Peoples Daily Newspaper, Saturday March 31, 2012

VOL. 1 NO. 87 SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

JIMADAL ULA 9 - 10, 1433 AH

N150

Diane Oputa opens up: Why I’am still

married to Charlie Boy ·

Page 8

Constitution:

Sultan, others to get statutory powers · Page 3

As NASS set to liberalise citizenship in states

I N S I D E

All set for Kebbi guber re-run *As ANPP pulls out of race

·

Page 3

Gory tale: How Edo State University students died in a well

·

Page 2

Gov. Al-makura and the changing face of Nasarawa Page 13 state

·

Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar Oba of Benin, HRH Oba Erediauwa

Cover: ·

Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade

Pages 9, 10 & 11

Senate probes: Frustrated Manhunt for ‘thieves’

·Poverty tightens grips on hapless citizens

WWW.PEOPLESDAILY-ONLINE.COM

Okonjo-Iweala and the quest for World Bank apex job Page 7

·

PAGE 2

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1 APRIL, 2012

News Extra

The gory tale:

How Edo State University students died in a well

The well

One of the victims

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

E

d o state-owned Ambrose Alli University was last Friday thrown into confusion and mourning following the drowning of two female students of the university while trying to get water from an old well near their hostel.

Two students, including a final year student met their untimely death in the dirty water of the well while five others who also fell into the well were lucky to have been rescued after they spent long hours with their dead colleagues.

While the students and parents of the deceased mourn, politicians are already using the incident to play politics ahead of the July 2012 governorship election in the state.

Incidentally, the heart rendering incident occurred the same day the world was celebrating the World Water Day to raise awareness on the need to ensure provision of potable water for the world’s population.

Tragedy struck when the unlucky students living in the Kudirat female hostel went to the abandoned well to fetch water due to the collapse of the normal water supply system in the school .

Investigation revealed that the acute water shortage, which is not peculiar to the institution alone was not unconnected with nonavailability of diesel to power their generator plant to pump water leaving the institution without water and electricity for many days.

It was gathered that the well was last refurbished more than 15 years ago and had since been abandoned by the authorities even when the

regular supply system had also collapsed.

An eye witness told Peoples Daily Weekend that trouble started when two female students including the final year student who had gone to fetch water slipped and fell into the deep well the other five also fell in while trying the rescue their friends.

“The place is very slippery. So one of them slipped and the other tried to help and the two of them fell inside the well. It was at that time that the other five tried to rescue them. I did not see what they were trying to use but they were shouting.

The next thing I saw was that the other ones also fell into the well”, the eye witness said.

It was gathered that the fatality could have been avoided but for the unavailability of rescue and emergency treatment and transport facilities in the campus.

Victims were said to have spent several hours in the well leading to the death of the first two who were said to have been submerged in the muddy water. Even when they were lifted from the well, several hours were also lost before the victims could be taken to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), in Esan Central Local Government Area of the state.

According to one of the students who craved for anonymity, the students tried to rescue their colleagues by using vessels to try to remove water from the well until they got to the place the victims were trapped.

“We were on our own. We used containers to try to remove water from the well. It took a lot of time.

Later we got to where they were and

one student who is a member of Red Cross jumped in and we started lifting them out of the well. By then one of them was already dead, while the other was in a state of coma”, he said.

The delay in conveying them to the medical center was said to have been occasioned by the unavailability of a functional ambulance. The Students Union Government (SUG) executive had to bring out the union’s official car take the victims to the medical center. While the unfortunate ordeal lasted, the first two girls were confirmed dead.

It was said that the second victim who was in a state of coma when she was brought to the hospital was later said to have been revived before he was confirmed dead.

The development immediately sparked off protest by the students

Students gather at the well

who accused the authorities of neglecting the institution . Even the security personnel drafted to the area to keep the peace were overwhelmed by the protesting students forcing them to abandon their beats.

However, the death of the students has become a political issue for political parties jostling got support ahead of the July elections.

Already opposition parties in the state have started blaming the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for the mishap.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag bearer, Major Gen. Charles Ehigie (Rtd.) had already visited the school and promised that such challenges will be a thing of the past if he is elected.

The governorship hopeful who made an unscheduled visit to the hospital, described the disaster as ‘an avoidable tragedy and unfortunate’.

He blamed the blamed the school management and the government Nigeria, ACN, government of insensitivity for its alleged inability

to provide water for the ivory tower.

On his own part, ACN candidate, Governor, Adams Oshiomhole commiserated with the Vice Chancellor and Students Union Government of the Ambrose Alli University on the death of the two students.

He described the deaths as painful because it is a reflection of the rot into which the University, once the pride of the old Bendel and Edo States, had been plunged by successive administrations since it was established by its founding fathers.

Oshiomhole noted that the loss will further ginger his administration to hasten the pace of rebuilding the decayed infrastructure of the university and return it to its pride of place among others in the country and directed the Commissioner for Works, to do a general safety audit of infrastructure on the campus.

No matter the point the politicians want to score, the painful death of the students speak volumes about the state of the nation’s education at all levels.

PAGE 3

News

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Constitution:

Sultan, others to get statutory powers

As Nass set to liberalize citizenship in states

By Richard Ihediwa and Augustine Aminu

T

h e two chambers of the National Assembly appear to have reached a consensus to vest certain statutory powers to a category of traditional rulers across the country.

This is despite spirited opposition mounted by some groups which maintain that such was not in tandem with modern democratic society.

The move is also coming even as the National Assembly is also considering the liberalization of citizenship in states through the abolition of indegine/settlers dichotomy in states in the country.

Sources close to the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives hinted that the leadership of the two chambers have already agreed to give the determination of roles for traditional rulers a priority consideration in the next round of Constitution amendment which is expected to commence in the next few months.

Both Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu

Waziri Tambuwal had in various fora assured that traditional rulers would be vested with some specific responsibilities in the constitution.

The move is coming against the backdrop of insistence by some groups that the traditional institution could play vital roles in restoring peaceful co-existence and check the spate of criminality and violence across the country as they are closer to the people at the grass roots.

Already, a memorandum spelling criteria for the role of the traditional rulers is already among those that have been penciled out for consideration by the legislature.

Though it is not clear yet the criteria that would be adopted in choosing the category of traditional rulers that would be given statutory powers and what authorities would be vested on them, it was gathered that those that would be inculcated include apex royalties as well as top class rulers across the country.

Such apex royalties it was gathered would include the Sultan of Sokoto, Shehu of Borno, Ooni of Ife, Oba of Benin, Oba of Lagos, Obong of Calabar, Obi of Onitsha among others. Also top

class traditional rulers that may have statutory authority include first class Emirs in the north and their equivalents from other parts of the country.

There are feelers that such royalties would no longer be under the control of state governors in their domain as their statutory roles would be clearly defined to compliment other statutory office holders.

It is not however known the extent of powers that would be vested on them but in the past, such rulers had the power of arrest as well as to hold courts on certain issues including civil cases and low level crimes in their domains.

It would be recalled that the Senate President in a recent meeting with the Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetonan in Ijebu Ode, Ogun state noted that providing roles for traditional rulers would serve as a check to the insecurity challenges facing the nation.

“Our traditional rulers have inspired peace and unity in our nation. I believe that if they have constitutional roles, we might not have found ourselves in the present security challenges that we are facing today,” he stressed.

It would also be recalled that

some groups such as the Citizens’ Popular Party (CPP), Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) among others had rejected moves by the National Assembly to assign roles to traditional rulers in the country, saying the move was out sync with modern democratic society.

CPP National Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu, said “giving a role to a primordial institution like traditional rulers is of concern, and definitely not a priority area.” Okwu also said that such proposed roles ‘’would appear out of sync with the dynamics of a modern democratic state.”

Meanwhile, there are moves to enshrine a clause in the Constitution that will end the problem of indigene/ settlers dichotomy in the country.

Already, some states have started taking steps to end the divisions which many believe is one of the major reasons for sectional violence in some parts of the country.

If the clause sails through, Nigerians would be free to live, work and exercise franchise in any part of the country as long as they abide by the laws of their host states.

All set for Kebbi guber re-run

By Richard Ihediwa with agency report

A

ll is now fully mobilised for today’s governorship rerun election in Kebbi state.

Fifteen political parties are expected to contest the election, arising from the nullification of the victory of Alhaji Saidu Dakingari by the Supreme Court on Feb. 24, 2012.

However, as parties set for the exercise, the ANPP candidate, Ahaji Suleiman Mohammed, has pulled out of the contest alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not conduct a free and fair election.

“Neither me nor my party, ANPP, has anything to do with tomorrow’s election because it lacks the criteria for a free and fair election,” he said yesterday.

Mohamed said that since INEC fixed the date for the election, neither himself nor the ANPP has been contacted for any discussion as stakeholders.

As ANPP pulls out of race He added that he was not formally invited by INEC to participate in the stakeholders meeting held by the electoral body.

The candidate, however, said that his supporters were free top either boycott the election or vote form any candidate of their choice.

Commenting on the recent defection of some major opposition leaders to the PDP, Mohammed said that the decision to jump ship was “a major setback to democracy”.

He added that there would not be good governance without a viable opposition in a democracy. “if politicians behave the way the CPC leaders did, then I cannot see any bright future for democracy,” he said.

He decried the attitude of former Kebbi Governor, Alhaji AdamuAliero, who is one of the defectors, saying that as a leader,

he should not always seek to belong to the party in government.

It will be however recalled that Alhaji Mukaila Abdullahi, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, had insisted that all political parties and their candidates were invited for the meeting and that the notice for the meeting was publicly displayed Meanwhile more than 7,000 security personnel have been mobilised to keep order during the election.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Baba Adisa Bolanta, said in Birnin Kebbi on Friday that regular and speicialised policemen had been deployed from Sokoto and Zamfara states to help in security matters during the election.

He said mobile policemen from five other states and the Police antibomb squad were mobilised to

participate in security duties during the election. Bolanta commended the state government for supporting the security outfits with transportation to cover all polling units and added that there would be “strategic deployment” of security personnel to both the urban centres and the hinterland.

He appealed to voters and members of the public to ensure that their conduct during the election was in line with the Electoral Act, and stressed that the command was ready to check any lawless behaviour during and after the poll.

The cancellation of Dakinkari’s election in April last year, followed an appeal by Alhaji Abubakar Abubakar of the Congress for Porgressive Change (CPC) against that election.

Gunmen kill 4 attack police station, bank in Borno From Mustapha Isah Kwaru, Maiduguri

O

ver ten gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect killed four persons yesterday evening when they attacked a Divisional Police Station and a branch of the United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) in Uba town, headquarters of Askira/Uba local government area of Borno state.

Witnesses told newsmen that the incident occurred at about 4.30pm when the gunmen, who drove in the area in three Volkswagen cars, stormed the area, firing shots in the air, before heading to the bank and the police station.

The incident has caused serious pandemonium in the town as residents scampered for safety while shops and other commercial centers were immediately shut down.

The attackers raided the bank and carted away large sums of money and later headed to the police station. All major roads in the area were deserted as gunfire raged during the attack, which was said to have lasted for over two hours Residents of the town said after raiding the bank they suspected that the invaders were armed robbers but later suspected the Boko Haram sect due to the attack on the police station.

“They only targeted police station and the bank, but did not attack any place of worship or civilians”, a resident told newsmen on condition of anonymity. The invaders had detonated explosives in the police officer before fleeing the scene.

It was gathered that while at the bank, the attackers killed two persons including a policeman stationed at the entrance and another unidentified man. At the police station, two other policemen on duty were also gunned down while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Spokesman of the state Police Command, Mr. Samuel Tizhe, who confirmed the incident, said they are yet to be furnished with the details of the attack.

PAGE 4

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Photo News

Muslims listening to the Khudbah (Friday sermon), at Utako Juma'a Mosque, on Friday, in Abuja.

Customers waiting to buy roasted yam, at Area 1, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Member of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), arresting a drink hawker insisting to go to their office, at Eagle Square, on Friday, in Abuja.

An overloaded okada, in Mararaba State, last Wednesday.

Dignity of labour, as the wheelbarrow pusher for business, at Nyanya, Abuja, on Friday.

Photos: Mahmud Isa

PAGE 5

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

News Thunder storm renders hundreds of residents homeless in Abeokuta From Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Abeokuta

H

undreds of residents of Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, have been rendered homeless following a heavy downpour which pulled down number of houses and consumed properties estimated at millions of naira.

The sad incident occurred on Thursday evening as roofs were blown off during the downpour which lasted for less than one hour. The mosst affected areas in the town were Iyana-Mortuary, Ijaiye, Olorunsogo, Abiola Way, Iporo-Ake, Lantoro and some parts of Olokuta community in Idi-Aba. Peoples Daily Weekend reports further that the rain which was accompanied by a thunderstorm, also consumed

about three public primary schools as well as number of shops, while two persons were reported to have being injured.

Similarly, at Olorunsogo and Abiola Way areas of the town, high tension electricity poles of were pulled down by the storm while blown-down electricity cables littered the roads.

Many of the victims of the disaster who spoke with our correspondent lamented their losses, calling on government and well to do individuals to come to their aid.

However, the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun yesterday morning, paid an on the spot-assessment to the affected areas. The governor who inspect the extent of damage, expressed shock and described the incident as unfortunate.

Gombe to build N2.7 billion on ultra-modern mega motor park From Auwal Ahmad, Gombe

G

ombe state government is to spend about N2.7 billion on the construction of ultramodern mega motor park along Dukku road to accommodate the five motor parks in the state capital.

The Commissioner for Housing and Transport, Mr. Robonson Wasa disclosed this to our reporter in an interview in his officer in Gombe.

According to him, the park

would be equipped with all infrastructural facilities such as a hotel accommodation, clinic, and security outpost as well as fire station and transportation services.

He further said 100 vehicles were procured to be distributed as taxis to organisations, adding that the International Development Bank (IDB) has indicated interest to fund some aspects of the projects while government is exploring the possibility of operating the taxi services through associations such as the NURTW.

Family feud: 4 killed, 6 injured by police officer in Jos Richard Ihediwa withagency report

F

o u r persons were shot dead and six injured in Jos on Wednesday evening when security operatives tried to quell a family feud.

However, a mobile police officer, who allegedly killed the persons, had been arrested by the police authorities.

The incident, which occurred at Tudun Wada in Jos North Local Government Area, was as a result of a fight between two brothers, Sunday and Nengak, in a joint.

Already, a curfew has been

T

h e African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) has told the Nigerian government to guarantee that unsafe abortions are prevented.

ACHPR in paragraph 93 of the document which was made available to newsmen in Abuja said, the commission made the statement as part of its recommendation and concluding observations following the Fourth Periodic Report of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the 50thOrdinary Session of the ACHPR held in Banjul, Gambia from October 24thto November 5th 2011.

“The African Commission recommends that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides sufficient and all-inclusive maternal facilities for women, also ensuring that unsafe or ‘out of hospital’abortions are prevented”. It will be recalled that this is the first time that ACHPR which came into existence in 1986 has made a recommendation concerning unsafe abortions in Nigeria which is known to account for a large number of maternal deaths in the country.

ACHPR had earlier noted that the Nigerian delegation at the 50th ordinary session did not report on unsafe abortion and its

into the air to disperse them and thereafter shot at the youths,’’ the eyewitness said.

Mr. Samuel Dabai, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Plateau, who confirmed the incident, said the mobile police officer has been arrested.

“We learnt that a mobile officer killed four persons and injured six others with his rifle when he went berserk. The officer is a known person and he is under arrest as I am talking to you now”.

Dabai, who expressed dismay at the attitude of the police officer, described the incident as “very sad and unfortunate”.

Kano unmasks 140 ghost workers in civil service

N

o fewer than 140 ghost workers have so far been unmasked by the Kano State Government in the state's Civil Service during the on-going personnel verification exercise in the state.

The state's Head of Service, Alhaji Shehu Minjibir, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen on the staff verification exercise in Kano on Friday.

Minjibir said that “so far, 23,781 staff have been captured in the state's Civil Service with 17,219 still outstanding”.

He said that at the commencement of the exercise “41,000 bio-data forms were distributed to workers in the Civil Service, while 31,000 forms were similarly issued to workers in the 44 Local Governments in the state”.

The head of service said that “staff under the unified local

ACHPR advises Nigeria on unsafe abortions

By A’isha Biola Raji

imposed in the area.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that an argument broke out between the two brothers and a fight ensued when Nengak slapped his elder brother, Sunday.

He said Sunday’s friend, who reprimanded Nengak for disrespecting his elder brother, invited his soldier friend, attached to the Military Special Task Force (STF) who also came with a police officer in attempt to arrest Sunday which the youth in the area objected.

“Before they could know what was happening, the security men who came around began to shoot

contribution to maternal mortality in the country.

However, a shadow report by an NGO underscored the seriousness of the impact of unsafe abortion in Nigeria, which informed the commission’s inclusion of the issue in the 32 recommendations it made on how Nigeria can improve its human rights record.

Apart from the statement on unsafe abortion, ACHPR noted that the issues of “early marriages, violence against women and the girl child, female genital mutilation, and other inhuman rites and practices undergone by widows and women are still common.

government service have returned 25, 871 with all staff duly captured, leaving 5,242 outstanding”.

He said that 24 cases of underaged workers and 16 over-aged ones had also been discovered so far at the local government level, noting that this was in addition to duplication of staff numbers involving over 100 workers and few cases of impersonation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the State Government had last November engaged Fidelity and Unity Banks to conduct bio-metric data

capturing of all civil servants, to ascertain the actual number of workers in the state.

Minjibir said the banks had since been directed to complete the exercise within the next two weeks to allow for data verification and validation, adding that this would ensure the harmonisation of validated data from the two services.

He said that “any default in submission of duly completed data forms or non-appearance for data capturing in respect of any MDA or staff will be regarded as non-existence”.

(NAN).

PUBLIC NOTICE

Auction! Auction!! Auction!!!

This is to inform the General Public on the instruction of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offence Commission (ICPC) there will be a public auction sales of unserviceable vehicles and office equipments at ICPC headquarters, Abuja.

The vehicles are: 1.

Toyota H/Lux, Peugeot 504/406 2.

M/Benz Bus and Yamana motor-cycles.

Date: 3rd April, 2012 Time: 10:00 am.

For any enquiry please contact the auctioner.

Adisa Adegbenro for: Adidis-Ababa International Company.

Tel: 07035262139

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA Whereas the person/persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the person(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property.

Notice is hereby that the said letter of Administration be granted to such person(s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT” the grant thereof is field in the probate Registry of the above named court within twenty-one (21) days from the date of publication.

SCHEDULE DECEASED NAME & ADDRESS YUSUF MOHAMMED JULIUS BERGER NIGERIAPLC ABUJA Who died on 27th January, 2011

APPLICANTS FOR GRANT ABDUL YUSUF AND AMINA YUSUF NIGERIA POLICE FORCE ABUJA The Son and Widow

Dated at Abuja this 31st day of March, 2012 Signed:

PAGE 6

News

NIMC commissions ultramodern Office in Abuja

By Augustine Aminu

I

n a bid to serve the Nigerian and West African public better, an international m a n a g e m e n t consultancy outfit, New Idea Management Consultants (NIMC) yesterday, commissioned its ultra-modern Office in Abuja.

Commissioning the complex which has a library, IT Centre and Conference rooms among others, the Provost of the London Graduate School (Albion College), Prof.

Bruce Duncan lauded the

vision of NIMC Managing Director, Prof. David Iornem, saying he is contributing greatly to the nation’s educational advancement.

According to him, “Prof. Iornem has given us an idea of what a visionary can do. He is not a mere talker; when he says it; he does it.”

Duncan, who is also the Chancellor of the C o m m o n w e a l t h University, London, recalled his first meeting with the Prof., affirming Iornem’s worth.

Earlier, Prof Iornem had said the idea of giving

NIMCs a befitting operational base was informed by its growing volume of work and clientele, adding that plans were afoot to build a permanent structure for the firm.

It would be recalled that NIMC was incorporated in January 1981 as a multidisciplinary management consulting firm in Nigeria, and has over the years, provided consultancy services to private as well as semi-governmental and g o v e r n m e n t a l organisations in the country.

Kwara disburses N250 million to cooperative societies From Olanrewaju Lawal, Ilorin

T

he Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, on Thursday, disbursed N250 million to registered cooperative societies in the state to further strengthen their businesses from Small Medium Enterprises (SME) to cosmopolitan trade.

Governor Ahmed who distributed the money under the Ministry of Commerce and

Cooperatives, disclosed that his administration would also give additional N250 million to another set of market women and registered cooperatives after the revolving loan had been returned.

He added that his administration would also give out N750 million to farmers cooperative society in order to boost their production.

While warning the beneficiaries not to divert the loan to unproductive transactions, Governor

Ahmed advised them that the mission of the state government was to ensure that the loan circulates within the state and improves the welfare of the people.

In his remark, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Cooperative, Alhaji Saka Onimago, disclosed that the beneficiaries include members of the cooperative societies, Artisans, market men and women, and all enterprises within the informal sector.

Wamakko appoints task force to check drug abuse From Sadeeq Aliyu, Sokoto

W

orried by rampant cases of drug abuse in the state, Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko has approved the establishment of a task force committee to check

the menace of sales and consumption of illicit drugs in the state.

The task force which is headed by the Commander of the National Druag Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Musbahu Ahmed is expected to swing into action immediately

and ensure that dealers of illicit drugs are put out of business or force to relocate elsewhere.

The state government urged members of public to assist the committee with useful information that can lead to the eradication of the unwholesome business in the state.

Water: Zamfara Chief Imam warns of cholera outbreak From Salisu Zakari, Maradun, Gusau There may be an outbreak of cholera in Zamfara if the activities of water vendors are not checked properly by the authorities in the state.

Sheik Salisu Aleru, the chief imam of the Sheik Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Juma’at Mosque Gusau, made the observation while delivering a Friday

sermon.

The imam stated that the water vendors who troop into the state from Niger republic, are currently bringing water to people from unknown places, lamenting that the water is mostly contaminated which can easily lead to disease outbreak.

According to the Sheikh, on so many occasions the people of

particularly Gusau, where most of the vendors are found, have been complaining over the situation, which if left unchecked, could cause anything against the residents.

He called on the government to as a matter of urgency, do something to arrest the ugly situation, In order to prevent the expected outbreak.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 7

Man in the News

Okonjo-Iweala and the quest for World Bank apex job

By Richard Ihediwa

C

oordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala needs no further introduction within Nigeria and in the international arena.

Rising steadily in her carrier as a world class manager of finance and economy, Okonjo-Iweala is now seeking for the exalted position of the President of the World Bank. Okonjo-Iweala and two others, namely United States nominee, Jim Yong Kim and Jose Antonio Ocampo, the 59year-old Colombian, who is a US-trained economist are seeking to take over from current World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, who is billed to step down in June this year.

Since Okonjo-Iweala’s recent nomination for the apex world finance job, she has been receiving support from African nations with the National Assembly passing a motion backing her. Okonjo-Iweala herself had remained undeterred despite the opposition of the American government to her nomination.

The two times minister of finance and former minister for foreign affairs believes she has all it takes to handle the job and many experts across the globe share the same opinion with her.

Okonjo-Iweala was VicePresident and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group. She left it in 2003 after she was appointed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s cabinet as Finance Minister on 15 July 2003.

In 2007, Okonjo-Iweala was considered as a possible replacement for former World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, but was later appointed to serve as Managing Director of World Bank from October 2007 to July 2011 before she came back to Nigeria to take up for the second time the position of the minister of finance.

Despite the huge support from African and developing countries, the battle ahead of Okonjo-Iweala is by no means a tea party as she is up against candidates, which like her are of no mean qualifications connections and backing.

Already the United States authorities are highly optimistic that their favoured candidate, South Korean, Mr. Jim Yong Kim, who was born in Seoul and emigrated with his parents from South Korea to the

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala United States at age five, will win the contest.

According to US Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner “Jim Yong Kim, the U.S. nominee to lead the World Bank, will win broad international support despite an unprecedented challenge by candidates from emerging economies”.

The other candidate being considered for the top job is Mr. Jose Antonio Ocampo, a 59year-old Colombian, who is a US-trained economist and who has excellent credentials in academia, national politics and the United Nations. He has held posts as Agriculture Minister, Planning Minister and Central Bank Chairman in Colombia’s government, and is currently a professor at Columbia University in New York.

The US optimism is coming against the backdrop that the the country is the biggest shareholder in the Washington-based bank, which has always been led by an American.

Past World Bank Presidents have included U. S. Mr. Robert McNamara, who served as

Secretary of Defence during the Vietnam War, and Mr. Paul Wolfowitz, a former Deputy Secretary of Defence in George W Bush’s administration.

However, despite the hurdles, an undeterred OkonjoIweala said there is not going back in her bid for the position.

If she gets it, she will be the first African as well as the first woman to hold the position.

She has been adjudged to be the most experienced of the three candidates because of the over two decades she has spent in numerous positions in the organization. African powers, including Angola, Nigeria and South Africa endorsed her nomination.

In a recent chat with newsmen in Abuja, OkonjoIweala described her nomination as “an unforgettable honour” and insisted that the opposition of the American government to her nomination would not dampen her spirit.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, who was spoke at the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party at the Eagle

Square, Abuja, last Saturday, thanked African leaders for their backing.

She said: “Sincerely, I feel honoured by the decision of African leaders to back me for the job and I believe that the final decision on who occupies the office would be beneficial to the global community.

“It is elating that across the continent, the leaders spoke with one voice, and their gesture is directed at me; I am eternally grateful to them all for their support.”

She said: “I am aware of the opposition by the American government, and I can tell you that rather than dampen my spirit, it further strengthens my belief in the fact that my candidature caught the attention of very influential nations, especially the United States of America.

However, as a truly cultured Nigerians, OkonjoIweala also told the world that for her it was not a “do or die” affair adding that the most important thing for her is the recognition by those backing her across the world.

“The most important thing

to me here is the recognition by political and renowned academic leaders across the continent for the job, which would further give the continent a better position in global economic matters.

“Even if eventually I don’t get the job, I still will feel honoured for being the target of a continental acceptance on a global matter that affects global economic growth”, she said.

Born on June 13, 1954, Okonjo-Iweala hails from Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State where her father Professor Chukuka Okonjo is the Obi, or King, from the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of OgwashiUkwu.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was educated at Harvard University, graduating magna cum laude with an A.B. in 1977, and earned her Ph.D. in regional economic development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1981. She is married to Ikemba Iweala from Umuahia, Abia State and they have four children.

She is highly respected in Nigeria following the role she played as Finance Minister in October 2005 when she led the Nigerian team that struck a deal with the Paris Club, a group of bilateral creditors, to pay a portion of Nigeria’s external debt (US $12 billion) in return for an $18 billion debt write-off.

Prior to the partial debt payment and write-off, Nigeria spent roughly US $1 billion every year on debt servicing, without making a dent in the principal owed.

