to their positions near alRuwayhina and Burayqa. It comes a day after rebels took control of a crossing into the Israeli-occupied Golan after a long battle. Activists said the rebels included members of the al-Nusra

Front, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria. During the fighting, an Israeli soldier and an Israeli civilian were wounded by stray bullets. The Israeli military said it had responded with artillery fire at two Syrian army positions.

Ebola outbreak: Senegal confirms first case

enegal’s health ministry has confirmed a first case of Ebola, making it the fifth West African country to be affected by the outbreak. Health Minister Awa Marie Coll Seck told reporters yesterday that a young man from Guinea was confirmed to have contracted the virus. The man was immediately placed in quarantine, she added. The current outbreak, which began in Guinea, has killed more than 1,500 people across the region. At least 3,000 people have been infected with the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned it could get much worse and infect more than 20,000 people. Senegal had previously closed its border with Guinea in a bid to halt the spread of Ebola, but its borders are porous. It had also banned flights and ships from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - the three worst-hit countries. Separately on Friday, residents of Guinea’s second largest city, Nzerekore, rioted after its main market was sprayed with disinfectant in a bid to halt the spread of the virus. The exact cause of the riot is not clear - some also reportedly feared the spray would spread Ebola. A 24-hour curfew is currently in place in the city. Meanwhile, SOMALIA has taken Kenya to the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, over a boundary dispute in the Indian Ocean. According to a press release by the court, Somalia has told the court that the two countries disagree about the location of the maritime boundary and that diplomatic negotiations have failed to resolve the dispute. “Both states disagree about the location of the maritime boundary in the area where their maritime slashed, and the airline aims to return to profitability by 2018. Malaysia Airlines warned on Thursday that it had seen a sharp decline in weekly bookings following the two air disasters. However, the company has been in trouble over the past few years, and has lost billions of ringgit in that time. The firm will be completely delisted from the Bursa Malaysia stock exchange by

entitlements overlap”, and that “diplomatic negotiations, in which their respective views have been fully exchanged, have failed to resolve this disagreement,” states the ICJ press release. “Somalia has requested the Court “to determine, on the basis of international law, the complete course of the single maritime boundary dividing all the maritime areas appertaining to Somalia and to Kenya in the Indian Ocean, including the continental shelf beyond 200 [nautical miles].” The applicant further asks the Court “to determine the precise geographical co-ordinates of the single maritime boundary in the Indian Ocean.” Also, Four men have been found guilty of trying to murder Rwanda’s former army chief, Gen Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, in South Africa in June 2010. Another two suspects, including the alleged ringleader and the general’s former driver, were acquitted. Gen Nyamwasa was shot and wounded outside his home in Johannesburg. He had come to live in exile in South Africa several months earlier after falling out with his former ally, Rwandan President Paul Kagame. In the same vain, a yakuza boss convicted of three murders was executed by Japanese authorities yesterday, a rare case of a member of the Japanese mafia receiving the death penalty. Tsutomu Takamizawa was the former leader of a gang in Gunma prefecture. According to local media, his gang was affiliated with the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan’s largest yakuza organization. In a development, an Indian activist who was thought to have died in a car fire near the capital, Delhi, has been found alive in the southern city of Bangalore. Police said Chandra Mohan Sharma had “faked his death” to live with another woman.

the end of 2014. Relevant assets, operations and liabilities of Malaysia Airlines will be transferred to a new company by 1 July 2015. The current chief executive, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, will continue to lead the firm until the new company is formed next year. Travel expert Simon Calder said that the staff cuts and business reorganisation should allow the

company to turn its fortunes around. “There is a slice of business to have, but nothing like the scale and dominance it once enjoyed,” he said. Competition from low-cost airlines for short-haul flights, coupled with the expansion of long-haul Gulf carriers, had eaten into the firm’s profitability in the past, he added.

ato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Friday called on Russia to halt its “illegal” military actions in Ukraine, after the West accused Moscow of direct involvement in the conflict. “We condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s continued disregard of its international obligations,” Rasmussen said after an emergency Nato meeting on the crisis. “We urge Russia to cease its illegal military actions, stop its support to armed separatists, and take immediate and verifiable steps towards de-escalation of this grave crisis.” Nato on Thursday said Russia had sent at least 1,000 troops to fight with pro-Moscow rebels in Ukraine, along with air defence systems, artillery, tanks and armoured vehicles, and had massed 20,000 troops near the border. Rasmussen also said that Nato was not closing the door to Ukraine’s possible membership after Kiev said it was seeking to join the alliance, a move certain to anger its former masters in Moscow. Meanwhile, South Africa’s graft ombudsman, Thuli Madonsela, said she won’t back down on her probe of alleged misuse of public funds on President Jacob Zuma’s personal residence despite being attacked by the ruling party. Madonsela, 51, said she will continue to push for Zuma, 72, to respond in full to her March report, which found he unduly benefited from a state-funded 215 millionrand ($20 million) upgrade of security at his home in Nkandla, in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province. While she recommended he repay some of the money, Zuma attempted to deflect the scandal by appointing his police minister on Aug. 14 to investigate his liability. “Once the president has submitted his comments on my report, and an indication of what he intends to do in remediate action, I’ll back off,” Madonsela said in a interview with Johannesburg-based SAfm radio today. The ruling African National Congress this week criticized Madonsela for writing a letter to Zuma demanding he respond to her report, saying that she was undermining parliament. The party accused her of seeking to discredit Zuma, suggesting she was working with opposition political parties. Madonsela said today her office isn’t under threat and denied the ANC’s allegations that she’s biased against Zuma.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Business SCANDALOUS: Government brands National ID card with MasterCard’s logo

he new Nigerian National Identity Cards launched Thursday by President Goodluck Jonathan, with branded logo of the American firm, MasterCard, have sparked outrage across the country amid fears of serious security and economic breach, with many Nigerians calling for an immediate stoppage of the deal. According to Premiumtimes, Nigerians expressed shock and fury at how the Nigerian Government, through the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, would surrender a symbol of national sovereignty and pride to a foreign commercial organisation by not only sharing the biometrics of 170 million Nigerian to the firm but by also allowing the firm to boldly engrave its insignia on the IDs. Jonacard Many Nigerians raised the alarm over the implications of the agreement in an age that has seen intense data surveillance by the National Security Agency of the United States of America, Mastercard’s home country. One commentator said allowing MasterCard’s emblem on the Nigerian National ID Card could only compare to the trans-Atlantic slave trade abolished in the nineteenth century.

FG okays N4.2bn for Akwa Ibom acquires 14, 900 new power projects hectares of land for seaport

he Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, has reiterated the federal government’s commitment for an improved stable power supply in the country. The minister said government was not resting on its oars to ensure the December deadline for minimum regular power supply was realized adding that efforts were being made to boost both generation and distribution of energy. Accordingly he said, government has approved the sum of N4.2 billion for two power projects noting that the contracts already were awarded were specific. Nebo said the first contract was for engineering design, manufacture, supply, construction testing and commissioning of

Onitsha -Ifitedunu 132 KV Transmission line and sub-station. It was awarded in favour of favour of Messrs Sinotec-CCC international joint venture in the sum of $5,992,974.24 plus N1, 141,865, 028.73 inclusive of N271, 912, 872,.12. Also, Council approved the award of contract for engineering design, manufacture, supply, construction testing and commissioning of 2×60 MVA, 132/33Kv substation at Ifitedunu and 2x 132 line bays extension at Onitsha in favour of Messrs MBH Power limited in the sum of $8, 315,264.53 plus N864, 274, 352.96 inclusive of N431, 852,916.28 for the right of way compensation, 5 per cent VAT and 19 per cent contingency with a completion period of 24 months.

kwa Ibom government on Friday said it had acquired 14, 900 hectares of land for the take-off of Ibaka Deep Seaport in Mbo Local Government Area of the state. The state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, made this known in Uyo when the chairman of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Sen. Ken Nnamani, visited him. Akpabio said that the development of the seaport would be done through Public-PrivatePartnership (PPP), and therefore solicited the involvement of ICRC in the project. "We have worked really hard to fast-track the emergence of Ibaka Deep Seaport, which has a free trade zone. We have also received a license from the Federal Government for the commencement of the project.