Okonjo-Iweala also introduced the practice of publishing each state’s monthly financial allocation from the federal government in the newspapers. She was instrumental in helping Nigeria obtain its first ever sovereign credit rating (of BB minus) from Fitch and Standard & Poor’s. Nigeria is considered to have defaulted on its sovereign debt in 1983 (debt rescheduling is considered a type of default by rating agencies) In 2007, Okonjo-Iweala’s NGO, NOI Global Consulting, partnered with the Gallup Organization to introduce an opinion poll, the NOI poll, into the Nigerian polity. She is a Brookings fellow at the Institution Okonjo-Iweala also serves on the Advisory Board of Global Financial Integrity [ and on the Board of Directors of the World Resources Institute.

PAGE 8

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Interview

Why I’m still married to Charlie Boy —Diane Oputa P

e o p l e see you as not being as visible as your husband. What have you been doing with yourself?

I have been involved in entertainment and art crafts and culture in some kind of way.

Remember we met recently at a cultural event and I was very happy that I was recognised as an ambassador of African Arts & Crafts, and I was also very happy that we were recognised as being part of the cultural era right now.

TAAKRA, which is Teaching African Arts and krafts is my outfit established for that purpose and it has been in operation for about six to seven years now and we have been on air for the past five years. TAAKRA television programme is basically what I have been doing for the past eight years.

And that happens to be basically an empowerment programme where we empower women; we hold workshops and seminars to promote women and widows thereby creating a platform for self-reliance and empowerment. So that project extends to teaching the different skills acquisition programmes that we have been doing for TAAKRA. How do you empower the women through the TAAKRA project?

We teach projects in which the women come to learn one skill or the other. At some times, I get emails and I get to know that people are confused about which and what they should be doing with their lives. You will find that there are some women who are into banking, law and so on yet they may not be happy with their jobs and want to do something different. They may want to learn how to design clothes; it may be event management or it may be so many other things so by introducing this on the programme. We are opening up avenues which people can use to enhance themselves.

How do you think Nigeria can project its cultural identity in the face of western influences?

I think our perception as Nigerians in terms of our culture is the problem. Sometimes the grass always seems to be greener on the other side and we tend to forget about what we have here that is so valuable and gorgeous when compared with what is obtainable elsewhere. But I think that especially now, especially the artistes; we are really beginning to realise our values as a people more than ever before.

Diane Oputa is the wife of entertainment maestro, Charles Oputa popularly known as Charlie boy or Area Father. In this interview with Miriam Humbe, she speaks of her relationship with Charlie boy; what has kept their marriage going and her booming business teaching African Arts and "Krafts".

Diane Oputa

The industries are booming all around, the music industry, the movie industry, the art and culture industry are moving. It may be slow for now but for us on the programme, we can see the rich culture as we project on the programme. Our art and crafts values are huge. We have so much to offer to the international community. I just think that we have a lot of problems with packaging. We have a lot of problems with financing and exportation. Those are some of the challenges but we hope to overcome them for sure.

There are a lot of tourist sites in Nigeria. How can they be effectively harnessed for the wealth creation?

These are some of the things that the government needs to focus on and we can tap into them. As soon as the government begins to realise that these are valuable assets that we can tap into then those areas you will see tourism coming into Nigeria more than ever. You will see more arts and crafts exported. Even as at today, some of the art works we produce in Nigeria, are now in Holland. You can see them in

so many other parts of the world.

I was at Hilton the other day and I saw an exhibition going on there and I saw very beautiful paintings and I was impressed. So if the government decides that it will invest more in tourism and culture, it will help a lot, because at the end of the day, we will get value for our money. People will begin to come to Nigeria instead of going to South Africa, Kenya or Ghana. So we have to wake up.

Corporate bodies also needs to promote the kinds of programmes so that we can clarify some of

those negative impressions that people tend to have of us. We don't live in trees. We drive good cars; we also have a rich environment as well.

How do you come about the widows you help in your programme?

On TAAKRA, we have these women that nobody is looking after. They have no husbands. So we teach them how to be more self reliant. We are talking about the grassroots here. We are not talking about those who have.

We are talking about the havenots. So for us, those are the most important things. We are not waiting for government to come and do all of these things but of course, a little bit of help here and there will be good.

A lot of our audience normally come from the church. That is where you find most of these organisations like ours who support women. We also have individuals and family members who are widows. Right now, we have a school we are getting ready to open here in Gwarimpa.

It is an academy and we are basically going to be training and that training is for everybody who wants to come and train but for our widows' programme, we have a foundation that covers the cost for the widows to be trained through individuals who pay for the courses. So we don't wait for government. There are some individuals who, when they just hear about the plight of a woman in distress, then they just pick up the women and train them but we need a situation whereby government can come in and be part of what we do.

So far, has there been any financial help from any

“

It is not my doing that I have been married for 30 years. It is just that you have two people who met and decided to share their lives together and they made the sacrifice and so forth. They made a commitment that they want to be together.

organisation to boost your efforts?

None has come yet. We are still waiting for the help. But like I said, we are not going to sit around and wait for the help.

You have been married for 30 years and still going strong. What is the secret?

It is not my doing that I have been married for 30 years. It is just that you have two people who met and decided to share their lives together and they made the sacrifice and so forth.

They made a commitment that they want to be together. And the biggest thing is this is God's grace.

It is not our doing. I always tell people when they ask me that question that there is no special remedy for that it is just the love you have for the individual that keeps you going.

In this era of massive celebrity marriage failures, what advice do you have for couples in the show biz world to improve their relationships?

I don't know why these questions crop up now but I remember in the past interviews I've had even on television, these questions crop up quite often. If I get on to some of the Nigerian talk shows, the topic is usually marriage, marriage break up, how do you stay together?

What's the secret? Some of the upcoming artistes are not yet married. Maybe they should be advised on pre-marital behaviour like courting, dating and all that so that at the end of the day, when you are married, you realise that you are married and before you get married, you must know the person that you are going to get married to.

There are always new developments. You don't really know a person. It is a learning experience really. But you must try and know more about the person no matter what it takes then both parties have to watch out. It is not a one way thing. I've met several young couples, maybe my husband and I are the kind of people that others feel they can come to and confide in and a lot of times and you hear a lot of things. The issues are always there but because you survived it, there should be something that you are doing. So couples must learn to understand themselves.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 9

Cover

Senate probes

Senate in session

Frustrated manhunt for “thieves” Probes this year: * Subsidy probe * power, * pension administration, * gas resources, * sports * new vehicle number plates and driver’s license

By Ali Alkali

“

I

f you are cheated out of a single dollar by your neighbor, you do not rest satisfied with knowing that you are cheated, or with saying that you are cheated, or even petitioning him to pay you your due; but you take effectual steps at once to obtain the full amount and see that you are never cheated again”. These are the words of former U S President Henry David Thoreau, in his famous work, On the Duty of Civil Disobedience.

However, while not advocating for a civil disobedience, one points out that it appears that Nigerians are comfortable in knowing that those who cheated them and are still cheating them have been exposed and do nothing to ensure that they are taught lessons as well as find ways to ensure that they are not cheated again.

At least, that appears to be the import of section 88 of the Constitution which empowers the National Assembly to conduct investigations into the activities of statutory

bodies only with the aim of amending laws and exposing corruption and made no direct provision for prosecution of those indicted by the probes.

To this end, the probes by the two chambers of the National Assembly appears to be full of hot air with those indicted walking freely and even committing more atrocities. However, the probes must continue and within this year alone, there have been harvests and harvests of them in the Senate.

In the last three months, several committees, from both chambers of the National Assembly, have held public hearings in their efforts to investigate government agencies that are either not performing to expectations or bedevilled with monumental corruption. As expected, cans of worms were opened.

However, probing a sector is one thing while bringing real change after the probe is quite another, especially in Nigeria where the people lost confidence in such hollow rituals because governments at federal and states

levels have failed to implement the reports and recommendations of various probes conducted by the legislature, or special committees of enquiries, in the past.

This is especially against the backdrop of the fact that up till now those indicted in the Privatisation last December for abuses and multi billion naira underhand deals in the privatisation and sale of government owned companies are still walking the streets like kings.

While the Senate embarks on new probes, some Nigerians see them as business as usual especially as the legislature has it hands tied by the Constitution while the executive appears to foot drag on bringing those indicted to book.

Probes embarked on by the Senate this year includes, those on power, pension administration, gas resources, sports and controversial new vehicle number plates and driver’s license.

Subsidy probe The major probe in the Senate this year

was the January oil subsidy management probe which became imperative following insistence by President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the subvention following finding that some cartels had swindled the nation trillions of naira meant for the scheme.

Senate unraveled a lot of under-hand deals and went ahead to name those involved.

On the Senate list were Oando Nigeria Plc, owned by Mr. Wale Tinubu (N228.506 bn) MRS, owned by Sayyu Dantata (N224.818 bn); Enak Oil & Gas (N19.684 bn); Conoil (N37.960 bn), owned by Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr); Bovas & Co. Nigeria Limited (N5.685 bn); Obat Oil, owned by the Olugbo of Ugboland, Ondo state, Oba Eniti Obateru Akinruntan (N85 bn); also, Integrated Oil and Gas Ltd, owned by former Minister of Interior, retired Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho (N30.777 bn); IPMAN (Independent Petroleum Marketers Association) Investment Limited (N10.9 bn).

Contd on Pages 10,11

PAGE 10

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Senate probes

Frustrated manhunt for “thieves” Contd from page 9 Others include A.A. Rano (N1.14 bn); A-Z Petroleum (N18.61 bn); A.S.B (N3.16 bn); Arcon Plc (N24.116 bn), African Petroleum (N104.58 bn); Aminu Resources (N2.3 bn); Capital Oil (N22.4 bn); Avante Guard (N1.14 bn) Avido (N3.64 bn) Boffas and Company (N3.67 bn) Brilla Energy (N960.3 million) de Jones Petroleum (N14.86 bn); DownStream Energy (N789.648 million); Dosil Oil and Gas (N3.375 bn); Inco Ray (N1.988 bn) Eternal (N5.574 bn) Folawiyo Energy (N113.32 bn) Frado International (N2.63 bn); First Deepwater Oil (N257.396 million) Heden Petrol (N693 million); Honeywell Petrol (N12.2 bn); Integrated oil (N30.777bn) AMP (N11.417 bn) ; Ascon (N5.271 bn) ;Channel Oil (N1.308 bn)and Forte Oil, owned by Femi Otedola (N8.582 bn). Up till now, it appears that nothing is being done on the matter.

Power probe The Senate Committee on Power commenced the investigation into alleged corruption militating against the smooth running of the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP). This followed petitions that the project in Ikot-Ekpene in AkwaIbom has been on the ground six years after the contract was awarded. There were also petitions that such was the case in other projects.

When it opened its search light, the committee discovered that those handling the project hurriedly put together some of the components to bring it to 30 percent ahead of the visit by the committee.

NIPP Managing Director, Mr. James Oluto confirmed this when he testified before the committee at its hearing last month.

Throughout the hearing, the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, (FCT) and the entire members were visibly angry over Oluto’s unsatisfactory explanations on almost all questions thrown at him concerning the 25 million Euro and N1.5billion Ikot Ikpene power project.

Thoroughly questioned by the committee members, Oluto admitted that in his entire six years as Chief Executive Officer of NIPP and Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Company he had never visited the site of the project.

Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, who was also summoned, was not at the hearing because he was among the delegation that represented the federal government at the burial of late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu. He was represented by Minister of State, Power, Dr. Daniel Dickson.

When questioned, the minister of state seemed to know next to nothing about the project. Queried by the committee on certain issues,

Senate President, David Mark the minister said he knew nothing about the project. From the probe, reasons the project have been suffering were clear even as there explanations are still being awaited on how the funds voted for the projects were handled.

Pension probe Another probe that shook the nation was that of the handling of pension administration in the country because of the monumental frauds running into scores of billions of naira were discovered.

Findings by the joint Committee on Establishment and States and Local Government Affairs revealed that over N150 billion belonging to hapless pensioners have been stolen by unscrupulous officials in various government agencies.

Just few days before the Senate public hearing began, Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, told stunned Nigerians how a pension fraud cartel was swindling the nation of about N3.3billion monthly, and that N151billion fraud has been uncovered in the pension offices across Nigeria. He also revealed that houses worth about N15billion have been seized from corrupt officials in the Pension Office of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and about 71,133 fake pensioners have been detected.

Maina, as he is popularly called, opened so many stinking cans of worms. He told the committee that 32 staff of the Office of the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsanye, have defrauded the country to the

Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison Madueke tune of N18 billion. He disclosed that the PRTT discovered and reported to the EFCC colossal loss of pension funds by the former management and staff of the OHCSF pension where N24 billion and Landed properties carted away were recovered; and that the case is currently in the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.

He also averred that officials of the police pension office used falsified documents to withdraw N24 billion from the Budget office for the payment of pension that required only N3.5 billion.

Abdulrasheed told the committee that the team discovered two major accounts in Lagos where pension fund for the police was lodged, revealing that one account had N21 billion, while the other had N24 billion.

He said the team so far recovered N21 billion of the money lodged in First bank.

He further disclosed that as at December 2011 a total of 49,395 pensioners, including those who retired as far back as 1968 who had never been enrolled, have now been verified and their biometrics captured, bringing the total number of pensioners on the payroll to 120,733.

The committee, after listening to the submission of Abdulrasheed, directed that he made available all relevant documents relating to all transactions including bank statements; cheque books and other documents that would assist the committee in arriving at a decision and writing its report.

The next day, the table was turned against Maina when Chief

Accounting Officer of the Police Pension Fund, Mr. Toyin Ishola, revealed that within three months of taking over the police pension office, the PRTT chairman “has expended over 3.6 billion naira without any entry of such in account books.”

The police also accused the task team chairman of inflating contracts and opening secret bank accounts, one of which was being run by his own brother.

Among the frivolous and extravagant expenditure in which the PRTT boss was engaged, according to the police pension office,“were the bogus expenditure of the conduct of the biometric exercise of the retirees in the Diaspora which he spent a whooping sum of 240 million naira to capture less than 20 retirees; and for the local bio-data, over 220 million naira was spent.”

Ishola noted that the task team “compelled the police pension office to drop the previous signatories to the pension account and replaced them with members of the task team,” adding, “these signatories are made to sign huge sum of money out of the pension account.”

The police said they were able to trace the money siphoned from the police pension account to three different bank accounts “unilaterally opened without recourse to financial rules and approval from the Accountant General of the Federation and the Minister of Finance.

Behind the scene, it was gathered that evidence were gathered by EFCC against a federal permanent secretary, four directors, a deputy

commissioner of police and two other officials who will soon face prosecution over their involvement in a N14 billion fraud uncovered during the pension probe.

Those indicted included Abubakar Kigo, a permanent secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta; Esias Dangabar; a former director of the Police Pension Office (PPO), deputy commissioner of Police Okafor; Ahmed Wada, a former deputy director of the PPO now a director in the Federal Ministry of Sports; and Abdullahi Umar, now deputy director in the Ministry of Works.

Others are accountant John Yusuf and cashier Vicky, both of the pension office.

During investigations, security agents raided the offices and houses of the accused, recovering documents and huge sums of money. It was reliably gathered that over 2.5 billion naira (cash) was found at the house of one of the accused. Currently, Nigerians are watching to see the outcome of the cases especially as they have been charged to court on the issue.

Gas probe The Senate Committee on Gas began its investigation into the gas production in Nigeria and the role of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as regulatory body for the petroleum product industry, with a thumb down for DPR for its dismal performance.

DPR had given a contract of installing what it calls ‘Real-time gas monitoring’ equipment at 116 locations, within nine months; but three years later only 10 locations Contd on page 11

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 11

Cover

Senate probes

Frustrated manhunt for “thieves” Contd from page 9 are have received the equipment despite the billions of naira sunk into the project from inception in 2009.

The equipment were meant to monitor the amount of gas flared as against the production profile.

Answering questions from the committee, Mr. Dozie Irechukwu, Deputy Director (Technical Services) DPR, revealed that out of 116 locations where monitoring equipment should be installed only ten were completed despite the huge sums sunk into the projects.

On its part, consulting company handling the project, Riverman Technologies, shifted the blame to International Oil Companies ( IOCs), especially Shell Petroleum Company, for frustrating the project by not allowing them to even visit sites without exchanging several correspondences that always took months.

However, the Senate committee gave the DPR a thorough bashing from the committee for failing in discharging its responsibilities “as policeman in the petroleum industry.” Nigerians are still watching to see the outcome of the probe.

Sports probe The Senate Committee on Sports also conducted two-day public hearing to unravel what led to Nigeria's fall from 5th position in 1994 to current 56thposition in the Federation of International Football Association, according to FIFA ranking.

On the first day of the public hearing, former Minister of Sports, Damishi Sango told the committee that what is needed is the implementation of various documents and recommendations submitted to the government in the past, because, as he said“there is nothing being discussed here that was not discussed before.

“When I was minister of sports I organized stakeholders’ conference; and we prepared what would have been the blueprint for a national sports policy. When I was removed as minister, my successor shoved away that document and organized his own. In the past, the Senate Committee on Sports had summoned stakeholders to a hearing like this where the issues we are discussing here were discussed.”

Sango, called on the National Assembly to henceforth approve only 75 percent of the nation’s sports budget and ask the stakeholders to raise the remaining 25 percent through aggressive marketing, franchising and sports lottery. He said that when he was minister of sports, they were able to raise over 500 million naira through sports lottery alone.

The minister also blamed the National Assembly for helping in creating confusion and mismanagement in the

Sen. Aloysius Etok, probed handling of pension fund

FRSC Boss, Osita Chidoka

administration of sports by inviting several sports organs to present their separate budget proposals to the National Assembly, saying,“There is need for a conference between the Ministry of Sports, National Sports Commission, NFA and others to clearly define the power relationship between them.”

Making his contribution, the Director General of Sports Commission, Patrick Ekeji, said Nigerian football is taking a nosedive because “Over 70% of Nigerian coaches are not trained.”

“There are more qualified medical doctors than trained coaches in Nigeria; and out of the remaining, only a few of them are educated, certificated and enlightened enough to coach the Nigerian team both locally and internally. The high turnover of coaches is a distortion to Nigerian football administration,” he said.

Based on the probes one wonders what happens to the fund voted for the training of coaches in the country. Nigerians are also waiting for the outcome of this probe.

Number plate and driver’s license probe The Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs hosted the public hearing over the controversial new driver's license and number plate scheme introduced by the Federal Road Safely Corps (FRSC).

Earlier, the two chambers of the National Assembly have directed the FRSC to suspend the scheme until a resolution is reached on the matter, and the Senate directed the

N25,000 and N40,000.

On the issue of turning the FRSC into a revenue generating venture, Marshal Chidoka insisted, the act that established the corps allows them to generate revenue, wondering why nobody said anything when they generated over a billion naira in the past and gave the money to the federal government.

Chidoka insisted that the new license and number plates were to ensure enhanced security since they would be based on certain biometric data that would be captured to ensure a comprehensive data system on vehicle owners and drivers which would be useful during emergencies, theft among others.

Though, many in Nigeria believe such was a laudable idea, the main issue has been that of cost and the quarrels of whether such was not beyond the scope of the FRSC. There are insistencies from some quarters that the FRSC was over reaching itself by delving into revenue generation and registration which some critics say is not part of its mandate in the law establishing it.

This is even as the transporters are the hearings argued that the new plate numbers have no security features as claimed by the FRSC and also wondered why the VIO would also charge money for an encoding system on number plates, which they also argue do not have security features.

As if the complaints by Nigerians over the financial burdens of these levels were not

committee to interface with the public on the new scheme over complaints that the FRSC stepped outside its mandate of protecting lives on Nigerian roads and is now turning itself into a profit making outfit.

The committee had accused the FRSC of abdicating its primary responsibility of ensuring safety on the Nigerian roads and turning itself into a profit making outfit. Quoting from the statistics provided by the FRSC itself, that 5,000 Nigerians are killed and 17,000 injured every year in road accidents, the Senators believed that FRSC should channel its energy and resources towards eliminating vehicles with bad tires, overload, reckless and drunken driving, and so on instead of schemes mainly aimed at revenue generation.

The commission and stakeholders including the Police, the VIO, FIRS and others used the hearing to push forward their positions on the matter.

On the whole it was clear that the issue bordered more on revenue generation for government agencies and not particularly for enhanced safety for vehicle users in the country.

While the new driver’s license and the new number plates which the FRSC had started issuing before it was stopped by the National Assembly generated a lot of rumpus in the society, the police had already concluded arrangements to impose similar levies on the people.

With the FRSC, the new driver’s license were going for N6,000 while the new number plates cost

enough, the Police at the hearings unveiled their own plan to force the Electronic Central Motor Registration Registry (ECMR) scheme on Nigerians. Speaking at the Senate hearing, the representative of the Inspector General of Police a Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of ICT, Mr. Abdul-Rahan Akano Police, it will charge N3500 on every vehicle without tinted glasses and N5000 on vehicles tinted glasses.

Akano also averred that the FRSC has no powers to register vehicles adding that the National Road Traffic Regulations, NRTR 2004 empowered the Motor Licensing Authority, MLA to do so.

Senator were also irked by the position of the police and ordered that it jettisons the idea. On the whole, it is evident that the agencies were working at cross purpose, each trying to get it own share of flesh from hapless Nigerians through unending levies.

In the mean time, one wonders what happened to the funds realised from the multiple levies charged Nigerian by these agencies. It behoves the National Assembly and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of Nigerians by ensuring that the processes are streamlined without compromising the need for appropriate data base for emergency and security purposes.

Be it as it may, the National Assembly must see what to do with the constitution to enable it bark as well as bite in its probes.

PAGE 12

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Interview

It is not right for every house to have bore hole, says Minister Ochekpe W hat is the situation of Nigeria's water

resources?

Unlike other countries which are recycling their water, and Israel which is now water stressed and takes water from the Mediterranean to sustain its water, Nigeria is not water stressed because we are blessed with abundant water resources even though we take water for granted and don't even think of harvesting it, for instance, rain water to be used during the dry season. But we have about 267Bn cubic metres of surface water per year and about 52Bn cubic metres of underground water. In the arid part of the country, in the extreme north and in the swamp at the coastal areas we have abundance of water that we can use to promote agriculture especially through irrigation and that is not just production of food crops but also development of fisheries and livestock.

How many dams does Nigeria have presently?

At present Nigeria have about 200 large and medium size dams that are owned by the federal government. They are located in different parts of the country.

What is the state of the country's reservoir?

We have in our reservoirs about 34Bn cubic metres of water which we have been able to impound over the years.

What is your opinion about inadequate water supply to Nigerians as many still buy the commodity from water vendors?

It is true that some places still have short supply but everything is being done by the appropriate authorities to improve the situation.

The FCT Administration is responsible, in the case of the FCT, for reticulation and distribution to houses and industrial concerns. Recently, UNICEF declared that globally water target has been met, but Nigeria is yet to meet that. Given our own situation, however, water must be managed wisely so we don't experience water stress, for instance, it is not right for every house to have a bore hole considering the water table, and without putting your neighbours' into consideration. And with climate change there is high evaporation in some places, hence the need to regulate water management. Though there is an integrated water management commission in Nigeria to serve as regulator, the commission is not active we are still waiting for a law to carry out regulatory activities for water.

Nigeria has much arable land which can be cultivated with its water. What are its potentials in this regard?

Nigeria has a potential of

The Minister for Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, in an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, allayed fears that Nigeria is water stressed as the country has abundant water resources which could be put to various uses like irrigation and generation of hydro power. But despite scarcity of the commodity and the high cost of buying from water vendors due to lack of water supply to Nigerians, she said it is not right for every household to dig a bore hole. She canvassed an active integrated water management commission to regulate water activities, amongst sundry issues. Jamila Nuhu Musa was there.

Minister for Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe about 84m hectares of arable land which can be cultivated if we develop the right infrastructure for agricultural purposes. The water we have impounded over the years is cable of irrigating about 500,000 hectares of land and we have been able to develop about 150, 000 hectares of land for irrigation. We have target of developing about 316, 000 by year 2015, and by year 2020, we intend to have covered the 5000 hectares that the water volume that we have can, to develop agriculture and also the rural areas.

What about the river basins?

The river basins in their projection for 2012, have potentials for the irrigation of about 21,250 hectares of land and we are hoping that in the different parts of the country they will be able to cultivate the land, about 2 to 3 times within the year and they will be producing a variety of crops like rice, wheat, tomatoes and assorted vegetables.

Are you worried that our farming population is aging and youths are not keen about farming now?

Yes, we have observed that the farming population is fast aging and most of our young people are no longer on the farms. That is why together with the federal ministry of agriculture, we have developed a graduate agricultural scheme of which we are starting the pilot programme

in Gurara. The place is not far from the FCT. Can you expatiate on the Gurara project?

For the Gurara project site we have 6000 hectares of land for irrigation. Presently we have been able to develop about 700 hectares which we intend to put to use for the purpose of training young farmers. Already a visit is being planned by our department of irrigation and drainage to Gurara, with the FCT for the purpose of getting young people back to land. The project is not just for agricultural purposes in terms of food production alone we also intend to train the youths on fish farming and livestock, already a consultant is working on that aspect and we hope subsequently that other dam sites will introduce the same project for us to avoid a gap resulting with farmers aging out because Nigeria needs food and there is need to ensure food security for the country so we hope to duplicate the graduate farmer's scheme in other places like Bakolori dam and the dams in Oyo, Anambra and so on.

What about irrigation sites, are they in good condition to enhance farming activities?

The national economic council has given approval to develop 57 irrigation sites across the country and about 82 000 hectares will be put into cultivation for the production of rice, sugarcane and associated vegetables and cereal

crops, and we are looking at a tonnage of 3m per annum with job creation of about 2m across the country. The aim is to address unemployment challenges that we have as a country and enhance employment and human capacity development.

What is the coverage of water in terms of access to portable water?

We have coverage of about 58% in Nigeria for portable water and 38% for effective sanitation.

Although these are figures for 2010, we have commissioned a consultant to access coverage for 2011 and they are in the process of putting their report together for current coverage to see if we are making headway for 2015.

Poor sanitation and outbreak of diseases have resulted from poor water supply to Nigerians. What is the ministry doing to address this?

We have intensified activities in terms of sanitation campaigns, we have community based water quality surveillance, household water treatment and save water storage as well as sanitation activities especially the community led defecation free campaign in order to promote sanitation and hygiene in communities because we discovered that a large portion of our population are exposed to water related diseases so we have intensified our activities in that regard.

What are the major challenges of the ministry?

It has been bedeviled over the years with the problems of implementation of the projects and programmes due to lack of funding. Most of them are capital intensive and government alone can't fund them so we have strengthened our engagements with international development partners and the private sector, like the European Union, the Africa Development Bank, (ADB) the Chinese water supply initiative and the Japanese Cooperation Agency as well as the UNICEF. What steps have the ministry of water resources taken to resuscitate abandoned facilities across the country?

We are aware that some facilities have been abandoned like hand pumps or motorized bore holes. So we decided to embark on their repairs and rehabilitation across the country. For a start, we commissioned repairs of 1000 bore holes of which 600 of them

have been completed. The reason they have not all been completed is the poor response of state governments which are expected to provide some form of mobility for the team working on the rehabilitation of the boreholes.