"The Ibaka Deep Seaport would change the matrix of the unemployed in the country; it will attract investors to the state,” he said. He restated that his administration was committed to building a sustainable economy through infrastructure development in the state. Akpabio thanked the chairman of ICRC and his team for the presentation made on the development of the Ibaka Deep Seaport. He said that their visit had rekindled the hope that the seaport project would be realised through PPP. He also called on the commission to partner the state government on the construction of dualcarriage way on Uyo-Aba Road, saying that the road would have a toll gate as approved by the Federal Government.

Earlier, Sen. Nnamani said that the team was in the state to “share current issues in the commission with the state government.” Nnamani, who is a former President of the Senate, commended Akpabio for promoting the concept of uncommon transformation of the state through infrastructural development. He noted that the state had had infrastructural development and that the next phase was industrialization. He also said that the governor had laid foundation for investment in the state and assured that the commission would encourage him to do more. In his presentation, Mr Chidi Izuwah, the Executive Director, Public Private Partnership, ICRC, said that the visit was to discuss how to sustain the infrastructure development in the state. (NAN)

Stakeholders Task FG to Fund Solid Mineral Sector

he Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Rep. Isa Hassan, has urged the Federal Government to allocate more funds to the solid mineral sector. Hassan made the call at the Miners Association of Nigeria (MAN) 2014 General Elections in Abuja on Wednesday. Hassan said that the funding of mining sector should be taken seriously just like the oil and gas, agricultural were being funded. He said the annual budget allocation to the sector was low compared to what was being allocated

to other sectors considering its importance to the growth of the economy. The committee chairman said concerted efforts should be made to see how the sector’s budget could be increased. “We have to look inward and concentrate on solid mineral because it is the main stay of the economic. The way forward for the sector is funding so that it could grow just like other sectors. ``Necessary attention should be given to the sector for it to attain its expected status in contributing to the GDP and economic growth of the country,” he said.

He said the committee was doing its best to curtail the impact of environmental hazard in the sector. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid minerals Development, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, called for a working, vibrant and committed association that could move the sector forward. While pledging the support of the lawmakers to the sector, Adamu called for deliberate efforts from stakeholders to make mining industry contribute meaningfully to the development of the economy. The re-elected National Presi-

dent of MAN, Alhaji Sani Shehu, who also advocated proper funding of the sector, said attention should be given to the development of critical area. ``We are appealing to the government to give special attention to the sector and endeavour to capture it in the transformation agenda,” he said. He said the sectors that were captured or included in the transformation agenda were doing well. The other elected officials of the association, included the Secretary, Mr. Dele Ayanleke and Mr. Amasi Cletus, as the public relations officer, among others.

Rep. Isa Hassan

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Business Flour Mills Import volume in Nigerian seaports Assures grosses 71mmt in 6 months growth, profitability

lour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) has said it is well positioned to enhance profitability and deliver long term value to its numerous stakeholders. This, according to the company, is in furtherance to strategic acquisitions it made in its core business areas in 2013. Managing Director of the company, Paul Gbededo, who made this known while presenting the ‘Facts Behind the Figures’ of the company to stock brokers in Lagos, explained that new investments made by the company last year are nearing conclusion. On the back of the N246 billion turnover and profit after tax of N10.47 billion achieved in its last financial year, Gbadedo said, the company is poised to continue to deliver consistent top and bottom line growth. According to him, “We are commissioning and improving our capacity utilisation. Our new investments and projects are reaching maturity. We would start production at the 350,000 metric tons per annum edible oil processing company in Ibadan by the end of this year, our snack business is reaching maturity with the completion of Golden snack facility in Agbara, the $250million Golden sugar investment, our oil palm processing , all these investments would start impacting on the bottom line moving forward.” He explained that the company’s investments in the food and agro-allied business constitute 95 per cent of its revenue. On why the $250million Golden Sugar Company did not generate revenue for the financial year, Gbadedo said: ‘’For such a huge investment, you will not expect to make profit in the first year but we have positioned it for growth. We just commissioned the plant and the first year was difficult, we could not produce enough.” “Again, we commenced production last year and the sugar that was selling at N9,000 dropped to N5,500 but we are strong enough to stay in that business and we are looking beyond what we have today. We are currently at 48 per cent capacity utilisation and in the years to come, it will add proper value to all shareholders.” He said as part of its strategy to align with government backward integration initiative, the company has acquired 500 hectares of land in Niger state for rice cultivation.

he total gross registered tonnage (GRT) of the vessels that visited Nigerian seaports in the first half of 2014 was 70,659,820 million metric tons (mmt), indicating an increase of 17.57 percent over the 60,096,179 million metric tons GRT of imports that was recorded the same period in 2013, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) report has revealed. According to the report, a total of 2,719 oceangoing vessels called

at all Nigerian ports showing an increase of 12 percent over the 2013 figure of 2,427 vessels. A breakdown of the statistics reveals that Lagos Port Complex (LPC) recorded a gross registered tonnage of 17,367,180 showing an increase of 7.2 percent over 16,189,825 gross tons achieved in 2013 while a total of 727 vessels were handled in the period under review. Tin-Can Island Port recorded a gross registered tonnage of

23,493,612, indicating an increase of 0.1 percent over the 19,666,634 gross tons recorded in 2013. A total number of 892 oceangoing vessels were handled within the period. Rivers Port Complex recorded a total gross registered tonnage of 3,676,757, showing 7.6 percent growth over 3,418,309 gross tons handled within the same period in 2013, while a total of 228 oceangoing vessels were handled within the period under review.

Also, Onne Port Complex recorded a total GRT of 19,769,896 reflecting an increase of 12.4 percent over the 17,586,716 gross tons recorded the same period of 2013 with 425 vessels handled within the period. Calabar Port Complex recorded a total GRT of 2,011,358 showing a rise of 50.3 percent over 1,337,475 gross tons of 2013, with 137 oceangoing vessels handled in the period under review.

L-R, Permanent secretary ministry of power Godknows Igali, minister of power Prof. Chinnedu Nebo, MD/CEO Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Mr. Rumundaka Wonodi and Market Operator Mrs. Osuhor Veronica briefing state house correspondents on the outcome of a meeting on power generations chaired by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, yesterday at the presidential villa, Abuja.

Jonathan orders NSPMC reforms, sacks board

he board and directors of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) has dissolved the executive management of the institution, directing the acting managing director, Nuhu Bamali, and two executive directors to proceed on retirement effective Monday,September 1, 2014. The announcement came just few hours after President Goodluck Jonathan said he had directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to begin reforms in the ‘near comatose’ institution. The reforms became critical following years of low per-

formance and poor delivery heightened by squabbles among the three executive directors over who becomes the substantive managing director since Ehi Ekoyomon’s removal by former CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. NSPMC’s woes, as learnt, is further worsened by poor local patronage particularly the CBN, seen as the mint’s only customer, since the banks, as was also gathered, had long stopped printing materials with the company. While the fight continues and the poor patronage rages, NSPMC, it was learnt, may have

recorded losses ranging as must as N1 billion just last year. Speaking at an event at the Presidential Villa, Jonathan announced that he has already asked Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, to look into the NSPMC management and also get the best global players who run similar printing and minting business to partner with the institution. The president said he is particularly worried that the NSPMC lacks the capacity to effectively conclude and deliver deals, for instance on voting materials and even some currency denominations, a situation, he said, had

Jacobs takes over as MAN’s president

rank S.U. Jacobs has been elected as the president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). Jacobs takes over from Kola Jamodu, who has occupied the position

since 2010. During the 42nd annual general meeting (AGM) held on Thursday in Lagos, it was disclosed that Emilia Akpa is now the vice-president, Enugu zone of

MAN. Jacobs is the chief executive officer of Jacobs Wines Limited and the immediate past vice-president of Enugu zone, which Akpa currently occupies.

often led to job exports to other countries. The president’ words, “… when I appointed the new CBN governor, I told him that the Nigerian Security and Minting Company must be reformed. The board must look into the management and get the best global players who are into this business and partner with them. “There is no way we will be doing local government, House of Assembly, governorship elections and we will be producing the materials outside this country. Why? Other countries produce their needs. “We claim to be a giant, a giant that will just send everything out and empower others. The place must be restructured to create jobs for our people and after then, we can no longer give approvals at FEC to print anything outside, except if NSPMC say they cannot produce that. But as long as it can, we must produce it in this country.”

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

PAGE 49

Side Talk

By Jacinta David

What an explanation? T

his week on Side Talk, we analyze the latest trend in our political scene. The change of baton by two political leaders from the North: from one to the other leading party in the country. This could hardly be missed by our writers on side talk. More so, the controversial fire outbreak, in the nation’s biggest soccer home, could not escape Side Talk’s careful watch. The fire has ultimately led to serious and several questions from keen devotees of the round leather game. The intention of course is to unravel the mystery behind the fire. Also, many want to ensure that the cause of the fire is determined: whether or not the fire outbreak was an accident or an incident. This week, side talk also dived slightly into the international scene. We tried to figure out the possible motive behind a popular story about a white man, messing around with dead female bodies, even in a country where one would have assumed that ritual acts were far from being a common practice.

hen, the unbelievable analogy by the lady of the county who happens to be the wife of the late lunatic who imported the dreaded disease into our dear country was something else that we think our ardent readers, should not miss. This and more made the day, in this week’s side talk. When a couple of days back, Nigerians had the misfortune of learning that one of our own, and subsequently even many of us had been exposed to the dangerous disease that is synonymous with a popular Ibo greeting and which has ravaged West Africa, it was like the world collapsed over our heads. The carrier of the dreaded EVD had chosen Nigeria to dispose of its product. Come to think of it, he freed from a neighbouring West African country and could have drastically reduced the population of the most populous black nation on earth had fate not acted to stall his plans. Many asked what could have been the reason for the murderous act by seemingly decent and well-breed fellow from a respected country. Could be end times signs or just out right crazy act deliberately meant to

decimate the population of the most dynamic black nation on earth? While some blamed our lapsed boarders for the problem, some others said the man who imported the disease, could simply have been a lunatic or even a warpminded fellow, suggesting that he may well have been paid by Nigeria’s enemies to launch attack against after all efforts to wound her economically failed. What many, however, did not anticipate is the excuse given by the late man’s wife regarding her husband’s action. According to the woman; “My Husband did not tell me this, but I know in my heart of hearts that he was hoping that if he could get to Nigeria, a country, in a way more developed than ours he would find help.” Some people have already condemned the claim, viewing it as a false analogy. Many see the man in his wife. Side talk thinks that if the statement had been made by someone with a psychiatric ward it could have been tenable and rightly so. It suits the environment, the speaker and the situation. It could have engendered little or no reaction at all considering the state of mind of the speaker.

But to think that Soya made the statement in a so-called God’s own country where all are considered sane and things are seen as orderly emanating from sensible and very balanced elements provoked no little thought. If that be the made, then so much is to be feared. It seems tenable to consider a lot more seriously the many conspiracy theories that we have heard. It was however, applaudable that Nigeria which had hitherto been reputed for lackadaisical approach to matters and for politicking just any subject and every item rose in unison against the common enemy. One can only conclude that if a Nigeria, devoid of experience, could so expertly and competently handled the dread virus, then the West with all its medical advances and technologies could easily contain the disease if they wanted to. The fight against this disease, and the saying that sickness is like rain is another angle worth considering. The concern, purposeful approach and the unison with which Nigerians irrespective of political affiliations, religion and ethnicity,

This dramatic cross carpeting

his story was propelled by the latest event in the struggle for power by the two leading class in the society. We witnessed two very interesting moves to opposite directions by two notable leaders of the country from the same jurisdiction, one from, and the other, to the leading party in the country. The interesting issue, as analysed by side talk is the fact that these cross carpeting, not only occurred at almost the same time, but that it involved a set of political leaders whose position can conveniently be interchanged. While some say the move is a further depiction of the growing competition between the two parties, we join our colleagues in stating that there goes Mr ‘R’ and here comes another Mr ‘R’. Something stands out though: In whose interest have they defected or cross carpeted, surely nothing to do with the people? Isn’t this a clear indication that

these politicians pay lip service to the interest of the people? No, they don’t care about

in question was not said to emanate from any part of the black continent, he was in fact, a man from the west. And to further heighten the mystery behind this story, the man’s wife seemed quite indifferent about what her husband does at work? What a mystery worthy of investigation!

terrorism in Nigeria, the battle has remained deteriorating to the hopes of Nigerians. However, within days of the emergence of this disease, the country of many speculations was able to fight it to a halt. What many of our people have not stopped asking is whether or not the spirit of negligence on the part of our leadership is on the verge of disappearance; or whether in fact, the interesting attention given to this problem is connected to the saying by Ola Rotimi in his book, “The Gods are not to blame”… that does not segregate between the rich and the poor”

Is this fire an accident or an incident?

the people only about personal interest. Welcome to reality!

White man’s ritual act ur last story was sourced from a report, about the trial of a white morgue attendant who confessed to sleeping with as many as 100 dead females. The story was by all means a strange one, but what was even more attractive was the fact the man

only leaves one thought: Nigeria can accomplish just whatever it desires to provide the people work in common and maintain one focus. Also, since independence, Nigeria has been embroiled in various controversial issues, some of which have remained despite decades of seemingly efforts to arrest them. It is now obvious that lame punches may have been delivered and even at that with clawlessness. The worse of them all is the problem of insurgency that the country is presently facing. Despite many lives lost in the face of

ne Glasshouse that has had more stones thrown at it than Satan in Mecca was finally subjected to an inferno. That was it. If stones were not enough to dent and damage it for life surely fire could and indeed seems to have achieved just what has always been intended: destroy the glass and reduce it to debris. According to the story

reaching us, the said building which has lately been under public scrutiny, was set ablaze by contending actors, though electrical mishap was officially blamed. The story further states that the man at the center of the incident dismissed any possible claim that the fire could have remotely be linked to the contending elements. So, natural force majure and not ulterior motive, was rightly accused. Although many have condemned the quick decision by the man, to defend a situation that could very well be proved to have been a set up, but we feel its worth noting hear on side talk to ask why the electrical fault chose no other time, than this very period to occur at a location where files will in no distant time be needed for in depth investigation. Food for thought u may say.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Healthy Living