What is Nigeria's role concerning the Lake Chad, in trans boundary water?

Nigeria is working with other countries and has been able to set up an observatory to monitor the water activities both natural and human, that will impact on the river Niger because we are on the downstream of the river Niger and if we don't engage in monitoring what is happening some other countries may decide to dam the river at some point and we may be left without any water and that would be catastrophic for us. The executive secretary of the Niger basin authority is a Nigerian and Nigeria contributes about 40% of the annual budget of the Niger basin, the same goes for the Lake Chad basin commission. The Lake Chad has been experiencing a lot of problems of recent because of its drying up from about 27000 square kilometres about 40 years ago, now it has shrunk to about 2000kms and for us in Nigeria, that is quite alarming as we have a south Chad irrigation project around the lake Chad basin set up to address the issue of food security in Nigeria following the drought of the 70s, and there are about 57000 hectares of land that is available for irrigation but with the water challenges that they are experiencing, much of the lands have not been put into use.

How would you handle the drying up of Lake Chad then?

On a recent visit to the Chad basin we discovered that they could only do about 10% of the land for now but Nigeria is taking the lead along with other countries on the Chad basin to sponsor studies on water transfer from the Congo to recharge the Lake Chad, so far Nigeria has committed about 5m dollars for the study and the consultants have almost concluded on the study and the report is ready for presentation to the summit of heads of states of the lake Chad basin commission by the end of April. About two weeks ago, the chairman of the Lake Chad basin commission of the summit of heads of states was able to talk with the donor community in Marcel during the world water forum on the need to support the funding of the water transfer project.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 13

Focus

Al-makura and the changing face of Nasarawa state Ali Abare Abubakar

S

i n c e the emergence of Umaru Tanko Al-makura as governor of Nasarawa state about ten months ago, the state have started witnessing key changes in critical sectors.

Al-makura became governor last year after his party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), thrashed then incumbent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)‘s governor Akwe Doma in the 2011 general elections.

Since then, the new governor has been taking giant strides in the effort to deliver on his campaign promises, key of which was to embark on massive infrastructural development in all sectors and revamp the economy of the state by prudent management of human and natural resources in the state.

The major challenges that faced the new governor were basically those dilapidated and decayed infrastructure and poor living standards due to the inability of successive administrations to harness and properly utilise the resources of the state to the advantage of the people.

Immediately Al-makura assumed office in May 2011, he wasted no time in declaring that his administration will focus on ways to revamp the fortunes of the state for the benefit of the people.

To begin with, the new governor introduced a regime of austerity measures in which he slashed government expenditure and directed that a greater chunck of the resources to the development of projects that have direct bearing on the lives of the people.

The new administration quickly embarked on projects such as massive electrification, aggressive road construction and rehabilitation, water supply, provision of amenities in the areas of health care and education, agricultural revolution and creation of employment opportunity, youth empowerment through various interventionist programmes.

This is in addition to spirited efforts that have succeeded in restoring peace, putting to the past the sectional acrimony and violence that had brought the state to its knees.

Shortly after his inauguration, Al-makura embarked on tours of critical facilities including electricity and water supply facilities as well as other projects that were abandoned by the previous administration.

Chief among the facilities are those of the Nasarawa Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and the state water board where pipes have become rusted

Gov. Umaru Tanko Al-makura respinding to cheers from his supporters at Lafia Township Stadium recently and dry with the people left to suffer untold hardship.

As a result of these initial consultations between the government and these two vital agencies, fundamental changes have ensued through functional collaboration, resulting into a totally enhanced power supply across the state as well as improved water supply.

For the power sector, the CPC administration commenced the improvement of the distribution of power supply from the national grid through the installation of more than 50 500 KVA transformers across the three senatorial districts of the state. The Nasarawa state Energy Company (NASENCO), headed by Professor Sani Suleiman, in collaboration with officials of PHCN, saw to it that power supply to the state was further improved, even as Al-makura has to personally intervene as he visited the officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company to press in the demand of the state for increased power supply which ultimately yielded results.

The ‘power in 100 days initiative’ in essence, was as a result of series of meetings and high level interventions on the part of the Nasarawa State Government, with all relevant agencies, particularly, the PHCN. At the State Water Board, Almakura initiated the process of transforming the scheme to better serve the people. Far reaching changes have been made on the water treatment plant and released funds released to ensure that the facility is turned around for good.

On roads construction, the governor has begun an ambitious expansion of roads in the state especially access roads across Lafia, the state capital which have been neglected by the previous administrations.

Though the capital city had continued to witness a boom in population and commercial activities, facilities and infrastructure have remained stagnant under the past regimes.

There was virtually lack of access roads in the city, with the Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi and LafiaShendam roads being the only major roads in a city that has continued to grow with settlements stretching as far as Shinge area.

In order to open up the city, the Al-makura administration contracted a reputable firm with similar previous working experience in Gombe state, to commence work on network of roads within Lafia as well as to provide more access links.

The Jos Road, Millionaires Quarters- Angwan Gwandara link, the Shendam-Makurdi Road byepass, Shendam-College of Agriculture link, Stanbic Bank junction-Kurikyo Road, the Shendam Lafia East link, as well as the Dash- Jos Road link, are presently at various stages of rehabilitation by Governor Almakura.

It will be recalled that the DashJos road link, which is the first to be completed, was a major source of contention between Al-Makura and Doma who stopped Al-makura from using his personal resources to work on the road during the 2011

elections campaigns. Doma, through the state urban development board, pronounced as illegal this philanthropic gesture.

In the education sector, Almakura has left no one in doubt in his effort to rejuvenate that sector.

Knowing the significance of the role played by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the construction and rehabilitation of schools, Al-makura wasted no time in paying the state’s counterpart funding so that Nasarawa can access the 2012 UBEC intervention funds, so that news structures will be built as well as the rehabilitation of existing structures in schools across the state.

A most significant intervention in this sector is the decision by the Nasarawa state government to pay NECO school fees to all Senior Secondary students from the state who will sit for the 2012 SSCE, as well as a further pledge to make secondary school education free in all public schools. Aside of that, just when academic staff of state owned tertiary institutions, under the auspices of the Joint Union of Tertiary Institutions, were getting set to embark on an indefinite strike action over non-payment of outstanding allowances for up to 18 months, Al-makura made a bold move by appealing to the members of the union to shelve their intended strike action in the interest of the state, having agreed to pay the aggrieved union members 10 months out of the outstanding allowances.

Prior to the emergence of the CPC administration, the health sector in the state was almost

grounded with medical doctors on a prolonged strike action over the non-implementation of a new doctor’s wage for which the PDP administration turned a deaf ear.

However, on assumption of office, Al-makura was able to resolve the impasse, granting the doctors their wish by accepting to implement the CONMESS, for which the doctors agreed to return to work.

All these interventions would not have been feasible if not for the continuous effort by government to sustain peace in the state. From incidences of youth restiveness, to skirmishes between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen, to the present state of insecurity engendered by the activities of Boko Haram, which has resulted in mutual suspicion among residents, Al-makura continue to draw on his wealth of experience of managing both men and resources to find a middle course which altogether helped in the sustenance of peace in the state.

Reference can be made of the relationship between the PDP dominated House of Assembly and the executive. At the beginning of his administration, many have perceived wrongly or otherwise, that the state assembly would frustrate Almakura in his bid to fulfill his campaign promises to the people.

But contrary to this gloomy picture, the governor has so far succeeded in fostering a mutually beneficial relationship with the legislature for which the state stands to gain as the process of governance proceeds smoothly without undue distractions.

Unlike in previous administrations, it is clear that it is no longer business as usual, as the administration has put mechanisms in place to block conventional avenues of siphoning government funds. For instance, by contracting a consultant to screen and verify the strength of the employees of the state, millions of naira was saved that was being frittered as payment for hundred of ghost workers.

The recent appointments of members of the state executive council, as well as Special Advisers, who are people selected based on their proven track records, as well as professionalism, will further enhance government activities as these individuals bring in their experience to bear on governance.

And for an administration that has gone thus far in barely nine months in office critics expect that the administration would do a lot within its four years first instance tenure. It appears that for Nasarawa people, the time to reap the dividends of democracy has come.

PAGE 14

Special

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL 2012

report

Day of rage How Benue State University students let hell loose on Makurdi

By Uche Nnorom

H

ell was let loose on Wednesday, 28th March 2012 in Makurdi, Benue state capital as students of the State University went berserk following the alleged killing of two of their colleagues by a police officer.

The deceased, Unogwu James a 400 level Physics student and Ayodele Emmanuel, a 100 level Biological Science student were shot by a police officer who was among those quelling a riot over the death of a 55 year old retired civil servant crushes recently by a heavy duty truck belonging to Dangote Group.

The man was crushed to the bones in front of the university’s second campus gate by the truck which was said to be on high speed.

Initially, the identity of the man raised a lot of confusion.

While some claimed that he was a final year university of Accounting, the university authority through its spokesman, Mr. Tse Vanger denied aptly that he was not.

The incident however, caught the ire of the students who demanded for the head of the driver, who had taken refuge at a police station. In the mayhem, the two students were said to have been felled by the police resulting in a riotous situation.

The visibly enraged students went berserk and among other things, blocked the federal high way from the Wurukum round about in Makurdi with bonfires.

Traffic was disrupted for over five hours even as people scampered for safety while business and social activities were brought to a halt.

“It was like war scene. People fell over one another as they ran for safety. The police shot tear gas and the whole area was engulfed in smoke”, Mrs. Priscilla. who owns a shop around the area told our reporter.

In its wake was destruction of government as well as private facilities. Cars were burnt down, street lights vandalized and lots of shops looted.

But worst hit by the students’ rage was the destruction and vandalization of the multi-million naira Benue State Internal Revenue Services (BIRS) complex.

The complex was only last year occupied by the board which hitherto stayed at the State Secretariat.

The quantum of damage done was really unimaginable as the entire complex was set ablaze and all the offices looted. Items removed include computers, furniture, cement, an 18 seater

Front view of BIRS razed down during the crisis

A burnt-down truck

Patrol hilux vehicle belonging to BIRS smashed

bus and a hilux vans were also smashed.

Benue state Deputy Governor, Stephen Lawani who visited the scene to ascertain the level of destruction, expressed great shock at the magnitude of damage done describing it as ‘planned and calculated’.

Lawani urged staff of the board not to be deterred by the act, promising that government will liaise with its Chairman, Mr. Andrew Ayabam to ensure that work goes on at the Internal Revenue board.

He expressed satisfaction with the action so far taken by the Police commissioner observing that several arrests have been made and charged the police not to rest on its oars by ensuring that perpetrators of the heinous act are prosecuted.

Executive Chairman of BIRS, Mr. Andrew Ayabam maintained that the board would not be deterred by the nefarious act and directed a day work suspension for staff to enable them overcome shock of the incident.

The Benue Internal Revenue Board is the highest employer of labor in the state engaging over 3000 graduates.

In a similar vein, the new commissioner of Police Mr. Christopher katso described the act as ‘dastardly’ and wicked, explaining that the timely intervention of his men saved the situation from degenerating into a full blown crisis in the town.

Mr. Katso said police will spare no effort in trailing the armed hoodlums who shot and killed one student and injured another one.

The Police Relations’ Officer ASP Ejike Alaribe disclosed that 10 persons allegedly linked with the mayhem have been arrested, adding that more arrest would be made.

Burnt car in front of the BIRS office

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Peoples Page

PAGE 15

Compensation:

Kano widow cries for help

The widow, Paulina From Edwin Olofu, Kano

F

o r Paulina Yusuf a mother of five children, Friday the 20 January 2012 will forever remain a day that she will not forget in her life. The middle aged woman, who is still at a loss why fate was so cruel to her, that she lost her husband in a controversial circumstance at the Bompai police headquarters in 2003, is again mourning the death of her two children, who died when the dreaded Boko Haram sect struck Kano metropolis.

Her late husband, Sergeant Yusuf Kamai, died from an accidental discharge from the gun of a fellow policeman at the time.

Then on that black Friday, of January, 20th, two of her grown up and promising children Samson and Gideon were also killed in the sect's attack in Kano metropolis, at the Bompai police Barracks precisely when members of the sect engaged policemen in a fierce battle that lasted several hours.

To add salt to injury, Paulina's misery is yet to abate as she was not listed among those to benefit from the Kano state government compensation exercise to victims of the attack that claimed 186 lives in the state.

She told Peoples Daily Weekend that all efforts to see that her late children were included failed as she was told that only families of

the police who died could benefit from the compensation programme.

"I have been going round to see how my late children can be included in the list of beneficiaries, but everywhere I go I was told that civilians were not included, only serving policemen who died will benefit. I have not lost hope I'm appealing to well-meaning Nigerians who can assist to come to our aid because we are finding it very difficult to survive. Life must go on despite the pains they have inflicted on my life".

She said it is only a Christian organization that has come to her aid by giving her the sum of N50, 000 and a bag of rice.

According to her, she shared the money and the rice into two and sent half to her home in Kaduna state, for her two children (Jonathan and Obadia) who are farmers, to enable them feed while she kept the other half for herself and her daughter Susan.

She said the sum of N600, 000 was paid by the police command as gratuity of her late husband in 2005, but she was only given N200, 000 out of the amount by her husband's relations which she used to purchase shares in the name of her late son, Samson.

Since then she has been battling to raise the five children Yusuf left behind, but tragedy struck the family again when members of the dreaded Boko

Haram launched what could be described as its deadliest attack on the ancient city of Kano on the 20th, January, 2012, killing hundreds including her children.

Paulina who hails from Kafanchan in Kaduna state, is a Cleaner with the police Headquarters Bompai, Kano.

Narrating her ordeal, she said she is really in pain but have found solace in the Almighty God who she looks up to.

"On the 20th, January I came back from where I had gone and my son, Samson told me that there was a bomb blast close to our Barracks in the AIG's house. Before I could say anything I heard gunshots everywhere and we were confused and started running helter skelter that was how we all scattered. At about 8.pm the area was calm, then I began searching for my children. But I only saw Susan I couldn't find Samson and Gideon and I became very worried.

I started crying and was checking every corpse I saw on the ground.

That was when I saw an Inspector's corpse that I know, close to a toilet and then I saw my son Gideon's corpse close by too.

"I couldn't sleep that night, very early in the morning the next day I began the search for Samson but I didn't see him until I went to the morgue at the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, where I saw his lifeless body there.

I wept and there was nobody to console me. But I have left everything to God, I have not lost hope, I have three surviving children and I believe in God, I have found solace in Him, he is the only person that can comfort me, no

Her five children

human being or anything can do that " Paulina lamented.

Paulina said she had high hope on her late son Samson, who was very brilliant and made good grades in the secondary school and had applied to study Medicine before he met his untimely death.

The widow described that Friday as a "black Friday" in her life, saying that since then, every Friday, and at that particular hour she would recall the incident and tears would roll down her eyes. She

Late Samson (left) and Gideon

would then console herself by praying to God. Paulina who still lives in the Bompai police Barracks with her daughter, Susan said she lives in palpable fear and is always rattled anytime she hears gunshots anywhere.

She pleaded with the authorities to transfer her service to her state, Kaduna, where she could work to make ends meet and also re-unite with her other two children, Jonathan and Obadiah.

PAGE 16

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Tourism

Back from the ages: Glimpse at Dutsen Murufu rock paintings

Camels are common sight in Jigawa

Surface rocks are in abubdance

By Richard Ihediwa

T

h e r e are many evidences of organised life in Nigeria far before the whiteman ever contemplated coming to the area. in fact, most European and American countries which lay claims of introducing civilized attitudes to Nigeria were still in the caves by the time Binin Kudu people had developed an art gallery that can stun anybody that comes to see them.

Birnin Kudu is a town in Jigawa state, northern Nigeria. It lieas at the intersection of roads from Kano city, Gwaram, and Ningi. It is best known as the site of Dutsen Habude, a cave containing Neolithic paintings of cattle (which bear strong resemblance to some found in the Central Sahara) and rock gongs believed to be more than 2,000 years old.

In Birnin Kudu, one notes the presence of the fascinated ancient

Rock paintings show the people’s culture 2000 years ago paining on the rocks that are so eloquent with clear information on styles of the early settlers in the area shown in combination of different colours.

Birnin Kudu is situated within the sub-Saharan part of northern Nigeria, typical of this region, the land is almost flat with few undulating hills and scattered rock extrusions which probably encouraged the paintings by natives.

The paintings are of four main styles and four sub-styles are exclusively of domestic cattle with the exception of a single enigmatical drawing which may possibly be a sketch plan of a cattle Kraal. Two main types of cattle are pictured; a long bodies, long-legged humpless breed with long spreading or converging some-times lyre-shaped horns and a short thick-bodied, short horned humpless breed.

Tentatively, they have been identified as hamitic long-horn which

is now extinct in Nigeria. It is believed that this hamitic stock left its mark on the characteristic long-horned Zebu cattle; also known as Muturu. Muturu are found today among the pagan tribes inhabiting the hills of the Jos Plateau, similar hill regions of Northern Nigeria, the tse-tse flies infested rain forest regions of the South of Nigeria and parts of the riverine province.

In February 1954, two other groups of paintings were found. In April 1955, a fourth group and in June 1955 three groups making a total of seven near Birnin Kudu.

Currently, a masonry wall with mesh screen has been built by the authorities to prevent the paintings from being touched by visitors are this has helped further preserved it. No one knows actually for sure the materials used for rock paintings but they are very beautiful.

Apart from rock paintings, Birnin

Kudu is also culturally popular for the array of rock gongs used in the Neolithic period. Within a hundred feet of Dutsen Mesa there have been discoveries of more than ten groups of rock gongs which are huge natural exfoliations of rock which rest or are wedged in a position favourable to the production of musical notes.

It is believed that in most cases the rock gongs were used as assembling instruments by several players. Further rock gongs sites have been located stretching across Northern Nigeria through the provinces of Sokoto, Zaria, Kano, Plateau, Bauchi and Borno to the Northern Cameroons.

Rock gongs were used during ceremonies for entertainment in connection with religious beliefs or during war-time to war the farmer of enemy attack.

Birnin Kudu is blessed with other tourist attractions including its

rivers, unique water ponds as well as collection points for crops.

It is one of the province that produces the groundnut that forms the famous groundnut pyramids of Kano. The area is also a market centre for millet, sorghum, cowpeas, cotton and livestock.

There are a few streams that transverse the length and breadth of the area. The climate is hot and dry during dry season, cold and dusty in the rainy season. Rain usually falls between the months of May and September allowing for subsistence farming of mainly cereals such as guinea corn, millet, rice, and maize and cash crops such as beniseed, groundnut, soya beans, and cassava.

The rock painting and gong sites on Birnin Kudu tell a lot of stories about the organisational skills of our forebears even before the advent of western influences. They are indeed sights to behold.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Weekend

PAGE 17

Cocktail Lizzy Anjorin — Why am still single — Page 25

I N S I D E:

F

PAGE 18

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Relationship How to resolve conflicts in your relationships

E

v e r y relationship in our life friendships, family, romantic and professional - can potentially be destroyed by conflict. The solution is not to ignore the conflict or keep moving around hoping to find a set of perfect people. We need to deal with the problems we currently face, otherwise they will just reappear elsewhere.

To a large extent, the only thing we can change in relationships is ourself and our own attitude. We can't expect to change other people, but we can learn to deal with relationships in a way that promotes harmony and diffuses conflict.

Resolving conflicts in relationships is one of the most important life skills we can develop and it is something we need to value.

Seeing the Issue From the Other Person's Perspective If we have a difficult issue, it is important to see the problem from the other person's perspective. This does not mean we have to agree with their viewpoint; it means we try to see the issue from a different perspective. This empathy can at least help us to understand where they are coming from, and why they have their particular mindset. If we can do this we may wish to moderate our stance because we understand why they are acting in a certain way. If we only look at things from our perspective, conflict will be much more likely to occur. For example, a parent dealing with difficult children should consider the perspective that children can have at that point in life.

Tolerance A major cause of conflict in relationships is when we expect people to behave in a certain way. The problem

with expecting certain behaviour is that we get upset when they fail to live up to our expectations. Even those close to us are not our responsibility; we need to be tolerant of their mistakes and limitations.

We have to respect their decisions on how to live their life. This detachment is not indifference; we shall retain concern and goodwill, but there comes a point where we need to give people the freedom to make their own choices - even if we don't agree with them. This is especially true for parents who have an overbearing expectation of how their children will live their lives.

Dealing with Anger Unfortunately, if we respond to situations by getting angry we will exacerbate the problem. Anger embodies a feeling of aggression and condemnation which people struggle to deal with it.

Invariably it encourages people to respond in a similar way. If we feel angry, the best solution is to avoid talking / arguing at that particular time. We should calm our anger before confronting other people. Any conflict will only be exacerbated by anger. Similarly, if people approach us with anger, we have to respond in a different way - silence is better than getting mad at someone.

Value Harmony To a large extent we get what we aspire for. If we really value harmony in our relationships with others, then we will make it happen. If we give greater important to proving ourselves right and our own ego, then there will be a constant feeling of superiority and inferiority which breeds conflict. If we keep reminding ourselves of the desirability of harmony we won't allow ourselves to become cantankerous and miserable; we

will work hard to think of others.

Oneness The real secret to maintaining good relationships is generating a feeling of oneness. This means we will feel happy at the success of others; we will sympathize when they experience difficulties; we will endeavour to avoid hurting their feelings. In oneness there is no superiority and inferiority. Without oneness, we are prone to feelings of pride, jealousy and insecurity. If you feel a really genuine sense of oneness with other people, how can you want to hurt them?

Insecurity and Inner Poise When we are full of insecurities our relationships become more difficult. The problem is that if we are insecure about ourselves we can become judgemental about other people; to make ourselves feel better we will start criticizing others. We may not be conscious of this, but it does happen. When we are peace with ourselves, good relationships will be natural. When we have inner peace and poise, we don't rely on other people to give us security and praise. When we are at peace with ourselves, we tend to have a sympathetic and positive view of the world. Often we want to blame bad relationships on other people; but, actually the only thing we can really do is to work on ourselves. If we develop inner peace and poise our relationships will definitely improve.

Talking When tense situations arise, talking can be the most effective way of moving past the problem. Some things are best left unsaid; it is inadvisable to bring up old conflicts unless absolutely necessary.

When talking we should try to converse on positive issues; look for things which

we agree on and can work together on.

Perspective Don't get upset about little things. In the great cosmic game, most of the minor personality conflicts are relatively insignificant. If we get mad when someone doesn't do the washing up, how are we going to react when they do something really bad? If you find yourself getting worked up by a series of small things, take a step back and try to evaluate their relative importance. For each minor failing try to think of a really good quality of that person. If you are sincere you will feel that this good quality is far more important than the minor indiscretion.

Raising Problems Although we don't want to bring up old scores, sometimes it is important to make another person aware of the problems they are creating. If we feel someone else is constantly doing something wrong, we need to make them aware of their behaviour in a non confrontational way. Often people just aren't aware of the problems they are creating and may actually appreciate being made aware of the problem. The best approach is to try and make them aware of how their actions cause pain to others; but, we need to try and do it in a way that doesn't make them feel excessively guilty.

Give them room and encouragement to make the necessary change.

No conflict is intractable. If we are willing to change our attitude we can develop harmony even with difficult people. It is always important to be positive and forget the past. If we can develop harmony in our relationships, it will definitely make a big difference to our life.

Source: PickTheBrain

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 19

Beauty Tips Beauty benefits of eggs E

g g s are not only delicious to eat but they are also a magical beauty ingredient.

Eggs are indeed a wonderful beauty product for the enhancement of your beauty.

From now on, simply stop spending your money on expensive beauty products.

Learn how to be beautiful by using natural beauty ingredients which are cheap and effective.

Eggs are an effective natural treatment for various Hair and Skin Problems. Learn how to use eggs in your daily beauty routine. Here are the most common beauty benefits of eggs.

Oily Hair Before washing your hair, make it a point to apply egg white thoroughly onto your hair. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and then shampoo your hair as usual. Finish off with a lemon rinse. To make the lemon rinse, take a juice of one lemon and mix it with a little amount of water. Put this lemon rinse on your hair and then simply wash off with lukewarm water.

Dry Hair To treat dry hair, take half a cup of Fullers' Earth and mix it with two tablespoons of oil and with the yolk of an egg. Mix all the ingredients to make a smooth paste.

Apply this mix all over your scalp. Leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes and then shampoo as usual.

Alternatively you can

use an egg mixed with a cup of skimmed milk. Apply the egg and milk mix, when the foam develops to be consistent. Rub it onto the entire scalp gently and leave it on for five to ten minutes. Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water and shampoo.

Add body to your hair and get natural shine Beat one whole egg with the juice of one lemon thoroughly. Apply on your hair all over and leave it on for at least half an hour.

Then shampoo as usual and you will be amazed to see instant results. The protein in the egg coats each hair streak adding body and thickness to your hair. Most of all your hair will become soft and will get an instant natural shine.

Natural Conditioner Make a natural conditioner from various ingredients from your kitchen. Take an egg yolk, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of almond oil and one tablespoon of yoghurt. Mix all

these magic ingredients and apply this mix on the hair.

Keep it on for 25 to 30 minutes and then wash your hair as usual.

Tighten and Tone the Skin Egg white is an amazing beauty ingredient for tightening and toning the skin. Take egg white and whip it up till you get the foam. Apply it all over your face and neck and let it dry.

In the end simply wash with lukewarm water. The results are instant; you will feel the difference just in one application.

Cure Blemishes and Glowing Skin Prepare a facial mask by using natural ingredients.

Mix an egg, with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of olive oil. Apply this mixture on your face and neck thoroughly and leave it on for 10 to 12 minutes. In the end wash it off with lukewarm water. This natural facial homemade mask will help to cure blemishes and will also give an instant glow and tightening look to your skin.

By now you are highly knowledgeable with the amazing beauty benefits of eggs. So what are you waiting for? Go try these eggy beauty tips right now!

S o u r c e : Expertscolumn.com.

PAGE 20

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Peoples Tech You can reduce your cars fuel consumption

By Richard Ihediwa with agency report

C

a r s drive on fuel and not water so you can’t run away from using fuel and spending money on fuel if you must use your car.

Since the increase in the cost of fuel, many motorists have been seeking for ways to reduce fuel consumption in their cars and yet meet their motoring demands. While some have started opting for cars with lower fuel consumption capacity, others are now making adjustments in their vehicle fuel system. This is especially as there are apprehensions that the cost of official pump price may increase in the coming weeks.

However, there are some tips you can use to reduce the fuel consumption of your car and still maintain your motoring needs.

1. Minimise the vehicle use Vehicles are least fuel efficient and most polluting at the start of trips and on short trips. One reason for this is that catalytic converters (which reduce air pollution emissions) do not operate properly until they have warmed up. Trips of less than five kilometres generally do not allow the engine to reach its peak operating temperature.

Plan to do a number of errands in one trip rather than several trips and save both time and fuel. Try to avoid short vehicle trips by walking or cycling. This will save over a quarter of a kilogram of greenhouse gas emissions per kilometre of vehicle driving it replaces, as well as give you healthy exercise.