Ebola: Nurses may down tools over lack of equipment, says Ali

he Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (FCT chapter), Comrade Muhammad N. Alli says health workers, and nurses in particular, may down tools over government nonchalant approach to their safety in the fight against the dreaded ebola virus disease. Alli alleged that basic protective gears are not provided for nurses to use thereby endangering their lives. He spoke with Assistant Editor Patrick Andrew and the fears How prepared are the FCT hospitals with regards to the current ebola virus disease? Well, virtually nothing. As I am speaking with you now even the Kuye Hospital earmarked as one of the Isolation Centres is not yet ready. As at yesterday (Thursday) when I sought to confirm the readiness of the facility, I was told that only 19 gowns have been supplied and the situation is very embarrassing because it seems the government is just playing politics with the whole thing. Right now, our members are afraid because we can’t touch any seriously ill person in the hospital because we can’t protect ourselves. Firstly, persons to handle ebola cases ought to have been trained. Secondly, all who are to work in the facility must reside within the same environment in the next 21 days. The government is to be responsible for their upkeep and accommodation so that they don’t come in contact with others except those in the centre, but that has not been done. It is only at the Maitama Hospital where they have provided hand sanitizers and portable water at the entrance to the hospital as well as infraray thermometer for taking one’s temperature. This is the only hospital with a semblance of facilities for ebola in Abuja. Do you mean Abuja is not prepared for Ebola, in case there is outbreak? Well, neither the federal Government nor the FCT administration is prepared for ebola outbreak in Abuja. This explains why people are avoiding the hospitals in Abuja even after the doctors have called off their strike. Even patients are refusing to allow nurses to take their blood pressure because they want to limit contact with nurses who are usually the primary contact with all seriously ill persons. You know the instrument used in taking the pressure is only one and patients don’t want to share whatever will bring about contact with others. Of course, ebola is contracted through skin contact, sharing of body fluid etc. We, nurses are the first point of contact because there is no way a nurse will run away from touching a patient because before any other health worker touches a patient a nurse must take the patient’s TPR. A nurse must first know your temperature, post blood pressure before any

other diagnose. In-fray-ray ought to have been provided for use at all the entrances to hospitals but that has not been provided even at the Isolation centre. Could it be that the strike action by the NMA may have been responsible for nonprovision of these items? Not exactly, because even before the NMA called off the strike, the Federal Government had made provision for N1.9 billion to buy those equipment, the expectation had been that these would have been provided before now if they were really serious about preparing for and being ready to contain ebola should there be an outbreak in Abuja. The nurses are not happy because they are being exposed to unnecessary risk because it is obvious the federal government is not really serious about fighting Ebola in Abuja. The government is not prepared for ebola in Abuja, it seems they are only playing politics with ebola, and we are afraid for our lives and that of others, who might be at risk. But the Minister of Health has consistently spoken about efforts being made to combat the dreaded ebola virus and at the moment he said there has been a drastic reduction in the number of cases? That may be true. But what is the statistics? The minister said out of 13 cases only one person is still having serious case. That surely is government side. They don’t have statistics for several others. For instance, you know ebola is an executive virus, now if they are talking about checking those coming through the airport and making provisions to quarantine those with reasonable high temperature for observation. What about the others who enter the country through the sea and others that use land transport? Is there any screening centre apart from the Kuye centre earmarked for screening of travelers? Is it equipped and functioning? How are they sure that there are no ebola cases? Though the minister had said by September 6 is the likely date the virus will be eliminated in Nigeria, but he was sharply contrasted and corrected subsequently. The president denied that it is not all over yet. So whom do we believe between

“

Comrade Muhammad N. Ali the two? My suggestion is let them use the N1. 9bn set aside to contain ebola to purchase the needed equipment. The health workers are waiting for this to limit their risk in contact with ebola virus patients. These materials should be purchased centrally and then distributed to hospitals across Abuja and other cities as well. If they don’t , chances are that contractors can buy fake products which will not serve the purpose. Nurses are not happy that the government has paid lip service in the fight against ebola virus as evident by the failure to purchase the needed equipment. Nurses are not protected. Note that among those that have died for having contact with the primary ebola carrier- Patrick Sawyernurses are the most in number. Even if they say they give nurses life assurance what about our families who by virtue of being secondary contact could be at risk as well? Of course, some of us don’t remove their uniform until we got home and by the time we are at home our children would run to say daddy or mummy or auntie oh yo yo and we can’t stop them. They could contract what they are not supposed to contract all because we are not adequately

No, it is either the government is insincere or they are out rightly deceitful. You can’t site a facility of highly contagious virus in such places neither can you seriously quarantine people in such a densely populated area and hope to achieve success in terms of controlling the spread of the virus.

protected. Now, the Kuye Hospital they are setting aside as Isolation Centre is it one section or the entire hospital? It is only one section. They earmarked a particular section, just a temporal ward. They have made that section a no-go-area. Talking about isolation centre, there have been protects across the states by residents who don’t want the centre sited in their areas for fear of the contagious nature of the virus? The people are correct. You can’t site a virus control centre in the midst of residential area. It is called an isolation centre and truly should be isolated. That shows that there is no seriousness by the government on this. What they did was only the usual fire brigade reaction, lack of real seriousness and that is why we nurses are protesting because we are not protected. The facility in question is sited within a residential area and a densely populated area like Kuye at that. No, it is either the government is insincere or they are out rightly deceitful. You can’t site a facility for highly contagious virus in such places neither can you seriously quarantine people in such a densely populated area and hope to achieve success in terms of controlling the spread of the virus. The ideal medical practice is site such facility outside residential area because you need to quarantine people and don’t quarantine people within a residential area. But as professionals have you offered professional advice in this regard or specifically that such facility should not be sited within residential areas? When government wants to do whatever they hardly consult

anybody. As a I am speaking with you now there is a committee on ebola comprising all medical unions and others, but we are not involved. I have never been invited for any meeting. Now, if you are not called for meetings how do you make contribution? If they work with our people at the higher level they will either take or reject the advice but they don’t even include you in their meetings. If we had been involved in the entire process whatever suggestion and advice that we think would be useful, we would follow through. What we really want is for them to provide the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which they have promised our members. Let us see them and confirm whether they are genuine or not. Also, people are supposed to be trained on the use of these facilities on how to handle those already infected or potential carriers of the virus. Because any seriously ill person is a suspected ebola virus disease case until proven otherwise. Whoever has temperature above 40 degrees is a suspect and needs be isolated. But where the equipment to confirm whether it is ebola case or not? What is the next line of action for nurses? We have resolved not to attend to anybody who is seriously ill. The reason is simple, if you attend to that person you are taking fatal risk, you are a risk to your immediate family, you face death. Ordinarily now, if one goes to the hospital and says he is feverish nobody will want to attend to you. Why would they want me a nurse to attend to patient when I don’t have the basic equipment to protect me against the virus? We don’t even have in-fray ray thermometer in any general hospital in Abuja. Even the gloves that we are using is still the same ordinary ones we had been using in the past before the outbreak of the virus and even at that nurses in government hospitals even have to buy the gloves on their own just to protect themselves. Is your contemplating letting the government know in your own peculiar way that you cannot continue under this situation? Yes, we have already alerted the government through a paid advertorial and we are awaiting their response. And if they don’t respond we shall resort to yet another step. Now though we are still appealing to our members to be calm. But we have instructed them to avoid serious cases because these are no-go-areas. Even in emergency situation, we won’t attend to anybody because you could contract it through blood and if you don’t have necessary protective gears then it is as good signing one’s death warrant. If we are going to embark on strike as a last resort it will be because the government has refused to provide the basic necessities for our protection.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

FROM THE PULPIT Appreciating the Mercy of God (I)

bout this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were sacrificing at the Temple in Jerusalem. ‘Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than other people from Galilee?’ he asked. ‘Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will also perish unless you turn from your evil ways and turn to God. And what about the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will also perish.” (Luke 13:1-5 NLT) A lot of people don’t sit back and reflect on their lives. And because of that they don’t appreciate the mercy of God. In the Scripture above, Jesus told his listeners that the Galileans Pilate murdered were not worse sinners than other people from Galilee. He added that the eighteen men who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them were neither the worst sinners in Jerusalem. That means there were worse sinners than these two categories of people yet their lives were spared. It would therefore be wrong for these ones who escaped death to attribute it to their righteousness, smartness etc. You also are not better than those who have died, those some terrible things have happened to, those who’re in the hospital, those who’re bereaved etc. It’s God’s mercy that you’ve obtained. It’s not that you’re holier than them, more prayerful, more hard working or a better Christian – it’s the mercy of God upon you. To attribute your peace, progress, success, protection etc. to any good in you is to engage in selfrighteousness, and you must repent if this. Lam 3:22 says it is by the

mercy of the Lord that we’re not consumed. It’s the mercy of God that saves us from sin and it’s the mercy of God that keeps us, not our righteousness. You need to appreciate the mercy of God towards you that has made the difference in your life. Without the mercy of God, all your efforts, labour, sacrifices etc. would have been in vain. Eph 2:4 says God is rich in mercy. In the Bible, we see how God had mercy on Epaphroditus that he didn’t die when he was sick – Paul rightly acknowledged this. (Phil 2:27). Paul didn’t attribute Epaphroditus’ recovery from sickness to his labour in prayer. The fact that we spend hours in prayers is not as important as the fact that there’s a God who answers prayer. Suppose God doesn’t answer prayers, our labour in prayer will amount to mere physical exercise. So Paul was right when he acknowledged the mercy of God in healing Epaphroditus. The same Paul acknowledged the mercy of God in saving him when he was blaspheming His name in ignorance. (1Tim 1:13) Paul couldn’t have saved himself – it was the mercy of God that did. After all, there were sinners who, naturally speaking, were not as terrible as him who probably died in their sins without obtaining salvation. They never had the type of supernatural encounter he had which led to his salvation. It was God’s mercy Paul received. In 1Tim 1:15-16, Paul, speaking further on the mercy he obtained, said, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (NKJV) God determines the beneficiaries

2. THE MARKS OF TRUE FOLLOWERS Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23; John 8:12;12:24-26; Hebrews 12:14. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF....” Self and the Saviour are opposed to each other. Self with the flesh make unholy demands for cigarette, alcohol, hard drugs, sinful pleasures/ dresses and other things that Christ disapproves of. True followers of Christ do not give to self the things their Master hates and rejects; they will not accept worldly dressing God forbids (Deuteronomy 22:5). People who claim to follow the Master but live careless and indulgent lives are not true followers of His. God does not have a separate Bible and lower standard for any indulgent group of people. “And he said to them ALL, If any man will come after me, let him ... TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, and follow

me.” Opposition, contradiction and persecution with which unbelievers intend to crush our determination to follow the Lord bring pressure, burden and pain to us. This is the cross Christ instructs us to bear as a mark of true discipleship. True disciples of Christ do not also walk in darkness. They do not participate in idolatrous feasts, worship and cult activities because they are done in darkness. They continually yield to the Saviour for transformation. Professing believers who retain sinful characteristics, who are ruled by self, who are uncontrolled by the Spirit and untransformed by the Word are not true followers of Christ. True disciples continue to serve and follow Him; they have undisturbed peace and transparent holiness that make them God’s living epistles. Christ is the Prince of peace; all His disciples do “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” 3. THE MINISTRY OF TRUE

of his mercy. He dispenses his mercy at His discretion. God says in Exo 33:19, “I will show kindness to anyone I choose, and I will show mercy to anyone I choose.” (NLT) Rom 9:15 also repeats this declaration by God. God withdrew his mercy from Saul but His mercy did not depart from David and Solomon. See God’s mercy with David: “But My faithfulness and My mercy shall be with him, and in My name his horn shall be exalted.” (Ps 89:24 NKJV) This same mercy was extended to his son, Solomon. Talking about Solomon, God said, “If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.” (2 Sam 7:14-15 NKJV) This is repeated in 1Chro 17:13. God also said He would have mercy on Jacob (Israel). (Isa 14:1) But said He would not have mercy on her when He decided to punish her sin and allow her to be carried to exile. (Isa 27:11) Ps 102:13 says God shall arise and have mercy on Zion for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, has come. It is bad if God doesn’t show mercy towards one but it’s worse if He shows His mercy towards one and then withdraws it as He did to Saul. (2 Sam 7:15)1Peter 2:10 says Christians, who were formerly sinners, were once “not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained.” (NKJV) This is better than the reverse – to have obtained mercy in the past but not to enjoy mercy now. God says, “Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, and I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” (Hos 2:23 NKJV)

GREEN PASTURES BY PASTOR T. O. BANSO cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 Nothing can be compared to the mercy of God, and nothing can be worse than the withdrawal of God’s mercy. Over and over again, we read in the Book of Psalm the cry for the mercy of God. (Ps 4:1, Ps 9:13, Ps 25:16, Ps 27:7, Ps 30:10, Ps 31:9, Ps 51:1, Ps 86:16, Ps 123:2-3) The mercy of God doesn’t act in vain. No wonder that man whose son was demon possessed and the disciples couldn’t cast the demon out cried to Jesus, “Lord have mercy on my son.” (Luke 17:15) Jesus rebuked the demon and it left him; the boy was well immediately. The cry of the Canaanite woman was the same. “And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demonpossessed.’” (Matt 15:22 NKJV) Because the woman exhibited such a great faith, Jesus granted her desire and her daughter was healed that very hour. No wonder the blind cried to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on us/me” (Matt 9:27, 20:30, 31, Mark 10:47, 48, Luke 18:38, 39) In all the cases Jesus granted their requests; the mercy of God prevailed. You should appreciate the mercy of God. Thank God for His mercy and ask for His mercy. The mercy of God will make all the difference. Heb 4:16 says we should come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help when we

Following Christ till the end cont’d. BY PASTOR W.F KUMUYI FOLLOWERS Acts 6:4; 20:24; 2 Timothy 4:2-5; Colossians 4:17. Followers of Christ have a “ministry of the Word”. This involves ministering the word of salvation to sinners and preparing believers for heaven. We must be dogged, persevering and uncompromising to fulfil this ministry of the word in whichever area we are engaged in the Lord’s service. In spite of temptations, trials and challenges that may come, we are commanded not only to “Preach the word; be instant

in season, out of season” but also to “watch thou in all things, endure afflictions...” Followers of Christ do not become careless and frivolous but keep their gaze on Christ their Master. We must follow the Master, possess the marks of true followers and get involved in serving the Lord to receive full rewards in heaven. SERVING GOD WITH PURE MOTIVES Matthew 6:22,23 Our Lord introduces an important parable in the sermon on the Mount. This parable is

need it. Ezra says God extended His mercy to him before the king – Artaxerxes king of Persia – and his counselors and the king’s mighty princes. (Ezra 7:28) That’s what happens when God shows His mercy to one. One enjoys people’s favour and kindness. I pray that God will extend His mercy to you. In Ezra 9:9, Ezra again talked about the mercy of God. He said God extended his mercy to Israel in the sight of the king of Persia “to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem” (NKJV) May the Lord show you mercy. May He extend His mercy to you and your family, your ministry, your business etc. in Jesus’ name. I’m going to stop here today and continue this message next week. Appreciate the mercy of God. Don’t take His mercy for granted. I pray that God will show you mercy this season of your life. TAKE ACTION! If you’ll like to give your life to Jesus, kindly say this prayer now: “0 Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of and confess my sins. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God”

put between two indispensable messages from Christ. First, “lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The second, “No man can serve two masters. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” The two messages are clear. On one hand, fix your heart on heaven; have eternity in view; set your affections on things in heaven, not on things on earth. On the other hand, love God supremely and serve Him without any distraction; let Him be the only Lord and Master of your life and do all things with God’s glory as your goal. Let nothing compete with seeking His glory in anything and everything you do. The parable in verses 22 and 23 further explains these messages. The illustration of the eye in relation to the body is used. There are two kinds of eyes - a single eye, meaning a sound, healthy eye and an evil eye, meaning a diseased, dim, darkened eye.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