2. Drive in the right gear Driving in a gear lower than you need wastes fuel, and letting the engine labour in top gear on hills and corners is also wasteful.

Automatic transmissions will shift up more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator once the car gathers momentum.

Avoid the use of power options which drop the car into a lower gear and therefore use more fuel.

3. Avoid driving during peak period Avoid travelling during peak-hours and on congested roads whenever possible. There will be traffic jams and this takes much fuel.

4. Avoid reving and drive smoothly.

Take it easy on the accelerator - more revs equals

more petrol use. Drive at a good distance from the car in front so you can anticipate and travel with the flow of traffic. This avoids unnecessary acceleration and frequent repetitive braking that ends up wasting fuel. It's also far safer. If you see traffic stoppages ahead, first take your foot off the accelerator and let the engine's drop in power slow the vehicle, particularly by also changing to a lower gear. Don't continue to drive at the same speed and applying the brakes at the last minute. Getting back to cruising speed while the car is still moving uses far less petrol than stopping and then starting again.

5. Do not idle your engine for too long Most cars don't need to be "warmed up" by idling before setting off. This simply wastes fuel. Start your car when you are ready to go. Once on the road, minimise fuel wasted in idling by stopping the engine whenever your car is stopped or held up for an extended period of time especially in traffic jams. By having the engine switched off, even for a short period, you will save more fuel than is lost from the burst of fuel involved in restarting the engine. The net increased wear and tear from this practice is negligible 6. Avoid over speeding Fuel consumption increases significantly over about 90 km/ h. At 110 km/h your car uses up to 25 per cent more fuel than it

would cruising at 90 km/h. If your car is fitted with cruise control, using it during highway driving will help to maintain a steadier speed, which will save fuel.

7. Minimise aerodynamic drag Additional parts on the exterior of a vehicle such as roof racks and spoilers, or having the window open, increases air resistance and fuel consumption, in some cases by over 20 per cent at higher speeds. Take off roof and bike racks when not in use.

If you have to use roof racks, load them carefully to help minimise

wind resistance or use a streamlined roof box.

8. Make sure your tyres are on good pressure.

Inflate your vehicle's tyres to the highest pressure recommended by the manufacturer and make sure your wheels are properly aligned.

Looking after your tyres will not only reduce your fuel consumption it will also extend tyre life and improve handling.

9. Use air conditioners sparingly Air conditioners can use about 10 per cent extra fuel when operating. However, at speeds of

Pump price is now high and might get higher

over 80 km/h, use of airconditioning is better for fuel consumption than an open window as this creates aerodynamic drag. If it is hotter inside your car than outside when you start a trip, drive with the windows down for a few minutes to help cool the car before starting the air conditioning.

10. Travel light The more weight a vehicle carries, the more fuel it uses.

Don't use your car as a mobile store room. Leave heavy items like tools and sports equipment at home when you don't need them on a trip.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1 APRIL, 2012

Healthy Living

PAGE 21

Teens’ questions and answers (3) I

used another girl's lip pencil sharpener for my lip pencil. Can I get any diseases from doing that?

Yes. The sharpener could have germs on it that are left over from when your friend used the pencil on her mouth. These germs could spread to you when you share her sharpener. Infections are caused by germs (funguses, bacteria, or viruses) that can spread when they come into contact with the skin. So when you and your friend share things that touch the mouth or go near the mouth, you can make each other sick without realizing it. The same concept applies to other things, like eyeliner, mascara, lip pencils, lip gloss, lip moisturiser, or toothbrushes.

Because you don't want to share anything that touches your mouth or face, it's worth heading to the shop or market to buy your own lip pencil sharpener.

If you wear a bra that's either a little bit big or a little too small, will it cause your chest not to grow?

No. A girl's bra won't affect the growth of her breasts. That's

because genes and hormones control breast growth, not what a girl wears. Bras don't make breasts grow or stop growing, but wearing the right-size bra may help you feel more comfortable. Bras that are too small may cause breast pain because of how sensitive some girls' breasts can be as they grow. And bras that are too big won't offer enough support, which could also lead to discomfort if your breasts move or bounce around too much.

Find a bra that's the right size for you and comfortable to wear.

Want your breasts to develop the way nature intended? Eat a variety of healthy foods and exercise regularly. And don't worry if you don't develop at the same rate as your friends. Some girls develop earlier, others later.

A girl's breasts can keep growing and changing into her late teens.

Before I start my period I get aches in my breasts. This happens every time. Will it go away when my breasts finish developing? And will wearing a more supportive bra help?

Lots of girls get aching in their breasts before their periods start.

The toxic truth about grapes

G

r a p e s are the very worst fruit for pesticide residues - tests show almost all non-organic grapes are contaminated this way, typically with up to 11 different pesticides.

In one case, German authorities found a sample containing residues of 26. Grapes routinely contain residues over the maximum

permitted limit, because grapes are grown on vines in the same soil, year-in, year-out, leading to a build-up of disease and pests that require repeated chemical treatments. The problem has been most marked in grapes from Chile.

There is, therefore, a very strong argument for buying organic grapes.

The aches are caused by changes in the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for a girl's menstrual cycle. For some girls, these aches are less frequent as they grow older.

But that's not the case for everyone - some women continue to get aches in their breasts for as long as they have their periods. So what can you do? Cutting back on salt and caffeine may help. Wearing a supportive bra during this time may make you more comfortable.

And taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can help reduce pain.

Regular exercise may also help lessen menstrual breast pain.

Obviously, certain types of exercise (like running) may make things worse during the time when your breasts are hurting. So on those days, stick with an exercise that is lower impact, such as biking or walking.

Regular exercise can help lower menstrual breast pain Can I stop myself from having wet dreams?

You really can't stop wet dreams, since they happen while you're asleep. Sometimes guys

wake up after a wet dream, other times they don't. If you're worried, try sleeping with a towel nearby.

If you're sleeping at a friend's house, have a change of underwear with you. Scientists believe wet dreams are caused by a rise in levels of the hormone testosterone that happens in a guy's body during puberty. The good news is that guys usually grow out of wet dreams as they get older. Chances are, some

of your friends have had wet dreams too. They're pretty common. But wet dreams are one of those topics people don't talk about. Wet dreams aren't a sign of a health problem, and they don't cause any harm. But they can be confusing and embarrassing at first. So it can help to ask your doctor about wet dreams or any other questions you have about your body.

'Healthy' grains can irritate your gut

D

e s p i t e their healthy image, the benefits of grains such as rice, couscous and polenta don't match up to their hype. Yes, in their whole (unprocessed) forms they supply a number of B vitamins, some vitamin E, which is thought to promote heart health, and useful minerals such as manganese, magnesium and selenium. But all these vitamins and minerals are found in greater quantities in other foods, such as eggs, meat and fish.

Additionally, the insoluble fibre found in grains divides expert opinion. Some say that, unlike soluble fibre, which keeps waste matter moving through the body, insoluble fibre is essentially an inflammatory, and will worsen any condition that has chronic inflammation at its root, such as coeliac disease

intolerance to the protein gluten). Indeed, some studies have suggested that insoluble fibre can worsen digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, while soluble fibre is generally well tolerated. (Note: although a grain, oats contain soluble fibre.)

The sour facts about rhubarb Rhubarb crumble and custard is a traditional way to add fruit to your diet. But while rhubarb contains useful soluble fibre, it has only minor amounts of vitamins, notably C and K (important for blood-clotting and bone health), as well as other micro-nutrients. As a result, any health benefit from these is likely to be undone by the amount of sugar required to sweeten it.

There are many reasons to buy rhubarb (it tastes great and is

cheap), but health isn't one.

Eggs are a nutrition powerhouse Eggs have had a bad press in the past because yolks contain cholesterol, but it's increasingly accepted that eating cholesterol in food such as eggs does not lead to clogged arteries and heart disease. Furthermore, science does not support the claim that people with higher blood cholesterol levels have worse health than those with lower levels. Eggs offer high-quality protein and are an exceptional source of vitamins, providing all the key vitamins apart from C. All in all, eggs are highly nutritious, so they can be eaten freely. As a breakfast food, they offer vastly superior nutrition to cereals. So if you feel like eating an egg a day, don't worry about doing so.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

With Aunty A'isha

PAGE 23

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

Sights and sounds Hausa tr aditional traditional mar ria ge (II) marria riag Kayan Lefe his refers to the clothing the groom presents to his bride, well arranged in boxes or bags ranging from materials of different kinds, shoes and bags, cosmetics to jewelries, the Holy Qur’an and praying carpet are included in the “kayan lefe”. The “kayan lefe” is presented by the groom’s

T

immediately or much later depending on the arrangement, the bride is accompanied by family and friends to her new home whom are well received by the groom’s family. This is not the end of events in the Hausa cultural marriage.

In some parts of Hausa land the “sayan baki” which is a friendly debate

SHOR T ST OR Y SHORT STOR ORY

T

A hole in the fence

here once lived a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.

Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The day passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well, my son, but look at the

holes in the fence.”

The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends and loved ones are very rare jewel, indeed.

They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.

They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

Water your relationships with kindness and they will grow.

So be careful little lips what you say…! And you won’t chase friendships away.

AMAZING!

Be what you want to be

A Hausa bride and her friends

family either before the wedding day or on the wedding day. The groom’s family is also presented with gift items in terms of cash or kind by the bride’s family as appreciation.

Wedding fatiha This is the most significant event in the Hausa cultural marriage, it is done at the brides residence or at the mosque, family and friends of both the groom and bride gather at the location to witness the wedding vows, unlike other marriages the wedding vows in the hausa cultural marriage is done by the representatives of the groom and the bride precided over by an Islamic leader witnessed by many invited guests.

Prayers are offered to the newly wedded couple and celebration continues.

Conveying of bride to her matrimonial home After the wedding fatiha,

between the groom’s men and the bride’s maids is done, debating on the amount to be paid before the bride speaks to her groom. This is a way of making them to socialize and later have a greater relationship which is marriage.

In another part “Budan kai” meaning the “Unveiling of the bride” is another event organized by the groom’s family in order to honour and welcome the bride to her new family. During this occasion the bride is presented with gifts both in cash and in kind.

“Walimah” is also an event which normally follows the “Budan kai” it is the recitation of the Holy Qur’an and preaching on how to live a marital life and other issues. Food, drinks as well as other pleasantries are always available in the Hausa cultural marriage events.

H

ave you ever thought of how far your imagination can take you? You dream of beautiful things, ideas come to your mind and creative thinking keeps coming into your thought.

What do you do about it?

Translate that beautiful thought, convert your imagination into reality, make that dream come alive and practice all the beautiful ideas

that come into your mindset.

Alas! You can remain good on that same thing if you focus on it.

What do you discover?

You become intelligent, creative and practical! A creative child is a gift to him/ herself, gift to parents, to the family and society at large.

Now kids, think of what you can do with your hands and tap into all the talents you have!

You can be the artist you

have always imagined yourself to be, you can encourage other kids to live healthy, you can be the chef in the house for a Week and you can launch that beautiful dream you’ve always had.

Check out this song: I know I can!

Be what I want to be If I work with it!

I’ll be who I want to be Be! Be!! B!!!

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 22

With Aunty A'isha

rajia39ishabiola@yahoo.com 08082071393.

MODEL OF THE WEEK

AFRICAN TALES

Black snake and the eggs “

M

y eggs!” cried Chicken. “One of my eggs is missing!

Yesterday I had twelve eggs and today there are only eleven.”

As Chicken fled her nest to find Rooster, she had no idea that she was about to lose more eggs. Just out of view of the nest, the thief patiently waited for Chicken to leave her eggs again. Black snake crept slowly and quietly up to the nest. He eyed the eggs and quickly swallowed one.

Black snake smiled to himself.

His plan had been so simple and had worked so well. He swallowed another egg. It slid far down his long throat before his muscle crushed the fragile shell.”Thank you for another fine meal.”

Meanwhile, the frantic chicken lead Rooster back to her nest. “Why would someone take one of my eggs?”She clucked.

“Are you sure you counted correctly? Maybe you just thought you saw eleven eggs,” suggested Rooster.

From the expression on chicken’s face, Rooster knew he shouldn’t have asked that question. She glared at him and said, “you know I can count. See for yourself. How many eggs are in my nest?”

“One, two, three,” began Rooster. He frowned and stopped counting out loud.

“What’s the matter now, questioned chicken? “Are you afraid to admit you’re wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing like that at all,” responded Rooster.

“Something is very wrong here.

There are only nine eggs.”

“What? Nine eggs!” cried chicken. “What is happening?

Who would do this to me?”

The next few days were just terrible for chicken. She worried constantly about her remaining eggs. She tried to stay with her eggs at all times but it wasn’t

possible to always be with them.

Sometimes she had to leave to get food or take care of her other chicks.

No matter why she left, the same

thing always happened. One or two disappeared each time.

“Someone is watching me very closely,” cried the chicken.

“He knows exactly where I am at each moment of the day. I only have three remaining eggs.”

“Although I cannot prove anything,” comforted Rooster, “I think it must be Black Snake who is stealing your eggs. He is patient enough to watch you a long time, and we all know he loves to eat eggs.”

Just the thought of black snake eating her eggs made chicken shudder. She had heard stories of how he swallowed eggs and then crushed them further down his long slender neck. She knew Rooster was probably correct.

“I must hurry back to my nest,” declared chicken, realizing how long she had talked to Rooster.

She rushed to her eggs, but it was too late. Two more eggs had vanished. “Rooster!” she cried.

“Come and help me, I only have one egg left.”

Rooster came quickly. “You know, it is very likely that black snake will steal your last egg tomorrow,” he warned. “Unless we are able to trap him, this will only continue every time you have

eggs.”

“Yes, it is true,” cried chicken “but what can we do? How can we possibly stop black snake?”

“I have a plan,” whispered Rooster. “I think we will not be bothered by him much longer.”

The next morning, chicken continued guarding her last egg as if everything were normal.

From a distance, black snake didn’t realize that a deadly trap had been set for him.

Chicken left her nest for only the shortest moment when black snake slithered out of hiding. In no time at all, he swallowed the final egg. It slid down his throat easily but, when his muscle squeezed the egg, it did not break. It only became firmly lodged in his throat, cutting his air supply.

Black snake twisted and turned trying to crush the egg or loosen it so he could breathe. By the time chicken returned with Rooster, the struggle was over.

Black snake would steal no more eggs. He was dead.

“I’m sure he died never knowing why that egg didn’t crush,” crowed Rooster.

“How could he have known,” clucked chicken, “that the egg was hard boiled?”

Adaeze Esther Ihediwa turned 7 on Monday. She likes dancing, solving problems, traveling and writing.

DISCO VER Y DISCOVER VERY

ACTIVITIES

Have you ever wondered why we yawn?

Paint and name each of them with crayons. Show your teacher in school what you have done and ask for correction.

Y

awning makes you feel good instead of doing the opposite. We have a tendency to yawn before a big event; athletes yawn before a race, pilots yawn before takeoff and you yawn before an exam.

Humans are not the only ones affected by the yawning bug. Animals have been observed to yawn before feeding time while wild animals have a tendency to yawn before a fight.

The act is also highly contagious so if you spot someone yawning, chances are, you too will follow suit. Yawning might be an aged tradition signaling a need for change or in

other words, the act essentially prepares the brain for change.

Believe it or not but even a baby in the womb yawns as it shifts position, however children do not begin to copy other people’s yawns until the age of four or five. This period of growth is important to the learning process.

Despite all these advancements, scientists still haven’t figured out why we yawn before bed-time, but then again, that is our way of demanding a change enough of TV, it’s time to go to bed!

PAGE 24

Kannywood Stella Damasus confirms withdrawal from AGN race amidst controversies

Ace movie-maker,Dickson Iroegbu set to reconcile with wife Efe?

E

merging report from a very reliable source confirms that sultry Nollywood actress, Stella Damasus has finally stepped down from next month’s Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) election race.

There have been multiple reports of her withdrawing from contesting for the post as the guild’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), which have earlier been denied.

In a media statement, a representative of her publicity firm, Square Image Associates, Stella confirmed that she is stepping down based on personal reasons.

The statement reads, “Stella is no longer contesting in AGN elections. And to put the records straight, she is not in any legal battle with anybody in the guild.

She remains a member of AGN and will continue to support the guild in her capacity.

She recently enrolled some members of the guild for free training at her arts academy, and that will be a continuous effort from her, whether she is an AGN executive or not.”

You will recall that Stella made her intentions known to contest in AGN’s election, which has been postponed three times. The election is now scheduled to hold between April 27 and 28 at a yet to be announced venue.

There have been rumours of a possible foul play by some members of the guild to rig the election. This is insinuated because the election is planned to hold very far away from Lagos State, where most actors are based.

Predy

Stella

D

ickson Iroegbu is an unpredictable visionary and a controversial Nollywood producer cum director who cannot stop being in the news.

At first, it was rumoured that the light-skinned director abandoned

his family and he disappeared with his Delta State born model lover, which he later refuted.

At another time, he was tagged a homosexual while producing his controversial homosexual film “Law 58”.

In a recent interview, the ace movie maker opens up on how he is working to bring his estranged wife back to his life.

‘The truth is that we must consider the future of our children and if there is anything for me to compromise, I will do anything for the sake of my children and the best thing that I can give to my children is their mother.

If because of my children I will have to re-adjust, I will do everything for my children. I will even stop being Dickson Iroegbu for them so that they will come back.

I hope she will be ready to come because I could be ready while she is not. If given the opportunity to

Tiwa Savage & Friends Cover Red Sheet Magazine

N

igeria’s R&B Sweetheart poses with Flavour Nabania and Wizkid in this month’s issue of THE RED SHEET Entertainment magazine and boy, do they look gorgeous.

R & B Songstress, Tiwa Savage covers this month’s issue of Red Sheet magazine looking effortlessly stunning and chic.

Styled by Veronica Ebie-Odeka of “Vane Style”, Tiwa had her glam squad prepped with pins, curling irons and lengthy lashes for the cover girl transformation.

Make up was done by Joyce Jacobs with Hair by Debs Falana.

R

Eniola

Edo state Governor Adams Oshiomhole, now grand father

R

Eniola Badmus A.K.A Gbogbo Bigz Girl's welcome party in Dallas ecall some days back, it was reporteded that top Yoruba ac tress Eniola Badmus popularly called ‘gbogbo bigz girls’ left the shores of Nigeria to United States of America.

We can exclusively report to you that the talented thespian is having a swell time in Dallas.

It was gathered that her friends and fans in America threw a lavish welcome party for her.

come back to the marriage, I will come back with the person that she now knows that I am’.

I think that I presented a false Dickson to her, when she could not cope with it; I made her realize that I will also present the real Dickson.

Any woman who copes with the real me is my wife, I don’t know how to pretend and I don’t want to do it. When asked; what if you don’t succeed in reconciling with your wife, will you consider remarrying, he said ‘I am not searching because my conscience has not allowed me to move as a result of my children.

I cannot even imagine dividing my Kingdom. I know that I won’t end up in this manner.

I will become a bigger person one day and I will not want an empire that will be divided.

I want to build a united empire that will uphold the value and what I believe in.

I don’t believe in polygamy but a man should not be alone, if all the conflict between my spouse and I is over and we don’t see any reason to get back together, I won’t be alone forever because I am a human being. I pray to God to release me from the emotional trauma that will come with getting married to another woman. For now, I am still myself and I thank God that I can control myself for almost four years now.

There is no rumour about dating another person (Laughs).

People from different walks of life all trooped to the venue of the welcome party to honour the plum sized actress.

Her fans were all pleased to witness the event which created a forum for them to meet with her on an up close and reatmosphere.

Miss Badmus was not only hosted to a lavish welcome party but taken round to see various dignitaries in the city.

eport at our disposal revealed that the daughter of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has puts to bed.

Sources revealed that his beautiful daughter, Mrs. Jane Adukwu , gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at a private hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, few days ago.

The elated grandfather said; “God has been gracious to me and my family. Help me to thank God for my family and indeed for the birth of my first grandchild, whom I call Eric Oshiomeghie.”

Jane got married on January 8, 2011 to Mr. AchimuguAdukwu, son of Architect Gabriel Adukwu, the former Minister of State (Health) at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja Congratulations to the family!

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 25

Nollywood

Why men who are poor are afraid of us Fatima Musa is an Abuja –based Kannywood star. In this interview with ETRIN, the actress who has been in the industry since 2001, opened up on many issues.

Fatima Musa

As one of the longest stars in Kannywood, what would you say have been your most difficult experience? have been in the industry since 2001 and I can tell you that it has been interesting. One of our major problems is funding and poor pay. We don’t get paid like our counterparts in Nollywood.

Another difficulty is our culture which does not allow us to really express ourselves as actors.

Another difficulty is being accused as ‘loose’. We are not ‘loose’ as some people think. What we do is just to act and entertain people.

Yet they will call you all manner of names. It is wrong and when we hear some of the things they say, we feel bad.

As an actress, there is this belief that actresses don’t really stay in marriage. Is this true?

It is not true. People hear and see their problems because they are in the limelight. I admit they have their own problems and are human, but that is to show you that they are first humans before being actresses. They also go through what ordinary people go through and I can tell you that, sometimes, it is not palatable.

Being a star does not give you immunity over heartbreak or being hurt by people you love.

Actresses also want to have lovely and peaceful homes like other

I

people.

How about the notion that actresses don’t like marrying poor men?

It is not true. Love has no barrier. Whether you are poor or rich, once there is love and understanding, people will definitely fall in love.

Would you marry a poor man?

Yes, why not? If I love the man and we understand each other.

Our problem is that the poor men are afraid to come near us because of our fame and position. They see us as expensive and beyond their reach. But it is not true. We all want to be happy and if a poor man can make me happy, why not. I will gladly marry him.

Apart from the Fati we see on screen, who is Fati at home?

I cannot speak for myself. I wish you will talk to people that are close to me. I am not a difficult person at all. In fact people take advantage of my softness to exploit me. So I am learning to be hard so that people will stop cheating me.

If you are living in our world and have the kind of fame we have, then you must be careful, everybody believes we are rich and so they come expecting you to give them money. But the truth is that some of us are in the profession because of the love we have for the job not the money.

What do you dislike most in

your friends?

I’m a person of my word. Once I give you my words, even if it will hurt me, I make sure that I do that which I promised. I also hate when people fail to keep their words or when people lie. It irritates me and turns me off that person. I have parted ways with many people because they couldn’t keep their words. They say one thing and do the other.

Most movie stars are seen as extravagant. What is that ‘thing’ that you spend so much money on and you have no control over?

I believe looking good is good business. Where ever you go, you will be addressed by the way you dress. So I spend money on clothes.

I wear the best any day, anytime.

I make sure I stand out in any crowd with what I wear.

I also respect people who dress well. I buy anything that will make me look good. If you want to be noticed, look good.

People will like to know about your love life, are you married?

No… I am still single but not searching. I have a good relationship, so I will say that I am strongly attached. I am also a private person that will like to keep my personal life private. That is why I don’t like talking about it.

Going back to Kannywood , do you see it competing

favourably with Nollywood sometime soon?

We are working towards that.

We have our challenges for now but I believe that with time, we will catch up and even surpass them. We have our challenges for now which are cultural, we are not allowed to even hug in movies.

When we act emotional scenes where we are expected to show emotions, we are not allowed to do it because of our culture.

How do you handle rivalry and envy among co-actresses?

Rivalry and envy are found in every sector. These are not peculiar to movie stars. I personally try to relate with everybody because the sky is big enough for all of us. I was a model before I started acting and the role I will act now will be different from the ones I acted when I was much younger.

I have no reason to be envious of another actress because we all have different talents and we can’t all play the same role. Even if I get an award today; I should know that, I didn’t do it alone. It is all part of team work. I cannot act alone and be given an award.

How many films have you acted in and which would you say are the most challenging?

I have lost count but for the most challenging, I will say it is ‘Takwayen Hawaye’. It brought out the best in me and I also could relate with the movie because it had lots of lessons for people to learn from.

Can you say that the movie industry has made you rich?

Not at all…there is no money in Kannywood. Most of us do this because we love acting. But when you talk of my money, I work with the federal government and I can tell you that, my salary is better than what I get from acting in Kannywoood. Most people think we are rich because they see us in many movies, but there is no money.

You can make money in other ways than this way. Our counterparts in Nollywood make more money than us. It is also about promoting our culture; we promote and protect the Hausa culture and our religion through some of these films.

The movie industry is regarded as an all comer’s affair. Do you think the way people rush in is good for the business?

I believe it is healthy. If others did not allow me to come in, would I have been there? So I think more people should come in, it is healthier; the sky is large enough

to accommodate all of us. As much as we need professionals, we also need fresh faces to spice up the industry and also create employment for most of them.

Where do you see yourself in few years time?

I leave that in the hands of God. But I believe I will be better and higher than where I am right now.

Word for your fans…

They should keep watching my movies, because we are getting better and hopefully, the industry will move from this level to the next one where it will use modern equipment. I also want my fans to tell me my mistakes anywhere, anytime so I can learn and improve on them.

Lizzy Anjorin — Why am still single

P

opular Yoruba actress, Lizzy Anjorin is one name that rings a bell in the movie world.

The pretty actress who spots a glowing complexion is one of the most successful actresses in Nollywood so far.

She launched into the movie scene 5 years ago as an actress but has taken her career a notch higher by diversifying into movie production.

The beautiful mother of one in a recent interview opens up on her marriage plans.

She said; I am taking my time, I want to get married to a man who will be extremely busy with his career, not an idle man who will listen to all the rumours that some of my colleagues often peddle.

One other reason why I am still single is because I want to accomplish a few things before I get married. As a young girl I still

want to achieve a few things because when you get married, marriage will restrict you.

When asked, ‘how come many people don’t know you have a child?’ she said those who know, know. I hardly go to functions with her. Until recently, she used to live in Jos with her paternal grandma.

Many people don’t see Liz as a mother of a grown-up girl like her. It feels good; I just love my life because there are some things I don’t pose about. If I had flaunted her, people would have known since that I have a kid.

The day some of my colleagues saw her, they were shocked and I told them ‘look, I had her when I was in college. I had her 14 years ago, I was 20 then’.

That’s a long time ago. Her father is late. That is why his mum took her to live with her in the North.

PAGE 26

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Hollywood/Bollywood Miley Cyrus denies alleged Katrina Kaif takes personal engagement to Liam Hemsworth interest in SRK's flick!

L

o o k s like Katrina Kaif is following Aamir Khan's footsteps. We hear that, just like Aamir, the actress too is showing personal interest in her upcoming Yash Chopra's untitled film. She has taken the responsibility of styling herself for the film.

Says a source: "Katrina feels she's understood the character so well that she's

M

i l e y Cyrus said Monday she is not engaged to her Aussie beau Liam Hemsworth, after a photo of the singer sporting a ring on her left hand set tongues wagging.

"I'm not engaged," she announced to her 5.3 million Twitter fans.

"I've worn this same ring on this finger since November! People just want to find something to talk about! It's a topaz people!"

taking it upon herself to go out and shop for the clothes, accessories and other trinkets for her character.

Katrina knows London very well and knows from where to get the stuff she needs".

Katrina Kaif's spokesperson is quoted as saying: "She (Katrina) personally has been shopping for accessories and clothes for the film.

Katrina has envisioned her

character and knows that she is the only one who can do justice to it. The song they are currently shooting in London will make other romantic songs in the industry sound and look mediocre."

Katrina Kaif and Shahrukh Khan will be seen together for the first time in Yash Chopra's untitled flick. The film also stars Anushka Sharma.

Miley and Liam The wedding rumour began late last week when Cyrus tweeted a picture of her left hand sporting what appeared to be a solitaire diamond engagement ring.

She sent the photo to show off a new manicure, in promotion of a brand of nail polish.

Hemsworth, 22, and Cyrus, 19, have been dating since meeting on the set of their 2009 film "The Last Song."

Until recently,

Hemsworth had been known mostly for his relationship with the former "Hannah Montana" starlet and as the younger brother of "Thor" actor Chris Hemsworth.

But the younger Hemsworth's star is on the rise thanks to a leading role in the blockbuster film "The Hunger Games," which had the third-biggest US opening ever this weekend, raking in an estimated $155 million.

Lady Gaga Without Makeup: Revealed!

O

n the eve of her 26th birthday, Lady Gaga has posted a very cute photo of herself with no makeup on Twitter.

The singer was born THIS way ... or something.

Of all people to see with no makeup, Gaga - a young woman famously known for her wildly outlandish outfits, elaborate hairstyles and creative makeup stands out.

Half the time she's got a lobster or slab of raw beef on her head, for that matter.

Casual opportunities like this - one of these new favourite Lady Gaga photos - are rare: She's on a self-imposed

media blackout, but that doesn't mean she's not in touch with fans. Monday, Gaga tweeted the natural look self-portrait via Blackberry.

In the picture, Gaga's hair is in a casual ponytail with a flower pinned behind her ear, and her body clothed in a loose tank top. She looks quite nice and approachable.

The Lady has always bolstered her already considerable talent with the sense of unity she projects to her fans. A super star who's like all of us, so to speak.

Pictures such as this and random tweets about watching Monday's episode

of "Drag Race" certainly make her seem like a normal, down-to-earth girl. foxnews.com

Rani spends her birthday with Aditya Chopra in London!

R

Gaga

Bobby Brown arrested on drunken driving charge

O

fficials in S o u t h e r n California say Bobby Brown has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.

California Highway Patrol Officer, Mike Harris says Brown was arrested around 12:20 p.m. Monday in the San Fernando Valley north of Los Angeles. He failed a field sobriety test and was booked on suspicion of DUI. Harris says the R&B singer was pulled over after an officer saw him talking on his cell phone without a hands-free unit and noticed he appeared to be impaired.

Los Angeles police say

Brown was released from jail on his own recognizance shortly before 2 p.m.

The 43-year-old is the exhusband of Whitney Houston

and a founding member of the group New Edition.

An email message to his attorney, Christopher Brown, was not immediately returned.

Brown

a n i Mukherjee celebrated her Birthday in London, last week. Well, she spent her big day with her alleged beau, Aditya Chopra. Yes, the actress flew all the way to London, taking out time from her hectic schedule, only to be with him on her birthday.

Reportedly, Aditya Chopra is in London, busy with Yash Chopra untitled film starring Shahrukh

Khan and Katrina Kaif.

Rani on the other hand is shooting for Anurag Kashyap untitled movie.

The actress flew down to London, spent quality time with Aditya and later went to dinner with Yash Chopra and Shahrukh Khan.

A source from Yash Raj Films revealed, "For the past few years, Rani and Adi have been celebrating their birthdays and all important occasions

together.

With Adi currently stationed in London to look into his father's directorial venture with Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma, Rani decided to take a break from shooting for Anurag Kashyap's Aaiya and flew down to London to celebrate her birthday on March 21 with Adi." It just might be high time; the couple opened up about their relationship.

Aditya Chopra and Rani

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 27

Homes

Taking pleasure in the flow of water

W

all water fountains are f a n t a s t i c decoration to any space in your residence, house or office. A fountain which is from the Latin words "fons" or "fontis" meaning a source or spring is actually a piece of architecture which dispenses water into a basin

or jets it into the atmosphere. It was at first purely functional, linked to springs and utilised to supply drinking water and also water for bathing and washing to the residents of cities, towns and villages.

Besides supplying drinking water, fountains are also utilised for ornamental or

striking effect and also to celebrate their designers.

Wall water fountain cools the air and discharge negative ions. Water, when combined with air brings about evaporation and a cooling effect; the more active the connection between air and water, the greater the effect to cool. A

water fountain that can squirt or gurgle more will no doubt produce a greater cooling affect than a calm lake or pond. Negative ions affect feelings and concentration. They also clean the air and bring a sense of tranquility. It's no surprise that we feel so great around them.

In numerous design purposes, wall water fountains are a common design choice for small and big gardens. They provide all of the advantages of having a beautiful and elegant fountain, but without taking in square footage in the backyard or garden. When put on an opposite wall or mounting, wall water fountains make a superb centerpiece or accent.

Picking a wall water fountain could be a process.

A number of wall water fountains are horizontal, a few are vertical.

Perspective is really everything. Being able to visualize your wall water fountain in its intended location is essential. Make sure you install it where guests and neighbours are sure to see.

Place wall water fountain on any wall you like. They usually include the appropriate hanging tools and they are easy to mount on any wall. You can place wall water fountain in your living area, kitchen or even bedroom. Wherever you place your fountain, you know well that you will be able to get the advantages fountains provide.

Wall water fountain lets you spend more time relaxing because they're created from durable materials and

things, so they will last for years to come. Wall water fountains are safe to place without worrying about them crashing to the floor all of a sudden. You'll also be confident that once that perfect fountain is placed in your wall, you'll be able to nap, unwind, and just take pleasure in the show of the flowing water and the sound of the soothing water on your wall water fountain.

You can find a nearly never-ending variety of wall water fountains for your home environment.

They vary in types, styles, shapes and colours. There is a wall water fountain that is sure to fit every budget and need.

Whether someone needs a simple, but exquisite wall fountain, a big slate wall water fountain for your home, or perhaps a wall water fountain along with the company's logo for your business, there's a dependable maker to give the finest quality wall water fountain available.

An indoor water fountain is for instance, a living work of art, a dynamic visual display that is never the same from one moment to the next.

The soothing sounds of a waterfall help focus the mind, and bring the tranquility of a mountain stream into any room in your home.

PAGE 28

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1 APRIL, 2012

Cuisine

Pots & Pans

With Hajiya Ramatu Usman Dorayi

Breakfast sweets to start the day Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it give you energy to start a new day, but is also linked to many health benefits, including weight control and improved performance. But keep it light, a glass of milk, tea or orange drink with a raspberry roll will do, or Sticky buns.

Raspberry swirl sweet rolls Ingredients: -1 cup(s) milk -2/3 cup(s) sugar -1 1/2 tablespoon(s) active dry yeast -1 stick(s) unsalted butter, softened -2 large eggs -1 teaspoon(s) lemon zest, finely grated -1/2 teaspoon(s) salt -4 1/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour -All-purpose flour, for dusting Filling -1 package(s) (10-ounce) IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) raspberries, not thawed -1/4 cup(s) sugar -2 tablespoon(s) sugar -1 teaspoon(s) cornstarch Glaze -3/4 cup(s) sugar -3 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter, melted -1 1/2 tablespoon(s) heavy cream

Directions: 1 . Make the Dough: In a small saucepan, warm the milk over moderately low heat until it's 95 degrees F. Pour the warm milk into the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the dough hook and stir in the sugar and yeast. Let stand until the yeast is foamy, about 5 minutes.

Add the softened butter, eggs, grated lemon zest, and salt. Add the flour and beat at medium speed until a soft dough forms, about 3 minutes. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until the dough is soft and supple, about 10 minutes longer.

2 . Scrape the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it with your hands 2 or 3 times.

Form the dough into a ball and transfer it to a lightly buttered bowl. Cover the dough with plastic wrap

and let stand in a warm place until doubled in bulk, 1 to 2 hours.

3 . Line the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the paper to extend up the short sides.

Butter the paper and sides of the pan. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and, using a rolling pin, roll it into a 10by 24-inch rectangle.

4 . Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the frozen raspberries with the sugar and cornstarch.

Spread the raspberry filling evenly over the dough.

Tightly roll up the dough to form a 24-inch-long log.

Working quickly, cut the log into quarters. Cut each quarter into 4 slices and arrange them in the baking pan, cut sides up. Scrape any berries and juice from the work surface into the baking pan between the rolls. Cover the rolls and let them rise in a warm place until they are puffy and

Sticky buns Ingredients: -3/4 cup(s) whole milk -1 tablespoon(s) plus 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast -1/2 cup(s) granulated

sugar -1 stick(s) unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons softened, 2 tablespoons melted.

-2 large eggs -4 cup(s) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting -1 teaspoon(s) salt -1 cup(s) light brown

have filled the baking pan, about 2 hours.

5 . Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bake the rolls for about 25 minutes, until they are golden and the berries are bubbling.

Transfer the pan to a rack

to cool for 30 minutes.

6 . Meanwhile, Make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the confectioners' sugar with the butter and heavy cream until the glaze is thick and spreadable.

7 . Invert the rolls onto the rack and peel off the parchment paper. Invert the rolls onto a platter. Pour glaze over each roll and spread with an offset spatula. Serve warm or at room temperature.

sugar -2 teaspoon(s) cinnamon -1 cup(s) pecan halves Glaze -1/2 cup(s) packed dark brown sugar -6 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter 2 1/2 tablespoon(s) sweetened condensed milk -2 tablespoon(s) water -2 tablespoon(s) crème fraîche -1 1/2 teaspoon(s) corn syrup -1/4 teaspoon(s) salt -1/8 teaspoon(s) pure vanilla extract -1/8 teaspoon(s) baking powder Directions: 1 . Make the dough: In a glass measuring cup, heat the milk in the microwave until warm, 1 minute. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle, combine the warm milk and the yeast.

Add the granulated sugar and the 6 tablespoons of softened butter and mix at medium speed until the

butter is broken up, 1 minute. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the flour and salt and mix at low speed until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the side of the bowl.

Increase the speed to medium and mix the dough for 2 minutes longer.

Scrape the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

2 . Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

3 . On a lightly floured work surface, roll the dough out to a 9-by-24-inch rectangle. In a small bowl, mix the light brown sugar with the cinnamon. Brush the 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the dough and sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar. Beginning at a long edge, roll up the dough as tightly as possible and pinch the seam. Cut the log into

twelve 2-inch pieces and set them in the muffin cups cut side up. Cover and let stand in a warm place for 30 minutes.

4. Set the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the buns are golden brown. Spread the pecans in a pie plate and toast for 10 minutes, until fragrant. Let cool, then coarsely chop the nuts.

5 . Meanwhile, make the glaze: In a small saucepan, bring the brown sugar, butter, condensed milk, water, crème fraîche, and corn syrup to a boil.

Simmer over moderate heat until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the salt, vanilla, and baking powder.

6 . Unmold the buns.

Pour the glaze over the hot buns and sprinkle with the pecans. Let stand until the buns have soaked up some of the glaze and are cool enough to eat, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 29

Womanhood Meeting the challenge of being a single mum

T

h e coping strategies in this article come from Michele's interviews from single moms who've "been there" and found ways to work through the brokenness and live in hope.

1. Grieve in order to heal.

Every Friday before dinner, newly-single mother Rebekah instituted a "crying time".

Rebekah and her children vented frustrations and even cried on occasion. Then, they dried their eyes, hugged one another and went in to dinner.

This short time of weekly assessment gave them an emotional release valve to anticipate whenever they faced difficulties during the week.

The process of grieving is no less vital to your children's emotional healing than to yours.

Help your children identify their feelings as normal and be ready to share your heart with them.

Let them know they are "okay" even though their emotions may be volatile at times. Above all, give your children time to grieve the loss they feel so keenly. Grieving is not wasted time; it's growing time.

Reminder: the grieving process is characterized by denial, anger, bargaining (what ifs), sadness and depression, resolution, and then forgiveness.

2. Develop new traditions

as a family.

Crissy always wanted to try roller-blading. After her divorce, the kids no longer had anyone to roller-blade with through the neighborhood. Crissy went to a used sporting goods store and bought skates, knee, elbow and wrist pads. Within a week, she found she was able to keep up with her 10 and 11- year old daughters.

Discuss new creative activities you and your children would like to incorporate during upcoming celebrations such as birthdays, holidays and vacations. Think of some things you "always wanted to try" but haven't gotten around to doing.

Don't wait for a special event to try something different.

3. Make use of available resources.

Newly divorced mom Tracy passed the word around for any single parenting books. Another single mom heard of Tracy's need and gathered the most helpful books, videos, and tapes she had used several years earlier. Before long, Tracy's confidence as a single mom blossomed as she learned to address issues of concern to her children with knowledge and understanding.

Look for resource materials to share with your children.

Determine to approach each situation through the positive

viewpoint found in God's Word.

Topics may include; loneliness, hopelessness, anger, grief, sexuality, finances and goalsetting.

4. Use the written word to work through feelings.

Lonnie bribed her two sons into journaling on a weekly basis. She offered them dinner at a fast food restaurant for

every thirty minutes they spent writing in their journals.

Lonnie's sons have filled three journals in two years and the cashier at the local hamburger restaurant has gotten to know Lonnie's family by name.

Purchase diaries for each family member.

Take a minimum of one half hour to journal and mentally review the week's events. Communicate to your children that journaling is a way of getting out thoughts and feelings they might not have taken time to really think through before.

5. Use your memory to build a hopeful future.

Sally and her children selected a life verse from the Bible and decorated a scrapbook with photos of each of them participating in their favorite activities. Each time one of them reaches a new goal, wins an award, or enjoy a family fun event, they make note of the date and the event, then add it to their memory book.

Buy a scrapbook, get out the Bible, and select a "life verse" for your family that will fortify you during troubled times and bring joy during blessed events. Then gather photos, ticket stubs, awards, newspaper cuttings and other memorabilia. Include funny sayings or make mention of God's provision under each item. The scrapbook gives children a "visible" foundation on which to build a happier future.

6. Reach out to others in need.

On their way to church, Margaret would sometimes see the same elderly man slowly walking the one-half mile from his bus stop to their church building. One Sunday, she stopped to offer him a ride to the church. Over time, Margaret's kids found they had a new "adopted" grandfather to fuss over and love.

In your family's pain, extend yourself to others who are hurting or needy. Look around

your neighborhood, your extended family and your church. Befriend the lonely and set an example of giving for your children to pattern themselves after.

7. Use hands-on activities to encourage inner healing.

Teri's idea of a pet wasn't a four foot long iguana. But her son Todd had done his research as she requested. So, Teri's home is now composed of herself, Todd, and their four-feet long iguana, Menace.

Time spent in loving an animal or in developing a personal skill takes energy and concentration. Your children need to focus on areas outside of the family and the current transitional pain it brings. Give your children the help they need to experience satisfaction in a job well done.

8. Be open to the helpful input of others.

The closest family Laurie had lived one thousand miles away.

At the suggestion of her Sunday school teacher, Laurie made an appointment with one of the pastors of her local church fellowship for help in handling a problem with her seventeenyear-old daughter Kelly. During those weekly counseling sessions, Laurie and Kelly learned to respect their differences without allowing them to deteriorate into fighting matches.

Recognize the occasional necessity of bringing in others to help you and your family cope with the losses you've experienced. Turn to trusted pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth group leaders or professional Christian counselors.

Admitting your children have needs you cannot meet does not signal defeat or weakness. Rather, seeking support from those who hold a significant place in your children's lives reveals the humility and godly perseverance so necessary in developing a mature family life.

Source: Power to Change Ministries

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1 APRIL, 2012

PAGE 31

Learning BOOK REVIEW

There’s always a lesson in children stories —Theresa Ameh Mrs. Theresa Oyibo Ameh, a writer of children's stories, will be one of the featured authors at the March edition of the Guest Writer Session, an initiative of the Abuja Writers' Forum (AWF).

Ameh, who hails from Igalamela/ Odolu LGA of Kogi state, holds an NCE from the College of Education Katsina-Ala and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Library Science/English from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She taught for seven years and this is possibly where she found the inspiration to write for children before switching to a civil service career.

A mother and philanthropist, she has five titles to her credit namely; "The Twins Visits", "The Stepmother and other stories", "Funmi the Polite Girl and other stories", "Lessons from Aunty Talatu" and her most recent publication, "The Only Son." In this interview with Miriam Humbe, Ameh talks about her love for writing children's stories, the problem of publishing and other writer issues. Excerpts:

Mrs. Theresa Oyibo Ameh

W

hat led you into writing for children?

I started by telling my son bedtime stories. The stories were based on his activities during the day.

There was always a lesson attached to each story. It was so effective because each story had a lesson behind it. I decided to put my stories in writing because I felt I could reach out to other children through these stories.

I also realized we had lost our values. We can only regain that by moulding our children the right way in their formative years. I put in a lot of morals in my

books. I have a passion for children, a deep passion that goes beyond motherhood.

Their innocence is really captivating.

Are you planning to write in other genres?

I have tried writing in other genres but it never flows. You know what I mean? I hardly get that satisfaction delving into other genres like when I write for children. So I shyly hide whatever I have done.

Writing for children happens to be my comfort zone. When I write for children, I realize the idea flows naturally, effortlessly.

Who knows, I might try

something else some day.

That will be really challenging.

What is your experience with publishers and reviewers?

All my books were self published. You pay for your books to be published, take delivery of your books and then you are on your own.

You do the marketing by yourself. It is that bad. Yes, some people have collected my books to review but I never heard from them again. Maybe they found children books strange. Not what they are used to.

How do you cope with work and writing?

Sadly my writing has suffered so much because my work schedule is really heavy. Since I cannot live on writing, I must have a job that puts food on my table. But I can never stop writing. I have to remind myself that I have to keep on writing, so that my brain does not go soft....

Do you have something new in the pipeline?

Yes, I am working on three books at once. The ideas keep on coming, thank God. Who are your influences in terms of writing?

Zainab Alkali. Each time I lose it, I read any of her books and start writing again. That's the effect her books have on me.

What are you currently reading?

Presently, I am reading Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge.

Z

ap! It's gone! "But I left it here, I'm sure of it, how can it be?

Who stole my … sorry who helped me hid my laptop please" or "oh my gawd! My laptop! My documents! lifetime investments!" or "shit, my laptop has been.

Laptop owners become laptop searchers. Lets see how we can protect out laptops from being stolen.

Regardless of whether you've just bought a loved one a new laptop for the upcoming holidays or got one for yourself, you may want to invest in some precautionary measures.

Laptops are expensive, and some are not even easy to come by. Unfortunately, their sizes does not give a

chance to detect or notice the carrier. Sleeker, thinner designs these days are also an agent that makes them even vulnerable and easier for people to steal.

If you lose your laptop in any circumstances, it is going to be the worst experience of your life. Most of the times, people take care of their laptop more than they take care of anything else, because they are aware of the fact that it is going to be a big loss for them.

However, it becomes hard at times to safeguard the precious machine from the thieves, who leave no opportunity to pick them.

Therefore, it has become a compulsion to equip your laptop with anti theft software so that it can be recovered safely. Laptop theft is one of the serious issues, because it is loaded with so many confidential files and expensive software that loosing it can shatter

ICT ESSENCE with

Bello Abdul’Azeez +234 805 113 0075 abdulazeez@ictessence.com www.ictessence.com

How to protect and recover your stolen Laptop anyone.

First of all, when you get a new laptop, the number one thing you must do is to setup a password that control access to your lovely computer. Make your

right away, but for many hackers, cracking passwords is easier than solving an elementary maths.

One of the most effective ways to keep your laptop safe and easy to recover is to install

password a difficult one like say "laGbaJa+123? which is difficult to quickly cram by onlookers or ghost lookers.

Incorporating numbers, capitalization and punctuation is highly advised. If you think you'll forget it, write it down and keep it somewhere safe. But you see, having difficult-toremember password protection is not enough, though it may prevent someone from gaining access to your top level documents

software that tracks its whereabouts. The software is not so expensive, let say between N10,000 and N15,000, particularly if it's for a personal account. Buying this software will not only allow you and the police to locate the computer, but tracking software can also automatically delete your hard drive to protect your personal files, lock your computer or sound an alarm. Some can even take a picture of the person using the computer's webcam.

“

If you lose your laptop in any circumstances, it is going to be the worst experience of your life. Most of the times, people take care of their laptop more than they take care of anything else, because they are aware of the fact that it is going to be a big loss for them.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 24 — SUNDAY 25, MARCH, 2012

PAGE 32

F Looking hot with good fabrics, stunning designs

???????

Maryam Tukur Shagaya

B

eing stylish without making much effort is a natural gift, but others do need to make the effort because putting it all together to form an ensemble most often takes a bit of

ingenuity. It’s not every time that the colours come together so well, it’s not all the time that one wears the right kind of shoes with the right outfit, and now with the craze to carry the biggest brand

names in the world as handbags, shoes and accessories, looking good does not come cheap at all, but there are many that, though it might have taken them a lot of effort to look outstanding, the fact

remains that whenever they are seen, they look as if they have just stepped out of Grazia!, Elle!! Or some other style magazines like beautiful Maryam Tukur Shagaya and her friends.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 33

Business

Tractors ready to be distributed to farmers.

NNPC warns against buying kerosene from hawkers

T

h e NNPC has warned consumers of kerosene to desist from buying from road side hawkers to avoid adulterated product that can lead to explosion.

Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, the Group General Manger (Public Affairs) of NNPC, gave the warning on Friday in Abuja in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

“We want to appeal to Nigerians to ensure they buy the product (kerosene) from designated outlets and filling stations to avoid adulterated product that could lead to explosion.”

He gave the assurance that the kerosene imported into the country was of high quality and standard, and that any case of

explosion might be an isolated case as a result adulteration by hawkers.

Thegroupgeneralmanagerdecried the nefarious activities of those engaged in such dastardly act and appealed to consumers to be wary of them.

He said that the NNPC would intensify its synergy with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and security operatives to mitigate the menace.

The NNPC spokesman reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government towards ensuring adequate supply of the product across the country.

NAN reports that there have been pockets of domestic explosions as a resultofadulteratedkeroseneintheFCT and some parts of the country.

FADAMA III generates 33,991 jobs in Anambra, says project manager

By Augustine Aminu with agency report

T

h e Anambra Government said on Friday that more than 33, 991 youths had been provided with gainful employment under the FADAMA III programme in the state.

The Project Coordinator of the programme in the state, Mr Chudi Mojekwu, disclosed this in an interview in Awka.

Mojekwu said that some 3,588 youths were also temporary employed since the inception of the programme in 2008 in the state.

He said that the Fadama III programme had improved rural livelihoods and fostered creation of social capital among the Fadama User Groups (FUGs).

“This is clearly attested to by the 9.7 per cent increase so far achieved in the average real income of beneficiary households with about

15 per cent increase in the hectare of land under cultivation as witnessed in the last cropping season.”

The project coordinator said that the income from sales of value-added agricultural products stood at about N325, 000 per annum while more than 74 Fadama use groups have opened savings account totaling N2.2 million.

According to him, the programme had been able to establish a Fadama farm village at Urunnebo Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

“The whole idea of the Fadama village is to have a cluster of subprojects where emissions from one become inputs to the other.

“That way you have zero emission, you have more friendly environment, a cleaner environment, there will be little waste, you achieve economic upscale.

“And so, in partnership with Urunnebo community in EnugwuUkwu under Njikoka local government, we were able to establish one of the best Fadam villages in the country. In fact that is the only one in the South-East and among the three or so in the country.

“There you have a cluster of sub-projects including a piggery pen, a poultry pen, fish pond, cassava processing mill, vegetable gardens, also a feed meal also coming up, there is snailry coming up.

Borno to purchase 300 cows for farmers *Pg34

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Business News Borno to purchase 300 cows for farmers

I

n his bid to boost food production in the state, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno has authorised the buying of 300 cows to be distributed to farmers.

Shettima also directed that 150 ox-ploughs procured in 2007 be distributed to farmers.

He gave the directive on Thursday in Maiduguri, while inspecting tractors and other farm implements at the Borno State Agriculture State Agriculture Mechanisation Centre (BOSAMA).

The governor expressed dismay that the ox-ploughs had not been used since 2007 when they were purchased.

He said the government planned

to rehabilitate three BOSAMA area offices in Bama, Biu and Monguno to enhance the distribution of tractors and other implements to farmers in rural areas.

The governor, who also visited the Infectious Diseases Hospital (Chest Hospital) in Maiduguri, called for immediate renovation of the hospital.

He urged the management of the hospital to embark on staff recruitment and to ensure that that was fully operational by July this year.

Shettima directed Dr Salma Kolo, the Commissioner for Health, to come up with proposal for the construction of doctor’s quarters within the hospital premises to enhance service delivery. (NAN)

Traders seek N5bn loan from KDSG Augustine Aminu with agency report

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h e Chairman, Kaduna State Traders’ Association, Alhaji Adamu Maishinkafa, on Friday appealed to the state government to assist its members with N5 billion loan.

Maishinkafa made the appeal in Kaduna during a courtesy visit to Gov. Patrick Yakowa.

He said the loan, if given, would generate more resources for the traders and boost the state’s economy.

He urged the state government to rebuild the burnt stalls in the Central Market, Kafanchan and

Zaria Market.

Maishinkafa said the association was committed to promoting trade and peaceful coexistence in the state.

In his response, Yakowa assured the association that the state government would look into the issue of making loans accessible to the traders.

The governor agreed that such loans would improve the economic status of the state.

Yakowa said the state government was working with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to rebuild the burnt markets and provide new stalls for the traders.

NEXIM Bank seeks partnership with GARI Fund to boost sea link project

By Mirian Humbe with agency report

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h e Nigerian ExportImport Bank (NEXIM) is to partner with the Guarantee Fund for Private Investments in West Africa (GARI Fund) to boost the sea link project in the subregion.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Chinedu Moughalu, NEXIM spokesman, on Friday in Abuja.

The Sea Link project is a NEXIM bank initiative geared toward effective use of the maritime sector to enhance free trade in the West Africa region According to the statement, Mr. Roberts Orya, Managing Director of NEXIM Bank, said that there was the need for the organisation to collaborate with GARI Fund in ensuring that the project was successful.

“There is the need for the two institutions to explore avenues for more transactional relationships,” Orya said.

Orya added that NEXIM would want GARI Fund to provide financing for the acquisition of seagoing vessels for the initiative.

He explained that NEXIM was

committed toward the sustenance of its good relationship with the Fund to expand the scope of its intervention in Nigeria.

“NEXIM will forward some pipeline transactions within the next three months to GARI Fund for consideration,” he said.

Mr. Nyixo Jacques, Managing Director of the GARI Fund, said the strategic focus of the Fund was to grow its interventions in Nigeria.