S P OR T Page 52

IAAF diamond league: Nations Cup 2015: Okagbare to compete CAF stands firm on Page 53 venues in Zurich

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Sports

GlassHouse: Where stone is freely thrown

Tamuno Danagogo

Aminu Maigari

Mike Umeh

Chris Giwa

By Taofeek Lawal

The question to ask is: Can’t we have a crisis-free succession at the NFF every World Cup year instead of what we have been witnessing in the past eight years. Football is too big a business to be toyed with. What is that attraction in administration of football in Nigeria that has made it to be a do or die affair among the so-called stakeholders? The answer is simple! There is so much money to play with at the NFF which most of the time are not accounted for. It is such that while the officials enjoy these ‘windfall’, the players are worse for as they complain bitterly about that they are being treated locally and internationally. Any attempt by the government to know how the money released is being spent is referred to as interference which attracts FIFA ban. Knowing the emotion and psychology that an average Nigerian attaches to football and which government also use as a unifying factor in the country, the administrators employ FIFA ban to keep government at bay and coincidentally it is the same government that releases money to the NFF. The drama witnessed in the run up to the August 26 ‘election’ leaves so much to be desired. What is the fuss about becoming the President of the NFF? What was

witnessed at the Chida Hotel Abuja was a slap on the face of Nigerian football. While some were prevented from exercising their voting rights because they are against a certain candidate, others had a free day in ‘selecting’ the candidate of their choice. The election or selection instead of putting an end to the crisis Nigerian football has further divided the house with the emergence of camps and factions at the end of the day. With this latest development, one can easily conclude that the fight to the ‘throne’ is not about service but about what people tend to gain from running football in Nigeria where accountability in the public sector has been thrown to the winds. The truism of this came to the fore at the just concluded Women U-20 World Cup hosted by Canada where our girls made the country proud by clinching the silver medal. No one among our administrators cared to know how the girls were faring during the tournament. The girls must be commended for their performance in Canada even when no one showed any concern about their welfare throughout the championship. It should not come as a surprise should Coach Peter Dedevbo come to reveal that he has been remunerated for months despite working hard to transform the raw talents

in the girls making them world beaters. It is in the midst of all these that Coach Stephen Keshi has not been offered a new contract by those at the NFF who are only keen on who becomes what at the Glass House to the detriment of Nigerian football. Except if the Nigerian Referee Association (NRA) has rescinded its decision that all referees must not honour any league games across the country, all football activities will be halted this weekend. The NRA action has been predicated by the crisis in the NFF, which culminated in the prevention of its key officials from attending the General Congress through the arrest and detention of the President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari; the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Ahmadu; and the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green. A release signed by the Secretary-General of the NRA, Prince Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa, and addressed to the LMC Chairman, Hon. Nduka Irabor, reads in part: “I have been directed by the Working Committee of the above named Association to inform you that, in view of uncertainty in the Nigeria Football Federation, the Nigeria Referees are hereby withdrawing its services with immediate effect from all matches organized by the NFF which includes the Nigeria Premier League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Nationwide League, Nigeria Women League and the Federation Cup pending when sanity is restored.” Clearly, it is the players that bear the consequences of crisis in Nigerian football. Any action or inaction taken by those at the helms of affairs will definitely bounce on the players. It must however be noted that without the players plying their trade as the case may be, there will nothing called the NFF or those who are claiming to be football administrators or stakeholders in the country who are only out to feather their own nests to the detriment of the players whose interest and welfare must be put in the front burner as it is done in other countries of the world especially in Europe. The lasting solution however to this crisis is to make football administration in Nigeria less attractive and on part time basis and allow the involvement of private sector to be involved in the running of football in the country.

t is becoming a recurring decimal every four years that Nigerian football must witness its own crisis owing to the selfish interests of few individual s who have no interest of Nigeria at heart but only to enrich their pockets and those of their cronies. Or would one describe a situation where people engage in all manners of power play to become the President) and board members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to promote the game as it is being done in other climes but to bring the game into disrepute? Because if these set of people really want to serve the country as they always claim, there should be no reason whatsoever to call people names to gain relevance. The NFF crisis is traceable to 2006 when former chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima was eased out of office after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for that year edition of the World Cup hosted by Germany. Galadima was famous for his ‘World Cup is not our birthright’ which led to his eventual ouster from the Glass House. Sani Lulu Abdullahi too was disgraced out of office following Nigeria’s poor participation at the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa.

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Football is too big a business to be toyed with. What is that attraction in administration of football in Nigeria that has made it to be a do or die affair among the so-called stakeholders?

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Sports Klitschko pulls out of title defence with injury

BF world heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko has pulled out of his title bout against Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on 6 September in Hamburg with a torn bicep muscle, the Ukrainian revealed. “I am really very disappointed that the fight will not go ahead as planned,” said the 38-year old, who has a record of 62 wins against just three defeats. A new date for the fight, against the 33-year old Pulev who is undefeated in 20 bouts with 11 knockouts, has not been announced. “Obviously I am disappointed for my fans, but also my opponent who has prepared as intensively as me for this fight,” continued Klitschko. Medical tests revealed the tear which will prevent him from training for at least four weeks. Klitschko, who also holds the WBO and IBO belts, was hoping to pave the way for a crack at the WBC world title, relinquished by his older brother Vitali, who has opted to concentrate on his political career in Ukraine. He needed a mandatory defence of his IBF title in order to try and unify the four world championships, by potentially beating first Pulev and then Canadian Bermane Stiverne who inherited the WBC belt in May.

Vladimir Klitschko

Nations Cup 2015: CAF stands firm on venues

he Confederation of African Football has declared there will be no further changes to September’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite some relocation requests over Ebola fears. It stated on its website: “Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia remain the only countries required to relocate their fixtures to neutral territories as a result of the situation of the Ebola virus.” Cameroon had become the latest team to express fears over the outbreaks and asked for their qualifier in DR Congo to be moved. Earlier this month Caf told Sierra Leone and Guinea to move their home matches, and the latter arranged to play their 5 September game against Togo in Morocco. Sierra Leone themselves banned all football in the country from 4 August but they have yet to confirm a new location for their 10 September match against DR Congo. Caf added that it would “reassess the situation in mid-September in order to allow or not these affected countries to receive teams and organise Caf competitions”.

World Cup exploit: I want A to improve on my finishing, says Oshoala

sisat Oshoala has been taking stock of her performance at the Fifa Under 20 Women’s World Cup following her inability to convert goals in the final game against Germany. The Falconets number four who promised to work on her finishing, stressed that she was not nervous in the final, pointing out that she failed to convert similar chances in the knockout rounds as well as the group stage of the competition. “I approached that game against Germany like every other game. The chances I missed in the final, they came from nowhere. I wanted to bury them but it did not happen. “In the semi -final and our group games, I also missed scoring opportunities. My finishing, I have to work on it and my final touch,’’ Asisat Oshoala said. Despite scooping the Golden Ball and Golden Boot in Canada 2014, the Rivers Angels attacker does not want to blow her own trumpet and has refused to score herself maximum marks. “I gave my best during the tournament. I think I had a good outing; the tournament was a good one for all of us. I will score myself eight out of ten even if I was named Player of the Tournament. “I dedicate my individual awards to my grassroots coach, Emmanuel Osahon, who is the coach of FC Robo in Lagos, my parents, siblings and all my supporters,’’ the 19-year-old noted. “I want to say thank you to all Nigerian fans for supporting the Falconets. They made us feel at home in Canada, I want to say a big thank you to all of them.’’

Asisat Oshoala

IAAF diamond league: Okagbare to compete in Zurich By Albert Akota

lessing Okagbare has been listed as one of the top stars to compete in IAAF Diamond League taking place in Zurich, Switzerland. The meet in Zurich is the penultimate leg of this season’s Diamond League which has so far taken place across 12 cities across the world. Okagbare was conspicuously missing in the last two meets in Stockholm and Birmingham. She has been listed for the 100m women’s event alongside Ivorian sprinter, Ahoure Mourille, and Stewart Keron of Jamaica amongst others. American athlete, Bowie Tori, holds an unassailable lead in the women’s 100m event where she has so far amassed 12 points; having won her races in Rome, New York and Monaco. Unfortunately, Okagbare is down the ladder with just two points secured after finishing second at the first leg of the Diamond League in Doha. The double gold medallist at the last Commonwealth Games, however, still stands a chance in her preferred 200m events where she is second in the standings behind Felix Allyson. Okagbare currently has 11 points while Allyson is on 13, victory for the African and Commonwealth fastest woman in the last leg of the Diamond League billed for Brussels, Belgium may see her upstaging her America rivals and cart away the top prize in the 200m events. In Zurich, two athletes discus thrower Sandra Perkovic and 400m runner LaShawn Merritt need only to line up for their events to secure their Diamond Race victories. But the Diamond Race for 14 other

Asisat Oshoala disciplines in Zurich is still undecided, so a victory in the Swiss city will take on extra significance.

The final leg of the Diamond League is fixed for September 5, 2014

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 30,- SUNDAY 31, AUGUST, 2014

Nigerian coaches disowns Giwa as NFF President

Mr. Chris Giwa, NFF President By Taofeek Lawal

he leadership of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association has disassociated itself from the election that brought Mr. Chris Giwa to office as the new President of the Nigeria Football Federation. The National President of the Association Mr. Bitrus Bewarang while speaking in Abuja said the Association can never be associated with such a charade called election, describing everything that happened in the Congress Room of Chida Hotel, Abuja as an aberration of what the NFF/FIFA statutes states about election of officers into the executive board of a Federation. “This clarification has become necessary because many people would think that because the Coaches were in attendance in the hall that we participated in the election. It is on record that we were the first delegates to raise

objections over the alteration of the agenda of the congress, which was supposed to be setting a roadmap for the election of new board members for the Federation. When our observation was over ruled, we decided immediately to disassociate ourselves from the election. We as Coaches and players are the main actors in the round leather game, and cannot be associated with any illegality. Moreover, the Congress that elected the purported executive members did not at any time conform with Article 22 of the NFF 2010 Statues”, he said. The Plateau United General Manager frowned at the incessant crisis that always evolved Nigeria football every election year, describing it as an insult to the generality of Nigeria football stakeholders. He called on the Federation government to call all the warring parties to order, and ensure that the country’s football thrives in the atmosphere of peace and harmony. He however congratulated the National U-20 Women team (Falconets) for their performance at the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup held in Canada “I want to commend the girls and their technical crew for their performance at the championship. They did not allow the administrative rancors at home deter them. We are happy with them, and implore the government to adequately reward them” he concluded.

Entitlements: El Kanemi players give management ultimatum

l-kanemi players have given the management of the club 10 days to pay up their entitlements of they will continue their strike. The players returned to training on Wednesday after they refused to training on Tuesday over their unpaid money. “We need to fight for our money. We decided to tell the management that they must take us serious. And that is why we refused to train last Tuesday. We have given them 10 days to look for money and pay us. Anything short of that will see us going back to boycotting training. “We want to do our best for the team, but the management must be able

to help us by paying us as and when due”, one of the players was quoted. Club media officer, Anthony Obaseki said that all is well with the team now. “I want to inform you that our players have returned to training they trained Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The boys saw reasons with the government and the management over the delay in the payment of their money. I am happy that the players have returned to train for the important match this weekend against Lobi Stars and they have promised to put in their best and get a decent result from the game.”

English Premier fixtures 30 - 31, Aug. 2014 Saturday Burnley v Man Utd 12:45

Man City v Stoke 15:00

Newcastle v Crystal Palace 15:00

QPR v Sunderland 15:00

Swansea v West Brom 15:00 Everton v Chelsea 17:30 Aston Villa v Hull 13:30 Leicester v Arsenal

West Ham v Southampton 15:00 Sunday Tottenham v Liverpool 13:30

PAGE 55

Sports League Kagawa set for Dortmund return

orussia Dortmund is preparing a deal worth up to €12.5 million for Manchester United misfit Shinji Kagawa. The 25-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements at Manchester United and is poised to rejoin the club where he won two Bundesliga titles. Dortmund were in talks to resign Kagawa, who has failed to establish himself at Old Trafford since moving from Signal Iduna Park for around €20m back in June 2012. The club have agreed a deal worth an initial €7.5m with up to €5m in add-ons for the Japan international, who will sign a four-year contract to rejoin his former club. Dortmund’s youth coordinator Lars Ricken said: “We still have two or three days left [of the transfer window]. Then we will see if he wears the Dortmund jersey again.” Kagawa remains a popular figure at Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles and a DFB-

Shinji Kagawa Pokal in his two seasons at the club after joining for €350,000 from J-League club Cerezo Osaka in 2010. Coach Luis Van Gaal considers the 25-year-old surplus to his

requirements at Old Trafford, having already spent over €150m to recruit Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria this summer.

Obuh: Rangers will not be relegated

oach John Sam Obuh of Rangers FC of Enugu has declared that the team will not go on relegation at the end of the season. Obuh told FCNaija. com from Enugu that there is no way the club will go down because they have capable players that can lift the team in the remaining matches of the season. “I laugh when I hear people say Rangers might be relegated. All I want to say that the team will remain in the Premier League next season. When you watch our matches in recent times, we have really improved and I know that in our subsequent matches, we will churn out good results that will help us move up on the league table.

I am confident that the club will maintain their position on the elite division and our supporters should not panic because all is well with the team,” Obuh said. Rangers Captain, Cyril Oriaku revealed that the players are not even thinking of relegation. “All we know that is that we are going to finish on a high this season. We have about 13 matches to go and I am optimistic that we can still get some good results especially in our away matches. At the end of the season, Rangers will rank among the best ten teams in the Glo Premier League,” Oriaku boasted. Rangers are presently in the 16th position on the league table with 31 points.