L-R: President, Professional Plumbers Association of Abuja, Mr. Abeni Ominyi, Deputy Managing Director, Sandtex Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olufemi Oguntade, and Business Development Manager, Portland Bathrooms, Portland Paints and Products Nigeria Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Otitoloju, during the Inauguration of Portland Bathrooms Plumbers, theme "Partnering for Change in Service Delivery" organised by Portland Bathrooms and Ideal Standard, on Thursday, in Abuja.

Photo: Mahmud Isa

NSE market capitalisation dips by N33bn

T

he market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Friday recorded further depreciation as a result of price losses by major equities, dropping by N33 billion.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation dropped by 0.5 per cent, to close at N6.55 trillion, in contrast to the N6.58 trillion recorded on Thursday.

Also, the All-Share Index, which opened with 20,756.18, shed 103.71 basis points representing 0.5 per cent to close at 20, 652.47 points.

Market analysts attributed the persistent downward trend to profit-taking embarked upon by

short-term investors.

NAN reports that the market had remained on the downward trend since March 26, in spite of improved audited results released by some companies.

Nestle led the losers’ chart with a loss of N21.96 to close at N417.30 per share, while NewGold followed with N11 loss to close at N2, 540 per unit.

Total depreciated by N7.35 to close at N139.69, while Julius Berger dropped by N1.35 to close at N30.25.

NAN reports that Cadbury dipped by 66k to close at N12.64 per share.

On the other hand, Guinness

topped the gainers’ chart with N11.42 to close at N239.84 per share.

Okomu Oil gained N1.33 to close at N28.01, while NCR gained 65k to close at N13.69 per share.

Nigeria Breweries appreciated by 50k to close at N97.50, while Ashaka Cement rose by 34k to close at N10.70 per share.

NAN reports that the total volume of shares traded increased by 55.19 per cent as investors bought and sold 308.90 million shares worth N2.25 billion traded in 3,364 deals.

This was in contrast with 199.05 million shares valued at N1.76 billion, exchanged in 3,579 deals on Thursday.

CBN sells N81bn treasury bills

Governor’s wife to engage 2,000 women in economic enterprises

h e Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday sold N80.91 billion worth of treasury bills, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

The CBN said it sold both the 91day tenor bills and 182-day tenor bills at the regular debt auction.

The apex bank also said that the 91-day treasury bills was worth N21.83 billion at a 14.19 per cent marginal rate, as against the 14.30 per cent yield at the previous auction.

The CBN also recorded N59.08 billion on the 182-day tenor bills at 15.05 per cent, higher than the 15

ajiya Adama Dankwambo, wife of Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, is to engage about 2,000 women in various economic enterprises this year.

Alhaji Hassan Adamu, Special Assistant to the Governor’s wife, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Friday that the economic empowerment programme was part of the First Lady’s projects.

Adamu said 288 of the women were drawn from the 11 local government areas of the state.

He said the aim of the programme was to discourage women from going

T

per cent it recorded on March 23.

T h e apex bank added that the interbank lending rates for the week declined to 14.08 per cent, in contrast to the 14.33 per cent in March 23.

The secured Open Buy Back rose to 14.75 per cent this week up from 12.50 per cent last week, above the CBN 12 per cent benchmark rate.

NAN reports that overnight placement jumped to 15.50 per cent, compared with 13 per cent, while call money traded closed at 15.75 per cent against 13.50 per cent on March 23.

H

after public officers to beg for money.

“Some of them are being used by politicians who give them N200 at the end of the day.

“We want them to be self-reliant and be economically empowered,” Adamu said.

According to him, out of the 288 women, 207 are undergoing training in tailoring, 50 in fish farming and 31 in hair dressing.

Adamu said the first batch started their training in February, adding that at the end of the training, they would be given take-off grants. He said that each beneficiary would receive a weekly allowance of N1,000, for transport fare.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 35

Business Stop that job hunting mentality

By Charles Elamah

D

on’t get me wrong. I don’t have anything against the drove of unemployed that throng offices where a position is advertised. If anything they have my sympathy.

They are unsuspecting victims of a changing economic climate. While the rest of the world is adjusting to the socioeconomic dictates of the information age they are still playing by the pristine rules of the industrial age. Are they not to be pitied for living behind time?

It is an undeniable fact that everybody can be an entrepreneur that employs rather than seek employment, but not all will be for several reasons.

Paramount and quite fundamental among them is the job seeking mentality instilled in our psyche by our educational system. And until our inward reality is changed there is no alteration of our outward reality.

Gone are the days when the corporate world will besiege the gates of our universities on the day of graduation with employment letters spiced with company car and accommodation for any willing graduates. Gone, forever are the days when finding a job meant just showing up at the factory. The world has changed and so have the rules, yet many have not realized it.

We all have wondered at the sanity or otherwise of graduates in our neighbourhoods, or they may be relatives of ours who for up to or over a decade kept looking for employment.

Apart from the fact that age and sometimes, over qualification narrows their chances of gaining employment, the army of youthful graduates released yearly from our institutions of learning in to the labour market further obliterate any shadow of opportunity.

Moreover, just as the 44th President of the United States of America, Barak Obama, said in the State of the Union address, ‘…revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business. Steel mills that once needed 1,000 workers can now do the same work with 100. Today, just about any company can set up shop, hire workers, and sell their products wherever there is an internet connection’.

What does that mean? It means that with the internet your competitors for those few jobs are not only limited to your city or country. Competition has become global. For example, a newspaper company needs not, as in the past, employ and send a reporter to far-away Australia. All it needs to do is hire an Australia resident reporter and do business on the internet. This comes cheaper for the newspaper at the end of the day.

You may be thinking your job cannot be exported. Your competitor has to be physically present, like the classroom teacher. Don’t go jubilating yet, as you will find an ever increasing competition for your job in the army made redundant by the revolutions in technology.

So where is the safe haven? Where can one find job security when all over

the place, the premises of the once thriving factories are now ghost towns and in some other places they have become places of worship?

The answer lies in taking ones financial destiny in ones hand. It lies in financial literacy. It is in resolute pursuit of wealth generation education. It is a total departure from dependency on corporation or government for ones welfare to taking responsibility for not only ones financial wellbeing but others too. It is a volte-face.

Is it true that we all can be entrepreneurs? Are entrepreneurs not born? Can entrepreneurship be

taught…rather can it be learned? We were taught to be employees. A cursory backward glance into history will reveal an era when we were all entrepreneurs…a time when everyone looked onto himself for business and source of livelihood. Before the industrial revolution many people worked for themselves. This period in world history is vividly captured in English nomenclature. Names such as Smith, Carpenter, Farmer, Fisher, Baker, and Gardner are pointers to the trade of the bearers. Back home, before the incursion of the west, coupled with the farming of various produce, some household

“

Gone, forever are the days when finding a job meant just showing up at the factory. The world has changed and so have the rules, yet many have not realized it.

engaged in trading, tanning, weaving, oil-milling, hunting and palm-wine tapping.

The next question will be – what happened? How did we all change from being job creators to job seekers? We will have to spin an elaborate discourse to provide an answer to this question.

But due to lack of time and space, let me, with this gist, tantalize your appetite.

Throughout history, rulers and court intellectuals have aspired to use the educational system as tool for social engineering.

Therefore, at the emergence of the industrial age, with the need for men to man the factories ‘compulsory school’ system was used as a mill for the creation of obedient workers for the industries. Invariably, that is the educational system bestowed on us by west.

Today, the nature of the world economy is changing in a profound way.

In the new economy, manufacturing is shrinking as much of the job is being done either by robots or people in other countries. The survivors in the new economy are the creators and innovators, those who see opportunity where others see risk and take on the risk like their forebears never did.

PAGE 36

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

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

OUR PEOPLE

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CHAIRMAN MALAM WADA MAIDA, OON, FNGE EDITOR, DAILY AHMED I. SHEKARAU

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

Just what the doctor ordered Re: Sovereign wealth fund for senior secondary education W h e n the Education Trust Fund, ETF, transformed into the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, secondary schools across the nation especially the Federal Unity Colleges had no intervening government agency to take care of their infrastructural and capacity building needs.

To critical stakeholders in the education, this development was worrisome because of the position that secondary schools occupy in the educational framework of the nation.

Between the foundational and the tertiary levels, the secondary school level stands as the fundamental stage before professionals are developed from the educational system.

During the several visits of the Minister of State for Education, Barr.

Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to Federal Unity Colleges across the six geo-political zones of the Federation, he allayed the fears of school administrators, parents, teachers and students that these schools will continue to be left on their own, with only minimal investments from the Federal Ministry of Education.

He had told that officials of the Ministry in concert with major education stakeholders are working out a framework to directly intervene in secondary on a permanent basis. At present, the primary and junior secondary schools are under the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, while the tertiary institutions are funded by Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

Wike during these visits indicated that the Federal Ministry of Education had concluded plans to work towards the amendment of the UBEC law to accommodate senior secondary schools in the framework of direct interventions.

The amendment meant that UBEC would have a new mandate.

It was to promote this smooth passage of this amendment that the Minister of State for Education paid a working visit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal and met with the chairmen of the House Committee of

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Email: letters@peoplesdaily-online.com Education and his counterpart in the Senate.

He also met at different times with State Education Commissioners and Chairmen of State Universal Basic Education Boards to drive home the need for this amendment and also build the desired consensus for the successful implementation of the programme once the law is finally in place.

Another reason for this consensus building is the fact that the states are also expected to amend their respective SUBEB laws to reflect the new realities surrounding basic education.

The final stage of this amendment is now in the works. All major stakeholders are now directly involved in the formulation of the critical aspects of the new UBEC law that gives the commission a fresh mandate. This amendment at the federal level will serve as the template upon which the respective states will carry out their own amendments.

However, amendments in the states are expected to reflect their peculiar realities and specific needs, while not deviating from the fundamental objectives that the new mandate seeks to achieve.

Between March 22 and March 23, major education stakeholders from the 36 States of the Federation met in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital to deliberate on the focus of the amendment and the new mandate of UBEC. Among those in attendance were the two ministers of education, the Federal lawmakers, state education commissioners, directors of UBEC and SUBEBS, teachers, curriculum developers, development partners and other commissions involved in the

implementation of universal basic education in the country.

These leaders all agreed that the process adopted by the Federal Ministry of Education to drive the new mandate for UBEC would lead to a successful implementation of the mandate because all stakeholders have been involved from the very beginning.

The proposed new mandate of UBEC include; coordinating the implementation of the Senior Secondary School component of the NPE, provide financial, human and material support through grants towards the development of senior secondary schools and to manage the Federal Unity Colleges.

The existing UBE Act of 2004 does not cover the senior secondary schools. The new amendment which is likely going to be known as Basic and Secondary Education Bill and later Act when passed into law will accommodate the outlined new mandate of UBEC. One issue that the Minister of State for Education, Wike took time to enlighten state education commissioners

and chairmen of SUBEBS on the imperative of their working in unity to deliver on the objectives of UBE. He lamented the rivalry between these functionaries at the state level, which has robbed several states of the benefits of the programme.

To the minister, the states and the nation stand to benefit more when these officials promote the interest of the nation and their respective states above their individual interests and egos.

The new mandate of UBEC is geared towards the overall improvement of the nation’s education sector to ensure that the target of the government’s transformation agenda, GTA, to make education the fulcrum of holistic development is realized. The benefits of the investments in the education are gradually manifesting in the country.

The fruits of the transformation are seen across the country. Once the senior secondary education gets the desired investments the results will also be manifest in this sub-sector. It took years for the decay in the education sector to take a firm root.

Uprooting this rot will equally take a long time. The good news is that there is dedication and commitment to set education on the right path and Nigerians will be the beneficiaries of these efforts.

Nwakaudu is the Special Assistant (Media) to Minister of State for Education.

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To the minister, the states and the nation stand to benefit more when these officials promote the interest of the nation and their respective states above their individual interests and egos.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 37

Opinion

M.D. on the saddle;and purposeful and dynamic Public opinion subsidy reversal

By Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele

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h e 16th indigenous Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, is to many an astute sports administrator and a dedicated police officer. To others he is a social crusader who fights to attain whatever he beliefs in, as far as it is noble and of service to mankind. While to us at the West Africa Police Games (WAPGA), he is a gentleman of the first order, our mentor, chairman and a task master. I remember vividly his candid advise to me when I was interviewing him then as AIG Zone 2 in Lagos, during the documentary of the 13th IGP, when he told me that given the continued support of the government and people of Nigeria to effectively give information on time and rightfully, the partnership with the police will be sustained while it will reduce the menace of criminality in the country. Today, he has dully been saddled with that responsibility by the Nigerian people at a very precarious stage in our nation’s history to get rid of terrorism, reduce criminalities and reposition the Nigeria police for effective service delivery. To be frank, M.D is not far from the truth because it seems he was destined all along to lead the biggest and largest police institution in Africa to its former pride of place where it belongs.

The present situation in the country today requires a determined focus not only on the Nigeria police but on the entire citizens who now see the security situation as not only the job of the police and security agencies but on the shoulders of all citizens to

be up and doing to help the agencies to source information and intelligence to curb the insurgency in the country once and for all. The present IGP is a man destined to bring back the pride of the police to where it belongs in the minds of Nigerians, where every citizen can walk, free and friendly to the ordinary police station to lay his or her complaints without being molested and where justice is to be seen to have been carried out and where we sleep with our eyes closed not worrying about criminal activities.

However, the IGP will be facing numerous daunting challenges in order to make the police the pride of the Nigeria people which cuts across the vast majority of police general lack of supervision, organized corruption within the service, monetization of police service by some officers, lack of application of existent rules and regulations, non-adherence to the principle of rule of law, respect for human rights, extrajudicial killings and brutality coupled with the less motivated

police ranks and file and welfare of the men. Since he came on board he has made several pronouncements, measures backed up with active plans and has commenced the immediate overhaul of the police system where all former operations were not professionally handled. He has ordered the immediate release of people wrongly detained in police cells and ordered that nobody should be detained beyond the stipulated twenty four hours, a policy that has been hailed by every right thinking Nigerian.

The chief law enforcer has also given his men marching orders saying it is not going to be business as usual and that his administration has a zero tolerance for corruption. He has also enacted and brought a new policy in place where the police detectives will work hand-in-hand with the traditional rulers, community leaders and the entire community called ‘’Neighbourhood viewpoint” .

The IGP and men of the police have all agreed that the days of jamboree are over and that the

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The chief law enforcer has also given his men marching orders saying it is not going to be business as usual and that his administration has a zero tolerance for corruption. He has also enacted and brought a new policy in place where the police detectives will work hand-in-hand with the traditional rulers, community leaders and the entire community called ‘’Neighbourhood viewpoint”.

force under him will tackle criminality head long in collaboration with other security agencies in the country, having a good civilian/police relations and a good image for the entire police force saying that there is no place for any dishonest and undisciplined policeman anymore and that his administration will get rid of all misfits and undesirable members of the police force irrespective of their ranks. That corruption and corollary lawlessness by officers will no longer be tolerated. He has also commenced the galvanizing of the intelligence units of the police that has been left comatose for years where plain clothes police men will be dispatched across institutions, areas of worship, market places, social arena and the society at large where reports and information gathering will be adequately sourced for a crime free society.

M.D. Abubakar believes and knows that the task ahead is great and he cannot do this alone but requires the efforts of all Nigerians and as such, started consultations immediately with various stakeholders. The police under him are in partnership with other security agencies, traditional rulers, opinion and religious leaders to see how the country can surmount the present terrorism scourge being perpetrated by the Boko Haram and the present administration under President Goodluck Jonathan is doing every thing possible to assist the police in achieving this feat.

In as much as the new IGP is trying very hard burning the mid night candle with other security agencies to nip in the bud the security challenges, a lot of rumour making the rounds then

said that the IGP is fanatical in his approach to issues, the issue of Jos under his watch as a commissioner also came up which led to some outcry even the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) including the insinuations that the recent police promotion of AIG’s, DIG’s, CP’s and others were not done in the best practice.

So far so good. He has set challenging goals for himself as a man eager to make a change at all cost. As we all know, the Nigeria police is the least paid police force in Africa and as such, the IGP will be driving only purposeful and good agenda to make the police self serving in the 21st century by making sure that all the police vehicles will now be used for patrolling and transporting instead of road blocks.

One of the major task as highlighted by the IGP is to liaise with the federal government to make the national identity cards free and compulsory for all Nigerians while the computerization of vehicle particulars, motor cycles and the speeding –up to complete the exercise of accreditation and registration of sim cards by the GSM network service providers so as to curb increasing crime in the society.

The non-partisan, non tribalistic and ever ready to consult IGP seeks the cooperation and partnership of every body to rid the nation of crime. So, let us come out and partner with the police under M.D to make Nigeria a better place and a safer haven for investments.

Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele is of Centre for the Advancement of Police Rights and Reforms (CAPRRIN).

The need for body to police and monitor EFCC, ICPC & CCB

By Garba Salem

U

n l e s s agencies like the EFCC; the ICPC; and the CCB; are monitored, we are going nowhere in fighting corruption. Some former heads of the Commissions had one thing or the other to say towards strengthening those institutions if right results are expected. Those suggestions were normally glossed over by the government and this could be misinterpreted to mean that they were set up to serve personal purposes of the successive head of government. During Obasanjo regime, he set up the EFCC and we are all aware of the public opinions regarding the selective prosecution of cases; this situation continued with successive presidents. For instance, when Yar’Adua came to power, he did not

apply it as a tool to checkmate but covered former Governor James Ibori who called the shots. When Jonathan came in as President, the tide changed and it became the tool with which he used in hunting the same Ibori.

The ICPC and CCB are not ruled out as tools being used in similar situations by the power that be.

Therefore needed is an independent body whose only responsibility would be to monitor the operators of the EFCC, ICPC and CCB. Reading the NEXT on Sunday edition of May 22, 2011 there was (a recurring kind of) question as to what has happened to the ‘missing’ N20billion bargain-plea recovered loot from the former Inspector General of Police, Balogun Tafa. The question remains unanswered.

Apart from that kind of situation, the overseeing body or

establishment should monitor all cases known reported to the Commissions and Bureau. For instance there was a time EFCC boss, Farida Waziri, made scathing statement that a first-term governor from south-south, few months into office, bought a property worth N1billion in Abuja; there was no follow up as to who that was. There was also the case of a governor’s brother, who doubles as Personal Assistant; he approached a foreign embassy for Visa, submitted personal bank account with more than N1.2billion lodgement; the attention of the EFCC by the concerned embassy staff was drawn but the EFCC ignored investigation. The behaviour of the anti-graft agency shows sign of compromise. The EFCC boss was once accused of receiving

N42million SUV Mercedes Benz car gift from a sitting governor and no satisfactory refutal.

Many are just watching the macbre dance of EFCC as it has no proactive mechanism. Now they talk of arresting the fleeing former governors. And this also confirms that most of the sitting governors have

soils their hands and only wanted the re-election to continue shielding them. The masses are recording all this and revolution could be in the offing because the majority are suffering in the land of plenty.

Alhaji Garba Salem, 298 Apapa Road, Ijora-Lagos. garbasalem@yahoo.com.

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For instance, when Yar’Adua came to power, he did not apply it as a tool to checkmate but covered former Governor James Ibori who called the shots. When Jonathan came in as President, the tide changed and it became the tool with which he used in hunting the same Ibori.

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PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

News Analysis First ladies pet projects and need for sustainability

By Miriam Humbe

S

i n c e the days of late former First Lady Maryam Babangida's Better Life for Rural Women, spouses of Presidents, state governors and even local government chairmen have contiued to float one pet project or the other apparently for philathropic reasons.

Mrs. Babangida's Better life project was very popular because of its focus on the empowerment of rural women especially as it came at a time when the nation was smacking from the pains of austerity measures introduced by asministrations before that of her husband, General Ibrahim Babangida.

Since then, first ladies have been floating pet projects aimed at empowerment of the down trodden people, in constitiencies controlled by their spouses.

Whether these pet projects live beyond the regimes of their founders is story for another day. What is interesting and highly commendable is the zeal with which the initiators pursue the cause while they hold sway while their spouses were in power.

In virtually all the states of the nation, first ladies' efforts at poverty alleviation come handy and go a long way to complement those of the National Poverty Eradication Programme, NAPEP. More often than not, women and children, perceived as the vulnerable population are the targets of these pet projects which have been instrumental in giving lifelines to those living below the poverty line. In Akwa-Ibom state, there is the Family Life Enhancement Initiative (FLEI), which has earned the governor's wife, Mrs Ekaete Akpabio the acronym of Mother Theresa. The wife of Nasarawa state governor, Hajia Mairo Almakura's Tallafi Women and Youths Foundation is also capturing the essence of living for the rural dwellers in the state.

In Benue state, the wife of Benue state governor, Yemisi Dooshima Suswam is running the Sev-av Foundation which is a community-driven, capacity building and charitable organisation, focusing on the grassroot. The foundation works by empowering the youth, women and the poor in the state.

In order to curb the scourge of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic which has been ravaging the state, the Benue first lady has been working hard to give hope to People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) by engaging them and other interested persons in viable ventures through the Sev-av Foundation. The foundation has established skills acquisition centres in all the three senatorial zones of the state where computer repairs and training, as well as dress making are acquired.

The foundation has two cardinal points; to cater for persons living with HIV/AIDS, (PLWHA), as well as skills acquisition and situation of vocational centres where women and men alike are trained in different trades for economic empowerment.

Mrs. Yemisi Suswam looks as Governor, Gabriel Suswam presents certificate to a graduand of the Sev-av skills acquisition centre

This may be premised on the belief that uplifting the living standards of the women affords them the opportunity to effectively play their roles as mothers of the society. When translated, the SEVAV foundation means a new dawn and is the machinery through which she gives meaning to the lives of the Benue people especially widows and orphans.

Unlike other pet projects which may fizzle out with their founders' departure from the Government House, the Founder/ Initiator of this foundation, Mrs. Suswam plans to make the project which came into effect on January 16, 2008, something more enduring. She plans to carry it into the future long after her husband may have exited the corridors of power.

In some of its welfare activities, Sevav Foundation has so far donated over 100 wheel chairs to disabled women across the length and breadth of the state.

The foundation has since its inception, donated drugs for the treatment of HIV/ AIDS and malaria worth millions of naira to the 23 Local Government areas of the state and also charged caretaker chairmen to take the campaign against HIV/AIDS seriously as government alone could not eradicate the epidemic and also periodically distributes anti-malaria and HIV/AIDS drugs.

But the financial cost of executing charitable works can be quite enormous since the organizations are not profitoriented. This makes their operators to go seeking for financial assistance and collaboration from wealthy individuals and organizations.

Currently, Mrs. Suswam is soliciting for assistance for her project to further curb the HIV pandemic. "We are in dire need of CD4 Count Machines at out treatment sites in order to help us provide better services and treatment to the infected. That is why we are calling on public spirited individuals and corporate organisations to come to our aid by donating these machines to us because the cost of procuring one is way beyond the reach of Sev-Av Foundation", she said in a recent event.

Since the project started, report from the health ministry shows that the HIV problem in tha state has reduced notably reduced. Critics link this to series of campaigns; reach out programmes and the establishment of specialised clinics for those infected. In spite of these laudable efforts, there is still room for more inputs into the lives of the people.

In December, 2011, Mrs. Suswam held

the fifth edition of 'Celebrate Benue Woman' which is also her brain child. High point of the event was the distribution of ambulances donated by the nation's First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan In appreciation for her steadfastness in ensuring better life for women in Benue, the women in the state on January 20, 2012 bestowed on her the honour of Mother of Benue which she said was a call for her to do more.

The charitable projects of the wives of our leaders cannot be sustained through legislation, commendable as they are. In most cases, they appear to take a bow out of the doorway with the exit of their matrons but their beneficiaries would gladly have expected that those projects stay on for longer. This brings to mind the need for sustainability of pet projects with all their beneficiaries who linger on long after their benefactors may have left the stage.

“

Unlike other pet projects which may fizzle out with their founders' departure from the Government House, the Founder/Initiator of this foundation, Mrs. Suswam plans to make the project which came into effect on January 16, 2008, something more enduring. She plans to carry it into the future long after her husband may have exited the corridors of power.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 39

International

Spain unveils deep budget cuts S

p a i n 's government has announced $36 billion in new budget cuts, as it attempts to reassure the European Union that it will not need a financial bailout.

The cuts will take the form of a freezing of civil servant wages, ministerial spending cuts and new corporate taxes, announced Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, the country's deputy prime minister, on Friday.

"The ministries will see an average reduction of 16.9 per cent ... there will be adjustments of over 27 billion euros [$36 billion] through revenues and through spending," she said, after she and her cabinet colleagues passed the draft budget at a meeting in Madrid.

"This government will not raise value added tax but is calling for an extra effort within corporate taxes," she said. Overall, government spending cuts will amount to $22.7 billion.

The government has also decided to freeze civil servants' salaries, but to maintain unemployment benefits and

planned pension increases.

Jose Manuel Soria, the country's industry minister, further announced that electricity bills for small consumers will also rise by seven per cent during a quarterly review due in April.

De Santamaria termed the budget proposal severely austere, but essential. The measure is to go to parliament on Tuesday, and is expected to be formally passed in June.

"Spain is going to stop being a problem, especially for the Spanish people but also for the European Union," Luis de Guindos, the economy minister, said as he entered an informal meeting of eurozone colleagues in Copenhagen earlier on Friday.

The passage of the new budget comes a day after a general strike against labour reforms that crippled public transport and industry and brought hundreds of thousands of people out in protest, but fell short of bringing the country to a standstill.

Spanish government estimates put the number of people attending rallies staged across the country at about 800,000.

An estimated 800,000 people participated in a general strike on Thursday to protest new labour laws [GALLO/GETTY]

Israeli forces clash with Palestinians on Land Day Mali coup leader appeals s r a e l i security forces fired city Ramallah, a short distance mostly passed quietly, but Israel for help to fight rebels rubber bullets, tear gas and from Jerusalem. decided to reinforce its defences

I

stun grenades to break up groups of Palestinian stonethrowers on Friday as annual Land Day rallies turned violent.

Medics in the Gaza Strip said the Israelis also used live fire to prevent protesters from nearing the frontier wall, seriously wounding one man.

Palestinian activists have called for a ``Global March to Jerusalem'' to mark the day when Israeli Arabs protest against government policies that they say has stripped them of land.

Israeli forces were put on high alert at frontier crossings with Lebanon and Syria, but there were no reports of anyone nearing the border fences, unlike last year when several demonstrators were killed in separate protests.

However, violence flared at checkpoints in the occupied West Bank to the north and south of Jerusalem.

Witnesses also reported disturbances at gates leading into the Old City, with police limiting access to the Muslims' revered alAqsa Mosque.

A Reuters reporter saw two men being carried away injured after scuffles at Jerusalem's Lions' Gate, while police said they had made five arrests at the Damascus Gate.

Jerusalem is a focal point of conflict, as Palestinians want the city's eastern sector, captured by Israel in a 1967 war, as capital of a future state.