Coach Obuh

Europa League draw: Everton in tough group

verton will face Lille, Wolfsburg and FC Krasnodar in the Europa League groups stages as they begin their first European campaign since 2009-10. Tottenham have been drawn against Besiktas, Partizan Belgrade and Greek side Asteras Tripolis after beating AEL Limassol in their qualifier. Scottish champions Celtic meet Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb and Romanians FC Astra. This season’s winners qualify for next year’s Champions

League. After qualifying for the competition by finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, Roberto Martinez’s Everton will face each of their Group H opponents for the first time. Lille finished third in France’s Ligue 1 and Wolfsburg came fifth in Germany’s Bundesliga, while Krasnodar finished fifth in the Russian league. Tottenham were knocked out at the quarter-final stage in 2013 and were beaten in the last 16 by Benfica last season. They beat Group C rivals Besiktas in the Uefa Cup in 2006 but have never

met either Partizan Belgrade or Asteras Tripolis. Celtic, who dropped into the Europa League after their Champions League exit against Maribor, were beaten in a Champions League qualifier by Dinamo Zagreb in 1998. Holders Sevilla line up in Group G alongside Standard Liege and Feyenoord, while three-time winners Inter Milan are in Group F. The group phase begins on Thursday, 18 September and the final of this season’s competition takes place at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw on 27 May, 2015.

Europa League Groups Group A: Villarreal, Borussia Monchengladbach, FC Zurich, Apollon Limassol Group B: FC Copenhagen, Club Bruges, Torino, HJ Helsinki Group C: Tottenham, Besiktas, Partizan Belgrade, Asteras Tripolis Group D: Salzburg, Celtic, Dinamo Zagreb, FC Astra Group E: PSV Eindhoven, Panathinaikos, Estoril Praia, Dynamo Moscow

Group F: Inter Milan, FC Dnipro, St Etienne, Qarabag FK Group G: Sevilla, Rijeka, Feyenoord, Standard Liege Group H: Lille, Everton, Wolfsburg, FC Krasnodar Group I: Napoli, Sparta Prague, Slovan Bratislava Group J: Dynamo Kiev, Steaua Bucharest, Rio Ave, Aalborg Group K: Fiorentina, Guingamp, PAO Salonica, Dinamo Minsk Group L: kSC Lokeren, Legia Warsaw, Trabzonspor, Metalist Kharkiv

BIG PUNCH I know the standard of the Air Force, I commanded many years ago. The military has the capability; they need the political will to do something. It is a sad thing that insurgents can hold us to ransom because I know what we did in Liberia. — Chairman, International Emergency Management and Engineering Society, Nigeria/West Africa Chapter, Retired AVM Muhammad Audu-Bida (rtd)

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY — SUNDAY, AUGUST 30-31, 2014

Jonathan and the 2015 presidential stake SATURDAY COLUMN T he race for Aso Rock Villa is expected to peak on February 14, 2015, with the presidential election in which a winner will emerge, preparatory to a new four-year term, with effect from May 29, 2015. The incumbent president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is poised to exercise his constitutional right to a second term in office in spite of political shenanigans by forces that are opposed to him. Even though he has not formally declared that he would run in the presidential race, his body language, nuanced and veiled remarks, which perceptive minds easily discern, point to his readiness to take a shot at the nation’s topmost job for another term. This has been the expectation — reasonable as it is — of many Nigerians who are rallying behind him and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party. For some privileged Nigerian politicians who are close to Jonathan and enjoy his mutual respect, he will seek re-election. One of them, Chief Tony Anenih, who is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, was categorical on the issue in his extempore address to Southsouth leaders in Calabar during the recent tour of the zone by the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. Anenih delivered his message in a way that left no one in doubt at all about its real intendment: he told the gathering that he is a father who knows what his son wants; that his (political) son (Jonathan) will contest the 2015 presidential election. He then urged Mu’azu to take the message back home to the northern part of the country. Gbam! The Oracle of Uromi, Nigeria’s political Nostradamus, has spoken. Truth is, Anenih is not loquacious and his declaration in Calabar, at a time Party leaders were dancing round the issue by merely calling on the President to contest, was one of his rare interventions that have, over the years, seen him provide answers to political jigsaw puzzles. He rarely comments publicly on political issues. He would rather respond to them silently and build bridges of understanding, by reaching out to groups and individuals to achieve desired results. But when he chooses to speak up, as he did in Calabar,

he cannot be ignored. Like a crystal ball watcher, he had once declared that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock, meaning that then incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo would be re-elected. He walked his talk by collaborating with other members of the PDP apparatchik to realize victory for Obasanjo and the Party. The issue today in the unfolding 2015 presidential politics is Jonathan, on whom Anenih has greatly raised the stake: that he will contest (and, I daresay, WIN!) and why not? Here is an incumbent President whose performance in office has given him a huge head start over any likely challenger in the PDP for the party ticket. Therefore, with an amazing record of achievements to flaunt, the argument that is being strongly canvassed in some circles in the Party is that the President should be given the right of first refusal, something akin or tantamount to an automatic ticket. For me, that is not a bad idea. It will, however, be appropriate if individuals who desire the Party’s presidential ticket are allowed to contest for it in the primary in order to strengthen internal party democracy. I can place a bet that whatever scenario plays out, Jonathan will be incredibly comfortable. This is because he enjoys the confidence and support of the Party, which he leads. He is thus the man to beat in the Party. He is also the man to beat in the presidential election. Jonathan said that much in his last media chat when he declared, in an answer to a question on when he would formally declare his intention to seek re-election, that he remains

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By Sufuyan Ojeifo

President Goodluck Jonathan

the defending champion and he is therefore not under pressure to announce whether or not he would participate in the 2015

presidential race. I completely agree with him. Implicit in that rationalization is that he would contest.

I can place a bet that whatever scenario plays out, Jonathan will be incredibly comfortable. This is because he enjoys the confidence and support of the Party, which he leads. He is thus the man to beat in the Party. He is also the man to beat in the presidential election.

The pressure is actually on the opposition parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC). They should be worried that they have not been able to produce their candidates. Not only have they not been able to produce their candidates, they have also not been able to package and sell them, as a number of groups have done for Jonathan by running television jingles dwelling on the achievements of his government. Besides, the time-table released by the electoral body has circumscribed the opposition parties. The same time-table has egregiously given Jonathan and the PDP a clear edge. By the time the opposition parties accept the Jonathan challenge to come up with their candidates, it will be some four months to the election. The opposition will certainly struggle to sell their candidates in four months against the run of an incumbent PDP president whose achievements since stepping in the saddle, particularly from 2011 till date, are remarkable. And when electioneering begins full blown, it is a fact that while Jonathan will be reeling out his catalogue of achievements to Nigerians, others will be inundating the people with campaign promises. It is not difficult to know which narrative will appeal to Nigerians more. Already, as groups and individuals intensify calls on the President to announce his intention to seek re-election, the leitmotif of their advocacy has been the avalanche of achievements of his government in all sectors of the national economy. This is sweet song to the ears of Nigerians, not the salad of mendacity and propaganda that the opposition has been feeding the Nigerian people on daily basis. Significantly, the zonal rallies and advocacies by a number of groups have provided veritable platforms by PDP leaders, members, friends and followers of the President to sing and dance about his landmark achievements; and to urge Nigerians to pressure him to seek re-election. Nigerians are doing their reality checks to match claims of performance with tangible “democracy dividends”, and I believe, they must be ready to, in their large numbers, reinvest their mandate once more in Jonathan for another four-year term. Mr Ojeifo, magazine publisher, sent this piece from 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: +2348142929046. Cell: +234 8024432099; 803 7007759 e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com; pmlnewsdesk@gmail. com ISSN: 2141– 6141