Israel has annexed East Jerusalem as part of its capital and insists the city remain united. ``We are determined to march together toward Jerusalem, and hopefully we will break through and reach it,''said a masked youth, calling himself Rimawi, as he faced off against soldiers in the West Bank

Flag-waving crowds neared the Qalandiya crossing out of Ramallah, some of them hurling stones at the security forces, but were forced back when border police sprayed them with foul smelling liquid from a water cannon.

There were also confrontations in Bethlehem, where Palestinians hurled petrol bombs at an Israeli watchtower.

Land Day commemorates the killing by security forces of six Arabs in 1976 during protests against government plans to confiscate land in northern Israel's Galilee region.

Previous remembrances have

following deadly clashes along the Lebanese and Syrian borders in May that appeared to catch the military off guard.

Palestinian organisers called for peaceful rallies against ``the policies and practices of the racist Zionist state'' and said solidarity protests were planned in some 80 nations. ``When crowds from 80 countries move towards Jerusalem, they send a strong message to the Israeli occupation that no one can accept what they are doing in Jerusalem,''said Ismail Haniyeh, the Gaza leader of the Islamic group Hamas.

M

ali's junta leader appealed on Friday for foreign help to secure the West African country against a separatist Tuareg uprising after the rebels entered the strategic northern town of Kidal.

The country is an indirect victim of last year's conflict in Libya, from where weapons spilled out and bolstered a northern rebellion.

The coup was led by soldiers who complain the government has not given them adequate means to fight off the uprising.

The call by Capt. Amadou Sanogo, who seized power last week during an army mutiny, came a day after Mali's neighbours gave

Hong Kong's billionaire brothers arrested

T

he brothers behind Hong Kong's largest property developer have been arrested on suspicion of corruption, the company has confirmed.

Brothers Raymond and Thomas Kwok, who serve as co-chairmen and managing directors of Sun Hung Kai Properties, were detained on Friday

by anti-corruption investigators over alleged bribery offences.

A company statement said the Kwoks would continue with their duties, and that normal business operations would not be affected.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), which did not confirm the identity of the

The commission said the Kwok brothers were arrested for committing crimes under the bribery ordinance[Reuters]

suspects, also said it had arrested a former senior govenment official.

The South China Morning Post newspaper identified him as former chief secretary Rafael Hui, who had worked as a special adviser to Sun Hung Kai. On its website, the ICAC said the arrests were linked to "alleged offences under the prevention of bribery ordinance and misconduct in public office".

"Two senior executives of a listed company in Hong Kong and a former principal official of the Hong Kong Government have been arrested for suspected corruption," it said in a statement.

Gary Plowman, a former government prosecutor, said he had been to the ICAC and was representing one of the arrested parties whom he declined to identify.

"Nobody has been charged," Plowman said. "We react, we're not proactive. We are reactive in these situations," he said.

him 72 hours to hand back power to civilians, an ultimatum he did not directly address in a short statement.

“Our army needs the help of Mali's friends to save the civilian population and Mali's territorial integrity,''Sanogo told a news conference at the army barracks just outside the capital Bamako now serving as the country's presidency.

The rebels, who began fighting for an independent north in January, have seized on the confusion caused by last week's coup to prepare offensives on the three regional centres in Mali's remote north.

In their most important victory so far, rebel forces entered Kidal early on Friday after soldiers abandoned one of the two local military camps there, military and diplomatic sources told Reuters.

“Ansar Edine (rebel) forces are entering from the south. The military has left," a diplomat in touch with civilians in the area said, requesting not to be named.

A military source in Kidal told Reuters the soldiers abandoned their positions in one camp so as to coordinate a counter-offensive.

Kidal residents said the besieged town had come under heavy weapons fire from rebels on Thursday.

“The rebels are going around town, telling people to go about their businesses as usual.

“They are all armed in pickup vehicles. Women uttered cries of joy to greet them at the airport," said Kidal resident Moussa Maiga by phone.

Ironically, the mutiny was sparked by army anger that the government had not provided it with adequate weapons to combat northern rebels bolstered by arms that leaked out of Libya during last year's conflict.

PAGE 40

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Wellness Zone

Phyllis Ogo Ogah phyllisogoogah@gmail.com +234 80 58425746 (sms) only

Curiosity to learn keeps the mind intellectually stimulated

H

e l l o once again,this weeks article will be telling us how to sharpen our intellect and keep the spark alive.

The intellectual dimension of wellness encourages creative, stimulating mental activities.

This segment of wellness is evidenced by self-directed behavior, which includes continuous acquisition, development, creative application, and articulation of critical thinking and expressive/ intuitive skills and abilities focused on the achievement of a more satisfying existence. It is also evidenced by a demonstrated commitment to life long learning.

It can further be described as a segment of wellness that is centered on learning and keeping the mind engaged in stimulating activities. It is about having a curiosity and strong desire to learn and keeping the mind

stimulated with new ideas for development. It is the ability to engage in clear thinking and recall, and to think independently, creatively, and critically.

Any activity that expands your mind is geared toward this area of wellness. Learning new languages, reading, pursuing hobbies, going to museums, problem solving, puzzles, and creating art are all activities that support brain development.

An intellectually well person strives to exercise their mind and has a natural interest learning and problem solving. He also eats foods that promote brain health as they seek to improve their cognitive abilities.

By keeping the mind active you can avoid age-related degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and enjoy a higher level of satisfaction in life. You'll actively strive to expand and

Top 10 best brain foods Salmon; An excellent source of Omega-3 that protects the brain and protects it from Alzheimer's and other age-related cognitive disorders.

Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids lessen the effects of bi-polar disorder and depression Flax seeds; Packed full of ALA, flax seeds contain healthy fats that aid the cerebral cortex in functioning better. The cerebral cortex plays a key role in memory, attention, perceptual awareness, thought, language, and consciousness.

Blueberries; They are known to boost your memory, motor skills, balance and are rich in free radical fighting antioxidants.

Gingko Biloba; It works by increasing oxygen and blood flow to the brain, regulates neurotransmitters, alertness, and decreasing mental fatigue.

Organic Egg yolks; they are rich in choline which aids in improving your memory.

Cofeee; It Contains antioxidants which are good for the brain. Regulated coffee drinking has been linked to reduce risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia.

Chocolate; they are full of antioxidants and improve focus and concentration.

Walnuts; A Âź cup of walnuts contain 91% of your daily value of b rain boosting Omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain magnese, which is a component of antioxidant enzyme manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Low levels of magnese contribute to an increase in seizures.

Whole grains; brown rice, quinoa, and oats improve circulation and essential B vitamins that protect the brain.

Legumes; they are rich in vitamin B5 which assist the brain in the transmission of nerve cells. They also contain vitamin B6, which helps convert tryptophan into serotonin, an important neurotransmitter.

Salmon is rich in Omega 3 which plays an important role in maintaining brain health.

challenge your mind with creative endeavors. Traveling a wellness path, intellectually, you'll, explore issues related to problem solving, creativity, and learning. You'll spend more time appreciating and thinking about the scenery along the path-pursuing interests, reading books, magazines, and newspapers, You'll discover a natural interest in keeping abreast of current issues and ideas. As you develop your intellectual wellness curiosity, you'll actively strive to expand and challenge your mind with creative endeavors. On your path, you'll begin to see problems and challenges not as stumbling blocks but stepping stones to greater heights As you travel the wellness path, you'll begin to believe that -

Problem solving and puzzles are activities that stimulate development of the brain intellectually.

It's better to stretch and challenge our minds with Always = 2 points intellectual and creative pursuits Occasionally = 1 point than to become self-satisfied and Seldom = 0 Points unproductive.

1. I am interested in learning new things.

It's better to identify potential 2. I try to keep abreast of current affairs . problems and choose appropriate 3. I enjoy attending lectures, plays, musical performances, museums, courses of action based on galleries, and/or libraries. available information.

4. I carefully select movies and television programs.

5. I enjoy mentally stimulating activities.

6. I eat brainpower boosting foods.

7. I am aware of age-related degenerative diseases.

8. I am aware and partake in activities that reduce my chance of getting Don't waste mental energy Alzheimer's disease. brooding over past events or 9. I enjoy intellectually stimulating discussions.

10. I make an effort to improve my verbal and written skills. worrying about the future.

Total Score Live a day at a time and do a 15 to 20 - Excellent job at a time.

9 to 14 - medium Keep moving.

0 to 8 - poor

Assessment

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 41

Weekend Keshi calls up NPL top scorer, Babadidi, Agbim, 23 others to Eagles camp Stories by Patrick Andrew

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eading goal poacher in the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Mustapha Babadidi of Gombe United along with the skipper of the domestic league Eagles goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, have called to camp ahead of next month’s international friendly match with African Cup of Nations record-winners, Egypt, in Abu Dhabi.

Babadidi, who claimed to have scored 10 goals as against nine recorded against his name by the NPL will hit the Abuja base of the Eagles to contest for shirts.

The player, whose invitation to the Golden Eaglets’ camp generated public outburst because he claimed to be 15 years, is one of the six new home-based players call up by Stephen Keshi. The other new call ups are Shehu Maija’ma, Uzochukwu Ogonna, Jabason Solomon, Hassan Hussein, and Nura Mohammed There are three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 15 midfielders and forwards in all.

Other prominent names are defenders Godfrey Oboabona and Azubuike Egwueke, who played the entire duration of last month’s 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda in Kigali; midfielder Reuben Gabriel who came in as substitute and playmaker Ejike Uzoenyi, who dazzled endlessly against Rwanda and was voted Most Valuable Player.

Players and officials are expected at the Bolton White Apartments, Zone 7, Abuja on Monday, 2nd April before 1pm, with their international passports.

Members of the Faconets celebrating after securing final tickets two years ago in Germany.

In Abeokuta today, their successors will be hoping for a repeat of this.

FIFA U-20 World Cup Qualifier: Falconets take war dance to Young Mighty Warriors

T

he Falconets almost went all the way in Germany two years ago but for the

THE FULL LIST: Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Okemute Odah (Sharks FC), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC) Defenders: Juwon Oshaniwa (Sharks FC), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Azubuike Egwueke (Warri Wolves), Papa Idris (Kano Pillars), Ahmed Adesope (3SC), Shehu Maija’ma (Wikki Tourists), Uzochukwu Ogonna (Enugu Rangers), Nura Mohammed (Enyimba FC) Midfielders/Forwards: Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC), Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Heartland FC), Izu Azuka (Sunshine Stars), Uche Kalu (Enyimba FC), Uche Ossai (Warri Wolves), Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars), Forward: Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Sunday Mba (Warri Wolves), Henry Uche (Enyimba FC), Barnabas Imenger Jnr (Kwara United), Mustapha Babadidi (Gombe United), Jabason Solomon (Akwa United), Hassan Hussein (Dolphins FC), Gbolahan Salami (Enyimba FC), Lawal Mohammed (Ranch Bees)

superior fire power of the hosts in what has remained the best performance from any Nigeria U20 women team till date. Today in Abeokuta, Ogun State, South West Nigeria, the Falconets will kick start yet another war dance with Japan in view.

They host the Young Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe in the first leg of the second round qualifiers confident of laying the wreaths for Zimbabwe to make the return leg a formality.

Zimbabwe qualified for the second round with a 7-0 goals aggregate over new comers, Mozambique. They had won the first leg 4-0, which was played in Harare and completed the rout in the return leg in Maputo with a 30 victory.

The Falconets on the other hand drew a bye following the

Cristiano Ronaldo in chase of Real Madrid legends Page 43

withdrawal of Sierra Leone in the first round, but boost enough venom to justify their rating as Africa’s best in the U-20 category.

Parading seven members of the squad that got to the final in Germany but narrowly missed a sip from the prestigious trophy, the Falconets are not only replete with experience but talents and zest which they hope to translate into telling action against their opponents today.

Falconets’ Chief Coach, Edwin Okon, has assured Nigerians that his team will win today’s encounter and has drawn confidence from the Flamingoes who trounced their Zambian counterparts 7-1 on aggregate to berth Azerbaijan for September’s FIFA U-17 World Cup. Two years ago, Zimbabwe crashed out to Nigeria in the same

competition. In fact, they conceded 10 goals. Emmaculate Msipa played in that match and believes they have come a long way and have what it takes to give Nigeria bloody nose.

Elsewhere, South Africa entertain Ghana, while Kenya take the stage against Tunisia in Nairobi. The fixture between Mali and DR Congo scheduled for Bamako has been moved to next weekend with the return leg set for weekend of 20-22nd April in DR Congo.

The winner between Nigeria and Zimbabwe will take on the winner of the Mali versus DR Congo duel.

Ghana will guide against loosing for the second time to South Africa having lost in the U-17 to them a forthnight ago

FIFA proposes governance overhaul, creates $100m to insure players Page 42

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 42

Chisora wants licence, may fight Haye

40 FCT clubs begin chase of Federation Cup slots

By Albert Akota

F

Z

imbabwean born British boxer, Dereck Chisora, has appealed against the withdrawal of his boxing licence.

And if he succeeds, he may get to fight David Haye, the other British heavyweight who was involved in the brawl that cost Chisora his licence.

Chisora’s promoter, Frank Warren, said in London on Thursday an appealed had been lodged.

If Chisora gets his licence back, Warren expects his fighter and former WBA champion Haye to meet in the ring. “I do see the fight happening. It’s the proper forum for them to settle their differences. There’s lot for them to fight about in a proper environment,” Warren said.

Dereck Chisora and David Haye in face to face confrontatino that to led their brawal in Germany The 28-year-old Chisora was stripped of his licence indefinitely after a four-hour British Boxing Board of Control hearing.

The disciplinary action followed the brawl at a news conference in Germany, soon after Zimbabwe-born Chisora had lost a WBC title fight against Vitali Klitschko last month.

Warren said on Thursday: “The appeal has gone in already. The grounds for the

appeal are that we’re not satisfied with the way the hearing went.”

The board members were also unimpressed by Chisora slapping Klitschko at the prefight weigh-in and spitting water at his opponent’s brother, Wladimir, before the fight.

Haye has retired and does not need a licence unless he makes a comeback. He could also face criminal charges if he returns to Germany, where

police officers were eager to interview him.

Chisora was questioned by Munich police after the scuffle with Haye.

The BBBC ruled that Chisora “is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.” But Warren is disputing the findings.

Haye is still to be questioned

by German police and is likely to face several obstacles if he were to come out of retirement and apply for a licence.

FIFA proposes governance overhaul, creates $100m to insure players

F

ootball governing body FIFA announced on Friday an overhaul of its governance structure, in a bid to avoid a repeat of the massive corruption scandal that hit the organisation in 2011.

Under proposed reforms, its ethics committee would be split into two chambers, an arm which would investigate allegations and another which would adjudicate, said FIFA chief Sepp Blatter after a meeting of the executive

committee.

The ethics committee would also act as a nomination unit by screening candidates for any office bearer positions in FIFA. The reforms would be put to FIFA’s 2012 Congress to be held in Budapest on May 24 and 25, during which two chairmen would be named to head the new entities.

In July 2011, Asian football supremo Mohamed bin Hammam was banned from the game for life after being found guilty of corruption.

The 62-year-old Qatari, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), had been

accused of trying to buy votes in the FIFA presidential election with $40,000 cash gifts to Caribbean football officials.

A slew of Caribbean football officials were also later sanctioned in connection to the case.

Meanwhile, FIFA on Friday also agreed to admit new members directly rather than waiting for two years, a move which would facilitate the joining of fledgling state South Sudan.

Meanwhile, FIFA is setting aside $100 million to insure the salaries of all players against injury on official national team duty.

FIFA says the policy should take effect on Sept. 1, and will cover all matches played on FIFA international calendar dates. European clubs have long campaigned for help to pay the salaries of their injured international players.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter acknowledges that “perhaps we should have done so a long time ago.” FIFA’s 208 member nations must approve the policy in May. UEFA has pledged to insure players at the European Championship in June and July, before FIFA is scheduled to take responsibility for a worldwide policy.

orty club sides will participate in the 2012 edition of the FCT Federation Cup billed to kick off this week at various venues according to the secretary of the FA, Ibrahim Abdullahi, He said that registered clubs are advised to visit the association’s secretariat at the Old Parade Ground for their match fixtures.

Abdulahi said that the final of the competition will come up on April 29 as directed by the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) while the winner will represent the Territory in the Federation Cup. Further, he said that logistics are in placed to ensure crow control adding that adequate security personnel will be at the various centres to instil order throughout the tournament.

“We don’t want to register too much clubs because we want to maintain orderliness as against the past stressing that they hope to produce teams that will give the FCT effective representation during the national tournament.

“One of our targets is to catch them young and we focusing on grassroots development where you can really get the players that will do us proud, “he said.

The registered clubs for the FCT confederation cup are, NAF FC, immigration FC, standard FC, supreme FC Julius Berger FC, Rhapsody FC, Golden national FC, NYSC FC, Emirate Stars FC, Optimum FC, Prison FC, Team Initiatives FC , FCT united, FRSC FC, DOTS FC, Police Machine FC, City Rollers FC, Super Stars FC, Dara FC, Young Strikers FC, VON FC, FC Port, Rivers Plate FC, Winners FC, MFM FC, AT ans T FC, Sabongari FC, Waco Boys FC, Abuja united FC, COA FC, Setraco FC, Medical Strikers FC, Teap FC, Ubale united FC, Diamond Stars FC, Utako FC, AMAC FC, Maracana FC, Byazhin FC and FC Abuja.

London 2012 qualifiers: Ping pongers’ coach pleas for divine favour

T Sepp Blatter

he national table tennis coach, Nasiru Bello, has urged Nigerians to support the nation’s players to the World Team Championships in Germany with prayers as they enter the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Speaking yesterday, Bello said: “at this point in time, all we need is prayers. The teams have been doing well, pitching their strength against top European countries to

reach the quarter-finals.”

The coach, who spoke from Germany, noted that the team needed prayers to ensure that they proceeded to the next stage and eventually qualify for the team event of the London Olympics Bello explained that Nigeria defeated Bulgaria 3-2 in the male category to set up a match against Brazil in the quarter-finals, while the women beat New Zealand 3-2 to advance to the quarter finals,

for a confrontation with Slovenia.

According to the coach, Nigeria has a 50-50 chance of representing the continent in the male or female team event in the Olympics as its other obstacle is Egypt.

Nigeria and Egypt are participating in the ongoing World Table Tennis Championship in Dortmund, Germany, that will see one of the Africans representing the continent in the

team event of the 2012 London Olympics.

Bello said that, in spite of the cold weather in Germany, the players were coping fine and not allowing the weather condition to affect their performance.

The other teams in the quarter-finals are Austria, pitched against China; and Sweden against Germany.

The championships will end on April 1.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 43

Cristiano Ronaldo in chase of Real Madrid legends T

here is palpable war raging not just between himself and Lionel Messi over who’s the best goal poacher in the La Liga but also with the established legends of Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Man United wing forward who won everything there was to be won in England before moving on for greater challenges in Spain, desires nothing but the replication of his achievements while with the English Premiership. He wants a well decorated silver wares chest and even look to out-collect trophies from the most reveled Real Madrid legend..

Already, with 131 goals in 131 games, Ronaldo is now up to 10th on the all-time list of Real Madrid goalscorers.

But he’s quite uncomfortable with that position and clearly wants nothing but the top spot.

That possibility seems attainable considering that he has only been with Real Madrid, the current leaderships in the usual two-horse war with as much as six points difference against their archrivals Barcelona, for about four seasons.

Again, if the length of time the legends featured for Real are put placed side by side with that Ronaldo, it would seem quite safe to place a bet on the possibility of Portuguese indeed edging some of the legends down the slope.

It should be noted that none of the legends spent less than eight seasons something that is most unlikely for Ronaldo in spite of having the age on his side being just 27 years with the likelihood of three to four more seasons before he calls it quit.

However, going by the current trend that has been perfected by Arsenal and which bug is voraciously infecting the top clubs, it would be out of tune with the trend to have ‘old men’ in their fold.

The vogue now is to recruit teenagers and stir them to the top brass until they attend the mid 20s when they would be considered ‘quite old’ and due for retirement.

Ronaldo may hardly be useful to Real Madrid after two more seasons and if he retains his prolific form should be lucky to hit in any number of between 100 to 130 goals in all competitions. Still Ronaldo is Real’s rave of the moment, the shining star and hopes to sustain his twinkling for as long as the uncertainty of the game permits him.

Further, unlike several others who were blighted by injuries during their heydays with the club, Ronaldo has been quite lucky and thus relatively injury free and so can boast of plenty of uninhibited action throughout the season or seasons. So making a prediction that he stands to surpass not a few legends in Real Madrid’s history book, in all ramifications is okay and may be indubitable.

First he was CR9, then he was CR7.

But much more significantly, Cristiano Ronaldo is now No. 10 in the all-time list of the greatest goalscorers in the glorious history of Real Madrid.

still to play for the Portuguese in the current campaign.

Should, as seems certain, Ronaldo remain at the Bernabeu next season, a similar goals return would see him move up to sixth in the club’s all-time list, surpassing such superstars as Emilio Butragueno, Paco Gento, Pirri and Amancio.

After that, the next target will be the 200-goal mark, which looks just out of reach for next term unless he can improve his phenomenal strike rate even further in 2012-13, and in the remainder of the current campaign.

In the top five, some of the real Real Madrid greats await, with Hugo Sanchez (208), Ferenc Puskas (238), Santillana (290), Alfredo Di Stefano (308) and Raul (323) making up a starstudded list of legendary marksmen.

But Cristiano is catching up to them fast and at his current goal-per-game rate, he may just eclipse them all.

Cristiano Ronaldo

THE TOP 10 GOALSCORERS FOR REAL MADRID PLAYER PERIOD GOALS Raul Gonzalez 1994-2010 323 Alfredo Di Stefano 1953-1964 308 Santillana 1971-1988 290 Ferenc Puskas 1958-1966 238 Hugo Sanchez 1985-1992 208 Francisco Gento 1953-1971 179 Pirri 1964-1980 171 Emilio Butragueno 1984-1995 171 Amancio 1962-1976 155 Cristiano Ronaldo 2009131 Ronaldo’s double in the 5-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday saw the Portuguese reach 100 Liga strikes in just 92 games, breaking a club record held by the great Ferenc Puskas since the 1960s and setting a new Primera Division mark in the process.The former Manchester United forward’s first strike against the Basque outfit saw

him reach that century, while his second took him to 101 league goals and moved the 27-year-old above former Spain star Michel and into 10th place in the list of Madrid’s top goalscorers in all competitions.

Ronaldo now has 131 goals in 131 official games for the Spanish side, having netted 33 in 35 in his first season, 53 in 54 last term and 45 in 42 so far in 2011-12. And he’s not finished yet as there are up to 14 more games

C

Raul Gonzales

Emilio Butragueno

About Ronaldo

ristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro commonly knwon as Cristiano Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985. Right wing player for nine times UEFA Champions League winners, Real Madrid is became the most expensive player in football history after moving from Manchester United to Real Madrid in a deal worth £80 million (•94 million).

He earns •12 million per year which makes him one of the highestpaid football players in the world and his buyout clause is valued at •1000 million (•1 billion, in English usage).

Ronaldo was the first player to win all four main PFA and FWA awards, doing so in 2007. He was third in the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year award and second in the plus the Ballon d’Or award same year.

The following year, he won the UEFA Champions League with United and was named the best forward and player of the tournament. Ronaldo also won the top scorer’s award plus the Golden Shoe that year, thus becoming the first winger to do so. Don’t forget he equally got the Premier League Golden Boot award.

He won three of the four main PFA and FWA trophies, only missing the PFA Young Player of the Year and was named the FIFPro, World Soccer, and the FIFA World PLayer of the Year.

He became Manchester United’s first Ballon d’ Or winner in 40 years and holds the distinction of being the first player to win the FIFA Puskas Award, in 2009, an honour handed

by FIFA to the best goal of the year.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 31, MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 44

FIFA orders clubs to release players for Olympics S

occer’s governing body FIFA has ordered clubs to release Under-23 players called up by their national teams for the Olympic Games soccer tournament.

The move, approved by FIFA’s

executive committee on Friday, is potentially controversial as the competition is not part of the international match calendar.

“The executive decided that the release of under-23 players by the

clubs shall be compulsory,” FIFA said in a statement.

The 2008 Olympic soccer tournament was marked by a tugof-war between Barcelona and Argentina over the release of Lionel

Messi, which went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

CAS ruled in Barcelona’s favour but the Catalan club then decided to release him in any case.

The Olympic soccer

Real continue title pursuit against Osasuna

H

aving steadied the ship following two consecutive draws with commanding wins in La Liga and in Europe, Real Madrid begin a crucial run of games with a tricky trip to Pamplona to face Osasuna today.

After Barcelona beat Sevilla a fortnight ago, Barca coach Pep Guardiola declared that there was no way his side could beat Madrid to the league title.

But then two late free-kicks from Santi Cazorla and Marcos Senna, for Malaga and Villarreal respectively, saw their sides draw against an increasingly nervy Real.

A sense of trepidation at the Bernabeu was eased by a 5-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad and then, in mid-week, Karim Benzema hit his second brace in a matter of days as Jose Mourinho’s side took a big step towards qualifying for the Champions League semifinals with a 3-0 away victory over Apoel in Cyprus.

The gap at the top is six points but Real have some big games ahead of them, with the visit to sixth-placed Osasuna coming before a home clash with Valencia, the Madrid derby with Atletico and the Clasico away to Barcelona.

Pamplona is traditionally a

into their home clash against Athletic Bilbao in fine form, with Lionel Messi leading the way with 12 goals from his last six games.

They have won their previous seven games in the league although they were held to a 0-0 draw away to AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Athletic have had an excellent season under Marcelo Bielsa but their league form has suffered recently due to the demands of an impressive run in the Europa League which includes the defeat of Manchester United.

They are going to be further Kaka Javier

tough place to visit, and Osasuna inflicted a damaging 1-0 defeat on Madrid there last season.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side have also been one of the surprise packages of this campaign and have lost just once in their last nine games, a run which included a 3-2 home win against Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Barcelona come

hampered as the match at the Camp Nou comes only 48 hours after their Europa League quarterfinal first-leg clash with Schalke 04 in Germany.

Only a few weeks ago Valencia looked fairly secure in third place but the race for the final automatic Champions League qualifying spot has really opened up in the wake of back-to-back defeats for Unai Emery’s side and they are now level on 47 points with Malaga.

Valencia, who are another of Spain’s representatives in the quarterfinals of the Europa League, face a tough local derby against Levante on Sunday while Malaga are at home to Real Betis.

Espanyol will hope to become the first team to beat Villarreal since Miguel Angel Lotina - a former Espanyol coach - took charge of the Yellow Submarine, while there is a Madrid derby between Atletico and Getafe and Sevilla entertain Mallorca.

At the foot of the table Zaragoza take on Sporting Gijon looking for a third win on the bounce and Racing Santander play Granada, while elsewhere Real Sociedad are in action against Rayo Vallecano.

WAUG begins today, as 41 universities accredited for Games

T

he 13th West Africa University Games (WAUG) holding at the University of Ilorin will be officially declared open today even as 41 participating universities have been confirmed accredited for the Games.

Mr Bola Orodele, a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), however, he said others were still being expected to arrive and added that the Senegalese contingent was already in Nigeria.

‘We are hopeful that we can have more, even though what we have now is already a record in WAUG history.

We have a record number of 41 participating universities,’’ Orodele said.

The official, who is also the Secretary of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA), said that the accredited universities were from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Republic of Benin and hosts, Nigeria.

“We have four universities from Burkina Faso, two from Benin and two from Ghana — Cape Town and Legon — while the rest 33 are from

Nigeria,’’ he said.

Olorede said that the bulk of regular WAUG participants was usually from Nigeria, which has 117 universities and Ghana, which has six.

“Countries like Burkina Faso and Senegal have four universities each, and Benin has two, while the rest are with one each here and there.

“But regarding those we are expecting, we have the bulk of them already here and we are set to start the competition as soon as the accreditation formalities are concluded and the fixtures drawn.’’

Orodele, however, said that the late arrival of participants resulted in the late fixtures and the noncommencement of competition so far.

“There was no way we could have started the competition as earlier planned, with most of the participants not here. We can only make the fixtures after we have had most of them on ground and we have words about when the others will arrive.’’

The LOC official, however, gave the assurance that competition would

start in many events on Saturday.

“We are hopeful of starting many competitions on Saturday. Already we have many of the participants around and we have started putting perfection to plans for the competition.’’

The 13thWAUG, which got underway with the arrival of

participants on Tuesday, is expected to be officially declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday, March 31.

The games holding at the University of Ilorin Sports Complex will come to an end on Friday, April 6.

...As organisers face football pitches problem

T

he organisers of the 13 th West African Universities Games (WAUG) are now faced with shortage of football pitches after the Kwara Football Academy turned down their request for use its venue.

The competition being hosted by the University of Ilorin formally begins today with more than 3,000 athletes from 100 universities participating.

Prof. Albert Olayemi, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the event said in Ilorin that they had requested to use four of the pitches in the academy, but regretted that only

two venues were granted.

He said that other facilities were ready with arrangement to use a few in the Kwara Sporting Complex.

“In the LOC meeting that has just ended, the issue of number of football pitches was discussed.

We wanted to use four of their pitches, but now, they are giving us two. We are still talking and probably we will be able to use all the four or use pitches elsewhere.’’

He explained that the request for four pitches was to shorten the number of days for the football competition.

tournament, which clashes with the European pre-season, is restricted to under-23 players although each team can field upto three overage players.

The soccer tournament at London 2012 kicks off the competitive action at the Olympics on July 25.

Weekend fixtures NPL Kwara Utd vs Rising Stars Tornadoes vs Lobi Stars Dolphins vs Pillars Sunday ABS vs Golden Stars Rangers vs 3SC Heartland vs Sharks Enyimba vs Akwa Utd Sunshine vs Warri Wolves Kaduna Utd vs Ocean Boys GombeUtd vs Wikki EPL Aston Villa vs. Chelsea Everton vs. West Brom Fulham vs. Norwich Man City vs. Sunderland QPR vs. Arsenal Wigan vs. Stoke Wolves vs. Bolton Sunday Newcastle vs. Liverpool Tottenham vs. Swansea La Liga Santander v Granada Sporting v Zaragoza Osasuna v Real Madrid Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao Malaga v Real Betis Italy Serie A Catania vs. AC Milan Parma vs. Lazio Sunday Roma vs. Novara Cagliari vs. Atalanta Lecce vs. Cesena Fiorentina vs. Chievo Inter Milan vs. Genoa Bologna vs. Palermo Siena vs. Udinese Juventus vs. Napoli French Ligue 1 Auxerre vs. Valencia Bordeaux vs. Dijon Lorient vs. Evian TG St Etienne vs. Nice Sochaux vs. Brest AS Nancy vs. PSG Sunday Caen vs. AC Ajaccio Lille vs. Toulouse Rennes vs. Lyon German Bundesliga Augsburg vs. Cologne Leverkusen vs. SC Freiburg Kaiserslautern vs. Hamburg Nurnberg vs.

Bayern Munich Werder vs. Mainz Hertha Berlin vs. Wolfsburg Sunday Hannover 96 vs. B/M’gladbach Hoffenheim vs. Schalke 04

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND, SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

PAGE 45

Understanding football rules

Linesman picks out offise position

Football has many rules and fans always engage in arguments on why referees grant certain infringements during matches.

Compiled by Richard Ihediwa with other sports reports

T

he rules of the game are set down by soccer’s world governing body, FIFA. The association’s official handbook is a 140-page document, which includes detailed discussion of every foul, infraction, and regulation in the game.

Here is a summary of the different infractions that will lead the referee to blow the whistle, stop play, and possibly take disciplinary action, as worded by FIFA. Direct free kick A direct free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a player commits any of the following six offenses in a

A referee awarding a penality manner considered by the referee to be careless, reckless or using excessive force: ·Kicks or attempts to kick an opponent ·Trips or attempts to trip an opponent · Jumps at an opponent ·Charges an opponent ·Strikes or attempts to strike an opponent ·Pushes an opponent ·Tackles an opponent to gain possession of the ball, making contact with the

opponent before touching the ball ·Holds an opponent ·Spits at an opponent ·Handles the ball deliberately (except for the goalkeeper within his own penalty area)

Penalty Kick A penalty kick is awarded if any of the above ten offences is committed by a player inside his own penalty area, irrespective of the position of the ball, provided it is in play.

One player may then take a free shot at goal (defended only by the goalkeeper standing on the goal line) from the penalty spot, located 12 yards away.

Yellow and Red Cards After awarding a free kick or penalty kick, a referee may take further disciplinary action against a player by showing him a yellow or red card.

Yellow Cards A player is cautioned and shown the yellow card if he commits any of the following seven offences: · is guilty of unsporting behaviour · shows dissent by word or action ·persistently infringes the Laws of the Game ·delays the restart of play · fails to respect the required distance when play is restarted with a corner kick or free kick ·enters or re-enters the field of play without the referee’s permission ·deliberately leaves the field of play without the referee’s permission Red Cards A player is sent off and shown the red card if he commits any of the following seven offences: · is guilty of serious foul play · is guilty of violent conduct · spits at an opponent or any other person · denies an opponent a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area) · denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player’s goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick · uses offensive, insulting or abusive language · receives a second caution in the same match

Indirect free kick An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team if a goalkeeper, inside his own penalty area, commits any of the following offences: · Takes more than four steps while controlling the ball with his hands, before releasing it from his possession ·Touches the ball again with his hands after it has been released from h i s possession and has not touched any other player ·Touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a teammate ·Touches the ball with his hands after he has received it directly from a throw-in taken by a team-mate An indirect free kick is also awarded to the opposing team if a player, in the opinion of the referee, commits any of the following three offences: ·Plays in a dangerous manner ·Impedes the progress of an opponent ·Prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from his hands ·Commits any other offence, not previously mentioned, for which play is stopped to caution or dismiss a player

Yellow peril: A referee issuing a yellow card for infringement

PAGE 46

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

Democracy Watch From the Villa

From the National Assembly

An agenda without blueprint Vehicle levies: FRSC,

T

o start with, has anyone seen a wellwritten piece of literature or document that explains what the present Federal Government intends to achieve with its much talked about transformation agenda? Does the document list the basic issues that trouble the country today?

And is each identified challenge followed with a well articulated, clear cut and time- bound panacea?

How did President Goodluck Jonathan's strategists come about the mantra and in what specific ways does the content intend to transform the things that are wrong in this country?

Before I proceed, let me confess that I am not easily carried away by agenda of governments because the ones we have had in the past were mere paper talk than really. I can conveniently call them paper talk because we saw the paper and at the end of the day, since they didn't deliver according to promise, they were all rated poorly.

I don't know if members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other top government officials have seen the document but the way they rush to make reference to 'President Jonathan's transformation agenda' at every occasion really make the whole thing look less serious; just the way all Federal Government funtionaries were always mouthing the 7 point agenda when Late Umaru Musa Yar'adua was in charge.

Then, some state governors even proclaimed their own 10 point agenda, 11 point and even 50 points just to demonstrate their 'loyalty' to the President.

Now, If you hear Aganga, Okonjo- Iweala, Labaran Maku or any minister speak at any event, they mention 'transformation agenda of Mr. President' in almost every paragraph even

THRILLER FROM THE VILLA

By Abdulrahman Abdulraheem kingatoldtrafford@gmail.com 08098639161 when the occasion is less about that.

While representing President Goodluck Jonathan at the Grand Patron’s Dinner of the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) in Abuja on Wednesday, Vice President Namadi Sambo, commended the cordial working relationship between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC), saying "it is very vital for our national sports development and conforms with the transformation agenda of this administration."

The problem with all this is that since we don't know the content of the socalled transformation agenda, we can't really do a proper critique of it and we can't judge how successful it has been so far. Thirdly, as far as the content of the transformation agenda is not in public domain, anytime our leaders attend events and claim that every good thing and noble idea is in conformity with the agenda, we won't know if they are deceiving us or not.

Our leading political parties still lack internal democracy and that means they cant give the entire country what they don't have within. The polity is yet to be transformed.

The country still spends huge amount of money on maintaining our over bloated bureacracy while infrastructure suffers. I can not count the number of Nigerians who have

“

Anytime constitutional amendment is proposed, our leaders only touch the areas that serve their narrow political interests but ignore the sections that can solve the problems we have.

perished in avoidable road crashes in recent times just because the roads are not good. We still spend a huge chunk of our budgets in wetting the greedy appetite of our lawmakers, who are not only too much but who also have no business earning the stupendous amount they earn.

Anytime constitutional amendment is proposed, our leaders only touch the areas that serve their narrow political interests but ignore the sections that can solve the problems we have.

Like the sections that insist on having ministers and special advisers from every state. What about the section that provides for some 469 national lawmakers. Anytime our leaders review the earnings of political office holders, instead of reducing them, they increase same. And one doesn't need to wonder why those world class medical facilities in advanced countries which our big men run after are not here.

So, what are we transforming?

I believe we have what it takes to build any world class infrastructure in this country if we can get our priorities right.

Transformation should not be about fuel price increase and other anti-masses policy, it should be about sincere, painstaking and radical reforms that can cut wastage in government circles and ensure investments in the real sector.

The anticorruption crusade needs to be boosted with special courts to hasten up the high profile cases.

People who have soiled their hands, really need to start going to jail before other office holders, civil servants and in fact other Nigerians take government seriously on its anti corruption stance.

I believe there is still plenty of time for the real transformation to start.

Police and the rest of us

By Richard Ihediwa

T

he Senate and the House of Representatives have within the week conducted and concluded the public hearing on the controversial new driver’s license and vehicle number plates introduced by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

The commission and stakeholders including the Police, the VIO, the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and others used the hearings to push forward their positions on the matter.

On the whole, it was clear that the issue bordered more on revenue generation for government agencies and not particularly for enhanced safety for vehicle

comprehensive data system on vehicle owners and drivers which would be useful during emergencies, theft among others.

Though, many in Nigeria believe such was a laudable idea, the main issue has been that of cost and the quarrels of whether such was not beyond the scope of the FRSC. There are insistencies from some quarters that the FRSC was over reaching itself by delving into revenue generation and registration which some critics say is not part of its mandate in the law establishing it.

This is even as the transporters at the hearings argued that the new plate numbers have no security features as claimed by the FRSC and also wondered why the VIO would also charge money for an encoding

Police in charge of ICT, Mr. Abdul-Rahan Akano Police, it will charge N3500 on every vehicle without tinted glasses and N5000 on vehicles tinted glasses.

Akano also averred that the FRSC has no powers to register vehicles adding that the National Road Traffic Regulations, NRTR 2004 empowered the Motor Licensing Authority, MLA to do so.

However evidences shown by the FRSC showed that the Police has no centralised data on vehicles, nor facilities to carry out this or even the electronic database to do this and that the Joint Tax Board had since declared the move by the police as illegal.

Senator were irked by the position of the police and ordered that it jettisons the

system on number plates, which they also argue do not have security features.

As if the complaints by Nigerians over the financial burdens of these levels were not enough, the Police at the hearings unveiled their own plan to force the Electronic Central Motor Registration Registry (ECMR) scheme on Nigerians. Speaking at the Senate hearing, the representative of the Inspector General of Police a Deputy Inspector General of

idea. On the whole, it is evident that the agencies are working at cross purpose, each trying to get it own share of flesh from hapless Nigerians through unending levies.

It behoves the National Assembly and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of Nigerians by ensuring that the processes are streamlined without compromising the need for appropriate data base for emergency and security purposes.

FRSC men at work users in the country.

While the new driver’s license and the new number plates which the FRSC had started issuing before it was stopped by the National Assembly generated a lot of rumpus in the society, the police had already concluded arrangements to impose similar levies on the people.

With the FRSC, the new driver’s license were going for N6,000 while the new number plates cost N25,000 and N40,000.

It was the public outcry against the huge levies that led the National Assembly to direct that the processes be halted until there are clear explanations as to the rationale behind them.

At the hearings, the FRSC Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka insisted that the new license and number plates were to ensure enhanced security since they would be based on certain biometric data that would be captured to ensure a

“

It was the public outcry against the huge levies that led the National Assembly to direct that the processes be halted until there are clear explanations as to the rationale behind them.

PEOPLES DAILY WEEKEND SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1 APRIL, 2012

PAGE 47

From the Pulpit Protecting your heart against satanic invasion W e live in the information age.

So much information is being made available to us through the radio, television, newspapers, magazines and books. There are all kinds of audio and video materials containing all forms of information not to talk of the internet through which one can easily and speedily access diverse resources from different parts of the world. The volume of information both positive and negative that is available and accessible by human beings in contemporary world is unprecedented in human history.

And because it is inexpensive to get and even own the means of accessing the large information being disseminated by all manners of people, it is extremely dangerous and destructive if one is not selective about the kind of information one exposes one's mind to.

Protect Your Heart One of the gates to your heart is your mind, and the Bible says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." (Prov 4:23 NLT) You are largely a product of what you read, watch and listen to. If you feed your mind with dirty information through unwholesome music and literature, your life cannot be better than these pieces of information in computer parlance, "garbage in, garbage out."

Dirty information that you daily allow into your mind will find its way into your heart and defile it.

"And he said, that which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of

men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Mark 7:2023 KJV) It is sad to say that much of the music being produced today in CDs, VCDs, DVDs etc. and being broadcast on radio and television, though popular, leaves much to be desired. It is even sadder that many of the artistes behind the unwholesome music dominating the entertainment world in our society today grew up in the church and many even sang in the church choir in the past where they developed their music skills. But they are now using their music skills to worship satan.

Satan's Discipleship Programme Much more embarrassing is the fact that many church people today patronize this nonsensical and hazardous worldly music either privately or publicly instead of feeding their spirit with anointed messages and inspiring music on tapes, CDs, VCDs, DVDs etc. Many of them know these nonsensical songs more than the Holy Ghost inspired church hymns and worship songs. In fact, some get carried away and hum and sing them in church! What a shame!

Many homes and many minds are living under the siege of the creative works of those whose Godgiven talents satan has hijacked and perverted to corrupt many more lives and disciple them for himself.

Indeed, satan is living true to his name as the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2) because really, he is controlling the air wave at the moment as more popular music with unedifying lyrics are being aired than edifying songs.

Those who read dirty and immoral books and watch and stuff in their minds similar destructive information from music and movies cannot live a spiritually and morally healthy life and their future cannot bring glory to God. What do you expect from someone whose hobby is reading pornographic literature and watching x-rated films? He or she will become sexually perverted and violent. Disgusting words, lyrics and images in immoral publications, music and movies will hold people's minds captive and corrupt them.

I like what God's prophet, A.W.Tozer said. He said, "What can you say about the kinds of books and magazines you read? The things you read will fashion you by slowly conditioning your mind. Little by little, even though you think you are resisting, you will take on the shape of the mind of the author of that book you are reading. You will begin to put your emphasis where he puts his. You will begin to put your values where he places his.

You will find yourself liking what he likes and thinking as he thinks. The same thing is certainly true of the power of modern films on the minds and morals of those who give themselves over to their influences" Did you see that? He said this many years ago but the

GREEN PASTURES

By Pastor T.O. Banso cedarministryintl@yahoo.com GSM: 08033113523 truth is still valid, and will ever be.

Hear him again: "It is not overstating the case to insist that the kinds of music you enjoy will demonstrate pretty much what you are inside. If you give yourself to the contemporary fare of music that touches the baser emotions, it will shape your mind and emotions and desires, whether you admit it or not." Think about that!

Take Heed Your life will be shaped by the information you allow into your mind, which it will process. Jesus said, "Take heed what you hear." (Mark 4:24 NKJV) He said again "Take heed how you hear." (Luke 8:18 NKJV) Don't listen to just any music. Don't watch just any film or movie. Don't listen to just any music. Don't read just any book or magazine. Don't say, "It doesn't matter" It matters. Be selective and guided by the Word of God. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just , whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil 4:8 KJV) Whatever you meditate upon will eventually be magnified whether it is the 'poison' from those junk movies, music, magazines and

books or the life giving words from the Bible and Bible based materials.

The future God has planned for you and me is not one of disaster.

But what you do today determines the type of future you will have.

However, no matter how much you desire a glorious future, what you read, watch and listen to will determine a great deal the kind of future that you will get.

TAKE ACTION! If you are not born again, 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 confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and my Lord 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" I believe you have said this prayer from your heart.

Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon.

May you grow into Christ in all things becoming all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you.

Preparation for a great harvest of blessings

I

n the Old Testament, the children of Israel were commanded to gather for feasts, to hear the word of God in a focused, concentrated manner and to experience the spectacular (Deuteronomy 16:10-15; Ezra 6:1922; 10:9-12). In the New Testament, especially at the time of our Lord Jesus Christ, it was not different (Matthew 4:23-25; 5:1,2; 15:32). In our own time, God has also given us the great opportunity to gather unto Him during special seasons like the December and Easter Retreats.

The Easter Retreat this year is unique and promises blessings of salvation, healing, renewal and restoration, and abundant life for every participant. It is our special privilege to plunge into God's inexhaustible storehouse and receive until our joy is full. The Lord has abundant blessings enough to meet the needs of all His children.

But expectation determines realization. If we sow real faith, great expectations, serious publicity, earnest prayers and full

participation into it, we are sure to reap bountiful blessings and great miracles. If on the other hand we sow cold, lukewarm attitude, halfhearted participation and lethargic prayers, we cannot justly expect divine visitations.

Sincere heart and life preparation always precede spiritual breakthrough and unforgettable encounter with God. The level of readiness to receive from God is determined by one's relationship with God, earnest craving and desire, availability to receive, prayer of faith and openness of heart.

This preparation serves as a link connecting us with God's unlimited resources and sufficiency. God is prepared to bless and we must be prepared to receive too.

1.

P E R S O N A L PREPARATION FOR THE PROMISED BLESSINGS Retreat time affords people with varied needs the opportunity to plunge into God's power that "hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (salvation and total freedom, healing, deliverance, holiness, breakthrough

By

Pastor W.F. Kumuyi in life's challenges, power of the Holy Spirit, fruitfulness in the family, restoration, revival etc.). On the part of all who are longing for God's visitation and abundance, the need for personal preparation is paramount. It is only instructive that recipients of great blessings from God have always prepared

their hearts in terms of brokenness, sincerity, renewed commitment, obedience and removal of abominable objects.

In view of the great expectation from the Retreat to "be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of [His] house; and drink of the river of [His] pleasures" (Psalm 36:8), it is wise for us to (1) set goals (2) sanctify [set apart] ourselves (3) support with prayer and finance (4) seek to get the best (5) serve with commitment and dedication (6) secure necessary permission (7) spread abroad news of the programme.

2.

PROCLAMATION BY PEOPLE DESIRING THE PROMISED BLESSINGS Going by what the Retreat promises to deliver, God expects us to herald its coming with zeal and commitment. He expects that multitudes of people will be brought unto Him for salvation, spiritual renewal and restoration, and instruction in the Word. Such a great event must therefore be joyously proclaimed by all God's

people.

Every legitimate means and method must be employed by the church to proclaim and blaze it abroad. The goal for this year's publicity is to involve every member in effective and productive publicity. Emphasis will be placed on one-on-one contact. Operation Andrew cards will be handed out to all members to enable them monitor and follow-up on their contacts. This specific effort will be supported with (1) special Retreat jingles in English, Yoruba, Igbo and Pidgin and given to music sellers to broadcast on their public address equipment, (2) market and community awareness using Deeper Life Buses to convey brethren to designated venues for mass publicity, (3) public transport publicity by volunteers who will ply the metropolis announcing the Retreat, (4) use of handbills to create awareness. These methods of publicity must be sustained until all people hear, all places covered and all are sufficiently convinced to attend the Retreat.

BIG PUNCH The coming war will not be the war of the tribes or the war of the regions or the war of the faiths, or the war for oil. It will be the war of social justice. —Ibraheem Sulaiman

SATURDAY 31 MARCH — SUNDAY 1, APRIL, 2012

The coming (avoidable) war

S

o much discussions have been going on as to whether Nigeria will disintegrate, and how and when. Some even sense a war in the air, should there be any resistance against the breakup. Some, who see salvation in oil, a commodity which has plunged so many nations into a perpetual grief, look forward to the happy days ahead when they would have been emancipated and out of Nigeria.

Others yet feel very sorry for the common enemy, 'The North', which, because it has no oil, is adjudged definitely doomed. Few are those who bother to ponder the likely consequences that might follow. The breakup of Nigeria is a possibility, just in the same manner as Belgium, United Kingdom, Canada, United States and many other countries all over the world face similar prospects.

Moreover, blindness, foolishness, suicide are always possibilities among human communities. But breaking Nigeria asunder might not be the fascinating video game, or the thriller that some imagine it would be. Nigeria might become a theatre of many wars of emancipation, many wars of supremacy, many wars of genocide all taking place simultaneously in a game or thriller of human tragedy of bibilical proportion. Then suddenly brothers will discover that they are no longer brothers, neighbors no longer neighbors, tribesmen no longer tribesmen, co-religionists no longer coreligionists and one people no longer one people. At the end of it all no one would be truly emancipated, free or happy, no one would be able to explain why they fight, the lure of oil would have proved utterly unworthy of the sacrifice.

But all that appears to be a somewhat distant possibility. The more immediate cause for concern is the war that has already started, the war that could rage on and on with an unstoppable momentum and unparalleled fury. The Petroleum Strike a few months ago has brought to the fore the hidden war that has been simmering for long beneath the surface. All along the impression entrenched in the minds of every one by those whose purposes is best served by the policy of divide and rule has been that Nigerian is neatly and eternally divided, by divine decree, between North and South, between Muslim and Christian.

But the National strike thoroughly discredited that

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impression, laying bare the truth. It reveals a different picture of a rather more insidious, more dangerous divide: the whole nation on one side, the plutocrats on the other. The Nigerian people are united in the subhuman conditions they are forced to endure - poverty and helplessness. Poverty is poverty, whether it is of northern or southern

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extraction, whether the victim is muslim or christian, Hausa, Ijaw or Yoruba; invariably it yields the same result every where: human degradation. People have discovered that their poverty is power, their helplessness is power: these constitute the tools of liberation, the hope of living in dignity, the road map to a better future. Their anger, as expressed quite dramatically on the streets of Kano and Lagos and other cities across Nigeria, spread panic among the plutocrats who had felt themselves absolutely secure in the lap of the armed soldier; their indignation at the cruelty and injustice of government shook the very foundation of the state.

Nigeria since then has lost its innocence. Perhaps before the oilsoaked 'South' vanquishes the arid 'North', before the 'Christian' liquidates the 'Muslim', the war for social justice would have settled the issue.

The coming war will not be the war of the tribes or the war of

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the regions or the war of the faiths, or the war for oil. It will be the war of social justice. Its dimensions and ramifications will be wide and complex. Think of the time in the very near future when the humble man or woman in the village will accost the Honorable Chairman of their local government demanding to know the whereabouts of their common wealth, how he comes about his ornate houses and lavish life style; how is it that he has not delivered on all the promises he made to the electorate; how come that he alone plus just a few others in his immediate circle and in the party are rich while the electorate wallow in deepening poverty?

The Honorable Chairman will be left with the stark choice: accountability or war. Think of the Emir when tomorrow comes. He could be accosted by a young man, demanding His Royal Highness to prove his fidelity to Islam, to justify his spectacular opulence in the face of the crushing

deprivation all around him, feasting while his domain is dying slowly; to explain his utter indifference to the plight of the people, the vast majority who are poor, the countless farmers who have no access to fertilizer, farm implements or outlets for their produce, the numerous youths who are not educated, who are educated but not employed, who waste away as beggars, as loafers, as drug addicts; the growing number of families torn apart and broken by penury, the many unfortunate souls, orphans, widows, the sick, the hungry, the destitute, who are ignored and abandoned. The choice for His Royal Highness in that situation is stark.

Imagine a day that might come upon the governor. His Excellency is a person of many colors and many plumes; he has a dress for the morning, a dress for the noon, a dress for the evening, a dress for the night, a dress for every single occasion, more delicate in his attire than a bride in her wedding costume,

some times decked in gold and diamond, effeminate to the core: he can be displayed as a piece of ornament, a fine piece of art.

There is nothing in his appearance or his attitude to show any connection between him and the plight of his people. His Excellency represents an absolute betrayal of his people. As an Ibori, the quintessential Nigerian governor, northern or southern type he has dipped into the coffers of the state over which he presides as the ultimate trustee and has therefore acquired choice properties in choice locations in choice countries, amassed treasures of inestimable value abroad, flooded Nigeria with assets and untold riches, made himself comfortable, raised himself high above the law at least within the shores of Nigeria, and positioned himself in the queue for presidency. Imagine that time when he has to answer some hard questions: where is the people's treasure, where is the people's well being, where is the people's development, where is the people's future you have stolen?

That choice is not in doubt: accountability or retribution.

Similar fate may be coming too for lawmakers, public functionaries, and all others in position of public trust.

Think now of the moment in time in the future when the whole people will rise in anger and in unity to reclaim Nigeria. They know that they have not given anyone so far in this dispensation a free and fair mandate, but nonetheless there are authorities in charge. They know that before each election promises are made yet none so far delivered. They know they have been constantly shortchanged and deceived. They know that the Nigerian Dream has been shattered, consumed by the individual ambitions of the men and women in power. They know that Nigeria's rightful place in terms of development is in the league of Brazil, India, China and South Africa [BRICS], the fastest developing economies in the world, but because it has squandered its resources and energy and potentials, it has to settle for a league of lowly, inconsequential nations. When the time comes for accountability, only one question, perhaps, will suffice. That singular question is: Why is Nigeria poor? The choice the will be grave: full accountability or people's war. The war of social and economic justice is not inevitable.

It can be avoided, let's avoid it.

Published by Peoples Media Limited, 35, Ajose Adeogun Street, 1st Floor Peace Park Plaza, Utako, Abuja. Lagos Office: No.8 Oliyide Street, off Unity Road, Ikeja, Lagos, Tel: +234-09-8734478. Cell: +234 803 606 3308. e-mail: contact@peoplesdaily-online.com ISSN: 2141– 6141